The New Nation - Internet Edition

Books, stationeries exorbitant

THE target of achieving universal primary education and literacy might be difficult to achieve by 2015 if prices of books and stationery items used by the students cannot be kept within the purchasing capacity of their guardians. Prices of books and stationery goods have reached levels which majority of the guardians find difficult to afford. According to reports, prices of certain brands of stationery goods and books recommended by privately run English and Bangla medium schools in the cities are abnormally high.

Some institutions recommend specific text books which are available only in certain shops. The guardians are compelled to buy those at prices demanded arbritrarily by the sellers. Most of such schools prescribed with a motive for profit compels students to buy notebooks that bear the names of those schools. The mushrooming kindergartens even in the small townships are also driven only by profits. Even the government schools are not completely free from this problem. It is alleged that the subsidised books published by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board are given to bookshops to sell those at higher prices. Students both in urban and rural areas have to buy paper, pen and other educational equipment at prices beyond their reach. Exorbitant prices of stationery items, among others, have made educational expenses high. This is one reason why large numbers of students drop out of schools every year.

The government needs to take immediate steps to keep educational expenses within the reach of the common people and make books and stationery items used by students available at affordable prices. Alongside free and subidised text books, the students up to higher secondary level should also be provided with educational equipment at subsidised rates. Strong measures should be taken against making profits from books meant for free distribution or sale at nominal prices. The government must also establish academic control over non-government educational institutions. Educational institutions should never be allowed to be run entirely on a commercial basis.

For a pro-poor budget

EXPECTATION from the people is that the incumbent government would go for preparing and implementing the national pro-poor budget leaving a precedent for elected governments to follow. The government is getting ready to prepare the budget for 2008-9 and inviting suggestions from different quarters to make a better budget.

Every year, the incumbent finance minister of the time seeks to justify the budget as oriented to the needs of the have-nots. For example, the finance minister of the last BNP government went to some lengths in his two successive budget speeches on subsidising agriculture to benefit the poor who remain engaged in farming. So has done the incumbent Finance Minister. But the benefits of agricultural subsidies were not seen fully reaching their intended beneficiaries. No wonder, therefore, that poverty alleviation strategies have not had expected levels of success in several decades.

From the accumulated experiences of the past, it should be well understood why the making of the budget needs to be an exercise free from undue influences of interest groups. If this is not assured, then talks of striving hard for better results in poverty alleviation, will continue to be no more than clichés . The present interim government claiming an apolitical character and professing to work for the good of the common man, would be expected to adopt some policies that would mean not merely talking about the needs of the poor but also take up well conceived plans for the purpose and implement the same. The making of a pro-poor budget also essentially requires the channeling of more funds that would create greater social safety nets for the poor. Spending more from such funds can directly benefit the poor in the form of old age pensions, disaster relief, food for works and the like.

Ekushey’s consciousness and nanofabrication

Dr. M. S. Haq

One of the present day leaps for quantum physics, engineering and technology is nanofabrication. Nano advances in pertinent areas have brightened, among other things, the prospect for reducing the size of electronic devices from the current micrometer-length scale all the way down to the single atom or molecule scale. A recent advancement in the area of length reduction is associated with electrical measurements on single metal atoms - the smallest electronic components possible at this point in time. The measurements indicate: the conductivity of a metal atom depends on the number of valence in that atom. It could, in many respects, be considered as an important way forward. Because, for example, the length journey - I would call it in that way - of electronic devices that started with the first transistor and then continued through a quantum-dot turnstile, a copper 'quantum corral', and a carbon-nanotube transistor, has now entered into the world of a one-atom point of contact.

Closely relating to above and other developments in pertinent areas of nanotechnology, are questions such as: what it takes to push a single atom? Interesting though, I. B. M. scientists have been successful in measuring the force required for pushing a single atom, according to a New York Times report on 22 February 2008. They have measured: a force of one-130-millionth of an ounce is required for pushing a cobalt atom along a surface of platinum, for example.

A brief analysis of above and other related developments would reveal inter alia a conscious move has been going on in the domain of nanotechnology as to how to capture and exploit, in an effective and efficient fashion, vast potentials of single atoms in pursuits of eventual applications in structural and non-structural areas. In other words, how could single atoms or molecules based technologies (hereinafter: SAAM technology) be instrumental in say, the production and use of ultra-fast, ultra-sensitive and ultra-hybridized devices with view to for example, stopping or reducing the dependence on the use of traditional semi or super conductor technologies in pertinent areas?

