It now appears that the long-awaited national elections will finally be held on December 29, as announced by the Election Commission (EC). The schedule for the election has also been announced. People now want to see the polls to be held in a free and fair manner when they can vote without fear and intimidation to elect their representatives to a new parliament. We hope that the political parties, specially the BNP and the Awami League--the country's two major parties--will act constructively and constitutionally while contesting the polls. We don't want to see black money or muscle power to sway the voters as it always happened in the past.
Arshad Hossain
Shantinagar, Dhaka
Admission ordeal
University is the highest academic place for students. Every student has a dream to study in a public university.
Every year we can see the number of GPA-5 holders is increasing rapidly.
Though they obtain the GPA-5, many of them will not get admission in a public university. The matter deserves a closer look.
Sheikh Md. Faysal
Shahjalal University of Science & Technology
Hartal
The businessmen who demanded ban on hartal are right. In our country, hartal means violence. So the government should ban hartal. The politicians too have to change their mindset on this issue.
Habibur Rashid Ismail
Jamea Rahmania Fadil Madrasa
Choitenyarhat, Chittagong
Passport renewal
We, the people, wish to thank our present government for its wise decision to allow the applicants to apply for international passport at the sub-post offices. Such decision will eliminate hassles and inconvenience of the applicants. We also desire that facilities for the renewal of international passports may be provided to their holders (international passport) at the post offices. It is the need of the time.
Abul Ashraf Noor
Former Principal Cadet College
Uttara, Dhaka
Obama heralds a new America
On November 4, the Americans voted to the White House Barack Obama who is going to be the first black President of the United States. Indeed, it was a vote for change in America which was Obama's campaign slogan. This US election was a landmark event, a turning point in American history; it indicated that the new generation in America is taking over the state of affairs in the world's most powerful nation. Hopefully, they will change the political culture of their nation which had so far been dominated by the older generation of conservatives and the so-called neocons who plunged the world into turmoil. With Obama in the White House, it is expected that there will be a major policy shift in US that will restore confidence and respect for the Americans across the world. We want to see America as the leader of the free world as well as a champion of democracy. Today, the world as well as the Americans are looking at President-elect Obama with great expectations!
Zahid Anwar
Banani, Dhaka
A lesson from US election
Our politicians should learn one thing from this latest American presidential election-the graceful way Senator McCain conceded defeat to President-elect Barack Obama, congratulating him and calling him 'My President'. That is the spirit of democratic culture. Likewise, Obama also had words of praise for McCain, recalling his contributions to US politics and his sacrifices in Vietnam war. It was a hard-fought election, but it all culminated so gracefully. It's an example our politicians must take lessons from.
Kazi Faruk
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Elections, at last!
We are happy to note that the country's two major political parties, the Awami League and the BNP, have finally agreed to participate in the national elections which have now been re-scheduled be held on December 29. But most importantly, it was nice to see the two top leaders of the two parties, Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, met and exchanged pleasantries at a function at "Senakunja" on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day. Let us hope they keep in touch with each others in the days ahead, at least for the sake of national interest.
Sabdul Hossain
Mirpur, Dhaka
Arsenic
Arsenic poisoning of ground water in Bangladesh and parts of India and Nepal is causing millions of poor and disadvantaged people in these regions to suffer serious health hazards and accompanying socio-economic consequences. It is sad that after lots of studies and reports published, there has practically been no concrete step taken so far to mitigate the sufferings of the vast majority of the rural people who are vulnerable to arsenic poisoning. We want the government to address the problem in right earnest.
Nuruddin Azam
E-ma |