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Thursday, April 10, 2008

[chottala.com] Driving direction from Singapore to Dhaka and vice versa

Driving direction from Singapore to Dhaka and vice versa
Wouldn't it be fun if you typed in this query in google maps and it would give you a nice roadmap which would take less than 24 hours of driving?


I don't know about you, but such a driving direction and the drive itself would be very interesting to me. In fact, I often think of taking such a drive within the constraints of current day. May be somebody will attempt that soon, even if I can not finish the trip!

However, our policymakers can work a bit to make this dream come true. Read the following news item titled "Bangkok proposes for FTA with Bangladesh" . Such trade agreements will eventually help Bangladesh to look east in a meaningful way.

We hope that such a day will not be too far when people will look up the internet based mapping services to find out the best possible way to drive to Singapore from Dhaka. It could be via Sylhet or via Chittagong - hopefully both options would be available in a foreseeable future.

If you thought some of the ideas are worth of your reading time, please forward it to others. If you have an ear to the columnists in regular traditional media, please forward it to them. If you have an ear to the journalists and news editors of the electronic media, discuss it with them. Hope they would look at the suggestions and give due diligence. 
 
Thanks for your time,
Innovation Line
 
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Note: This is a freelance column, published mainly in different internet based forums. This column is open for contribution by the members of new generation, sometimes referred to as Gen 71. If you identify yourself as someone from that age-group and want to contribute to this column, please feel free to contact. Thanks to the group moderator for publishing the article.
 
Dear readers, also, if you thought the article was important enough so it should come under attention of the head of the government please forward the message to them. Email address for the Chief Advisor: feeedback@pmo.gov.bd_ or at http://www.cao.gov.bd/feedback/comments.php . The more of you forward it to them, the less will be the need to go back to street agitation. Use ICT to practice democracy. It is already proven that this government responds to the feedback.

Also forward the message to:

Commerce Ministry of Bangladesh (No email could be readily located)
Communication Ministry of Bangladesh (No email could be readily located)

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Bangkok proposes for FTA with Bangladesh

Friday, 07 March 2008

Source: http://www.independent-bangladesh.com/200803072828/events/bangkok-proposes-for-fta-with-bangladesh.html

Thai Exhibition begins

UNB, Dhaka

Four-day Thailand Exhibition 2008 began at the Sheraton Hotel here Wednesday with an array of products on the show, Bangkok renewed their proposal for bilateral FTA with Bangladesh for boosting the two-way trade.

Secretary for the ministry of planning Jafar Ahmed Chowdhury inaugurated the exhibition.

Thai ambassador in Dhaka Chalermpol Thanchitt and Kazi Habib Sattar, president of Bangladesh-Thai Chamber, among others, addressed the opening ceremony.

The planning secretary in his speech said the diplomatic and economic relations between Bangladesh and Thailand have increased much over the years and the bilateral relationship will continue to strengthen in the coming days. However, Jafar Chowdhury observed that the trade balance between the two countries clearly favours the economy of Thailand.

'Thailand is the second-largest economy in this region. Despite huge potential of trade and investment, the Bangladeshi traders are not utilising the scope properly, that's why the bilateral trade balance favours the Thai economy,' he said.

Jafar Chowdhury said Bangladeshi traders have comparative advantages of exporting chemical fertilisers, lather products, medicines to the Thai market.

'Now the investors should take such advantage.' Speaking on the occasion, Thai envoy Chalermpol Thanchitt reiterated their proposal for signing a Free Trade Agreement with Bangladesh as he said both the countries' economy would be benefited to a great extent for such development. Trade between the two countries has increased substantially within a few years and now fluctuating in the range of approximately $425 to 525 million.

Bangladesh exports yarn and fibres, frozen fishes and meat to Thailand while imports cement clinkers, polymers, fabrics, machinery and parts, iron and steel, refrigeration and parts, rubber and rubber products from Thailand. The Thai Embassy and the Thai Trade Centre in Dhaka jointly organised the fair participated by at least 43 companies featuring their 11 categories of products.

The products include chemical products, construction materials, hardware and machinery, auto parts and accessories, electrical appliances, food and beverages, garments, textiles and fashion accessories, gift and decorative items, health and beauty, household and kitchenware products, leather products and footwear, and textiles and garments.

Besides, information on visa application, tourism and medical care in Thailand will also be available in the exhibition. The exhibition will remain open for traders from 10:00am to 3:00pm and for public from 3:00pm to 8:00pm everyday till March 8.


