Discuss any currrent or relevant matters that you think should be discussed. No fixed topic. If you are haveing trouble posting comments, take a look at this or write to blog at drishtipat.org
‘To-let : Foreigners only’….this is what appears in the newspapers everyday. Go and look for an apartment in Gulshan Banani, you would see the same message or ‘foreigners preferred’. Those of us live/lived abroad, particularly in the US, know well that we are not the most preferred ‘would be tenants’. This mentality of our apartment owners bothers me a lot. You can be the most qualified Bangladeshi professional, but if you need a place to stay in a rented apartment at posh areas, you are far behind a half educated Chinese cook, a Korean construction worker….
Isn’t it a general traend that we prefer everything foreign? We are taught from our childhood that everything homegrown is bad and everything bideshi is better.
The mobile phone boom has transformed ordinary people into micro-entrepreneurs.
One of the most famous examples of mobile phone entrepreneurship is the Village Phone Programme in Bangladesh.
Run by a sister firm of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize-winning Grameen Bank, it enables local women to earn an income from renting mobile phones to fellow villagers.
The scheme, which has been broadened out to Uganda and Rwanda, could reach India this year.”
“A ground-breaking study led by an expert from the London Business School in 2005 concluded that an increase of 10 mobile phones per 100 people in African developing countries would increase GDP growth by 0.6%.
[Another study] carried out by consultancy Deloitte, says the increase in GDP today could be as much as 1.2%.
“The mobile can be an agent of development - not just something that is only for the affluent, along the same lines as imported Mercedes and Johnnie Walker Red Label,” says Ben Soppitt, director of strategic initiatives at the GSMA.
eeshita,
Thank you for the link– the 3 pictures are well taken - however I wonder why Photographer Akash didnt intelligently take the Photo so as to include the name of the madrasha- unfortunately this is no proof because question remains as whether he used this boy in exchange
of money to take this photograph using his fantacy– just one boy–if I was in his place and I would be informed I would definitely take up position to take the whole lot and name of the madrasha too. Hearing of of many mal-treatments meeted out by the Maulanas towards the orphaned kids admitted as madrasha students I have often made surprise visits in Uttara/Tongi and Gazipur areas– and what I found is poor hygenic conditions and lac of good nutritious food and have discussed with the seniors and owners about this two points and yes there want a drastic change but some changes were affected- reason lac of funds.BUT I HAVENT SEEN ANY STUDENTS CHAINED.With Akash picture –now my interest has been created to investigate Madrasas.
The second picture of Gay/Drug activities- I heard but havent been able to trace Gay activity but YES hace found spots for drug users and was surprised at the age and inclusion of two young female too at Gazipur-understand attempts by their parents to rehabilitate them have failed– they were sent to one clinic but they mentioned that Clinic authorities tortured them and took no initiatives to counter their habits.What a Pity???
The third Picture of Child worker being beaten by Employer- in the same areas we have found some and have strongly warned the Employers ioncluding some Domestic/residential owners or Tenants of whom we have heard from local people that they Mal-treat and beat their workers- some signs were on body- in addition to severe warning-I have informed them that I will definitely bring in my dogs to teach them.0ne owner has complained to local Chairman n police who said that I couldnt threaten them with my dogs but was free to discuss/advise on this matter- I had shown the Chairman/Police the signs on the boy n girls body as proof– but they said in absence of complain by them or neighbours they cant take any actions and that I could encourage the neighbours to form a VIGILANCE team but cannot warn or threaten with my dogs(even though such owners deserve that),
However we are working on this matter and ecouraging all domestic personnels but not too keen interest as they they are too busy and that its against law to enter other people house and ask about welfare of their workers- What would you suggest we do??????
Dear Phantom,
Your point taken…these pictures can be staged. But it is reassuring to know that people like you are trying to investigate and make a difference. You said,”we are working on this matter”, how can I be involved (I am based in London) in what you people are trying to do?
What Dr. Kamal did is set a precedence for the future. He opened the gate for future activism against the ruling of the courts. Now some people are trying to justify his actions by his intention. But I don’t think he is setting a good example for the future generations.
I want to bring another example on this regard. In the US, there was a long court battle for de-segregation of the public schools. The entire fight was about 30 years long and we still don’t have a complete de-segregation in the public school system in the US. But the law is there now and that happened because of a long court battle. The point is, in this 30 years, never there was an activism in the court.
