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The next election is supposed to be held in January 2007. But the ruling alliance has already started all out preparation to win the election. I think they are actually desperate and it seems that they are suffering from lack of confidence. There are some obvious reasons for the lack of confidence. The ruling alliance has already led the country to win championship in the race of most corrupt countries. Almost everyday we find news about the corruption of different ministers. Even the JS committees composed of ruling party members talked about the corruption of ministers. However, the government is taking no step against such corruptions. The prices of all essentials are increasing everyday. At the same time the finance minister is boasting that the country is over flooded with development. RAB is killing known criminals as well as political activists denying individual’s right for justice.
   The ruling alliance is not thinking about the people. Instead, it is busy to destroy the opposition. There is strong rumour that the ruling party forced Ershad to divorce his wife. Is the ruling alliance planning to blackmail the opposition MPs so that they join the ruling party?
   In what kind of country are we living? Is there any hope for this country? I know that people belonging to the ruling alliance have accumulated enormous wealth during this four year rule. Ruling alliance has already destroyed education sector, health sector, judicial system through nepotism and corruption. These people are not willing to sacrifice what they achieved illegally so far. That is why they are desperate to win the next election.
   Jewel Ahmed
   Bashabo, Dhaka.

It will be interesting and educative as well to be informed as to why it is considered that the Jatiyo Sangsad is ineffective. I hope someone knowledgeable on the subject and having a reputation of being an impartial personality can list out the most important factors as to why people consider the JS ineffective. I can warn that patchwork will only complicate the issues.
   A few newspapers are ascertaining public opinion on some issues on a yes and no basis. A scientific poll can be conducted on the subject taking two groups into consideration. The first group will comprise MPs selected on a random basis from the political parties represented in Parliament, and the second will be just from among commoners. Include both male and female representation. The exercise might involve costs. Maybe someone will come forward to meet a reasonable cost if he or she agrees with the concept.
   A Bangladeshi
   On e-mail

We have heard of a lot of terms in political science about weak states, namely banana republic, soft state, etc. but which classification suits present-day Bangladesh? The way things are moving for Bangladesh now, it’s up to the political thinkers to search for a new terminology for us.
   No excuses can be acceptable for our failures in punishing lawbreakers and combating prevailing corrupt practices, but does it permit a few envoys of foreign countries to keep on conducting unbridled activities in almost all the matters of our national life? If you talk of receiving aid, which country, baring a few, does not receive that? But do the ambassadors (who are just mid-level salaried-government servants in their own countries) keep on giving sermons to the whole system in those countries? Have you ever seen foreign envoys making such indiscriminate remarks on local issues even in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka? No way! And why do they talk of providing assistance only? Are these countries not making money in Bangladesh in one way or another? Why then are these holy sermons?
   Well, let us put it straight. Does Bangladesh deserve the treatment or the image it is getting from our own (own really?) or foreign media or protagonists of human rights or democracy? No country is immune to any certain off-track practices in the present-day world. Take the case of the US, the UK, Germany, France, and so on. What is happening in the US and Europe in the name of ‘War on terror’? What about the detainees at Guantanamo Bay? What about restrictions on using religious symbols in France? What about the recent banning of few newspapers in Germany, run by the Muslims? What about the killings in Gujarat and Kashmir? What about indiscriminate Muslim killings in Thailand and the Philippines? Are they not violating human rights? Where is the ‘international’ (or intentional!) community?
   The irony is that we have transformed ourselves into a Sermon-happy nation! In the name of receiving foreign assistance, we have opened a Pandora’s Box. It may well be noticed that we have been receiving foreign assistance, through some NGOs, in some unnecessary sectors — something which resultantly, allows unwarranted interference of the so-called donors. Why can’t we restrict foreign assistance in some sectors? What’s the impact of receiving foreign donation for organising useless (albeit, for organisers’ and speakers’ use only!) seminars on various issues? Can’t we do even that with local contribution, if at all necessary?
   The role of media is of prime importance in this regard. We notice a general tendency of our newspapers of providing undue coverage to foreign envoys. Last year, we saw a petty Vice President of ADB getting sustained front-page 3/4-column coverage (of course, with coloured photographs!)  For two consecutive days, punched by her blown-up interviews while visiting Bangladesh, and what not! On the contrary, the same person went to our neighbouring countries, with almost no media hype. Every now and then, junior and mid-level officials from x, y, z bilateral and multilateral lenders come to Bangladesh and become mega stars, thanks to our media! These officials necessarily meet the finance minister, and quite often, the Prime Minister of a country of 140 million, who is elected by the people, and not a usurper! Can they meet the dignitaries of the same level, when they visit our neighbours? Why the PM or, for that matter, ministers, have become so accessible to such small fries? Now, how can the bureaucracy perform with some sense of responsibility and ownership, if these small fries are not made to settle issues with the officers? Why can’t a nation speak up to such humiliating behaviour? We are a democratic country; and of course we have problems, but who doesn’t have those? We are definitely better-off than what we are being portrayed to be. It’s just a matter to be a little assertive on our part.
   Let’s have a little respect for ourselves first. If we don’t respect ourselves, nobody will respect us. Charity begins at home. The media, more importantly, our newspapers have a very important role to play in inculcating an awareness campaign to that end. Otherwise, we will soon become a nation of clowns and apes by every definition. Let’s wake up and live with dignity!
   Rizwan ul Alam
   On e-mail