Indian aid to Bangladesh:what's in it for us?
Sunday, 5 September 2010
The recent Indian Aid to Bangladesh as expected has divided the nation. The AL lobby has termed it 'epoch making' while it has drawn flak from the BNP lobby, thus putting the average mind in a state of confusion!
Receiving aid or grant from a country is nothing new. It started from USA, dating back to the early fifties of the Paki days. But all aid seem to become AIDS unless one knows how to take and spend it!
Bangladesh is a country with little or no technical skill. Technical skill is here referred to as the capacity to negotiate before accepting any financial aid. It is not that we are in dearth of experts, the problem is with our attitude. We always have had a partisan based team of experts, thus exposing our weakness.
India's aid to Bangladesh is based on a long term plan. It wants to develop and control the seven sisters, via a cost-effective short cut route through Bangladesh. Fair enough for a country which stood by us in our war with Pakistan.
But nothing is given free. Not even the different states of India do that. With West Bengal as its base and rightly so, India can execute plans for the seven sisters, and in the process control and develop Bangladesh without additional cost. All they have to do is create some agencies. We can see the signs.
A large number of foreign banks, insurance and manufacturing companies are now headed by Indians, unlike in the past. The parent companies have now washed their hands off Bangladesh, and deputed cost-conscious Indians for the 'inferior' Bangladeshis!
Similarly, in technology, which is the economic key to a country's progress, world class companies are now finding ways to operate in Bangladesh via India, instead of direct operation. The result is, Bangladesh now pays more -- about 15% to 30% -- for the import of advanced technology, which goes to India's coffer. Adding to this is the cost of maintenance, which Bangladesh must pay.
No need for trained manpower in Bangladesh. It can be provided from across-the-street Calcutta, capable of covering the entire zone to the east. It will therefore not be surprising that in about five to seven years' time a technology hub will be in operation from West Bengal to look after Bangladesh and its neighboring states!
Does it mean we should reject, the aid? The answer is NO.
We believe in regional and rational participation for development. What Bangladesh should do is, stipulate conditions so that Bangladesh as a recipient is not dependent on India at the end of the day.
And let us not forget, India is still a poor country and needs money. It cannot be our model of development.
Aidit Rahman
Email: aiditrahman@yahoo.com
Receiving aid or grant from a country is nothing new. It started from USA, dating back to the early fifties of the Paki days. But all aid seem to become AIDS unless one knows how to take and spend it!
Bangladesh is a country with little or no technical skill. Technical skill is here referred to as the capacity to negotiate before accepting any financial aid. It is not that we are in dearth of experts, the problem is with our attitude. We always have had a partisan based team of experts, thus exposing our weakness.
India's aid to Bangladesh is based on a long term plan. It wants to develop and control the seven sisters, via a cost-effective short cut route through Bangladesh. Fair enough for a country which stood by us in our war with Pakistan.
But nothing is given free. Not even the different states of India do that. With West Bengal as its base and rightly so, India can execute plans for the seven sisters, and in the process control and develop Bangladesh without additional cost. All they have to do is create some agencies. We can see the signs.
A large number of foreign banks, insurance and manufacturing companies are now headed by Indians, unlike in the past. The parent companies have now washed their hands off Bangladesh, and deputed cost-conscious Indians for the 'inferior' Bangladeshis!
Similarly, in technology, which is the economic key to a country's progress, world class companies are now finding ways to operate in Bangladesh via India, instead of direct operation. The result is, Bangladesh now pays more -- about 15% to 30% -- for the import of advanced technology, which goes to India's coffer. Adding to this is the cost of maintenance, which Bangladesh must pay.
No need for trained manpower in Bangladesh. It can be provided from across-the-street Calcutta, capable of covering the entire zone to the east. It will therefore not be surprising that in about five to seven years' time a technology hub will be in operation from West Bengal to look after Bangladesh and its neighboring states!
Does it mean we should reject, the aid? The answer is NO.
We believe in regional and rational participation for development. What Bangladesh should do is, stipulate conditions so that Bangladesh as a recipient is not dependent on India at the end of the day.
And let us not forget, India is still a poor country and needs money. It cannot be our model of development.
Aidit Rahman
Email: aiditrahman@yahoo.com