Congratulations to the New Age family for its fifth anniversary on June 7, 2008. I have been reading this newspaper for five years too. I remember the first day I saw this daily, it might be the month November of 2003, since then, I am a regular reader of it ever since.
   I like this daily for two reasons: its objectivity, and secondly, its modern get-up.
   As a reader it gives me pleasure to read this year’s anniversary editorial on June 7 which says ‘This last year, in fact, has been a most dynamic one for New Age — in the sense of the journalism it has delivered, and in particular in the sense of its circulation growing at a faster rate than ever before.’
   It is true five years is not much time for a newspaper to become a phenomenon. But in comparision with the other english dailies of Bangladesh, the New Age has reached a respectable position very quickly.
   Modern newspapers are not only paper for ‘news’. Modern newspapers are a mirror of the concerned society.
   We wish New Age all the best and congratulate everyone in the New Age family.
   Sarwar chowdhury
   Abudhabi, UAE

For long the journalists of Bangladesh had theoretically been decrying corruption and politically motivated crimes and hooliganism. And yet, when push comes to shove, these veteran journalists are found as the staunchest defenders of abjectly corrupt politicians and a perennially violent body-politic. What else could explain the loud editorial and self-righteous indignation in civil society forums against the recent anti-crime drive? The fact is that there are two permanent elements in the psyche of the journalist class in Bangladesh. One, it is a class that is tied by favours and family connections to politicians of various major parties. Two, they have a pathological hatred of the military. So, it follows that while the interim government has done much of what is often asked in newsrooms –– independent judiciary, anti-corruption commission, suppression of municipal malfeasance, among others — the fact that the military is assisting the government taking on the dynastic corruption of political parties makes journalists angry.
   The professional journalist class needs to wake up. They are still living in the 1960s when the ‘military’ meant an alien power. The military today is an indigenous one with a record of sacrifice second to none. Sure, the discipline and efficiency of the soldiers and sailors and airmen probably makes the typical journalist cringe. But it is our armed forces and they are a heck of a lot more patriotic than most garden variety politicians that the journos are rooting for.
   BT
   USA

Senator Barack Obama’s nomination as Democratic candidate is a step toward his becoming the first African-American president of the United States. His main campaign platforms of new direction in the American domestic and foreign policies are being watched at home and abroad. The failed policies of the current occupant of the White House, President George W Bush, is based on unilateral American military intervention in the name of fighting Islamist extremists. But he failed to realise that extremist Islamists are a greater threat to the moderate Muslims who don’t agree to their version of Islam.
   As Pakistani journalist Khaled Ahmed wrote in Lahore’s Daily Times: ‘In Sudan and Somalia, Muslims are killing Muslims. Muslim states have been warring with Muslim states, doing far more damage than any non-Muslim could have done. In Afghanistan, Muslims killed Muslims in the civil war before the world moved in with Daisy-cutters (bombs) with a UN legal cover. In Pakistan, Muslims kill Muslims then blame it on India.’
   When it controlled Afghanistan, the Taliban engaged in the brutal suppression, including mass executions, of those who didn’t agree with their interpretation of Islam; forbade any education for women (because they considered it unIslamic); engaged in the wholesale destruction of Afghanistan’s rich cultural heritage; and provided safe haven to Osama bin-Laden and his acolytes to carry out 9/11 attacks on America. But the greatest victims of the Taliban are the Afghans themselves who were brutalised in the name of Islam and the theocratic regime was no different from the Soviet-backed communist regime preceded it.
   After the American-led ouster of the Taliban/al-Qaeda, the extremists have regrouped in Pakistan’s tribal areas and have been attacking the Afghan and NATO forces. They have even been successful in convincing the newly-elected government in Pakistan to enter into a truce which will free their hands to attack Afghan and NATO forces. But as Hassan Bajwa wrote in the Daily Times: ‘The very nature of the Taliban’s credo encourages conflict and armed opposition. Anything they have to offer will inevitably be testosteron-fuelled, ignorant of the needs of women, and completely without consideration for anyone who does not agree with their one-sided perspective of Islam. Their “peace” is merely the calm before the storm that will push Pakistan back to the dark ages.’
   Despite 9/11 attacks on the United States and bombings in London and Madrid, Islamist extremists are a far greater threat to their own people as evidenced by almost daily bombings in Pakistan which have been taking heavy tolls of Pakistani lives. They have recently assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. As president of the United States, Obama must urge the Muslim countries to join the war against the extremists which pose a far greater threat to their own security.
   Mahmood Elahi
   Ottawa, Canada

The soaring global fuel price compels us to explore alternative fuel sources. Bio-fuel can be a good alternative as the whole world is now shifting a portion of their research funding for exploring this particular field.
   Sugarcane and corn, which are the main sources of bio-fuel, grow in our country abundantly. Especially, corn can be grown three times a year. Although this cultivation will affect our rice production, some initiatives can be taken in this regards.
   According to Economist, in December 2008, the crude oil price will be 200$. Our agriculture ministry can open a division for biotechnology which will fund agriculturists and biotechnologists for carrying out this type of research. We need to think about this matter seriously.
   Lutfor Rahman
   Seoul National University, Korea

More than any other market segment, youth and student tourism can pave the way to more responsible travel habits. Francesco Frangialli, Secretary-General of UNWTO, said this at the ‘World Youth and Student Travel Conference’, Istanbul last year. Supporting his opinion, the following reasons:
   (1) Young backpackers are the most open section of tourists when it comes to adopting new environmental solutions. 93 per cent young backpackers would/might purposefully play a part in environmentally friendly tourism in the future (Lonely Planet Survey 2007).
   (2) A young traveller’s carbon footprint is completely unique – at just 9 per cent of a business tourist’s per travel day!
   It is interesting to know the average business traveller spends just 3.3 days compared to 53 days for a backpacker. The industry guidelines will help influence the travel habits of millions of young travellers each year and build future generations of responsible tourism.
   The World Youth Student & Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation is a not-for-profit organisation that represents the world’s leading youth travel, student travel and international education specialists. Its global community of 550+ members in 119 countries provides international travel and educational experiences to 10+ million students and youth each year.
   WYSE Travel Confederation is committed to understanding the ever-changing characteristics, motivations, and needs of young travellers. This investment in research and market intelligence informs the policies, services and products which make international travel and educational experiences exciting, safe, accessible and affordable for young people.
   Bangladesh needs to keep in touch with WYSE that would be really helpful for our young generation to understand closely tourism and climate change.
   Mohammad Shahidul Islam
   On e-mail