Bottom line is that the intention or outcome does not justify the means. Once you’re in the court, you should respect the system, even if the system is corrupt (in your opinion). Because it’s not the system that is corrupt, but (may be) the people who are at that moment running the system are corrupt. System will be there, the people will not. So to break the people in the system, breaking the system is not a good thing.
eeshita,
Tnks for yr kind attention.While going around the Madrashas one of the important things we learnt that Expatriate Bangladeshis mostly through relatives here finance them.What they are doing is paying their Zakat/Sadqah money-some regular some whenever possible- that money is given staright a money recipt is obtained and all obligations r finished for the person and the relative. What they need to do is to ask their relatives to discuss with the head Mawlana and establish the fact that money given is to spent for proper hygenic conditions in respect of personal cleaniness, dormitories,toilets and academic areas and that nutritious food are provided which includes milk.eggs for breakfast and chicken and beef for Lunch/Dinner atleast three days of the week and that after discussing with a nearby local doctor some medicines specially dewormning tablets are introduced and ket in stock for use-these relatives should monitor their activities- its due to lack of supervision that mismagement is there resulting in ill health etc. Please see how you can implement these ideas to those close relative of yours and then try to expand– this itself will make a difference. Next is to work from your country for the changes that are now taking place- advise them to inform relatives to Vote but for the right person based on education and merit of the Candidate and not on Party basis- I think you have the diea now-so talk to all expats you come across about this two points and that should make the difference.
Adhunika is proud to co-host two Bangladeshi film screenings at the New York Arab & South Asian Film Festival in New York City:
A Certain Liberation, Feb 27, 2007
Ontorjatra: March 01, 2007
If you haven’t seen the movies yet, this is your great opportunity to watch two great movies of Bangladesh. If you have seen them already then you know why you need to tell your friends to watch them. Spread the word,
Enjoy the movies.
Thanks,
Shahnaz
February 19th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
How shocking is this !! So is this the first report of our Madam’s directly covering up for her son’s corruption !!
http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/02/20/d7022001033.htm
February 20th, 2007 at 3:49 am
‘To-let : Foreigners only’….this is what appears in the newspapers everyday. Go and look for an apartment in Gulshan Banani, you would see the same message or ‘foreigners preferred’. Those of us live/lived abroad, particularly in the US, know well that we are not the most preferred ‘would be tenants’. This mentality of our apartment owners bothers me a lot. You can be the most qualified Bangladeshi professional, but if you need a place to stay in a rented apartment at posh areas, you are far behind a half educated Chinese cook, a Korean construction worker….
February 20th, 2007 at 4:52 am
Isn’t it a general traend that we prefer everything foreign? We are taught from our childhood that everything homegrown is bad and everything bideshi is better.
February 20th, 2007 at 4:53 am
Anyone know anything about the drama in supreme court today? Is Kangaroo court part deux.
February 20th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Mobiles are good for third-world socio-economic development, says the Beeb.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6339671.stm
The mobile phone boom has transformed ordinary people into micro-entrepreneurs.
One of the most famous examples of mobile phone entrepreneurship is the Village Phone Programme in Bangladesh.
Run by a sister firm of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize-winning Grameen Bank, it enables local women to earn an income from renting mobile phones to fellow villagers.
The scheme, which has been broadened out to Uganda and Rwanda, could reach India this year.”
“A ground-breaking study led by an expert from the London Business School in 2005 concluded that an increase of 10 mobile phones per 100 people in African developing countries would increase GDP growth by 0.6%.
[Another study] carried out by consultancy Deloitte, says the increase in GDP today could be as much as 1.2%.
“The mobile can be an agent of development - not just something that is only for the affluent, along the same lines as imported Mercedes and Johnnie Walker Red Label,” says Ben Soppitt, director of strategic initiatives at the GSMA.
Looks like we need more mobiles in Bangladesh!
February 21st, 2007 at 1:11 pm
How can we let this go on?
http://golmal.pickledpolitics.com/2007/02/14/akash-asylum/#comments
February 21st, 2007 at 2:22 pm
eeshita,
Thank you for the link– the 3 pictures are well taken - however I wonder why Photographer Akash didnt intelligently take the Photo so as to include the name of the madrasha- unfortunately this is no proof because question remains as whether he used this boy in exchange
of money to take this photograph using his fantacy– just one boy–if I was in his place and I would be informed I would definitely take up position to take the whole lot and name of the madrasha too. Hearing of of many mal-treatments meeted out by the Maulanas towards the orphaned kids admitted as madrasha students I have often made surprise visits in Uttara/Tongi and Gazipur areas– and what I found is poor hygenic conditions and lac of good nutritious food and have discussed with the seniors and owners about this two points and yes there want a drastic change but some changes were affected- reason lac of funds.BUT I HAVENT SEEN ANY STUDENTS CHAINED.With Akash picture –now my interest has been created to investigate Madrasas.
