An open letter to the Prime Minister
Monday, 6 December 2010
Shamsher Chowdhury
Your Excellency,
At the very outset, I seek your indulgence to encroach on your valuable time. I wish I could address the letter to some other person in your cabinet, but it is my impression that, for all practical purposes, you and you alone are the prime mover of all issues of governance.
Your Excellency,
The purpose of this letter is not to judge or even to evaluate the successes and failures of your government to date. As a citizen who is deeply concerned with the welfare of the country, let me touch upon a few issues for which you rightfully deserve the recognition and gratitude of the entire nation. Your interaction with the international community on combating the global impact of climate change, especially the devastating effect it may have on Bangladesh, is timely and praiseworthy.
Your Excellency,
We thank you for your government's commitment to hold trial of the war criminals who are guilty of committing crimes against humanity during our war of liberation and wish you success in this endeavour.
Your Excellency,
I shall be failing in my conscience if I do not mention yet another intervention for which you and your government deserve our sincerest thanks: the priority you have attached to the development of our Agriculture. I have personally been apprised of it by an agriculturist of international repute who was the first country representative of IRRI for Bangladesh for as many as 7 years from 1974 through 1981.
Your Excellency,
Despite all that, it appears that some things of consequence concerning the welfare of the common man and the majority of the population are still missing. It looks as though the Administration has not been able to take into consideration some issues which are very vital for the day-to-day living of the people at large. Being an ardent advocate of democracy, you are aware of the fact that in a democracy it is imperative to attend to the welfare of the common man. With all humility, may I point out that it has not been forthcoming?
The majority of the population, particularly belonging to the fixed income groups, the retirees and people living on the edge of the poverty line, are reeling under the burden of spiralling prices of daily consumables. They are passing their days in a state of helplessness.
Your Excellency,
There is much to be said about the countrywide downward swing of the law and order situation of which I am certain you too are aware of. Justice continues to be both inaccessible and elusive for people of limited means and the poor. I am not on a fault-finding mission and hence I do not wish to go into such issues like the perennial state of the traffic jam and the debilitating state of the power and water supplies.
Your Excellency,
With all humility, may I suggest that the state of human rights violations have reached its optimum level? It is my belief that it is high time that your government not only recognised this fact but also embarked upon a programme to improve the situation. People are highly concerned about this growing culture of impunity where convicted criminals are allowed to move freely and are exonerated of their crimes. Something is also wrong when we see that the dignity and honour of women continue to be violated through such diabolical acts as eve teasing and rapes and the families of the victims continue to cry for justice and terrorised by some members of the law-enforcement agencies. As I say this, I am aware of the fact that these are complicated and complex issues and cannot be overcome overnight, but what is of grave concern is the fact there is reason to believe that there are no concerted efforts on the government's part to combat these evils.
Your Excellency,
I believe very few in this country or elsewhere have experienced such grief and pain as you have undergone. Turn your grief into your strength and devote all your energies towards the welfare of the downtrodden, the disadvantaged, people with meagre incomes and the poor -- not in a symbolic way, but involve the entire government apparatus to mitigate their sufferings. They need water for their daily use, security, a peaceful night's sleep with their bellies full, the bare minimum medical services, and a life of dignity. We should seriously work towards narrowing the ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor.
Madam Prime Minster,
We believe that your government would be able to undertake those tasks effectively under your leadership. May I also humbly put it to you that these are also vital elements of a democratic state that need to be attended to without any further loss of time.
God be with you.
E-mail :
chowdhury.shamsher@yahoo.com
Your Excellency,
At the very outset, I seek your indulgence to encroach on your valuable time. I wish I could address the letter to some other person in your cabinet, but it is my impression that, for all practical purposes, you and you alone are the prime mover of all issues of governance.
Your Excellency,
The purpose of this letter is not to judge or even to evaluate the successes and failures of your government to date. As a citizen who is deeply concerned with the welfare of the country, let me touch upon a few issues for which you rightfully deserve the recognition and gratitude of the entire nation. Your interaction with the international community on combating the global impact of climate change, especially the devastating effect it may have on Bangladesh, is timely and praiseworthy.
Your Excellency,
We thank you for your government's commitment to hold trial of the war criminals who are guilty of committing crimes against humanity during our war of liberation and wish you success in this endeavour.
Your Excellency,
I shall be failing in my conscience if I do not mention yet another intervention for which you and your government deserve our sincerest thanks: the priority you have attached to the development of our Agriculture. I have personally been apprised of it by an agriculturist of international repute who was the first country representative of IRRI for Bangladesh for as many as 7 years from 1974 through 1981.
Your Excellency,
Despite all that, it appears that some things of consequence concerning the welfare of the common man and the majority of the population are still missing. It looks as though the Administration has not been able to take into consideration some issues which are very vital for the day-to-day living of the people at large. Being an ardent advocate of democracy, you are aware of the fact that in a democracy it is imperative to attend to the welfare of the common man. With all humility, may I point out that it has not been forthcoming?
The majority of the population, particularly belonging to the fixed income groups, the retirees and people living on the edge of the poverty line, are reeling under the burden of spiralling prices of daily consumables. They are passing their days in a state of helplessness.
Your Excellency,
There is much to be said about the countrywide downward swing of the law and order situation of which I am certain you too are aware of. Justice continues to be both inaccessible and elusive for people of limited means and the poor. I am not on a fault-finding mission and hence I do not wish to go into such issues like the perennial state of the traffic jam and the debilitating state of the power and water supplies.
Your Excellency,
With all humility, may I suggest that the state of human rights violations have reached its optimum level? It is my belief that it is high time that your government not only recognised this fact but also embarked upon a programme to improve the situation. People are highly concerned about this growing culture of impunity where convicted criminals are allowed to move freely and are exonerated of their crimes. Something is also wrong when we see that the dignity and honour of women continue to be violated through such diabolical acts as eve teasing and rapes and the families of the victims continue to cry for justice and terrorised by some members of the law-enforcement agencies. As I say this, I am aware of the fact that these are complicated and complex issues and cannot be overcome overnight, but what is of grave concern is the fact there is reason to believe that there are no concerted efforts on the government's part to combat these evils.
Your Excellency,
I believe very few in this country or elsewhere have experienced such grief and pain as you have undergone. Turn your grief into your strength and devote all your energies towards the welfare of the downtrodden, the disadvantaged, people with meagre incomes and the poor -- not in a symbolic way, but involve the entire government apparatus to mitigate their sufferings. They need water for their daily use, security, a peaceful night's sleep with their bellies full, the bare minimum medical services, and a life of dignity. We should seriously work towards narrowing the ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor.
Madam Prime Minster,
We believe that your government would be able to undertake those tasks effectively under your leadership. May I also humbly put it to you that these are also vital elements of a democratic state that need to be attended to without any further loss of time.
God be with you.
E-mail :
chowdhury.shamsher@yahoo.com