Wed 27 Dec 2006
I want to open up this thread to see what people think about Dr. Yunus’ speeches these days. I have heard him talk in person. Some of it are quite inspirational specially when he talks about the changes in the rural areas in the last 10 years. However, when he veers into the politics, that is when it gets rather depressing. Some people have said you need a dreamer to show you what can be possible thinking outside the box. However, to me when I hear him stress on holding any election rather than a good, credible election, he seems to be trying too hard to keep the status quo. Similarly, couple of days ago he said that his new fear is what will happen after election since the loser is bound to say that the election was rigged. Now, I understand that the last 3 elections were relatively fair and the the parties were unjustified in complaining about rigging. However, this year the situation is a bit different. The chances of partial administration is higher than any other time. Don’t take my word for it. Take any other foreign credible source like NDI, EU etc. In this light, when Dr. Yunus makes light of the chance of potential rigging, it almost seems that he is certain that the election will be free and fair and any charges of rigging in the aftermath will be unfair. Question is what does he know that we don’t know or is it a mere attempt to just protect the status quo. I received the following poem today from the poet and it instantly reminded me of Yunus’ above the fray let-them-eat-cake “neutral” speeches.
December 27th, 2006 at 1:11 pm
Asif,
Sometimes your writing is so very disappointing to read. How did you come to the conclusion that election will not be credible even before election. AL would not have gone to the election if they had doubt about election. EU have already said that election could be credible under current situation. Please think before writing this kind of *#.
December 27th, 2006 at 2:08 pm
I am not sure what is on Dr. Yunus mind. I agree with Asif that there is an apparent disconnect between what he says and what’s going on in the ground.
As I am trying to better understand where he is coming from, there are a few things that come to mind:
1) A prerequisite for continued economic upliftment of the poor is political stability. He is likely to perceive this as a far bigger threat than most of us, as his whole life’s work can be jeopardized by uncontrolled instability.
2) The people who are vying for power by on either side of the political divide seem to be more interested in power just for the sake of it and for their continued enrichment. There is a disconnect between the aspirations of common people and politicians. From all indications, this seems to be Dr. Yunus’ view. In such a situation, he may be finding it difficult to empathize with cries of foul play by one party or the other. I would not be surprised if most Bangladeshis feel this way.
3) His other suggestions are more in the realm of future possibility than what seems realistically possible at this point.
However, he is a dreamer and more times than not, he has surprised us in the past; I would not be surprised that he is seeing something more than most of us fail to see at this time. He can legitimately claim to feel the pulse of ordinary people more than most if not all of us.
December 27th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
This is what I think and I am hoping there will be arguments against my opinion so I get some food for thought or perhaps I can educate myself from others’ point-of-view:
1. Starting from his first speech where he offered some excellent points and yet suggested such political environment where the winning party would form the government and the leader of the loosing side would be assuming some sort of a “deputy” role in that same government and work together, I became rather dubious on his political outlook. Knowing the issue at hand in Bangladesh’s political landscape, suggesting that kind of a solution is simply an oxymoron. No question of his excellence in the field of economics, business and humanitarian efforts and his brilliance for which he was duly given the highest respect but that simply doesn’t make him visionary in politics.
2. He is a global figure now and his every word will be taken as “word of wisdom” by people across the world. Considering his stature and his position in the limelight, I am sure is likely to take the middle grounds on issues he is not sure of now and going forward. For example - if he were to side with one party and their agenda versus the other (you can argue but this is where it boils down to at this stage of the game with election days away), right away that will seal the deal for voters and observers as far as who is better and who to vote. Though I am not sure why he forgets to stress on the importance of a free and fair election during his public speeches and rather emphasizes on simply having an election and on time – this could well be for what I mentioned in my 2 points or rather 2 cents
December 27th, 2006 at 3:06 pm
I don’t know what’s going through Dr. Yunus’ head, but I’m going to go ahead and conjecture/psychoanalyze that - as they say back home - ooni “part” nichen.
Thus far his political comments have been lacking much substance, possibly because he does NOT really want to be political. Rather, because of the subsequent pressure from the rest of society to become politically active, he feels pressured to say something about the elections despite his personal reluctance to get involved. And playing devil’s advocate, who can blame him?