The second picture of Gay/Drug activities- I heard but havent been able to trace Gay activity but YES hace found spots for drug users and was surprised at the age and inclusion of two young female too at Gazipur-understand attempts by their parents to rehabilitate them have failed– they were sent to one clinic but they mentioned that Clinic authorities tortured them and took no initiatives to counter their habits.What a Pity???
The third Picture of Child worker being beaten by Employer- in the same areas we have found some and have strongly warned the Employers ioncluding some Domestic/residential owners or Tenants of whom we have heard from local people that they Mal-treat and beat their workers- some signs were on body- in addition to severe warning-I have informed them that I will definitely bring in my dogs to teach them.0ne owner has complained to local Chairman n police who said that I couldnt threaten them with my dogs but was free to discuss/advise on this matter- I had shown the Chairman/Police the signs on the boy n girls body as proof– but they said in absence of complain by them or neighbours they cant take any actions and that I could encourage the neighbours to form a VIGILANCE team but cannot warn or threaten with my dogs(even though such owners deserve that),
However we are working on this matter and ecouraging all domestic personnels but not too keen interest as they they are too busy and that its against law to enter other people house and ask about welfare of their workers- What would you suggest we do??????
February 21st, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Dear Phantom,
Your point taken…these pictures can be staged. But it is reassuring to know that people like you are trying to investigate and make a difference. You said,”we are working on this matter”, how can I be involved (I am based in London) in what you people are trying to do?
February 21st, 2007 at 6:00 pm
#4
What Dr. Kamal did is set a precedence for the future. He opened the gate for future activism against the ruling of the courts. Now some people are trying to justify his actions by his intention. But I don’t think he is setting a good example for the future generations.
I want to bring another example on this regard. In the US, there was a long court battle for de-segregation of the public schools. The entire fight was about 30 years long and we still don’t have a complete de-segregation in the public school system in the US. But the law is there now and that happened because of a long court battle. The point is, in this 30 years, never there was an activism in the court.
Bottom line is that the intention or outcome does not justify the means. Once you’re in the court, you should respect the system, even if the system is corrupt (in your opinion). Because it’s not the system that is corrupt, but (may be) the people who are at that moment running the system are corrupt. System will be there, the people will not. So to break the people in the system, breaking the system is not a good thing.
February 22nd, 2007 at 5:38 am
eeshita,
Tnks for yr kind attention.While going around the Madrashas one of the important things we learnt that Expatriate Bangladeshis mostly through relatives here finance them.What they are doing is paying their Zakat/Sadqah money-some regular some whenever possible- that money is given staright a money recipt is obtained and all obligations r finished for the person and the relative. What they need to do is to ask their relatives to discuss with the head Mawlana and establish the fact that money given is to spent for proper hygenic conditions in respect of personal cleaniness, dormitories,toilets and academic areas and that nutritious food are provided which includes milk.eggs for breakfast and chicken and beef for Lunch/Dinner atleast three days of the week and that after discussing with a nearby local doctor some medicines specially dewormning tablets are introduced and ket in stock for use-these relatives should monitor their activities- its due to lack of supervision that mismagement is there resulting in ill health etc. Please see how you can implement these ideas to those close relative of yours and then try to expand– this itself will make a difference. Next is to work from your country for the changes that are now taking place- advise them to inform relatives to Vote but for the right person based on education and merit of the Candidate and not on Party basis- I think you have the diea now-so talk to all expats you come across about this two points and that should make the difference.
February 26th, 2007 at 9:33 am
FILMS TO WATCH:
Adhunika is proud to co-host two Bangladeshi film screenings at the New York Arab & South Asian Film Festival in New York City:
A Certain Liberation, Feb 27, 2007
Ontorjatra: March 01, 2007
If you haven’t seen the movies yet, this is your great opportunity to watch two great movies of Bangladesh. If you have seen them already then you know why you need to tell your friends to watch them. Spread the word,
Enjoy the movies.
Thanks,
Shahnaz