The economy has grown 5-6% over the past few years despite inefficient state-owned enterprises, delays in exploiting natural gas resources, insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Bangladesh remains a poor, overpopulated, and inefficiently-governed nation. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product. Garment exports and remittances from Bangladeshis working overseas, mainly in the Middle East and East Asia, fuel economic growth.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Bangladesh: Are the ghosts of 2006 coming back? Not a chance

By GM Solaiman

Last few days, I was somewhat unsettled by the news coming from Bangladesh. It seems like we went back to 2006 era. At least that's what the news headline suggested. For a moment I thought, all the newspapers are running old headlines to celebrate some kind of anniversary. But in reality, these are not old headlines. They look like old headline, because these are coming from same old heroines Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. Two begums are brought in front of justice and given their chance to defend themselves. But they are nicely abusing the freedom of
speech to give us the glimpse of an era that ended by 1/11.

Once again Bangladesh is back in the medieval era, at least in the words of two former prime ministers who were more like queen or princess than people's representatives. They were more like dictators than any democratic leaders. The funny thing is that they never deny it. They may argue differently about their tenure as prime minister. But there can not exist any argument about their position in there party. As a chairperson or president of their parties, they are dictator by the parties' constitution. They captured those positions for more than a quarter-century.

My grandma used to tell us that some bad people and some bad things in life never change, they just won't change. It is like a dog's tail. Even if you put the tail in a straight tube for hundred years, you let it go one day; it will come out as crooked. Here we see a stunning example of that. So many things have changed in Bangladesh in good way after 1/11. But their two leaders of all the crooked in the land are just come out as crooked. They just wouldn't come out straight and realize their faults.

So why are these begums so vocal all of a sudden? The people of Bangladesh knew all along about their crooked dynasties, but they could not do anything about it. Now that they are brought to justice, thanks to 1/11, how dare are they showing the same old attitude? It could be two things in there mind.

First one is suggested by many. Current anti-corruption drive has put many criminals behind the bar. But many more are still running away from justice or in there hideout in overseas with all there corrupt money. Since the current government's two years term is near ending, an election seems very imminent. Removal of emergency power seems very imminent. All the left out hyenas will be back with their corrupt money and muscle power to reclaim the kingdom. Just like the smell of fresh meat brings all the hyenas from their hiding, these corrupt hyenas will be back when time allow them. These two leaders of all hyenas in the land know that. They are now excided about the fact that the time of hardship is coming to an end. They are trying to give this signal to all hiding hyenas that their time is near. Get ready to reclaim the kingdom and back in business for corruption and lawlessness.

Second one is just the opposite. Lot of time has passed by after 1/11. After waiting all these days, they may finally realize that their time is over. Bangladesh is strictly committed to justice. Bangladesh is determined on not to go back to before 1/11 era of corruption, injustice and lawlessness. Bangladesh is determined to end the era of kings, queens, prince and princess. As these champions of corruption realized the end time, they are throwing in a hollow roar just like the hyenas give from inside the cage. This would change nothing.

Whatever is in these crooked leaders mind, the choice to Bangladesh is clear. Corruption must be root out. Reform of political parties must go on, no more party of queen or princess, no more black money. Commitment for establishing justice for all must be intact. Commitment for establishing rules of the people must be solid. Commitment for equal opportunity must be upheld. Commitment for establishing a culture of following rules must be put forward. Commitment for establishing a culture of negotiation and compromise rather than destruction must be agreed upon.

It is not surprising that crooked, corrupt and lawless dark force will never be able to bring these into table. Let these dark forces fall behind and be forgotten. But Bangladesh must go forward.

posted by x86 @ 7:47 AM

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