Holiday obsession

Bangladesh is obsessed with holidays. It is time we have to realise that too many holidays in a developing country affect productivity and growth. The observation of various birth and death anniversaries is meant to appease vote banks. We would be paying a better tribute to our departed leaders if we rededicate ourselves to their ideals. Our politicians do only what they think can fetch them votes. They find declaring holidays and putting up statues of leaders an easier way than exhorting people to follow their ideals. It is also easier for them to lecture on leaders once a year, than follow their ideals and teachings. Most of the people, I am sure, spend such holidays on outing, watching films, and shopping. Is this the way to remember leaders? 170 million people wasting a day! Can Bangladesh afford this colossal loss? We should have national days and as a mark of respect to the national leader or the national day, people should work without being paid. All offices, factories, institutions and the like should function and the salary should go to the government's fund for the poor. People can plant trees, clean the streets, teach the underprivileged, and work for creating awareness on various issues in the cities and villages. Undertaking such activities would be the best way of showing tributes to the leaders. Avik Sengupta Dhaka Medical College