Write-Ups (2003-2004)

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Write-upsFor

Dhaka CourierFor the year (2003 - 2004)

INDEX

Sl. # Date Title

01. 30/06/2003 To the GrameenPhone Authority

02. 15/07/2003 Excessive Call Charge and Discrimination

03. 17/08/2003 Doctors & Hospitals

04. 31/03/2004 GrameenPhone & Monopoly Business

05. 23/04/2004 Illegal Sojourner and their Toilsome Life

06. 02/05/2004 Save the Reputed Singer Mr. Khalid Hasan Milu

07. 08/07/2004 How Long We have to Suffer

08. 12/07/2004 Road Mishap

09. 18/08/2004 Load Shedding

10. 04/10/2004 Let's Ponder over the Key-men of Education

11. 25/10/2004 Worthwhile Steps should be Continued

12. 30/10/2004 Not are All Corrupted

13. 30/10/2004 Please Secure an Easful Journey

14. 04/11/2004 Time to Think Anew

15. 07/11/2004 Eid Greetings

16. 20/11/2004 Spurious Drugs; Bangladhes Perspective

17. 09/12/2004 Let the Children Enjoy Freely

Composed By -

Muhammad Anwar HossainLaboratory Assistant

Cotton Research, Training & Seed Multiplication FarmJagadishpur, Chowgacha, JessoreEmail: [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

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To the GrameenPhone Authority

I'm a government employee with low-income and I'm living in a remote area,

Jagadishpur under Chowgacha upazilla in the district of Jessore, near about 800km away from my home. Only mobile phone is the main medium of

communication with my home and I use it almost everyday going to commercialphone-shop. I pay Tk. 10 per minute as call charge, which is more expensive tome and it is also waste of my valuable time. I may be a consumer of theGrameenPhone by paying necessary money at a time. But here the question isabout the validity for 21 days of a Tk. 300-rated prepaid card. We all the

government employees are working in remote places of our country and thenetwork of GrameenPhone is also available everywhere. So, a governmentemployee can easily be a consumer of the GrameenPhone but he can't buy twoprepaid cards per month. To buy a Tk. 600 prepaid card will be burden to them,especially those who get 3000 - 5000 Tk per month as salary. If the validity ofthe prepaid card is extended to 30 days, I think and am sure, the number of theconsumers of the GrameenPhone will be increased rapidly.

Therefore, I urge the GP authority to increase the validity of prepaid card from 21

days to 30 days.

Dated, Jagadishpur, 30 June 2003

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Excessive Call Charge and Discrimination

Formerly, I wrote a letter titled "GrameenPhone cards" and it was published inDhaka Courier, 52nd issue. But it was a disgraceful matter to me that I failed todraw attention of the concerned authority. My proposal has yet remained as usual

than ever before it was. Again I want to draw the attention of the concernedauthority of Cellular Phone Service Organization (CPSO) on the matter ofdestining excessive call-charge and creating discrimination among thesubscribers. The terms 'Business' and 'Welfare of the people' have not the samemeaning. If the view of the CPSOs is business then nothing I want to say abouttheir business because business always business so as to here the welfare of thepeople is a meaningless matter. But if their view is latter that means to providebetter service on the object of welfare of the people as well as their subscribers

then I have something to request them.

Some days before, BTV telecast a review programme on the aspect of cellularphone services and about their business strategies. Three elite persons from the

three CPSOs participated in the discussion of the programme. Comparing withIndian cellular phone services, the host of the programme emphasized on amatter and revealed that how the CPSOs viz. GrameenPhone, Aktel, CityCell seton a lot amount of money as call-charge on their subscribers than India in thesame business. He quoted from a recent statistics of India that India charged

0.70 Rupee as call-charge per minute at the same time and same business CPSOof Bangladesh charged 4.00 - 6.90 Taka per minute. He then asked manyquestions to them on the object of fixing excessive rate. But the three pioneerswere acutely diverted from the actual point. Furthermore they sang the samesong individually and they explained their shortages and business strategies thatseemed to us a lame-pretext. The CPSOs can set on their expected load on thesubscribers whenever and whatever they want. Seeing the monopolistic business

of the CPSOs I chased by many questions. I as well as the subscribers of differentCPSOs want to know the answer from the Bangladesh Government that - Do the

Bangladesh has any specific rules and regulations to regulate and oversee themonopolistic business? If the answer is positive than what is the respectiveauthority doing? In this regard here the another question is that if Indian cellularphone organization can charge a reasonable amount as call charge, so, why donot Bangladesh at the same business? Is the cause of distinction that the Indiansare more conscious than that of Bangladesh or lack of our mere mentality? Out oftheir strategies of these CPSOs of Bangladesh if welfare of the people is one of

the parts then they should think again to impose more load on their subscribers.