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Re: [chottala.com] A Sector Commander (Hamidulla Khan)'s Interview

Hello Mr. Nayan Khan,
War criminals have no place in the socio-political system of any civilized country. Any person/organization trying to rehabilitate them is doing the same crime. The freedom fighters liberated Bangladesh from Pakistan. Now the Bangladeshi patriots need to liberate Bangladesh from all the hypocrites and pro-Pakistanis. The sole cause for today's unrest in Islamic world is because of the wrong ideologies of Jamaat- e-Islami (JI) and some other Islamic parties.
No wonder why the Jamaati butchers murdered and raped so many in 1971 liberation war. Jamat's leaderhsip's criminal and inhuman acted against Liberation of Bangladesh. We need a total political commitment, desire and willingness from our political platform, which fails miserably so far, to try these killers and rapists of Bangladesh in their next available opportunity! Otherwise we continue to lose and they to win!
Jamaat has done terrible disservice to Islam and the Muslim world. This Jamaat has been destructive since the 1940's. It has destroyed the fabric of Muslim Society in Pakistan and continues to be destructive where ever it goes. They should be exposed and brought to justice for their crimes against humanity. Their extremism, intolerance and many activities are direct violation of Islam. Jamaatis are like no-Muslims as they don't believe in the conventional interpretations of the holy Qur'an & doubt Hadiths as such they say that the five pillars of Islam are nothing training efforts to capture political power.
It is highly misleading that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman government pardoned all the war criminals and he did nothing during his 'war ravaged reconstruction period'. The facts show otherwise.
In fact, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman government started prosecuting the perpetrators of 'crime against humanity' or 'war criminals' immediately after independence and he also passed the Collaborators Act (1972) and the International Crime Act of 1973 that barred re-entry of any collaborators to Bangladesh.
Sheikh Mujib promulgated the Special Tribunal Order on January 24, 1972 (PO No 8 of 1972) after 14 days of his return from Pakistani jail to try those Pakistani collaborators, Razakars, Al-Badrs and other stooges of the Pakistani army. Under this order he arrested 37,000 collaborators amidst of strong opposition by left-leaning journalists like Enayetullah Khan [see his write-up titled '75 million Collaborators', the Holiday , 1972]. Out of them, 26,000 had no grievious criminal charges filed against them; therefore they were pardoned and released in a general amnesty.
However, nearly 800 cases were completed and given jail sentences. Another 11,000 were in jail including Nizami and Abbas Ali Khan of the Jamat-e-Islam Party (JI), and their prosecution was at various stages of completion. In addition, those that were involved in 'crime against humanity' and against Bangladesh , were denied Bangladesh nationality and passports.
On November 4, 1972 all religion-based politics were abolished as per sections 12 and 38 of the Bangladesh Constitution of 1972.
Unfortunately, when General Ziaur Rahman, a freedom fighter emerged as a 'strong man' in 1975, he abrogated the Collaborators Act and released all the prisoners including those that were sentenced, and those under prosecution. For political and personal reasons he allowed religion-based parties to operate and started reinstating and rehabilitating them. No wonder, those who were guilty of 'crime against humanity' and collaboration with enemy (Pakistan) state started returning from abroad especially Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and they were given Bangladesh citizenship and passport. The worst example if this was Golam Azam of the JI Party.
The fact is, Sheikh Mujib started the prosecution and he pardoned only those that did not have criminal cases against them. He did not pardon those (Razakers, Al-badr or Al-Shams) that had 'criminal cases' and those that committed 'crime against humanity or war criminals' such as rape, murder, and the like. Thousands of these criminals were in prison during his time awaiting trail, and many were absconding abroad including Golam Azam, the leader of the JI party where they were involved in anti-state activities abroad. He did not get time to complete the prosecution because he was murdered with most of his family.
Let us learn to hate these damn frequent liars, who pretend to be religiously pure under the mask of hypocrisy and dirty opportunism. All terrorists groups in Bangladesh are created by Jamat as spilnter wings to add violent platform for capturing power. Amongst thousands of grave violations of Islamic practices that the Jamaat-e-Islami commits, first and foremost is the violation of the Quranic injunction guaranteeing freedom of religion: Surah Baqara, Verse 257 (256 in some alternative numbering systems): La ikraha fiddeen ------ There should be no compulsion in religion. The Jamaat-e-Islami is guilty of thousands of atrocities against those who do not share its murderous views ---- most glaringly in Pakistan , and now in Bangladesh , Indonesia , and some other countries.
Hatredism, violence, non-tolerance have more place in their ideology against the basic principles taught by our Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sal). Image and the true Islamic values of our beloved Prophet (sal) has been taken away by these ideologies and they are bringing the Muslim Ummah to the era of the Makkans who persecuted our Holy Prophet ( sal). Peace, Love and harmony taught by our Holy Prophet ( sal) is missing in their ideology.
War criminals in Bangladesh must be punished. "Justice delayed – Justice denied" – Bangladesh has been crying for justice but how long it will take to get that done? Even today, the war criminals, and violators of humanity during the Second World War are being traced and punished. I hope that there should be a proper investigation into all those killings during the war of liberation, all those atrocities and the offenders should be tried. Those families who were the victims at that time should also come forward. The Bangladesh Government will extend all cooperation in this regard.
 