By not making enemies of the politicians he has been able to run his social development programs unmolested by the violent and vindictive political establishment. We all know how high the transaction costs can get in Bangladesh if you or yours crosses the wrong party. There are many examples of intellectuals getting the s^!t kicked out of them for mouthing off about politics. I doubt that that his Nobel Laureate status would afford him much protection from a pack of thugs that want to teach him a lesson for talking smack about their netri (either one, take your pick).
So, given the pressure he faces from the shushil shomaj, Dr. Yunus faces two choices:
1) Getting active at the risk of a backlash against the programs he runs - programs that have done more for Bangladesh’s poor than any politician alive. OR
2) Swallow his pride for the sake of the poor, and just say a couple weak, sad sounding cliches in an effort to get people to stop pressuring him.
December 27th, 2006 at 4:44 pm
I tend to concur with Dr. Yunus that chances of having a fair election even under the current not-so-impartial CTG and EC is pretty high. This is specially true in case of a national election. What we got out of the last 15 years of democracy is a fairly good institution at the polling center level.
Now-a-days it is very difficult to rig vote at the polling center level, mainly, because of the followings:
1. Presence of army at the polling center or nearby with the authority of arresting the trouble mongers.
2. Requirement of conducting and counting votes openly in front of all the polling agents employed by different political parties and
3. Requirement of providing a certified copy of the statement of the final vote-tally to the polling agents.
See detail polling and counting procedure at http://www.ecs.gov.bd/electoral.php3?t=8
In reality, winners/losers are known to every one based on the center vote-counting, long before the official declaration of such by the returning officer/EC. Unlike Ershad era, at present, media coup is almost impossible and people are conscious enough to resist such move by any quarter.
I also tend to agree with Dr. Yunus that we may need to be more concerned about the aftermath of the election than the chances of having an unfair election. It appears to me that AL may not accept anything short of victory for themselves –no matter whether the election is held fair or not. In case of AL’s loss, they may not wait to term this election as another February 15, 96 one and might adopt the same couse as they did after the February 96 election.
Historically, BNP accepts election loss relatively easily than AL. If AL alliance come out to be the victorious, the aftermath may be a bit less violent. Nonetheless, one thing is sure — the loser will keep continue to say that the election was rigged.
=Afsar
December 27th, 2006 at 8:34 pm
The speculations that the election will be rigged by the current administration is based on two other speculations.
1. BNP can not win the next election.
2. If AL Mohajote loses, the election was by no means fair.
I am at a loss to understand what will make us anticipate a free and election? Is it as, Mannan Bhuiyan always says, ” There has to be guarantee that AL will win the elections?”
Speculations do not help anyone. Several weeks ago I read speculation that hawa Bhavan connected ex army chief Lt General Hassan Mashud Chowdhury was allocated power ministry to help Hawa Bhavan continue the corruption in power sector.
There is no clear distinction between the right and wrong in Bangladesh politics, similarly there is no clear distinction between a rigged and fair election in Bangladesh. An election is always fair to the winner and rigged to the looser.
All we need s ian election which is participated by all the main parties. With mohajote taking part, a gross rigging is impossible under current election system in Bangladesh. I believe, in previous posts I already explained why I say so.
December 27th, 2006 at 9:11 pm
Hey Folks
Can I appeal something to the readers and bloggers and the posted personal that to keep this Person Dr Yunus away from controversy for some time.
The guy is an honest chap no question about it. The guy is a genious no question about it. The guy is an educationist and a scientist and knowledgeable no question about it.
Why don’t we leave him there where he is and listen to him when he comes and say something on his own.We don’t have to agree with him because this is a democratic country we can’t agree to disagree to agree that what ever he said is not correct but we shouldn’t diminish this person for our self interest. We can’t make him look bad because what he said was not what we want to hear.
As on all my posting about Dr Yunus I have said that he should stay away from Politics and make policies for the country. He should work as an outside consultant to help us achieve out goals for the developement and social improvements of lifes and progress for the country as a whole.
To Dr Yunus: We know that you are highly educated individuals but I don’t think that you are understanding the demands of the people from you. We don’t need suggestion in Political situation of our country we have enoough heads out their to do the dirty things and play the dirty game,We need you to give us policies,vision, direction,consultancy on how to push the economy farther from point A to Point B.We need help in producing state of the art educational systems and structure where the Public education can match with the Private education in the form of education and knowledge.
We need to bring industrilization to create jobs to bring economic stability please help us there.