On the other hand, not only setting on excessive rate but also fixing differentrates is another one-sided practice of CPOS. Each organization has three types ofservices, viz. ISD, NWD and Pre-Paid. Among these services Pre-Paid services ismore costly than other services. In spite of being subscribers of the identicalCPSO all subscribers can't enjoy the same advantage. Per minute call-charge

(mobile to mobile) for ISD and NWD are similar but comparatively the charge forPre-Paid is higher. Moreover the subscribers of ISD and NWD services get the

advantage of Off-peak, Super-peak and 4-pulse on the contrary subscribers ofPre-Paid get nothing. Through reading newspaper everyday we found attractiveadvertisement on different CPOS and some times the news of celebration ofGrameenPhone on achieving million subscribers. But In spite of being copioussubscribers still we are deprived from getting reasonable call-charge advantage.

However, may I have the attention of concerned authority of CPSOs to keep

similarity among their different services and respective authority of BangladeshGovernment as well to look at the matter seriously and I request to take urgentmeasures in accordance with the rules of Bangladesh Government. As thesubscribers our belief will be more firm on the activities of present government ifwe see the appropriate steps have been taken against the monopolistic business.

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Doctors & Hospitals

A letter titled Bangladeshi Doctors written by Mr. Masum Billah, published in

Dhaka Courier on vol-20, 4

th

issue reminded me the identical situation of hospitalthat I confronted on Mid June this year when my ailing father was at UsmaniMedical College Hospital in Sylhet. I with him stayed here only 4 days but itseemed to me that these 4 days lasted as 4 decades. I was always thinking whenmy father would be released from this prison.

The inner environment of this hospital is as unhygienic as slaughterhouse. Thestate of patients bed, toilet, provided food for patient, everything are too lower

quality to be alive a patient let alone to breath fresh air. Not only that but alsothe behaviour of doctors are as brutal as butcher and their brutality appears whenthey advice the patient for some unnecessary diagnosis, which sir Masum Billahhas already depicted in his letter. I dont praise further about our accomplisheddoctors because they are also the doctors of all evils. I as well as all victims ofmismanagement just would like to know- how long we have to suffer. The richesare able to go to abroad for better treatment whenever they want but those who

have no ability to go abroad what will happen to them. It is high time to takenecessary step on the matter and also the doctors should give up their such

mentality and conduct as earning a lot by any means ignoring their nobility ofprofession. Otherwise one day we have to compensate the loss created by themwith our valuable lives.

Dated, Jagadishpur, 17 August 2003

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GrameenPhone and Monopoly Business

Many more letters have been written in different dailies and weeklies, many

discussions have taken place in different media over the matter ofGrameenPhone's monopoly business but GP has never paid heed to the matterrather it is carrying con its business in full swing overlooking the public interest.

We who are the subscribers of GP are the victim of GP's excessive call chargeimposed upon us. At present GP charges higher than that of other existingCellPhone services as AKTEL, CityCell. The facilities - only one MYEASY number,off peak hour from 12.00 am to 8.00 am and reduced charge @ 4 Tk per minuteafter two minutes from calling - given by GP is quite farcical matter. Many of thesubscribers have protested and is protesting so far against GP's very monopolybusiness but GP stands still on its own strategy. It seems that there are nospecific rules and regulations in our country to control the business giant like GP.In spite of protesting government does not take any kind of action against the

GP. Now we start believing what is told about the interrelation between the GPand government is quite true.

Dated, Jagadishpur, 31 March 2004

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Illegal sojourner and their toilsome life

Bangladesh is a developing country. The unemployed people of the country arerising at a high rate every year. There are no available job opportunities inproportion to the rising unemployed people. Though someone gets any job but

the salary given is not sufficient to live with peacefully. This is why a lot of peoplego to abroad every year in search of earning their livelihood following either legalor illegal way. Our country earns plenty of foreign currencies per year from theseexpatriated persons. But nobody knows that through the toil of those we arebeing benefited what happen to them if they are illegal. Every year a greatnumber of people go to abroad illegally by spending a huge amount of money andwhere they are leading an uncertain life. Being illegal they dont get any fixed job.Due to police raid or other problems most of the time they go into hiding and

living an inhuman life. Sometimes somebody is sent back to his own country.Having sentence to imprisonment and after passing some valuable times in a jail

when he reaches the country then he cant compensate his loss sustainingbecause of going to abroad. Does our government has nothing to do something in

respect of them who are illegal in abroad?

Many of the travel agencies of our country have no lawful rights to run theirbusiness. Nevertheless they are carrying on their business in full swing violatinggovernment rules and regulations and most of them are involved in sending

people to abroad illegally. It is said that they claim upon a person a huge amountof money, which has no records in black and white generally. After receivingmoney sometimes they send people to abroad or sometimes they do not but theynever refund the money they received. Some people who are recognized as inlocal word DALAL (Commission agent) and have no specific office claim to Tk. 7 to10 lakhs per person in order to send him to London. After getting money theyusually prepare forged documents by which they send people to London. They

follow the same way to send people to anywhere in the world. Besides, as far as Iknow, despite being certain of fake documents Airport Authority also allows the

illegal person to board aeroplane. Thus many people are deceived every year bythese travel agencies or agents. Unfortunately the law enforcement agencies ofour country fight shy of these irregularities caused by the aforesaid travelagencies or agents.

