The New Nation - Internet Edition

National Mourning Day

TODAY is the National Mourning Day. The nation is observing the day in a befitting manner to pay glowing tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the undisputed leader of independent Bangladesh. On this fateful day in 1975, Sheikh Mujib, the then President of the country under one-party rule, was assassinated along with most of his family members in a military coup. We deeply mourn the death of the great leader and pay deep respect to him.

Following a recent verdict of the High Court, the government decided to observe the day at the state level. On this day the national flag will fly at half-mast on government and non-government buildings and Bangladesh missions abroad. The day has again been made a public holiday. The Awami League government had issued an order in August 1996 declaring August 15 as the National Mourning Day. Later, a cabinet division notification during the BNP rule on August 3, 2002 cancelled the observance of the day. A High Court verdict late last month rescinded the said notification and ordered observance of the day as the National Mourning Day.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman fought for democracy and people's rights throughout his life. It is due to his relentless struggles that the people accepted him as their leader. None wanted his illustrious life to come to an abrupt end. The death of Bangabandhu was not the last of its kind. The short history of Bangladesh saw repetition of similar tragedies. The nation is deeply shocked that the legacy of blood in Bangladesh politics is yet to come to a complete halt, as the main rivals in political arena have not come to a state of mutual tolerance of each other. People do not want this situation to continue. They expect people of all shades of opinion to operate in a harmonious and peaceful manner.

National science policy

AT a recent seminar held in Dhaka, it was revealed that a large amount of public money allocated as 'special grants' for scientific researches has not been used due to lack of quality project proposals. Bulk of the special grants remained unutilised for lack of initiatives of both scientists or researchers of universities and the bureaucrats sitting at the government ministries. A seminar on 'Special Grants in Different Kinds of Science and Technological Research Projects and its Contribution to Fruitful Research and Development' organised by the Science and ICT Ministry also revealed that only Tk 5.29 crore was disbursed out of total Tk 14.28 crore allocated for scientific researches under the special grant programme during the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

In the last six years, the Science and ICT Ministry disbursed more than Tk 40 crore among local scientists under special grants, but outcome of the scientific projects was 'not satisfactory'. Regarding irregularities and misuse of grant money in the name of scientific research in the past, various committees will be formed to further strengthen monitoring and evaluation to bring transparency in spending the special grants. The government has allocated Tk 16 crore as special grant for scientists of the universities and private organisations for research for the current 2008-2009 fiscal year.

Scientists are of the view that the fund for research is only 0.005 per cent of the GDP whereas it is 2.3 per cent of the GDP even in newly industrialised countries. Meanwhile, the government has decided to finalise the draft of what is called a 'national science and technology policy' soon possibly within months aiming at building science-oriented society to increase production and employment in various sectors of the economy. Scientific researches should get adequate emphasis in the said policy.

Bangabandhu : A People's Leader

Fakir Abdur Razzak

What sort of a leader was Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman? How great was he? There are debates and controversies regarding many internationally acclaimed political leaders ranging from George Washington to Fidel Castro. And the real identity and lasting image of a statesman is formed in the minds of the people through these debates and discussions, criticisms, research, evaluation and study of history.

It is beyond any doubt that Sheikh Mujib was the founding father of our independent nation and in the judgement of history, 'the undisputed leader and statesman' .

In South-east Asia, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the only one of his kind who had to carry forward an uncompromising struggle for long 23 years for realizing the various demands of his people with the ultimate objective of achieving independence. He also had to lead an armed liberation struggle in this process. The Bengalee nation fought tooth and nail keeping full faith and trust in his effervescent image and carried out his plans, orders and directives even when he was absent during the liberation war. And ultimately, this nation snatched the red sun of independence by defeating the Pakistani occupying forces. The lives of three million martyrs and the honor of 200 thousand mothers and sisters had to be sacrificed in the process. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman remained the principal figure during all these struggles, sacrifices, war of liberation, achievement of independence and the changing faces of politics. This irrevo-cable fact of history can never be obliterated. Many people tried unsuccessfully, but history has only shown pity to them.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a people's leader in the real sense of the term; he was a leader of the teeming millions. dearest 'Mujib bhai' of the peasants. laborers and toiling masses-who constitute 85 percent of the country's population. That address (Mujib bhai) by the general masses since the early fifties laid the foundation for his ultimately becoming a people's leader.

