It is quite normal that any new calendar year would begin with a lot of optimism. To be hopeful is a natural psycho-socio syndrome and this time too, there has not been any short of it while welcoming the new Gregorian year through festive rituals.
As the New Year dawned, a wide array of challenges also lay vivid behind the sparkles of the festivities all around. These challenges range from environmental upkeep to management of natural resources to providing food, shelter, education, health, security, employment and all that should not only ensure our basic necessities but also our comfort for a better living.
In fact, challenges are the games that keep us busy. The truth is, we should be able to win or cap the challenges in a spirit of resilience, adaptation, innovation and goodwill. Any shortfall in these would only allow the challenges to brew further thus blurring our forecasts and desired visions for the future.
For us in Bangladesh, the New Year has its own importance as it will be a frame of time to ensure transition of political governance, continuing the economic upbeat and enhancing social value. The bygone year or years have already sensitized our aspirations in many sectors and this year, our expectations need to be met with due and visible results.
On the development front, the biggest challenge would be to maintain and gear up the plans and activities for infrastructure improvement. The road and rail connectivity, educational facilities from primary to tertiary levels, health care facilities for the common mass, access to water and energy etc., come under the purview of this infrastructure development web. However, as seen over the years, parasites like corruption, negligence and lack of capacity led many of the development projects to pits of failure. No wonder we have seen the cases of embankment breaches, faulty flyovers, health clinics with sub-standard or no nursing gears, schools without proper teaching aid and teachers, central bank falling prey to cyber heist and so forth.
While political sector would have its own rhythm to be defined, proper harnessing of the potential in socio-economic sector will call for due attention. Truly, there are widespread potential spanning across the country whether it involves the huge stock of youth population or the natural resources. Digital transformation in various sectors have already gone a big way but still centred on a sizeable segment of the society. A mass development programme including an effective campaign in the rural areas will be a fruitful step. The yet unutilised Social Obligation Fund accrued from the country's telecom operators could be used for this massive adaptation programme.
Ensuring access to electricity by everyone is of pivotal importance. The soaring energy demand would be multiplied manifold and this cannot be met by the capacity of electricity generation through fossil-fuel based projects. Solar and renewable energy will be the proper solution. While fossil fuel based electricity could be used by the industrial sector, much of the household needs could be met by the use of solar and renewable energy opportunities.
Education sector would need the biggest revamp. As it stipulates and stimulates all kind of progress and sustainability through effective manpower resources, the real challenge would be to ensure quality of education.
With the challenges looming, the New Year may not be an easy sailing. However, a steadfast vow can help us cruise through rough the waves of challenges.
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