Many people of Sylhet district go to abroad especially London or America andmost of them go there by illegal way. Such illegal sojourners are of many in

number in many countries especially London, America and Malaysia. There theyare doing job mainly in several restaurants. Sometimes police raid therestaurants, apprehend the illegal migrants and send back them to the country.When the victims come back to the country then hes no way left to survivebecause already hes staked his whole assets even ancestral homestead andloosed in the name of going abroad.

Government should undertake some policy to protect such illegal migration. Toprotect this, first of all it should enhance the capability and accountability of law

enforcement agencies to find out such guilty agents or travel agencies and forcethem to wind up their business even arrest the accused. Secondly, it shouldundertake such a diplomatic policy with which it can build a good relation withthose countries where illegal expatriated persons are great many. Afterwards,with its policy it should make sure the legality of living in abroad or getting work-permit to do any job without any trouble for those persons who are illegal at leastfor five years so that they can recover their money they spent during going to

abroad. Otherwise, once upon a time, government will be burdened with suchreturned person from abroad.

Dated, Jagadishpur, 23 April 2004

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Save the reputed Singer Mr. Khalid Hasan Milu

We enjoyed watching ITYADI on television in 30 April 2004. Generally ITYADI is

a popular entertaining TV magazine. Its every event delights us very much alongwith making us think of inconsistency existing in our society. It also helps us tobe conscious of our unconscious state. This is why I convey my heartiest regardsand appreciation to Mr. Hanif Sanket for directing such a amusing andconstructive magazine. ITYADI is such a distinct TV magazine that hardly daresto telecast different inconsistency pervaded in our surroundings. Besides, throughthe magazine Mr. Sanket introduce many unrevealed meritorious people to us as

well as does many works beneficial to the general masses. Such a work he hasdone by focusing Mr. Khalid Hasan Milu, an ailed and abandoned person who wasa star in realm of music once upon a time, on television with a short interview.His praiseworthy effort of introducing Mr. Milu who is now attacked by severediseases to the general mass is deserving of more and more reverences.

Before three years from today, singer Mr. Milu had both reputation and money.He was rendered with national award by government in music. Moreover, despite

being ailed and penniless he didnt want any financial help to us rather soughtblessing from us. His good custom makes us feel how noble man Mr. Milu is. Butnationally recognized this distinguished singer is now bearing his sufferingspatiently. He is waiting for his last days due to illness. He has already beenindigent by spending a lot of money in connection with his illness. At present hehis leading a very inhuman life at his residence in Tongi. But it shouldnt beacceptable to us whats happening to him. The affluent people, music lover aswell as our government that rendered national award to Mr. Milu one dayshouldnt avoid the matter. We should come forward to undertake such a step

that will combat the disease of this outstanding singer. Leading such a painful lifesilently as Mr. Milu does is not desirable to us. He has a lot of affluent friends andfellows and most of them are reputed singer indeed. If they have a littlesympathy with their friend Mr. Milu they can afford to collect money on account ofproviding medical treatment to him by arranging a grand concert. Moreover,government can shoulder the expenses of for his medical treatment. Even iftheres no proper convenient of better treatment in Bangladesh, government

should sent him to abroad in order that proper treatment. The riches of ourcountry can also take measure to make Mr. Milu cure by helping him with money.

I have an earnest request to Mr. Sanket that since you have brought Mr. Milu tolight, please you do more for him. You are only one man who can motivate thegovernment to take proper steps in shouldering his expenditure for treatment. Inshort, I draw the attention of affluent people, Samaritan as well as thegovernment to pay heeds to the matter and save Mr. Milu.

Dated, Jagadishpur, 02 May 2004

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How long we have to suffer

It is about a year since I wrote a letter about cellular phone services especiallyabout GrameenPhone, revealing that how unreasonably they are being benefited

in making their subscribers witless. Even the comparative state of cell phoneservice between Bangladesh and others countries throughout the world is statedin that letter. But anybody has hardly noticed in this regard. Rather the cell phone

services are depriving the people of their rights, keeping their call rate as usual.

The existing cell phone services are carrying on their own business avoiding theinterest of their subscribers. They are extorting a huge amount of money fromthe subscribers by imposing an unjust call charge on them. Not only that, thereare different call rates of different services in spite of carrying on their business ina same field in an identical country. No other country in the world likeBangladesh where the government is giving them privilege to do whatever theylike without controlling the rush.