Nayan Khan <udarakash08@yahoo.com> wrote:
I have read a great piece of very timely and courageous interview of a Sector Commander in Nayadiganta:
http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/2008/04/07/fullnews.asp?News_ID=75787&sec=4
 
It unmasks the evil motive of so called sector commanders forum's objective. They are not doing anything for our beloved country rather they are trying to find ways of power sharing.
NK
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[chottala.com] Ending Corruption: Towards a collaborative strategy Prof. Syed Ahsanul Alam*


Ending Corruption: Towards a collaborative strategy

Prof. Syed Ahsanul Alam*

          E-mail: goodgovernancebd@gmail.com

Corruption in its all shades and color is the illegal tool of accumulating illegal wealth depriving a person which creates inequality and social injustice. Corruption destroys social order, rule of law and all good governance efforts. Corruption and the corrupts are the enemies of the people and the society in any country. That is why fighting corruption and installing honesty is a pre condition for good governance for ensuring human rights, human dignity, equality and social justice and better business environment.

Holding the first position in Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 5 consecutive years has tarnished the image of Bangladesh, and in such a situation majority of the citizens did not know what to do and how to start a fight against this man made tool of exploitation called corruption. Under the previous oppressive corrupt governance and social system conscious citizens attempted to raise voice against this evil through the media or different civil societies organizations. Today everybody including the Chairman Anti-Corruption Commission emphasizes on the reality of designing a collaborative strategy to limit this evil call corruption. The following nonviolent silent strategies may be used to curve down corrupt practices in every sector of Bangladesh.

 

Ending Corruption: Naming and shaming strategy

Naming and shaming can be a very effective tactic to eradicate corruption in any country. Even in developing countries, where corruption is accepted as a necessary evil, naming and shaming tactic has been effective in recent years.  In India, high profile cases uncovered and actively reported by the citizen action group have led to disgraceful dismissals of high level government officials and even criminal action against public figures. No such example has been set by the political governments in Bangladesh in the past.  But citizen action groups or the media demonstrated ability to generate outrage among the public that can be channeled productively to control and eradicate corruption. Nobody can undermine the role and power of media in the society for establishing good governance.

 

Ending Corruption: Creating awareness strategy among the Stakeholders

Everyday policy makers, professionals, business leaders, sociologist, economists and others independently generate amazing number of ideas and thoughts. The reasons that these ideas don't come to fruition is because like-minded reformers do seldom collaborate to bring changes.  There are a lot of international and domestic organizations, NGOs, government agencies, opinion leaders and others – that are all individually working on tackling corruption in a piece-meal fashion.  A more comprehensive approach to address corruption will be more fruitful.  Corruption can be marginalized if not eliminated if all stakeholders work together in a coordinated manner against corruption. 

Ideas and thoughts are ineffective if not put to actions. Unless what is thought is acted upon, such thought has no value.  What is important is the commitment of all the citizens – leaders of respective fields– to take on the challenge of ending corruption and to do one's own part to address it in a collaborative manner.  Corruption, as in all affairs in society may be viewed from the two sides: a demand side and a supply side.  The demand side can only be curbed by reforms of institutions, strengthened enforcement of law by a transparent judiciary.  As the owner of the country all citizens are affected by corruption everyday, and as such they should insist reforms of the legislative, executive and judicial organ of the country. The stake holders of a corruption free society should get united to raise voice against corruption to curve the supply side. Thus the citizens will have to participate in the battle against corruption and only moral support to the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) is not enough to eliminate corruption.

