The New Nation - Internet Edition

Aid effectiveness

ACCORDING to a recent media report, the study on aid effectiveness of multilateral organisations examined at a seminar in the capital city found that while stakeholders' perceptions stressed government ownership, the lending agencies failed to support the national agenda. It found the World Bank, that provided 30 per cent of the loans, to be the largest lender, but said its aid effectiveness was lower in comparison with other donors. The seminar on 'Stakeholders' Perceptions on the Aid Effectiveness of Multilateral Organisations' was participated largely by economists, academics, business leaders and retired bureaucrats. The speakers called for phasing out foreign aid to get rid of the 'unwanted conditions and prescriptions' by lenders and to achieve independent national development. One academic had his angry outburst when he said 'We do not want to burden our economy with such loans.' The lenders never suggested accumulation of capital required for national development works through the share market and their consultants had not been able to help improve the condition of ailing organisations.

The donors in any way should not be allowed to interfere in the internal affairs of the country and should 'stop making sweeping remarks about the country's institutions and politicians' as one business leader remarked. The official development assistance contributed 2.3 per cent of Bangladesh's gross national income in last three years, and declining trends in assistance were witnessed, the study showed. The Overseas Development Institute of the United Kingdom presented the study's overall report on aid effectiveness covering five other countries in Asia and Africa - Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and India. The study was aimed at examining perceptions of performance against the indicators of the Paris Declaration, especially government ownership, alignment and harmonisation.

The potential benefits of external assistance, in fact, had not been realised, and the study blamed both lenders conditionalities and poor governance for the failure. It was pointed out that the inordinate delay in disbursing aid pledged by the donors for whatever the projects very often causes burden unbearable for the country instead of serving the purpose for which the aid was sought. One adviser of the former caretaker government narrated his experience of working with the World Bank and stated that the lending agency had 'intervened too much' in his work to the extent of 'creating hatred and violating ethics' as reported by the print media. The former adviser also expressed his utter surprise how an institution like the World Bank could keep 'consultants' ignorant of the functioning of a government. The aid agencies should allow the recipient countries to utilise the aid by designing the projects based on social institutions and local conditions. It requires a strong urge to shift the whole aid paradigm besides setting policy space and national priorities in providing aid as suggested at the seminar underlining the need for ensuring public accountability in receiving and using assistance. The government has to strike a balance while setting development priorities and formulating policies as a whole.

Reviving the jute sector

SPEAKERS at a seminar held in the city the other day urged the government to take measures to protect jute. They called for the adoption of a new policy for this. Bangladesh once produced 80 percent of the best quality jute in the world. The country had over three dozen jute mills that provided employment to a large number of workers and produced large quantities of jute goods. Raw jute and jute goods once used to be the largest foreign exchange earner. But this profitable sector gradually turned into a losing concern. After the independence of the country, all the jute mills were nationalised. These mills had earlier developed efficient administration that was sound on both managerial and technical aspects. They had good contacts with the international markets and successfully exported jute products. But subsequently, widespread mismanagement engulfed the whole sector. Even some highly placed administrators opted for underhand deals with the buyers. In the process, this profitable sector of the economy started incurring loss.

The situation had aggravated to such an extent that workers and employees got no regular payment. Gradually jute mills were closed down one after another rendering thousands of skilled workers jobless. The farmers also lost interest in cultivating jute. Whatever meagre quantities of jute they produced were again smuggled out of the country. The economy, in spite of having some positive indicators, is now passing through many strains. The country incurred heavy losses due to natural calamities of the recent past. The Readymade Garment industries now face a serious challenge. Unemployment and poverty situation has worsened. Bangladesh can come out of this situation through higher production and export diversification. Revival of the jute sector may help the country in this respect. So, instead of continuing the policy of closing down jute mills, the government may take up a plan to revitalise the sector. It is mainly depending on prudent policy that jute business in the neighbouring country is prospering. Jute business still has a good prospect internationally. The use of synthetic fibres earlier posed a challenge to the golden fibre. But people, now aware of environmental issues, are likely to be more interested in using this biodegradable natural fibre.

What is needed urgently is to explore diverse usages of jute. Vigorous market exploration at the international level is of pivotal importance for this. Administration of jute mills must be made transparent and accountable to free those from corruption and mismanagement. Revival of this sector will increase employment opportunities and help boost foreign exchange earnings.

Policy adjustment at the government level is urgent to protect the jute sector from collapse. While jute business in the neighbouring country is reportedly surging ahead, it is gradually coming close to naught in Bangladesh. But Bangladesh still has a great potential for the revival of this sector.