The budget session is over. General mass expected that in the budget session ourdistinguished minister for Finance and Planning Mr. Md. Saifur Rahman wouldtake necessary measures to minimize the call rate and reduce VAT and taxes forthe accessories regarding cell phone services. But he only proclaimed theabatement of VAT from Tk 3000/4000 to Tk 1500 for mobile set. About call rateminimization nothing he said in the budget session. Through writing letters oneafter another in the dailies or weeklies, our all out efforts of bringing this

monopoly to the government's notice has fallen flat.

Previously, in a parliament session, one honourable MP strongly opposed what thecellular phone service providers are doing at present. But he has unfortunatelybecome silent now. It is not expected that before the eyes of government, someriches are becoming richer day by day but the government will do nothing butpatronizing them. This is a disgraceful matter to us.

In fine, I would like to draw the attention of our government as well as concerned

authority to institute proper rules and regulations to hold the reins of suchmonopoly. That the Government will release about two lakh SIM cards by theDecember 2004 is a praiseworthy step but it won't be the one and only solutionto relieve the subscribers of unjust call rate unless the government take controlover these cellular phone services.

Dated, Jagadishpur, 08 July 2004

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Road Mishap

In recent days, the incidence of road mishap is increased alarmingly andplenty of people are always being scapegoat of these road mishaps. Everyday, we

come across the news of road mishap while we watch TV or read newspapers.The road mishap leaves numerous people wounded even dead almost everyday.The consecutive road mishaps have made us frightened of how we move fromone place to another to serve our daily purpose, as we are not secure from theroad mishap. There are many busy roads in our country. Of them Dhaka-Aricha,

Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Chittagong roads are worth mentioning. Repletewith passengers beyond capacity, vehicles of many kinds ply on these roadsviolating the traffic laws. The condition of these roads is well inasmuch as presentgovernment has recently renovated worst part of the road wherever necessary. Itwon't be said that road condition is liable for these road accidents occurring oneafter another. For what, the sudden road mishap is taking many valuable livesday after day. There are many reasons behind the occurrence of road mishap.

Among them inapt driver, conductor as substitute for driver, driver without orfake driving license, illiterate driver ignored about traffic laws, tendency of

overtaking, haste for nothing and last of all the relaxation of our authorityconcerned to curb these incidences of road mishap may be mentioned.

For my personal affairs I am to travel a lot across the country. I have observedthat many drivers are taught driving without going to receptive institute. Onceupon a time most of the drivers were helper or conductor. Serving as a helper orconductor, one becomes a driver one day and by giving a handsome amount ofmoney as bribe to the respective authority, one posses a license without

appearing at exam for license. Those drivers who are eligible for being a driverare responsible for the consecutive road mishap happening in an alarming rate

recently. Many of the vehicles have hardly any road permission due to its badcondition. Nevertheless, they are given permission to ply because the owners ofthese vehicles manage permission by illegal means. And in our country, it is veryeasy matter to get permission if anyone spend a little amount of money for thispurpose. In long-distant road there is no sign of speed limit, for this reason drivercan drive their vehicles at any speed they like. Unnecessarily running the vehiclesat a high-speed causes the accidents to a great extent.

The state of our road-communication has been better than before. In spite of thatthe incidence of road mishap has not been abated, although it is supposed to bebetter. I think that inapt driver, negligence of concerned authority and corruptionamong the respective persons serving in the BRTA are notably accountable for

these consecutive road mishaps. To lessen the rush of road accidents thegovernment has to come forward. But our government seems to be blind to how

the matter will be handled. I request earnestly to the authority concerned as wellas our government, please look into the matter and take necessary measures to

curb such road mishaps considering that we are human beings not animals and Ihave the right of travelling safely

Dated, Jagadishpur, 12 July 2004

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Load shedding

Load shedding is the most common phenomena of our country. The People of our

country often undergo much suffering caused by the load shedding. I know thatload shedding is indispensable in our country, as the electricity generated is not

sufficient to meet the national demand entirely. My endeavour to write this letteris not subjected to any grievance against load shedding. I would like to write

something to draw the attention to the time schedule of load shedding.I'm an inmate of a remote village under Jessore district where load sheddingoccurs everyday at about 07.00 pm and lasts about two hours. But these hoursare the peak hours for students especially children to study. Owing to loadshedding, students cannot complete their home assignment in time. When theelectricity returns, it is too late for children to study, as most of the students invillage go to bed within 10.00 -10.30 pm. Excluding study hours, If the schedule

for load shedding is changed and defined then the students will be able to study

in time.

I, therefor, would like to draw the attention of the concerned authority to payheed to the matter and take necessary measures so that the students can getexemption from this sufferings.