Dr Yunus you have done enough by thinking inside the box now the young generation Bangladeshies like me and the others here has the potential to see out side of the box we are not saying we are in any case similar to you but we are also educated and also in USA so our education is not too dis-similar than what you have why don’t you produce more and more Dr Yunus and have the legacy for good work go on rather than wasting your much valuable time in advising our pity politicians who doesn’t have the power to understand you.
Please It’s an urge from Bangladeshi person you should stop giving any comments on politics and on the political culture rather you should open up a political institution where you should teach politics to the cream of the nation and the poor person to come out and join politics and the public servants. Please ask your beloved friend Mr Clinton that what he did in Arkansas and started a Public Administration School where people from all parts of the world come and learn and absorb politics. The first ever batched just graduated so you won’t be too far if you start now and I can tell you this Bangladeshi would be your first students if you ever do something like that.
I know this is a long way but this is the best way the shortest easies ways are not always the best way Mr Yunus. To see the change bring the change from bottom up. We are with you.
thanks
Kawser Jamal
http://www.changeBangladesh.com
Mr Yunus focus on bigger things for Bangladesh than the pity politics the country will shine it self.
December 27th, 2006 at 9:22 pm
In all fairness to Dr. Yunus, he is justified in worrying about the aftermath of the forthcoming elections. One does not have to be a visionary to predict the following:
1. If AL wins, BNP will accept the results with reservations.
2. If BNP wins, AL will denounce the results immediately and set forth a new round of hartals and oborodhs.
So, for all practical purposes, relative peace can only be guaranteed if AL wins. But as one, who has had a soft corner for AL forever, can we honestly expect that to be the result. I certainly can’t.
In my opinion, this was one forgettable campaign by the AL. They squandered every possible opportunity to score points and present themselves in a favorable light.By this time, because of poor planning and short-sightedness, they have managed to let the public forget all of BNP’s shortcomings and evil acts. In fact, they have allowed BNP to portray the AL as a party lacking principles and morality. A party that symbolizes instability and uncertainty. Remember, at the core of our hearts, we all seek a peaceful and stable environment.
If I were in the AL high command, I would probably prepare a white paper on BNP misdeeds and release it all over the country. People have short memories, they need to be reminded what they have gone through recently. Instead, all the AL is doing is trying to muster forces without a master plan for attack. It needs a sophisticated plan, something along the lines of Karl Rove and Newt Gingrich (in their initial stages). I hate to say this but in my estimate, at this stage, the AL faces an uphill battle,not only because of some manipulation by the BNP but because of its many missteps.
Based on all this, I fully appreciate Dr. Yunus’ misgivings about our political future. Granted he is not a politician but one thing he is for sure, he wants to alleviate poverty. He does not seek benefits for himself, but he worries because a politically instable Bangladesh hurts the poorest sections of our society the hardest.
December 27th, 2006 at 9:45 pm
[...] Dr Yunus’s speeches of late have been filled with a slightly neutral tone observes Drishtipat. “However, to me when I hear him stress on holding any elect [...]
December 27th, 2006 at 11:08 pm
I agree that Dr. Yunus should be out of politics, but I also think that we need to use him to mediate the current and future situation in Bangladesh.
M. M. Chowdhury
December 28th, 2006 at 4:28 am
I’ve already said what I wanted to say about Yunus latest speech here: http://framedland.com/nikonian/?p=30
Rumi @No 6, “Several weeks ago I read speculation that hawa Bhavan connected ex army chief Lt General Hassan Mashud Chowdhury was allocated power ministry to help Hawa Bhavan continue the corruption in power sector.”
Indeed a speculation. He’s so frustrated to see this election going no where and only be an unfair one under current situation, he’s leaving the country now. For his privacy, I won’t be saying where he’s going, but I guess it would be out to public pretty soon.
December 28th, 2006 at 4:28 am
Folks,
This post is not about whether this election riggable or not. I think I made it clear in the post. I said the controversy and impartiality surrounding this caretaker government is more than any other than the previous caretaker governments. At this point, is it wise to completely give a blank check to this government of Iajuddin and say that if anyone complains after the election, its not because there was partiality but rather it is the fault of the people who are complaining. By doing that regardless of what really happens in the election (as much as some of you say that election can not be rigged, there are good chances of it), we will blame the loser even if there are valid evidence for it.
