Corruption

The unscrupulous, opportunists and influence peddlers are the three cursed classes or persons, who are leading our country to the dogs. These people are the greatest impediments to national progress and should be exterminated once and for all from all spheres of our national life. These three professions, now a way of life in Bangladesh, are worse than what thieves and robbers do.

 One damaging aspect is that people who toe them have more cash flow, much more than many who are involved with genuine usual national level business or trading establishments. These parasites, found all over the country, are more harmful for us, than all the thieves and robbers taken together. Unfortunately these acts are commonplace in society and eating the essence of our national achievement. In contrast, the total loss from all theft and robbery over the years, is far less than one percent of the national loss engineered by these cursed evils, who outwardly have all the paraphernalia of gentlemen, in dress and decorum and personal behaviour. This is the sincere opinion of this writer; contradicting the 'business page headline' stating: "Corruption still a serious impediment to investment" that appeared in a popular local English language daily on September 3.

Popularly known as "Chamchas" in local Bangla slang, they spoon-feed themselves with cuts from many a side in the usual murky 'under the table deals', on which they are an unquestioned authority. They follow the popular saying that says, "making hay while the sun shines". They are the manifestation of all things cunning, clever and always coming up winners in the end with plenty of tax-free cash flow. Their 'return on investment' could well be higher than a 'lottery winner' and happens with regularity rather than a 'one-off' windfall' for any lottery winner. Quite often they are 'big-shots' that we ordinary citizen visualise living in the fringes of politics and big businesses, but with incomes well in excess of many national mid-level enterprises. Their deeds are in the realm of the 'unknown', more like shadows than substance. Till these 'two legged parasites' are exterminated, who populate our society well above the 'middle class' levels and more at par with the well-to-do, the future of the country's real progress and moving forward as we hope for, is a far-fetched goal.

A Saddened Bangladeshi

sam@dhakacom.com