Why promises remain unmet
Monday, 7 December 2009
Shamsher Chowdhury
I have always wondered as to why we continue to be a nation plunged into chaos, poverty and injustices of all forms and dimensions. Government after government has come and gone promising us the world. Yet by the time one leaves its office we are no better, in fact we plunge into a worse condition.
It is my assessment that alongside our rulers we too are to blame. All governments since independence have misled us in more ways than one. From the days of the Rakhi Bahini to BAKSAL and one-party rule, to date, if I may say so it is a saga of collective failures with the politicians and the so-called intellectuals leading the way. I am certain when the Rakhi Bahini was raised, the people at large knew then as they do now that this was a move in the wrong direction and yet they chose to be silent, then came the era of one-party rule through the creation of BAKSAL. I recall those stressful days when government officials and civil society members had to register as members of BAKSAL as a mark of their allegiance to the "Party". It was like the pied piper of Hamlyn playing his magical flute and the people of Hamlyn following him into the sea.
I wonder as to why the successive governments and the people failed to take any lesson from the mistakes made in the past, being silent over such dictatorial measures as though it was sacrilegious even talking about it far from raising voices of dissent. I believe it was then that the foundation was laid for the autocrats/dictators to embark on their heinous designs. In came the Zias and the Ershads, and then came the so-called champions of democracy. They too turned out to be no less autocratic in nature compared to their predecessors. In a way I find the present-day administration to be the worst in this respect. This, too, is continuing with the legacy of deceiving the people with empty slogans and false promises. Its party cadres, just like the others, in varying degrees are engaged in corruption of all dimensions, material, moral and ethical its method of governance is one of intimidation. Its rulers are anything but democratic. They say it was the others before them who had destroyed our economy and freedom. True as it may be but my question is; is the present government moving in the right direction? I have my doubts.
In the meantime, matters continue to get worse, once again, due to the voices of dissent being silent. As a result, our sufferings continue to rise and we continue to be in a state of disillusionment. Things have come to such a pass, also due to the failings of our politicians and a section of our so-called intellectuals. They too are guilty of facilitating and paving the way for dictators to step into the arena of our civil administration, irrespective of how hard they endeavour to put the blame on the shoulders of the others. Just like in Pakistan, had there been no Zardaris, the Bhuttos and their likes, its army would think twice snatching the reins of administration from a democratically elected government. The scenario here may be somewhat better but do have strong similarities. The story here is one of secret entente and underhand dealings between the dictatorial forces and the so-called champions and defenders of democracy.
I am not a political analyst but I fail to understand as to why people of a country who fought one of the most glorious wars of liberation in recent history of the world stand by and watch injustices perpetrated on them? We continue to be hostage in the hands of our rulers. They talk of eradicating corruption and yet it is they who directly or indirectly help set the stage for rise and spread of corruption. They talk of a crusade against the terrorists and terror acts in all its manifestations and yet continue to shelter and protect the goons. Look at what hell the cadres of the ruling party have let loose.
I am sick and tired of so much talk about democracy and yet one comes across its principles being trampled under the feet the country's rulers, the rich and the affluent.
Indeed, we, the people must embark on a campaign of serious soul searching and salvage our pride as a nation, whatever is left of it. Let us vouch to be truthful, no matter how bitter and painful it might be. Let us condemn any form of hypocrisy. Let us resist and condemn any dictatorial moves by our rulers no matter what. Let us put a stop to this blame-game that our politicians indulge in. These people have made fools of us, far too long. We, the people simply must not allow ourselves to be sucked in by their false promises. After all, the country belongs to us, the people. If we remain steadfast and resolute these rulers and the politicians are bound to listen to us. Let us unite and tell these people in authority that they are accountable to us and none else.
Except for the rich and the affluent, the majority of the nation's population are leading their lives in extreme stress and bewilderment. For those belonging to the lower income groups and the retirees, the scenario is even worse. A family of four today belonging to these income groups can easily be described as those living on the edge of poverty.
While the rich and affluent are travelling abroad or some tourist spots within the country every now and then, millions pass sleepless nights, planning and working out ways and means for an honest living. In the meantime, how absurd and ironic it can be when the government most graciously decides to buy duty-free cars for its lawmakers.