Let us now consider, a 'quantum computer' as one of the devices mentioned above. It is expected the computer - when it becomes a reality in the future - will be capable of, in varying degrees though, meeting challenges associated with for example: How to ensure faster, simultaneous and reliable calculations involving numbers of vast exponential magnitude? How to ensure the retention of gigantic memory? How to ensure the required level of artificial intelligence for solving relatively more complex problems? How to ensure better security of vast amount of data that are being generated at present or would be generated in the foreseeable future or both?

The good news is: the successful completion of the most complicated calculation (so far) with molecular mathematical dexterity (MMD) is a step forward towards building quantum computers in the foreseeable future. It is presently possible at least in theory to factor large numbers exponentially faster (by using Peter Shor's algorithm) than conventional computers.

In quantum computers, microelectronics (as in the case of present day computers) would be replaced by particles of light, electrons or spinning nuclei of atoms - they would be the carriers of information. A conventional PC moves information back and forth in the form of binary numbers (containing digits 1 and 0) which it remembers as the 'on' or 'off' positions of small switches or bits. In quantum computers, the switches or qubits can be 'on' and 'off' at the same 'time'. It implies inter alia that qubits could do simultaneous calculations, one qubit doing two calculations, two qubits four calculations, and so on - the quantum computing.

The quantum computing can be carried out by for example, molecules in a liquid. Each molecule acts as a computer capable of performing simultaneous calculations but the number of calculation it can perform will depend on the number of ways the spin is arranged. Let me put it in this way: the nuclei of atoms of the above molecule act like bar magnets in the liquid and as per the quantum property known as 'spin' they point in two directions 'up' and 'down'. A spin, which can be manipulated with nuclear magnetic resonance, has a relatively long life. In the quantum computing, each nucleus acts as a qubit. These have made possible for molecules to act as little but faster computers. As regards the security of vast amount of data, Mr. Shor's work showed that quantum computers were potentially faster to beat the security of conventional computers.

Taking into cognizance of what has been discussed so far and not discussed in the article, it now appears SAAM and other upcoming technologies could, among other things and in not too distant a future, revolutionize arts and sciences of life, living and continuity in the universe. It is expected a windfall from resultant developments could, among other things, be instrumental in adding additional dimensions or giving new momentums or both to things like: competition; comparative, as well as competitive advantage; function of time; intra-human mind expedition; and inter-human mind expedition in relevant physical and non-physical domains. It is also expected the existing life support systems could undergo a phase of regeneration once again in a fully blown nano era. In such events, it is likely - the demand side and the supply side of an emerging world order could challenge for example, the already under performed Ekushey's (the international mother language day's) consciousness to perform in a manner that could help Bangladesh to rise once again on the occasion and transform it into a continuous champion of breakthroughs in various areas of human endeavors, similar to the one that led eventually to the independence of Bangladesh. Kindly note: the status of Bangla as one of the state languages of Pakistan was achieved by Bengalis (now Bangladeshis) of the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) on the 21st day (in Bangla, Ekushey) of February 1952 through the language movements - that were both bloody and non-bloody.

Ekushey February has been since then coming and going every year with special messages for Bangla speaking people, for Bangla loving people and for others - so is the month of February. Those Bangla people (I would call it in that way) have so far been found to be observing February through a variety of ways - prayers, funs, fairs, festivities, debates, discourses, commitments, promises, and so on, as appropriate. This year (2008), one of the discussion sessions on Ekushey (the international mother language day) was held at the resident of Mrs. Rokeya Mannan (a former teacher of Viqarunnesa Noon School plus a retired headmistress of Agrani High School - Dhaka) on the afternoon of 21st day of February. It was attended and participated by professionals and bureaucrats - most of the discussants were female.

The main attractions of the program were usual Ekushey rhetoric, poetry recitations, a few suggestions and a fewer revelations. One of the grand daughters of Late Prof. Kazi Motahar Hossain (Dhaka University) and wife Late Mrs. Sajeda Khatoon narrated her grandparents experiences associated with Ekushey days of 1952 - she heard from them. She also narrated to the participants a story about one, Late Mr. Munir Hossain - a part time music teacher of her aunts - who was killed on his way to the office at the then East Pakistan High Court by bullets fired on the language crowd on probably the 22nd day of February 1952. It reminds me of the Ekushey experience of a very young person at the time (1952), who, later on become my beloved father - Late Mr. M. Azizul Haq. May the souls rest in peace!

The program was concluded with a number of suggestions. For example: quality multi-language learning opportunities (including inter alia quality text books) for students at for example, primary levels; measures for promoting indigenous languages besides Bangla in Bangladesh; promotion of Bangla at various levels of transaction at local, national and other levels; institutional strengthening of organizations associated with the development of Bangla; and upgrading of RDE (research, development and engineering) facilities in pertinent areas - all in pursuits of repositioning Bangla in its due place in the comity of nations, for example.