Dated, Jagadishpur, 18 August 2004

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Let's ponder over the key-men of education

Education is the backbone of a nation. But it is a question how much advisablethe saying is in context of Bangladesh and in true sense of the term. Because the

teachers of both primary and secondary school level in general, the noble sectionof a society, the key-men behind building of a nation through making it educated,are still treated with disregard and devoid of their fundamental rights. The salaryas well as the job status the government has fixed for them is not reasonable inproportion to their dignity and existing economic state of the country. The trainedhead teachers of primary school level are entitled to the 15th grade national payscale (1975-105 X 7 - 2710 - EB - 110 X 11 - 3920) while the non-trained are

entitled to 17th grade pay scale (1750 - 80 X 7 - 2310 - EB - 90 X 11 - 3300),which is similar to that of a peon or guard of other government organizations. Thepay fixed for the teachers are unscrupulous and unseemly for them. Since theemergence of Bangladesh, the government employees have been experienced

with five national pay scales implemented in 1973, 1977, 1985, 1991 and 1997.But there hasn't been any remarkable scope for the teachers to be benefited orany equitable remuneration to live peacefully with. The national pay scale has

been changed time to time, but the living standard of the teachers has remainedas usual. The government has never given accentuation to the plight of the

teachers, the most important nation-builders of any country. The teachers havebrought many processions in demand for changing their pay and status so far,but who do care?

The teachers in a society are the most honoured persons. But the irony is that nolonger they will be reputed and respected even they are not now because ofmaintaining their family in unfair means. They don't attend classes regularly and

they pass the most of their times in coaching centre, which they run as abusiness. In the name of private tuition they exact a huge amount of money fromthe students who read in their coaching centres. The students who can't afford toread in a coaching center ultimately score a poor result. There are mushroomedlike coaching centres here and there in our country. But our government has nocontrol over them. As the teachers get poor salary, they have taken the aegis ofunfair means to earn their bread and butter. Had there been a judicious pay scale

for the teachers, the teachers wouldn't have been subsided from their morality.On the other hand, the quality of education is being deteriorated day by day. This

is why the guardians tend to send their children to kindergarten rather thenprimary school. The bigwigs of our country utter big-talks about the developmentof education sector. But it is incomprehensible matter to us that without

accenting the teachers' right how the progress of education is possible.

We all know the importance of education. But ignoring the key-men expectedachievement in education sector is impossible. The Pay Commission has been

formed and it is on the way to submit their report on new national pay scale. Priorto submission of new pay scale, the government should ponder over the teachersand their reputation. In my opinion, the status of a primary head teacher shouldbe second class. Lessening the gradation from 20 to 10 if the new pay scale isdesigned and the status of a teacher is upgraded, the entire phenomena ofeducation must be changed. So I earnestly request the authority concerned topay heed to the matter so that the teachers can get an equitable remunerationand live up to their reputation.

Dated, Jagadishpur, 04 October 2004

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Worthwhile steps should be continued

Several months back, the present government deployed army to lessen thepervading corruption of the country and attained a remarkable outcome. The

army were successful in sweeping out corruption and irregularities. During severalmonths tenure, they evicted a good number of unlawful establishment from allmost every district's town across the country. Moreover because of their activeefforts, robbery, hijacking, snatching, abduction, toll collection, children andwoman repression, deadly weapon trafficking, narcotic drug trading, etc. wereremarkably reduced to a great extent. That time the people of the country couldcarry their valuables fearlessly and live peacefully. For such praiseworthy step,

the people of the every section applauded the government. But, as ill luck wouldhave it, such step of the government was stopped. After few days of armywithdrawal, the corruption and irregularities flourished again as it had beenbefore. Now the initiative of the formation of RAB, Cheetah or Cobra and their

deployment are also another worthwhile move of the government. These specialforces are discharging the identical responsibilities the army used to do.

Recently, with the advent of sacred Ramadhan, the government has undertakenan initiative to have the people exempted from the adulteration and unjust price

hike of daily essential commodities, and deployed mobile courts throughoutDhaka. We are very much pleased to see the dynamic action of the mobile courts.Everyday we watch on the BTV how rapidly they are taking action against theshop owners who are adulterating the foodstuffs by mixing toxic chemicals to dyethem. They imposed the fine on the drivers of the different vehicles who have noor forge license. Besides they actively take necessary measures where they findthe corruption occurring in broad daylight. This very measure of the government

deserves of high appreciation. The mobile courts have kept an emblem of successin curbing the corruption as the army used to do before. This initiative of thegovernment shouldn't be confined only in Dhaka. It should be extendedthroughout the country and not only for Ramadhan, for round the year also.