The writer can be reached at
e-mail:
chowdhury.shamsher@yahoo.com
I have always wondered as to why we continue to be a nation plunged into chaos, poverty and injustices of all forms and dimensions. Government after government has come and gone promising us the world. Yet by the time one leaves its office we are no better, in fact we plunge into a worse condition.
It is my assessment that alongside our rulers we too are to blame. All governments since independence have misled us in more ways than one. From the days of the Rakhi Bahini to BAKSAL and one-party rule, to date, if I may say so it is a saga of collective failures with the politicians and the so-called intellectuals leading the way. I am certain when the Rakhi Bahini was raised, the people at large knew then as they do now that this was a move in the wrong direction and yet they chose to be silent, then came the era of one-party rule through the creation of BAKSAL. I recall those stressful days when government officials and civil society members had to register as members of BAKSAL as a mark of their allegiance to the "Party". It was like the pied piper of Hamlyn playing his magical flute and the people of Hamlyn following him into the sea.
I wonder as to why the successive governments and the people failed to take any lesson from the mistakes made in the past, being silent over such dictatorial measures as though it was sacrilegious even talking about it far from raising voices of dissent. I believe it was then that the foundation was laid for the autocrats/dictators to embark on their heinous designs. In came the Zias and the Ershads, and then came the so-called champions of democracy. They too turned out to be no less autocratic in nature compared to their predecessors. In a way I find the present-day administration to be the worst in this respect. This, too, is continuing with the legacy of deceiving the people with empty slogans and false promises. Its party cadres, just like the others, in varying degrees are engaged in corruption of all dimensions, material, moral and ethical its method of governance is one of intimidation. Its rulers are anything but democratic. They say it was the others before them who had destroyed our economy and freedom. True as it may be but my question is; is the present government moving in the right direction? I have my doubts.
In the meantime, matters continue to get worse, once again, due to the voices of dissent being silent. As a result, our sufferings continue to rise and we continue to be in a state of disillusionment. Things have come to such a pass, also due to the failings of our politicians and a section of our so-called intellectuals. They too are guilty of facilitating and paving the way for dictators to step into the arena of our civil administration, irrespective of how hard they endeavour to put the blame on the shoulders of the others. Just like in Pakistan, had there been no Zardaris, the Bhuttos and their likes, its army would think twice snatching the reins of administration from a democratically elected government. The scenario here may be somewhat better but do have strong similarities. The story here is one of secret entente and underhand dealings between the dictatorial forces and the so-called champions and defenders of democracy.
I am not a political analyst but I fail to understand as to why people of a country who fought one of the most glorious wars of liberation in recent history of the world stand by and watch injustices perpetrated on them? We continue to be hostage in the hands of our rulers. They talk of eradicating corruption and yet it is they who directly or indirectly help set the stage for rise and spread of corruption. They talk of a crusade against the terrorists and terror acts in all its manifestations and yet continue to shelter and protect the goons. Look at what hell the cadres of the ruling party have let loose.
I am sick and tired of so much talk about democracy and yet one comes across its principles being trampled under the feet the country's rulers, the rich and the affluent.
Indeed, we, the people must embark on a campaign of serious soul searching and salvage our pride as a nation, whatever is left of it. Let us vouch to be truthful, no matter how bitter and painful it might be. Let us condemn any form of hypocrisy. Let us resist and condemn any dictatorial moves by our rulers no matter what. Let us put a stop to this blame-game that our politicians indulge in. These people have made fools of us, far too long. We, the people simply must not allow ourselves to be sucked in by their false promises. After all, the country belongs to us, the people. If we remain steadfast and resolute these rulers and the politicians are bound to listen to us. Let us unite and tell these people in authority that they are accountable to us and none else.
Except for the rich and the affluent, the majority of the nation's population are leading their lives in extreme stress and bewilderment. For those belonging to the lower income groups and the retirees, the scenario is even worse. A family of four today belonging to these income groups can easily be described as those living on the edge of poverty.
While the rich and affluent are travelling abroad or some tourist spots within the country every now and then, millions pass sleepless nights, planning and working out ways and means for an honest living. In the meantime, how absurd and ironic it can be when the government most graciously decides to buy duty-free cars for its lawmakers.
The writer can be reached at
e-mail:
chowdhury.shamsher@yahoo.com