Despite February festivities, commitments and suggestions and the fact that the UN has recognized the day as the international mother language day, the people of Bangladesh have not been able to internalize Ekushey's consciousness - particularly, after the liberation of Bangladesh - in a meaningful and result-oriented manner. As a result, they are yet to be able to perceive, consider and harness Ekushey's consciousness as a precious asset, a valuable and invaluable intellectual property and a solid comparative and competitive advantage for competitiveness and excellence in pertinent areas of local, national and other dimensions. They have not yet become successful - at least on a continuous basis - in cultivating, utilizing and promoting Ekushey's consciousness as a source and force for national unity and security, a catalyst for socio-economic and political emancipations, a source and force for plurality in democracy and development, and an important item for intra and intergenerational transfers, to mention a few.

The time is over due now for Ekushey's consciousness to undergo a BMR (balancing, modernization and rehabilitation) exercise for its revitalization, its productiveness, its relevance and its result-orientation in pursuits of facilitating further progress plus prosperity of Bangladesh and the world at large in a manner that will be inter alia quicker, more diverse, more just, more equitable, more sustainable, and more satisfactory to all concerned than those of the present, as well as the past. It may be mentioned here, there is a perceive need for gearing up the motive force (used in an engineering sense) of Ekushey's consciousness with a view to help bringing down the per capita cost of development in Bangladesh and elsewhere and help improving the per capita developmental ownership and impact therein.

With all those and other related things hopefully in place in the near future, the success of what I would call Ekushey's consciousness-in-action would depend on inter alia: how best and quickest it (Ekushey's consciousness) could be instrumental in for example, attracting and harnessing both existing and evolving opportunities associated with nano-philosophy, nano-development, nanotechnology and nano-application in the effort towards meeting the challenges of world development especially, those of Bangladesh?

A popular and viable Ekushey-Nano paradigm (I would like to call it in that way) could assist Bangladesh, Bangladeshis and others in areas for example: understanding and appreciating Ekushey's consciousness at an equivalent sub-atomic level or beyond by a higher number of Bangladeshis and others at a faster rate; taking self awareness to a higher level when it comes to say, an individual Bangladeshi's attempts towards exploring the role of Ekushey's consciousness in individual and national developments, per se; strengthening further Ekushey's knowledge base, an up-gradation of storage and security of the base, and an improvement in the size of beneficiaries of that base; defining and designing a workable framework for integration of relevant components of Ekushey's consciousness into policy, program, implementation and recycling dimensions of Bangladesh and the world at large; motivating all concerned to create opportunities for relating Ekushey's consciousness to, and using it for, problems solving and decision making - as appropriate - at local, national, regional, global and other levels; taking the spirit of cooperation and coordination to new heights in a progressively knowledge based universe; and transforming Bangla into a powerful international language of a 'developed' Bangladesh.

The last word: if Ekushey's consciousness could facilitate the protection of status of our mother language Bangla through the sacrifices of language martyrs (May the souls rest in peace!) and others and if Ekushey's consciousness could be instrumental in the liberation of Bangladesh through the sacrifices of numerous martyrs (May the souls rest in peace!) and others then why Bangladeshis have fallen behind so far when it comes to building Bangladesh in the spirit of for example, Ekushey's consciousness.

What a pity? It is expected the people of Bangladesh will - this time - help create strong political will in favor of promoting Ekushey's consciousness in the effort towards say, poverty alleviation and human development (including inter alia education for all, in a real term) through, for example, their upcoming election votes.

Political will of above nature could not only be instrumental in making the task of future governments easier, more productive and more satisfactory in above and related areas but in accelerating the effort of friends of Bangladesh (including inter alia the US), World Bank, UN and others who have apparently been striving hard for bringing about a drastic improvement in the per capita impact of their assistance to the people of Bangladesh in pertinent areas.

An Indian paper on General Moeen’s visit

Hiranmay Karlekar

A report in The Pioneer of February 26 states that Gen Moeen U Ahmed, Chief of Army Staff, Bangladesh, has requested Indian authorities not to insist on the release of Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia, leaders of the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, before the election in his country. It does not mention the Indian reply. One, however, wonders whether the General was asked if he was going to hold the election with the Ameer of the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, Matiur Rahman Nizami, and its Secretary-General, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed, at large. The reason why they should have asked this is obvious.

The arrest of their leaders, both former Prime Ministers, and the factional warfare that has followed with the present Army-backed 'caretaker' dispensation trying to promote alternative leaders, have hobbled the Awami League and the BNP. On the other hand, JeIB and its front organisations like the Islami Chhatra Shibir, continue to thrive with their leaders at large and their huge business empire intact.