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Not are all corrupted

The term "corruption" sounds much worse to hear but we all are somehow

involved in practicing it. We generally make responsible the governmentemployees for the corruption. But we don't like to know why they do corruption,going inside the matter. I confess that there is corruption all along in each andevery government organization. The government employees take the resort of

corruption so as to maintain their families (including four members) in a peacefulmanner. Because what they are paid as pay and allowances are not sufficient tolive humanly. One can easily define the inconsistency between the pay theemployee receive and present economic state of our country. When we, as aleader or a saviour, address any meeting or try to compose article onirregularities prevailing in the society we utter big-talks or write many moreengaging things as to how the corruption or irregularities can be dispelled out of

the society. But we never attend to do what we say or write practically. There is

no similarity between our speech and deed. It is our uncanny instinct that weoften forget what we pledge to the society and we try to find fault with others-not to mention government employees. With malice to none and best regards Iwould like to know - are only the government employees accountable for beinginvolved in malpractice? In my opinion, obviously not. Even then, one may differfrom me on this opinion. But reality is that however honest the governmentemployees may be, they are always treated as dishonest one. I can assertoutright that according to the masses if the government employees are liable to

do corruption (though all are not as such), they can rectify themselves if they getequitable remuneration according to their degree of duties. Here I would like tocite a saying of an honourable person, Mr. Muhammad Zamir, "If we pay peanuts,we will only get monkeys". Though the saying is a caustic remark, it is quite

natural.

Whatever we, from the different sections of the government organization, write

about or demand employees' wages, the government will pay wages in consistentwith the present economic state of the country. Bet yet I earnestly request to the

Pay commission to submit a time-befitting pay scale and finally with best regardsI request the authority to finalized such a pay scale as the government employeescan restrain themselves from taking the resort of illegal means. Moreover, Iwould modestly ask every section of our society- please, don't keep on blamingthe government employees; rather do something in favour of them so that theycan get a equitable salary and they can devote their all out efforts for thebetterment of the nation.


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Please secure an easeful journey

Eid, the cardinal festival of the devout Muslims is very next to us. The

people who are serving their job in a distant place try to observe this ritualfestival with their kith and kin at all hazards. At least once in a year, they visit

their ancestral homestead on the occasion of Eid. What I would like to depict isthe fact that due to improper transport system and imposition of unjust fare,many can't observe this festival with their family together. The followingproblems they encounter are that -

Despite apposite directive of the government - before 10 to 15 days of Eid, Thetickets for the railway are supposed to sell in a scheduled manner - one can't get

ticket according to his desired date without paying some extra money. If one failsto pay extra, he is to hear, "Sorry, there is no ticket." Though it is very caustic tohear, it is really true that some employees of the railway department mind it thatexacting extra money during Eid festival is their legislative right. But outside of

the ticket-counter there are umpteen tickets selling at a high rate. If one canafford to pay higher price than existing, only he will be the fortunate to have theopportunity of travelling. There are many evidences that for their self-interest,

the employees of this department harass the passengers in many ways. In spiteof adequate tickets they sell "standing-ticket" that means the holder of such

standing-ticket won't get seat and he has to travel standing. Finding no otheralternatives, one generally takes the pain of such traveling during the Eidoccasion.

Again, when one would like to travel by bus, he is to confront some embarrassingand obnoxious situation. While he steps into a bus-stand, some Helpers of severallong-route bus services grip his hands and keep dragging and pulling him towards

them, as if he is a scapegoat, to have him board their bus. At one stage he loseshis baggage, get his dress torn - not to mention what happens to him, if he hasthen children with him. This very unseemly practice harasses the passengersevery year especially on the Eid occasion. Despite the deployment of specialforce, this vitiated situation hasn't hitherto been improved; rather is beingdeteriorated day after day.

After enduring Helper's repression, Once one boards the bus, he is to encounteranother step of extortion. On the plea of Eid festival, the ticket collector charges

him double more than existing fare. That time, one is forced to pay whatever heis charged and he pays so as to get home anyhow. About unscrupulous extortion,there is hardly any scope of argument. None can stand against the unfair means

by which they are victimized.

We, amongst the poor employees, who are unable to spend extra money, arebeing swindled whenever we are on trip home. Especially on the occasion of Eid,

when we are in an awkward predicament to maintain our family, such unjusttransport cost during travelling home is also deepened our misery in many ways.To get ride of this situation, I plead with the authority concerned to take stepsagainst the roguery and secure an easeful journey for all.


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Time to think anew

I have recently gone through a report published in a leading daily that round 317

persons died during the month of October 2004 in different cases. The DemocracyWatch has prepared this report on these death cases on the basis of the differentnews published in the different dailies during October 2004. Among these deathcases, there were suicide, demand for dowry, rape, acid throwing, etc. The reportalso revealed that about ten journalists were injured and one journalist was diedby the oppression of the terrorists during that month. Having familiar with such

reports each and every day, we have been disgusted and now we generally try tooverlook the tale of how such occurrences are taking places. Even then can weevade our responsibilities? Can we be sure of not being the next sitting duck ofterrorism? Actually none of us will be able to escape our assassin, as we arestanding on a fragile structure of a country. This is the country where one can dowhatever one likes under the aegis of which I wouldn't like to mention becausewe all are known of its identity undoubtedly.

