Involving people in the process of national self-definition
Sunday, 11 July 2010
Gopal Sengupta
WE have forgotten that love for the country implies concern for the welfare of the people, and actions that promote everyone's happiness. The resistance of vested interests to justice and affirmative action, and bitter opposition of the better-off areas to special assistance to backward regions by the Planning Commission are but two instances of the general tendency of turning away from the ethical underpinnings of the fight for freedom.
Educational institutions and the civil service should give due importance to the attitude of applicants rather than going blindly by merit, to create socially conscious citizens. The alternative view of our identity that I am advocating cannot be fashioned in the Prime Minister's office, the Cabinet Committee or Planning Commission or meetings of some advisory body. And nor can it be sprung upon the country by stealth. It can only grow out of a vigorous democratic debate.
Democracy is not just about voting in elections and choosing a government. It is also about deciding what kind of country we wish to be. If people are not involved in the process of national self-definition or if their deliberations are distorted by misinformation and false fears, the very basis of democracy is undermined.
Political freedom is not just about choice between available alternatives, it is also about exploring new alternatives.
We are always curious to know about the actual characteristics of our politicians. We hardly know about their actual attitudes. Are all the politicians patriotic? Do they really deserve to be voted to rule? Do they really work for the benefits of the people who elect them? Are they committed to the promises they make before the election? As long as hungry, naked children beg in the shadows of giant glass-and-concrete structures housing corporate houses, poor backward villagers get hacked to death and the state and the media are disinterested witnesses, and people's legitimate protests fearing displacement and loss of livelihood are brutally silenced, Bangladesh's dream of becoming an prosperous will remain a joke fashioned by the rich and powerful. We believe that the politicians of our country have one thing in common and that is: they all talk much and work less.
Time has come to change this trend. For the benefit of our motherland, we need a government which is committed to the people's needs. Bangladesh cannot shine as long as even one Bangladeshi remains hungry or poor. Elimination of poverty and hunger was the prime objective of our martyrs, and we should strive to achieve it.
Bangladesh won't be heard if its symbol is the begging bowl again!
The writer can be reached at
e-mail: gopalsengupta@aol.com
WE have forgotten that love for the country implies concern for the welfare of the people, and actions that promote everyone's happiness. The resistance of vested interests to justice and affirmative action, and bitter opposition of the better-off areas to special assistance to backward regions by the Planning Commission are but two instances of the general tendency of turning away from the ethical underpinnings of the fight for freedom.
Educational institutions and the civil service should give due importance to the attitude of applicants rather than going blindly by merit, to create socially conscious citizens. The alternative view of our identity that I am advocating cannot be fashioned in the Prime Minister's office, the Cabinet Committee or Planning Commission or meetings of some advisory body. And nor can it be sprung upon the country by stealth. It can only grow out of a vigorous democratic debate.
Democracy is not just about voting in elections and choosing a government. It is also about deciding what kind of country we wish to be. If people are not involved in the process of national self-definition or if their deliberations are distorted by misinformation and false fears, the very basis of democracy is undermined.
Political freedom is not just about choice between available alternatives, it is also about exploring new alternatives.
We are always curious to know about the actual characteristics of our politicians. We hardly know about their actual attitudes. Are all the politicians patriotic? Do they really deserve to be voted to rule? Do they really work for the benefits of the people who elect them? Are they committed to the promises they make before the election? As long as hungry, naked children beg in the shadows of giant glass-and-concrete structures housing corporate houses, poor backward villagers get hacked to death and the state and the media are disinterested witnesses, and people's legitimate protests fearing displacement and loss of livelihood are brutally silenced, Bangladesh's dream of becoming an prosperous will remain a joke fashioned by the rich and powerful. We believe that the politicians of our country have one thing in common and that is: they all talk much and work less.
Time has come to change this trend. For the benefit of our motherland, we need a government which is committed to the people's needs. Bangladesh cannot shine as long as even one Bangladeshi remains hungry or poor. Elimination of poverty and hunger was the prime objective of our martyrs, and we should strive to achieve it.
Bangladesh won't be heard if its symbol is the begging bowl again!
The writer can be reached at
e-mail: gopalsengupta@aol.com