Remembering Martyred Asad

Muhammad Quamrul Islam

A week before 40th Asad Day on January20, 2008 I received an invitation from Shahid Asad Divash Udjapan Committee 2008(Martyred Asad Day Observance Committee2008) to participate in discussion Meeting at Hatirdia Raziuddin Degree College. As I hesitated to accept invitation not being feeling well at age 67 to go from Dhaka in spite of my deep eagerness, Shamsuzzaman Milan reacted you are quit fit and should not feel unwell. Then I said taking strength in mind I would go, give me a reminder on that day, which he did. I am thankful to him. Might be I am losing heart fighting against odds over the years; what it was 1969 mass upsurge to liberation and exploitation free society, for which Asad laid down his life, and what followed after emergence of Bangladesh on December16, 1971!

I started from Dhaka with respected engineer Sheikh Muhammad Shahidullah in his car, as scheduled and reached Hatirdia venue at 3.30 Jauary20. Milan and others had program in the morning in Dhaka, who accompanied us, thanks to all of them. While in the car on way we discussed various issues from personal to political he came to know Dr. Mazed is my relation. He took 5 national dailies including one English that I read, at times felt very uneasy at partisan treatments of subjects in newspapers. Earlier in the morning I also read Prothom Alo, which is busy with reporting roundtables, and Bangladesh First Bangladesh 2025. What to do except to increase the level of patience, but some times hard to keep, as I call spade a spade in discussions at Hatirdia, I am duty bound to share with readers.

The local speakers told it is for the first time Asad Day is observed at his birthplace and center of peasant movement at Hatirdia. I felt gratification at this historic moment; while almost everything is done for media coverage; the Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh provides to elites or lackeys. I told journalists present note it and pass on to respective media. It is known to all print and TV channels in Dhaka carry news of various organizations observe Asad Day over three and a half decades of sovereign existence of Bangladesh but to what effect? Is the spirit of Asad following down the bloodline? The consensus including those who spoke at Hatirdia is No. It is observed to get coverage for personal aggrandizements. Few got benefits even in the name of Asad from ruling regime, as Asad was close to them in 1969 at personal and political levels.

Under ongoing purge against corruption, anew start has been made, let it sustains. The national dailies reports January 20, in separate messages, that President Prof Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed shown deep regards to the memory of Shahid Asad. Rightly on this day Standing Committee Member of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) former minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan has said Shahid Asad would remain source of inspiration to struggling people of Bangladesh.

I told in meeting how I came in contact with Asad in late 1960s who was introduced by our batch mate politician Mohiuddin Ahmed to 'Paltan Group'. Paltan- Stadium was our evening place to meet discussed different issues, after we passed out of Dhaka University 1961, joined jobs. Asad impressed me at first meet; he joined peasant movement after his M.A. He used to come, felt at ease, discussing relevant issues. We're inclined to National Awami Party [NAP], founded by Maulana Bhashani in 1957 for exploitation free society, regional autonomy, and democracy. Asad was martyred, we were all dumbfounded, who was younger to us. His martyrdom laid the foundation for movement to democracy and liberation of Bangladesh for emancipation of toiling people. Sovereignty was achieved, but his dream for emancipation of people, of all strata remains unfulfilled, would it be?

An upcoming leader left us; he would not have faltered in post Bangladesh1971. Could it be presumed, as his seniors could not, no junior to him could replace him in words and deeds? It is easy blame others that elderly left communist leaders splintered in numerous factions allegedly tied to interests at home and abroad do as well as fake NAP unlike left democratic front and Congress in Indian state of West Bengal. They cannot get even one per cent votes in Bangladesh, but keep banners year after year office at costs, insiders say for selfish purposes. Could Asad thought, politico bureaucratic nexus, near and dear ones would cash his name? Would the beneficiaries answer?

It is encouraging there were many willing speakers including Asad's co-workers, friends, but due to time constraint president of the meeting could not accommodate them. I told in speech bring out a memorial book on Asad containing which are untold, and those told in various speeches that recalled yester years serve as reference to new generation. Hatirdia hat [rural market] movement, as part at the call of leader of the oppressed Maulan Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani in erstwhile East Pakistan December29, 1968 brought Asad into a focus, which is significant. Committee'08 emphasizes, asked to remember Shahid farmer Hasan Ali, Shahid Miachan and Shahid Siddique master.

Where is the spirit of that movement in post Bangladesh? It has been hijacked by foreign funded NGOs, which talk about land reform and development under various banners, but actually want pressing problem to linger for their seminars and tours abroad. Agricultural front of political parties eaten up vitality of peasant movement, which is also by and large responsible for encroachments of agricultural lands for non-agricultural use, long drawn land disputes cases at Courts, making actual owners poor and dispossessed, land terrorist grabbers increased percentage of landless population over years.