What the report of the Democracy Watch has unveiled is not new in presentbackdrop of our country. The report has made us again aware of how unsecuredwe are now and the hollow performances of our law enforcing agencies. But wehave the right of living and moving safely and the government means to provideus with necessary supports in this regard. As the law enforcing agencies hasshown their disability to abate the terrorism in a downright manner and if denyingthem the government endeavours to make its citizens' life safe through thedeployment of some additional forces, we shouldn't be critical or go on anycontroversy in the name of human rights violation. We have no food to eat, so

here the question is ludicrous which plate we will use. We would like to see theterrorism eradicated and that's all. It is no use thinking which way the

government follows. We would like to see the number of death tolls reduced from317 to zero. So I plead with the people of different sections not to be criticalagainst the government's effort. Rather it is high time we though anew.

Dated, Jagadishpur, 04 November 2004

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Eid Greetings

I completed my baccalaureate in 1989 and Diploma in Agriculture in 2001. I am a

government employee serving in an agriculture farm since 1994. In 2001 I wasfortunate to get involved as a Data Analyst in a project financed and directed by

FAO. The project was on IPM (Integrated Pest Management). During IPM period,to work with some foreigners I found myself very much weak in English. Thattime some of my colleagues suggested me for being subscriber of your esteemedmagazine to get over such weakness and I did so. The day when I touched DhakaCourier at first is a milestone of my life because it has changed my existence tothe root. It will not be exaggerated to say that it has helped me realize how littleknowledge I had in school and college life. Different grammars by A. J. Thomson,

Raymond Murphy, S. M. Zakir Hossain and so on, English language related booksby Nigel D Turton, Thomas Elliot Berry and above all Dhaka Courier has made meskillful at the English Language, though I have hitherto been doubtful how much Ihave been versed in English. But it is really true that in school and college what I

was learnt about English didn't help me write even a simple sentence correctly,what Dhaka Courier has helped me to overcome easily. I revere Dhaka Courierand its family with my devout regards and once again express my gratitude to

have been able to be a mediocre member of the family. Though I can't grasp theessence of some write-ups, even then I try to continue endeavouring to make out

the precise of all write-ups. Of all the columnists of Courier, I highly admire andtake my hat off to the distinguished writer Mr. M. Harunur Rashid and AK FaezulHuq for their easily comprehensible write-ups. Moreover, I extol the regularparticipants who appear in Readers column with their innovative and constructiveviews and ideas. Among them, Mr. Saif, Mr. Nasir Uddin Roney, Mr. Debasis Paul,Mr. OH Kabir, Mr. Rafiqul Islam Rime, Professor M Zahidul Islam, Mr. MasumBillah et al are deserving of praise. I have enriched my skill by reading their

write-ups. Through Dhaka Courier I would like to convey my special Eid greetingsto all of the members of Courier family from top to bottom, who have somehowcontributed to adorn Dhaka Courier as a whole.

To end the letter, I give my special thanks to you for your generosity for givingtime to read this letter. Forgive me for the blunders that have been slipped upinto the text unexpectedly.


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Spurious Drugs; Bangladesh perspective

Drug means to save the human life when it is diseased. Manufacturing and

trading of drug are not only a sheer business. It has a large-scale commitmentand liability to the betterment of the human beings no doubt. But some wicked

persons avid for hoarding more money and devoid of moral principlesmanufacture spurious drugs or market very low quality drugs smuggled fromIndia. There are innumerable drug manufacturing companies in our country whichmanufacture spurious drugs right under government's very nose. There aremash-room like drug manufacturing companies in frontier of India which alsoinvolve in manufacturing spurious drugs and their aim is to market their drugs inBangladesh. Our drug-market is full of Indian drugs. Most of the drugs come to

our country through backdoor way. The smugglers are making a pile of money byswindling the messes. According to the President of Bangladesh Chemist andDruggist Association, there is a widespread network involved in drag trafficking inour country. The spurious drugs worth around five hundred crore are smuggled

from India as well as other countries on roadways or airways. Besides, thespurious drags worth around five hundred crore are also manufactured in ourcountry every year. There are 225 allopathic, 204 Ayurvedic, 295 Unany and 77

Homeopathic drags manufacturing companies in our country. Among thecompanies only a few maintain the quality of drugs. Moreover, there are

allegations of manufacturing spurious drugs against some of the enlistedcompanies. From a recent investigation it has also come out that some companieshave no lawful license in favour of their establishment and they mainlymanufacture spurious drugs through counterfeiting foreign branded popular drugsand supply them to the market overtly. These companies also market their drugsusing the label of reputed companies. Without active monitoring and qualitycontrol measures over the drugs imported from foreign countries the consumers

cant recognize which drugs are of good qualities. This is how they are beingdeceived time and again. In 1998, one student of Zahangir Nagar University,Amitab, collected several samples of antibiotic capsules under amoxecillin groupfrom different dispensaries of Dhaka and tested them in universitys laboratory.From the test result he found that these capsules were made of only powder;there were hardly any amoxecillin in them. Above statement and statistics unveilthe fragile plight of our countrys drug trade and how we are being victimized off

and on by taking these spurious drugs.