I do like the analysis of Amer and Saleh Tanveer and would like to add to it. I think he has found his own way of getting things done in the vicious atmosphere in Bangladesh and want to keep that intact in any way. So who comes to power is irrelevant as long as he can get on with his work. This is most likely the most practical (not necessarily moral) model that can work in Bangladesh if you want to get on with your program.
However, I think he should not comment at all on partisan political matters and rather talk on poverty alleviation, his programs etc.
December 28th, 2006 at 4:38 am
Possibly he is already convinced that there is no difference between AL and BNP, just as Nader didn’t see any difference between Gore and Bush. So the election itself may not matter to him as much as economic stability.
December 28th, 2006 at 4:22 pm
Folks look AL and BNP won’t do didly about our country’s development. The only thing they will do is to devide our people. Both of these party pretty much operate like mob. I think it is about time we need a uniter. Who can work beyond party line. We need someone like Dr. Yunoos who has the credibility in home front and oversease. Who has the vision for our country. Please raise your hand if anyone of you people have faith and confidence on our current politicians for both BNP AL and the other fringes. They all are same. As Dr. Yunoos puts it. Our politicians are the major cause of corruption in Bangladesh. It is irony that AL is threatening for oborodh for the crook Ershad. And BNP wanted to get him under their jote. Although both AL and BNP has done so many andolon to kick out “the soirachari”. I feel sick to my stomach when I read some bloggers in this forum try to justify soirachary Ershad. No wonder Alexjander the great said “boroi bichitro e desh senapoti Selucas”
We need this one one new comer who is not a politician who is a statesman.
December 28th, 2006 at 8:24 pm
I guess prof. Ynus is mainly concerned with his development program. He worked peacefully under militery dictators Zia and Ershad. If he did not, Grameen would not win Nobel prize now.
He wants to make sure that whoever takes power, even if BNP wins with a 86-style riggin, he would like to continue his work for the people. Otherwise Grameen risks its fate like Proshika.
He probably realized his poor grading (A+) on Iaijja. I think he would serve the people better staying away from politics.
January 2nd, 2007 at 2:18 am
Dear KJ and others,
I disagree with idea that DMY should be out of politics, rather we should encourage him and endorse him in politics. Because, politics is the Papa/Mama of all professions. We might see politics, given bieng raised in rot politics, as the worst of all professions. Infact politics is the best of all professions if we can take for the people, for the country and the nation and not for self-seeking only. It is, of course, the worst of professions as we see in our polluted politics, if we do take it for ourselves.
If you do genuine politics you can best serve the nation and if you engage in dirty power-geared politics you are doing the worst disservice to the nation.
If DMY partakes in politics, he can hopefully change the direction of our politics from backward-looking to forward-looking. Let us pray and hope he comes in and takes up the challenge of time. It is a quintessential for the survival of his vision of alleviatiting poverty. Without new innovated politics of prosperity and people real participation, aa the piecemeal effort like grammeen bank will one day fall on its face.
We should encourage not only DMY but also others with the potential of enterpreneurship politics and ingeniousness. We should try to accomodate ourselves with the new politiical thinking and not to see people like DMY accomodate them to our traditional style politics of division and hatred favoring AWL or BNP.
Thanks
January 2nd, 2007 at 3:29 pm
I hope AWL gets elected otherwise they will destroy BD with OBOROD and perhaps civil war as per Mr. Jalil.
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Dear Tteller,
Thanks for your posting and a good point emphasis with respect and admiration of the readers.
As People say I disagree to agree with you on your points for DMY to join politics. See my point is, we don’t lack politicians in Bangladesh where population is 150 million what we lack is qaulity politicians and leaders and honest and educated followers and activist.
Dr Yunus can’t feel that gap of qaulities single handedly neither from his ongoing plan to launch a political party in the country. He has only 10-15 years physical fittness left and he is not a leg worker he is a policy maker,educationist and lecturist. He is not a politicians because politics is done with the soil and people which AWL and BNP have well took over it very strongly.
This is what I have to say please let me know what you think?
We have enough political parties in the country but not enough honest political leadership in the parties itself. We need leaders who are honest, educated, schooled, trained, dynamic and non-favourtism to their family and friends.We need good leaders inside the parties to make good decisions not like the one in present days leadership which is full of filthy old guards to name a few Jalil, Amu,Razzak, Mirza Abbas,,Maya,,Delwar,Hossians, Saifur Rahman, Mannan Bhuiyah more in both AWL and BNP and more on other parties respectively This is what we lack in Bangladesh true leadership and true love for the nation with in the party and it’s people.