While on this I wish to convey his friends and neighbors spoke eloquently evaluating Asad at Hatirdia, like Principal Aurangazeb Yakub, Prof Abdul Mannan Khan, Lt Col (retd) Joynul Abedin, convener of the committee and president of the meeting Principal Tofazzal Hossain Bhuiya and others. The common tone was, it is not big task remember him only. Prof Khan assessed over proceeding decades we were going in the reverse way. It is hard to tell truth. We need to be free from corruption, and freedom of toiling masses, Principal Yakub observed questioned are we now prepared for that? It does not appear to him. What is said, what is happening, where to go? We agree and pass on these questions to Caretaker Government and Political Parties seek viable solution.

Very pertinently it was observed we did not wage independence struggle to go abroad. What's now? The ruling elite own houses in developed countries, progeny settled there or study there for settlement. The low income, or poor class finding no opportunity for work goes abroad for earning, selling last property for visa. What happens- hassles they pass in own country, and then in employing countries mostly, report national dailies time to time. Wage Earners Remittances are main source of foreign exchange for meeting expenses of the government. True, respective families on receipt of money from wage earners abroad do have living far above the past, but at the cost of productivity, for non -agricultural use of agricultural land for construction of buildings etc. It's coupled with constructing roads and highways, eating up lands, low and high, ignoring traditional rivers and canals routes that were not only used for transports but also for irrigation.

How cost benefit ratio is worked out justify such projects in this small state of 1,43,998 square km, having150 million population, shrinking agricultural acreage, said an elderly economist, who finds no justification. He narrated while working as Economist, Housing and Planning, Water and Power Development Authority [WAPDA] in then East Pakistan now Bangladesh, it was always top priority to protect, and increase land, thru cooperative consolidation or so, for agricultural production purposes for food and other requirements. If one takes the trouble to read those guidelines for Feasibility studies, Projects executed in 1960s, he can find how productive those were and improve upon for welfare of people not few. Expenditures on research would then be justified.

Report in national dailies January 19& 20,2008 show Bangladesh First Bangladesh 2025 held a seminar at Hotel Sonargaon after about one and a half years! Its inaugural program was August 7, 2006 towards end of last Parliament and government, leading to Caretaker Government as per13th amendment to Constitution. Dr. Kamal Hossain appears on both the occasions; inaugural one held at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center. So cozy on both days expensively for delving poor people's problem, at whose cost! What is the progress so far we do not know. The difference between these two has been change in the line up of speakers' guests. Why?

Prothom Alo quoted January20, 2008 former caretaker government adviser Dr. Akber Ali Khan said politicians might be inefficient and corrupt but prices did not raise like this during last15 years of elected government. Dr, Akber was not in session2006 because he was yet to be adviser of Council of Chief Adviser Iajuddin- 2006? How he can escape the responsibility as a retired bureaucrat for inapt bureaucracy to persistent rise in prices over preceding years, he mentioned in another seminar, a civil activist reminded? Oh, a former president FBCCI was present for the second time. Khan asked hold dialogue for elections so that an elected government could prepare the next budget.

May I convey views from our economic and political experience to Dr. Kamal Hossain that we do not agree with Dr Akber and others who spoke, as reported? True price of rice has gone up for variety of reasons, requires no repetition, including two floods and super cyclone SIDR last year, which caused severe damages to paddy and property. A credible vernacular columnist said he found syndicates controlling rice markets causing sufferings to consumers for what is open secret. We endorse steps by Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam to bring down the prices, including help of law enforcers. Has reshuffle of Council of advisers' improved political reforms and culture; brought down prices? People find no change as reported in national dailies. So in a meeting at Hatirdia, I dismissed contentions by them and asked for open debate over TV channels. It is now up to him to respond.

Once again I thank sincere friends of Asad Day looking for exploitation free society at Hatridia, for fellow countrymen. My affections to local journalists including Kazi Anwar Kamal President Monohordi press club, Fahima Khanam, news editor, weekly Narsingdi Barta. I hope more students and teachers of college to attend such functions in future. If I am in good health and spirits, Inshallah, I will respond calls outside Dhaka that's the way mould new generation to honest politics, which is ingrained in human nature. Let the old order yield place to new leaderships.

(The writer is a senior citizen and Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh)

Kashmir : Human dignity at stake

Dr.Abdul Ruff

Globalization and modernity demand that every nation considers its dignity supreme. In the era of "terrorism" and "terror war" unleashed by the US-led West and its allies in the East, like India, the notion of human dignity is at stake. Since the "terrorism" and "terror wars" are targeted against the Muslims exclusive, their self-esteem and dignity have suffered the most. The hapless and defenseless Kashmiris who are being skillfully massacred by India after colonizing Kashmir and converting the valley into a modern cantonment as a buffer from China and Pakistan, with the latest weapons systems, have lost nearly a lakh freedom fighters after India annexed Kashmir though a tactful maneuver after 1947. Kashmiris are still under attack and torture by Indian forces. Kashmiris are branded by India abroad as terrorists and are being arrested all over the country and in Kashmir on false charges. Kashmiris, therefore, have to regain not only Independence from India but, for now, gain their lost dignity, human honor and Kashmiri glory.