Most of the uneducated persons are quite ignorant about the active ingredient ofdifferent drugs. They completely depend on what doctors prescribe to take for aspecific disease. According to doctors' advice, people go to pharmacy and take

medicine. Whether the medicines they purchase are effective or harmful to thehuman beings admits of no other argumentation. And the deceptive matter is thatthese medicine taken by the patients at times do serious harm to the patients,even lead them to death. Having these spurious drugs many are being crippled

or embracing unnatural death. Among the drug victims, many are simple naturedvillagers. The Drug Administration Authority has hitherto taken massive actionagainst around 50 companies for counterfeiting or manufacturing spurious drugs.But it is not the responsibility of this authority alone. Alongside this authority lawenforcing agencies should come forward to dispel smuggling and trafficking ofsuch spurious drags root and branch.


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Let the children enjoy freely

The other day I along with my son and friends went to the National Children Park

at Shahbag. It was the day when the afterimage of the Eid festival was in theenvironment. To pass some pleasant moments and being induced by my boy I

went there. But what I observed was not pleasant. Rather it was unpleasant evenwaste of some valuable times. I have been dazed observing some irregularities,which are taking place in broad day light before the eyes of all.The condition of different apparatuses used in the different events is so fragilethat there may be any accident at any time. The apparatuses seem not to havebeen repaired or replaced for ages. Many of the apparatuses are out of order. Butthere is none to set them in working order. Some hoodlums were found roaming

around the park. They often disturb the visitors especially the woman. They teaseand vex the woman. Come to get delighted, sometimes the women areembarrassed even harassed by the hoodlums. But nowhere the security wasfound. There are two options for the visitors to purchase tickets. To enter the

park one is to purchase ticket from the respective counter, but without buyingticket one can enter the park by giving some money to the ticket checkerstanding on the entrance. For each event one is to buy ticket from the respective

counter. But there is also a similar option that one can enjoy any event by givingmoney to the respective operator. The money one pay to the operator never goes

to the government treasury. It is also a regular matter that most of the personsfollow the illegal means. This is why much of the money is being pocketed by thedishonest employees everyday, where the governed are hardly benefited. Theoperating duration (less than one minute) of any event is also very little. Everyevent seems to end at a lightning speed. Within one minute how a children canenjoy is one's out of imagine. After standing in a long queue once a child getpermission to enjoy, it finds the game over instantly. In fact, it is rather

ridiculous matter.The vulnerable condition of different apparatuses and the corruption committedby several employees appear that there are no rules and regulations to control ordiminish the corruption, or repair or upgrade the out-of-order apparatuses. It is aquestion arose from the mind of some conscious persons - how does it make theemployees so bold as to practise irregularities, snapping their fingers at theauthority concerned? Children Park means to provide the children with

amusement and joy, where there are no rooms for corruption. But the silence ofthe authority concerned makes us skeptical over the matter that without having

patronization of the authority some employees can't practise such evil designs.With regards and due respects to all, I would like to urge the authority concerned- Don't play evil game with the innocent children, at least let them enjoy in a

corrupt free atmosphere.

Dated, Jagadishpur, 09 December 2004

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Thanks to Honourable Finance and Planning Minister

A news item published on the Daily Naya Diganta on 15 December 2004 has

come to my notice. The honourable Finance and Planning Minister, Mr. M ShaifurRahman showed his discontent over the quality- service of different CellPhoneservices while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a seminar "DNA SATCOM

SATELLITE EARTH STATION" in a local hotel on 14 December 2004. In answerto different questions from the journalists he said, "Existing different CellPhonecompanies are sucking our blood by imposing an unjust call rate upon us. I shall

take necessary steps against them if they avoid reducing unjust call rate to anequitable level. Over the matter I will talk also to the honourable Prime Minister".

Aforesaid speeches of the honourable finance and planning minister hassomewhat made us happy that though late, the government has perceived hercitizens' wellbeing.

There are four private CellPhone Services in our country. Under the regulation ofthe BTTB another CellPhone service is on the way to set about its function soonand its call rate is supposed to be Tk. 3.00 per minute (peak hour). Among other

fours, GrameenPhone and AkTel are charging double rate than that of the BTTB'sCellPhone will charge. The SIMs the BTTB will market among the subscribers are

limited. Most of the eager subscribers won't be fortunate to have it. Like thefacilities the BTTB will offer, the subscribers of other CellPhone services mightn'tget the same. It's not fair. The call-rate should be the same of every CellPhoneservice. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the honourable finance and planningminister for such praiseworthy pledge and expect him to be firm on his speeches.

Dated, Jagadishpur, 15 December 2004

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Write-Ups (2003-2004)