There are no quick fixes for Bangladesh. The failures of the past can be attributed to this fact not being recognised
- Our future depends on getting out political house in order
The message from the new world order is clear: The show is over, and Bangladesh has a new, legitimate, long-term government. India’s repeated congratulations notwithstanding, the international community, awoken from its holiday period slumber, is not convinced.
Bangladeshis need someone to care and think about them right now, especially since their leaders from all the political parties quite clearly neither have the intent nor are so inclined.
It is heartening that the people have friends in spite of this, friends beyond the borders of the country. The country’s demand, however, has to be to further its own case, not to allow foreign agendas to take precedence.
The last few times Bangladeshis worked for and towards democracy with foreign assistance or acquiescence, they gave birth to worse evils than the ones they were fighting. In the spirit of lessons being impossible for citizens of this land, this paradise that never was and probably never will be, to comprehend or learn, that grave error will also be repeated in all likelihood.
The international friends will not complain as it does not interfere with their desires. On the other hand, should their words be taken at face value and they are seen to really care about the plight of the Bangladeshis this once, this can be guarded against and the needs of the populace and the nation can become the sole concern.
The UK parliament discussed the current situation in Bangladesh by debating it in the House of Commons on January 16. This is the latest in a spate of such instances of the international community taking an interest in the country.
The US Senate passed a simple resolution on the January 7, the EU followed suit by adopting one on January 16. While certainly an encouraging sign, it is hoped that this is the beginning of a spotlight being shone on an unstable nation desperately in need of attention and assistance, not a case of giving it 15 minutes of fame out of pity.
Bangladesh’s future is wholly reliant on getting its political house in order. Get it right, and a bright future awaits a country full of potential and possibilities, freed from the only thing that is holding it back.
Get it wrong – and this should not be said lightly – and the path ahead is that of a failed state left to rot. The former is undoubtedly preferable, and it now falls upon Bangladeshis and their international friends to work together towards this, working in harmony for the sake of Bangladesh.
This has been the will of the people, and, it has to be believed, the best intentions of the international community. The leaders have, regrettably, betrayed and failed them repeatedly, because they are determined not to share in this common objective.
The crucial question that the citizens need to ask of the foreign powers is whether the noises they are making is any different to the ones they have made in the past. Those resulted in either failed attempts to bring ill-thought plans to fruition, or were rendered completely ineffective.
That the current system is in need of an overhaul cannot be disputed, because in theory, it is supposed to serve the people and exist for them, but does quite the opposite in practice.
Solutions are not going to come by easily, and resistance will come from the quarters – small, but disproportionately powerful – who have benefited greatly from the rampant dysfunction. The starting point needs to be a desire to work for the long-term, followed by a commitment to this cause.
There are no quick fixes for Bangladesh. The failures of the past can be attributed to this fact not being recognised.
Bangladesh, therefore, presents a unique opportunity to two notoriously apathetic groups. The international community has been given yet another chance to act pre-emptively and offer a cure before the cancer metastasises rather than attempt ineffective treatments akin to patching it up with plasters once it has.
Early signs are positive, but it needs to remain vigilant, be attentive towards Bangladesh, and back strong words up with decisive actions that serve Bangladeshis.
The people have been afforded the rare chance to shape their country instead of being consigned to being of no consequence by the intolerable brand of politics Bangladesh has practised.
They have taken tentative steps, but largely remain reluctant. Both need to take this opportunity, for it will not present itself again without a worse crisis. Whether either will remains to be seen.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
IS IT ANOTHER “BNP+JAMAATI PROPAGANDA” TO TARNISH THE “GOOD IMAGE” OF HASINA GOVERNMENT?
“Women exporting agency run by ruling party Awami League thugs have sent more than 47,000 BENGALI WOMEN TO VARIOUS COUNTRIES as domestic workers & made a fortune for themselves. But most of the women ended up in prostitution against their will. Corrupt & incompetent Bangla government run by poorly educated sycophant thugs is helpless, unable or unwilling to stop this criminal racket though it is fully aware of this crime.”- NGO worker in Bangladesh on condition of anonymity: From Dhaka-Salimullah Biplob:20.01.14======
Bangladeshi women gang-raped in India
Two women from Chittagong were allegedly gang-raped on a boat while crossing over to Gaighata in West Bengal’s North 24-Parganas on Sunday, reports Times of India. According to police, the two women, aged 18 and 20, left home Sunday morning accompanied by a local youth who allegedly promised them jobs in Kolkata.They took the boat from Daulatpur. While crossing the Ichhamati, the youth and the two boatmen allegedly gang-raped the two women, the report said.BSF personnel posted at the Angrail camp of the paramilitary force rescued the two and handed them over to police.The girls told the police they were thrown off the boat near the border fencing in Gaighata where the BSF team found the girls and handed them over to Gaighata police after giving them first aid.Police took the girls to Bongaon sub-divisional where they are currently receiving treatment.A medical test was also conducted on them to establish if their claims of sexual assault are credible. http://www.dhakatribune.com// http://www.bdcgronicle.com. Dhaka:20 January,2014.