Betrayals by both Kashmiris and Indians have unleashed a lot of frustrations among those who fight for Kashmiri Independence. A struggle that takes too long to achieve its target of freedom is bound t be a troubled one and the India has wonderfully exploited the divisions among the freedom seekers arising out of frustrations and personal ambitions of a few leaders, leading to a sort of stalemate in the movement. India wants to delay the grant of freedom back to Kashmiris as long as it is possible. It is using its business agenda to influence the Arabs against the Kashmiris who are convinced now by India that Kashmiris are terrorists and cross-border terrorist. And Arabs, who are more interested in business than welfare of fellow Islamic nations, including the scattered ones, pretend to believe what Indian government and media tell them about "terrorists in India and Kashmir". But that has also worked against Kashmiris genuine interests. A sincere support from Arabs for Kashmiris would have intensified the process of forcing New Delhi to grant the Kashmiris back freedom to enable them to decide their future by themselves.

As a result, what India says and what Indian media report to the world carry weight for the world leaders who also eye on Indian ready cash. When every Muslim is branded as a terrorist of some category, Kashmir Muslims are arrested across the Indian territory as "anti-Indian terrorists" and the media flash out stating that" Kashmir terrorists nabbed by police" and that they are wanted in x or y murder case in Kashmir or Delhi or Bombay. This bluff has been going on for too long and Kashmiris' simple human dignity is at stake as much as their lives in India and Kashmir are seriously threatened.

It would be beneficial to Kashmiris to remember that USA that leads terror war against Muslim nations is determined to kill at least 100 Muslims for every singly Christian got killed in the war any where, not only in Afghanistan and Iraq. India comes to its aid by adding a few Muslims from India and Kashmir as a sop to Indo-US nuclearism and better relations. Hence Kashmiris should realize that there is a conspiracy in New Delhi to kill as many Kashmiris as it is possible in the so-called fake "encounters. The very fact a military chief as Governor to head the Jammu & Kashmir should al least now wake them up, because he controls the Congress/PDP government of the state , and sends reports to New Delhi for further "terrorist" follow-up actions in the state. And prompt, dreadful actions are taken in Kashmir, making the life of already vulnerable Kashmiris more miserable.

Any arrest of Muslims in India is invariable known in the country as a "wanted terrorist" and nothing can be dome about that, because the state says so. Recently a Kashmiri Altaf Khan was picked up in central Kerala state by its police and the media blasted the "happy News" that a Kashmiri terrorist was nabbed. Later on it has become clear that he is no terrorist nor was he wanted badly by Kashmir government. However, the Kerala court, on the advice of the public prosecutor, has denied him justice - not even bail- saying that his release from jail would encourage and promote "terrorism" in the country. They want brand those arrested as terrorists and kill them eventually. Shameless people call India a largest democracy only to food the Americans.

There are quite a few Kashmiris work in many parts of India supporting their families and it has become a fashion for India to torture them first by calling them terrorists and later implicating in some vague cases. UN has no concern for these hapless Kashmiris in India as much as Kashmiris are killed in sustained manner in Kashmir itself by India. No global organization could come forward to call the Indian bluff. Aspiring for very big things abroad, India wants to show case its prowess across the nation and the region. Indian Strategists are more or less convinced that Kashmir is in there pocket and now only the "trouble shooters of the North East have to be coerced to fall inline. It is noteworthy to note that off late, India is also making moves to woo China to contain the freedom seekers move in the North Eastern region, now that Kashmiris as under "full control".

If any Hindu is arrested any where in the world, the Indian government is struck frantic and is quick to get his/her release by influencing the government there. But Kashmiris are harassed and jailed across India and Kashmir, yet their own "popular government" has done nothing to seek their immediate release safety. That is the tragedy of the divided Kashmiris against united hegemonic Indian power. Unless, therefore, Kashmiris get properly united to make the present government in Sri Nagar to stand by Kashmiris, or quit, such nefarious activities would go on unabated and JK government and its military Governor would only add fuel to Kashmiris' pains.

Hence it is only necessary for Kashmiris not only to organize themselves in a systematical way and also take the support of the government. This requires good amount of diplomacy, on part of those who have better rapport with the government, and not only fights and demonstrations in Jammu-Kashmir and Indian capitals. Ultimately those now in government also have to be absorbed in the movement and given their due place in the movement for complete and full freedom India.

Unfortunately, most of the media, both print and elecronic, have been drawn to the Indian side of the case and Kashmiris should now persuade them to raise the genuine Kashmiri cause for Independence from India. World should know the actual postion in Kashmir and not a distorted one manufacutred by New Delhi.They should also strive to influence the core Indian media to support the Kashmiri casue fro the sake of world peace.