The enormous financial resources the JelB and its auxiliaries like the ICS command, account for much of their influence and muscle power. Delivering the Dr Abdul Gafur Memorial Lecture on April 21, 2005. Prof Abul Barkat of Dhaka University stated that the economic ventures established by fundamentalist Islamists organisations in Bangladesh with huge funds received from Saudi Arabia and other West Asian countries in the 1970s and the 1980s, yield a yearly net profit of Taka 1,200 crore. According to him, the fundamentalists use at least 10 per cent of this for organisational purposes like conducting regular party activities, providing pay and allowances to party workers, running military training centres and maintaining 500,000 party cadres.

As things stand, the JeIB, which controls these ventures, is going to participate in the general election, scheduled to be held before December 2008, with its leadership, organisation, cadre strength and money and muscle power intact. sans a miracle-which does not seem to be on the horizon--the BNP and the Awami League will be contesting with their hands tied behind their backs. If this tilts the playing field in JeIBs favour, so does the fact that the electoral machinery is still manned at the district and sub-district (Upazila) levels by nominees of the JeIB and the BNP planted when a coalition Government led by the two parties was in power.

The JeIB is unlikely to sweep the coming parliamentary election. It has, however, used its participation in the coalition Government led by Begum Khaleda Zia (2001-2006) to set up a string of Islamist NGOs, with State Minister for Social Welfare Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed ensuring a massive flow of funds to their coffers. The result has been a significant expansion of both its organisational infrastructure and public following. It may once again be a part of a ruling coalition that comes to power after the next election, which it would use to further expand its influence.

Thus, India has reason to be seriously concerned over the attitude of the present Caretaker Government, of which Gen Moeen U Ahmed is the principal prop, towards the JeIB. The latter is pathologically hostile to this country. Expounding its views on Bangladesh's defence, Abbas Ali Khan, who become its officiating Ameer in 1979, after the ban on it, imposed in the wake of Bangladesh's liberation, was lifted, wrote in the party's website that the "creeds and concepts of the people ruling the neighbour (sic) state (India) imbued with the lust for territorial expansion is a threat to the independence and sovereignty of the people of Bangladesh."

Abbas Ali Khan further wrote under the sub-heading 'National ideology'. Whenever any kind of aggression comes it shall come from India alone. Consequently, the psychology of the defence forces of Bangladesh must be anti-Indian. But only a negative feeling is not sufficient for developing this psychology to the spirit of highest sacrifice for the country. It is the spirit of jihad which can inspire them to sacrifice their life with the hope that they will be amply rewarded after death."

The JeLB, which collaborated with the Pakistani Army during the liberation war, and whose leaders like Matiur Rahman Nizami and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed have been identified as war criminals involved in mass murder, torture and rape, during the period, is the hub and ideological fountainhead of Islamist terrorism n Bangladesh. Leaders of all terrorist outfits in that country--Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh, Jamaat-ul-Mujaheedin Bangladesh, Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh and Ahle Hedith Andolan Bangladesh have been alumni of either it or the ICS. Indeed, for a long time both Matiur Rahman Nizami and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed denied the very existence of the JMJB leader "Bangla Bhai", who had unleashed a campaign of torture and murder in north-western parts of Bangladesh in 2004.

Almost every recent terrorist strike in India has had a Bangladeshi hand, particularly the HUJIB's, behind it. These organisations were banned and their leaders arrested in 2005--before the present Caretaker Government grabbed power on January 11, 2007. The execution of six of their leaders on March 29, 2007, which is cited as proof of its determination to curb terrorism, followed judicial verdicts announced before it came to power. It could not have spared them without its intention being severely questioned. If anything, its preoccupation with its increasingly controversial anti-corruption drive and keeping all political activity under a lid, has severely undermined the pressure of sorts it maintains on terrorist outfits.

Besides, its policy of leaving the JelB, whose ideology is identical with that of the Taliban, alone, reminds one of Pakistan's strategy of cracking down or Al Qaeda while treating the Taliban with kid gloves. Its inaction is all the more striking given the growing demand all over Bangladesh for trying war criminals and the Election Commission's readiness to bar them from the coming election if the Government acted against them.

Before gifting legitimacy to General Ahmed, India must ensure that he closes the camps Bangladesh maintains for North-Eastern insurgents, hands over ULFA's Paresh Baruah (Anup Chetia alone is not enough), tries war criminals and curbs the JelB. It must also demand that the present regime holds the election on time and lifts the draconian restrictions on political activity and Press freedom it has imposed. It owes this to the cause of democracy.

(This write-up was published in 'the Pioneer' newspaper published from New Delhi on 27 February last).