The New Nation - Internet Edition

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.