 

Ending Corruption: Creating awareness among the Civil Society

Citizens face potential corruption practically at every level and every sector of life. It could be the local police, T.N.T, electricity and water authority, Municipal Corporation or the tax department. Government alone cannot succeed in combating corruption without the active participation of civil society and citizen action groups. Civil society is in the best position to articulate the grievances of the citizen and highlight priorities of action on corruption to governments. Civil society can serve many important roles–as observer, critic, analyst, campaigner, or protestor. It can create public awareness against corruption and mobilize citizens to fight against corruption in ways that governments cannot. Civil society can also play a strong role to organize campaigns against corruption. Center For Good Governance is working with many civic organizations for capacity building of such organization.

 

Ending Corruption: Creating awareness among Chambers and Trade Bodies

As Civil society organizations, Citizens' action groups, NGOs, media, and Chambers–can play the largest role in improving governance both in the public and private sector.  Similarly Chambers can be more active by organizing seminars, workshops, round tables to generate awareness against corruption and unethical business practice. Chambers can establish anti corruption cell headed by a vice president with adequate funds to establish liaison with media, anti corruption commission (ACC) and other government agencies to combat corruption and protect its members from extortion and corrupt claims. Mega chambers should formulate code of conduct for their members and put pressure on the members for compliance.  Awareness regarding code of conduct for members of chambers would have trickle down effect on smaller business enterprises and so on. 

 

Ending Corruption: Creating awareness among Private Sector

The private sector can play a more active role in rooting out the supply side of corruption.  It is painful that most businessman and citizens looks at corrupt practice as a system.  According to unofficial estimates many business house just account for it on their books – as much as 10% – adding to the cost of doing business.  Business leaders as well as the government should take initiatives so that local and foreign investors can set up business enterprise and function in Bangladesh without resorting to corruption and extortion.  After 1/11/07 the present Anti corruption commission (ACC) visibly started a crusade against corruption which may be looked upon as a proactive move towards corruption free governance.

For eradicating corruptions the private sector must emphasize on internal controls and auditing mechanisms.  Corporate bodies and business houses needs to set clear and enforceable policies against corrupt or unethical business practices.  Business house need to periodically train middle and senior management on business ethics to ensure that standards are institutionalized throughout the organization.  Business houses should change their mind-set to prefer managers having comprehensive business education with emphasis on ethics.  Any business managers can not afford to be unaware of global ethical standards for doing business in Bangladesh.

 

Conclusion

In a developing country for good governance the fight against corruption is not easy. Bangladesh recently started drive against corruption. It is expected the present caretaker government, patriot citizens and other stakeholders will be able to address the most difficult challenge – fighting corruption. Corruption is a tremendous deterrent to good governance and development, and its burden falls heaviest on the shoulders of the poor people. An effective Anti-Corruption Commission – with strong political backing, can become a credible tool to deter corruption. All concerned should help the ACC to be fully operative. If Bangladesh wants to establish corruption free business friendly environment, wants to  become a country free of poverty and economically strong, where every citizen will enjoy his or her rights and a better quality life, ending corruption is the most important need. It is the responsibility of every stakeholder to respond to this need towards corruption free, transparent, participatory good governance ensuring equity and social justice.

No body will deny that, in Bangladesh the past governance mechanism was far less then satisfactory. Many issues and problems were the barriers to ensure good governance, equity and social justice.  Weak watchdog institutions corruption, political interference in administration, nepotism, misuse of power, absence of rule of law, non-accountable and non-transparent governments etc. are the common features of our governance which needs to be addressed on urgent basis.

 

 

 

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Author Syed Ahsanul Alam is an Associate Professor of marketing at the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh and Chairman, Center for Good Governance. His recent administrative post includes vice rector IIBT (Premier University), Director, Sadharon Bima Corp., Treasurer. USTC (SWC), Representative of the President,USTC.He lactured widely at various business schools including University of Science and Technology, Open University, ABAC Thailand and also in Singapore. Rotarian Syed Ahsanul Alam is a well known Academician, Institution Building Personality and Activist for Good Governance.The Author may be reached at  Fax : 880-31-2550872,

 E-mail: goodgovernancebd@gmail.com

 Web-site: www.goodgovernancebd.org

 

 


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