To be a doctor you need go to school-college for four year MBBS degree. To be a engineer you need to go to school for 4-5 years, to join Government service you have to give BCS exam(which is a crappy system anyways) and so on but to be a politicians there are no requirements and no degrees needed.
This is totally a discrimination towards all other class of hard working people and flaws in the system itself. Because we our self open the door for the crooks,thugs and corrupt people to come and join politics and make decisions for us and ruin us.We all work hard to be what we want to be and here in politics you have no criteria this is just an injustice to the people of Bangladesh.
The Gonda’s and Rongbuzz and Tom Dick and Harry can come and join politics what are their qualifications?
How many murders they did commit?
How popular Goonda they are how many people know them and are scared of them?
How many rape they have perform? How many women have nightmares for them?
How much extortion money they have gathered? How much the Businesses fear them
How much illegal money they have?
How many illegal business they run in front of the nose of the police and administration?
How much vote they can captured or how much muscle power they have to snatch vote ballot at the election?
How many activist they can arrange for picketing, meeting and hartals and killing ?
Please answer me?
Same goes to the leaders who just have a family back ground. They lived half of their life abroad and than go back and become leaders without any proper knowledge about our system and people and the country just because they have certain criteria.
They are sons or daughters or Jamai of someone party chief or influencial leaders.
They have western education ( they paid hard earned tax payers money of Bangladeshi people to get that education not like Dr Yunus where he has fulbright scholarship).They have money and they are moderately good looking or well groomed. They want the luxury of our country not the hard and honest working life of the west but their family forced them to run the dynasty other wise family would be power less.
Both class of these type of people are not fit for political leadership. As much as Tareq’s lack of political leadership due to corruption and nepotism same exact points goes to Joy if he ever join politics he lacks the will to serve people or understand people of Bangladesh he was never there to understand or know the common people of the country who means the most to the nation. They both are lacking the political wills and charisma and the passion to serve the nation selflessly that’s what we are striving for in Bangladesh. Tareq is after corruption and money and Joy is after is luxury life in the west and his family life. Both of these young aspirants party upcoming leaders don’t have the zeal to lead a nation from their heart. If they can proof us that they have what it needs to be a leader and sacrifice their earthy wants and need and help the country to rebuild, we would accept them whole heartedly but if they don’t there shouldn’t be any entrance for them to be in politics. Political dynasty should not determine the political entrance for any body. You have to proof your self to the nation.
“To be a leader you have to be a giver not a taker”
What Dr Yunu’s need to form is a Political Institution or a foundation like Clinton Foundation in Little rock, Arkansas. Where Politics would be taught and engraved in the students blood with a theme like:
Politics for People
Politics for Peace
Politics for Prosperity
Politics for equality
Politics for Welfare of the nation and the world.
Politics for Communal Harmony
Politics for Political Stability
The way BUET produce science graduates and talented students who are called the Oxforder’s of the East and Harvarder’s of the East same way Dr Yunus should teach and trained political leaders and government service employees who will in the long run get to the decision making process and make a difference. We need a school of thoughts the doctrine of Ghandhi and Martin Luther King’s vision embezzled in Dr Yunus institution to embedded in the the mind and body and blood of the young Bangladeshi citizens. Who will know what truth is ? who will know what feeling, is ? who will know what non-violence mean? Who will know what communal harmony means? Who will know what education and teachings mean? Who will know the real meaning of love and honesty and interegrity.
I think from my knowledge and experiences about Bangladesh this is what we need. We are not taught or trained against how to tackle the bad part of the society like corruption , partisanship, nepotism, or respecting others and such other things. We need an institution or a guide to follow and Dr Yunus should be the one to do that and create students and fellow from his institution who will eventually join Political parties of their choice to do politics for the nation politics for the people and politics for the welfare of the nation.
But at the end if our noble laureate decide to form a political party as he is well experienced and knowledgeable than me I might be the first person to join the party to help him by any means with out any personal gain with more support from all around the world and Bangladesh but would make him understand to form the political foundation to create new leadership for sure.
Thanks
Kawser Jamal
Kawserjamal@yahoo.com
http://www.changeBangladesh.com
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