For justifiable reasons, the mainly educated segments of society and the students added some adjectives before Mujib's name later on. But the ordinary people of the country who had seen. known and supported Mujib from a close distance were satisfied and proud by calling him 'Mujib bhai'. They considered 'Mujib bhai' to be closer to them than 'Bangabandhu, Father of the Nation'. They demonstrated through their infinite love that Sheikh Mujib was very dear to the common people, as he was a constant companion to their hackneyed existence in his role as a leader of the masses. Any other identity is of no value to the common man. The real and natural identity of our Father of the Nation among the peasants, laborers and working class of the country was his historical identity brightened and embellished by his common identity of 'Sheikh Mujib', 'Mujibor' and 'Mujib bhai'. This identity has firmly placed him in the pages of history as a leader of the masses.

What attributes of a people's leader did Bangabandhu posses? Why did history put the adjective of 'people's leader' in front of Sheikh Mujib's name without any hesitation? Although some people may debate, hesitate or raise questions about other adjectives due to their partisan narrowness, nobody would object to his being called 'people's leader', 'leader of the masses' or 'leader of the Bengalees'. That was because, Sheikh Mujib was truly the leader of all Bengalees. Even his arch enemies-- the then leaders of the Muslim League and the Generals who ruled Pakistan-- conceded without hesitation that he was unquestionably a leader of the Bengalees and represented them faithfully while raising their demands. Many other leaders could compromise on the just demands of the Bengalees, could surrender to greedy impulses, could even be pocketed by the ruling coterie in exchange for benefits, but that was not possible in case of Sheikh Mujib. The Pakistani rulers were successful while dealing with many Bengalee leaders in implementing their designs. But when they extended their hands to Sheikh Mujib, he could not be dislodged on the question of just demands of the Bengalees. Just as the Pakistani rulers could never forget this ultimate reality, history also did not fail to record it due recognition. Above all, the country's Bengalees knew this principled stand and ideal of their leader. Even those people who opposed his politics knew how far Sheikh Mujib could go on the questions of independence, honor and just demands of the Bengalees. In real terms, Sheikh Mujib went the whole distance to establish the prestige of the Bengalees in the global arena till the end of his life. But he could not realize all his dreams, tastes, plans and programs.

Bangabandhu's excessive love for the peasants, laborers and ordinary people of Bangla was noticeable immediately after he had crossed his youth and stepped into his middle age. He was not ready to look into anybody's faults. Even more emotion and affection were added to this love after independence was achieved in 1971. The only objective of the leader then was to ensure food, health, education, shelter and clothing for the poor Bengalees. That seemed to be his sacred responsibility. "My poor people of Bangla do not seek much, they are the people of this soil, all my movements and struggles would be in vain if I fail to do something for them".

The leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib had in its arsenal some extraordinary, miraculous and even mesmeric qualities. Under any circumstances, he could take any party-- his own, those in the opposition or any disgruntled group-- to a position that was just and mutually satisfying. But although possessing these amazing mesmeric qualities, he was a simple and soft-hearted individual in front of the peasants, laborers and the masses. That Sheikh Mujib- who was fearless and agile like a tiger and firm like a mountain on the question of principles, ideals and demands-- was simple and soft like a child while standing before the deprivations, pains and hardships of the peasants, laborers and poor people of Bangla. All Bengalese who were his contemporary and came close to him would concede without hesitation that Bangabandhu could never be harsh with ordinary Bengalees.

He only wanted to pour out his infinite love for them. An all-pervasive expression of this natural love could be observed when he declared general amnesty after independence of the country pardoning all criminals (with a few exceptions) who opposed the liberation war. In fact, this general amnesty demonstrated the enormity of his love for the people-- irrespective of party or opinion-- as a leader of the masses.

His relationship of love with the ordinary people of Bangla was so deep that the 51-year leader could address them without any hesitation as 'tumi' (address in Bangla signifying closeness or intimacy) while speaking at the historic rally at Suhrawardy Uddyan on 7 March 1971 (for example, "even if I can not give you the order, you will confront the enemy with whatever you have"). Has any leader emerged in this country even after 25 years of Bangabandhu's death who could address the people out of love as 'tumi' even at the age of 70? Certainly not, nobody could dare to do that for fear of rebuff by the people. Sheikh Mujib, on the other hand, loved the people so dearly and the confidence and trust reposed by the people on his leadership was so intense, that both the leader and his followers knew what the language of communication between them should be. Only when a leader becomes one with the general masses does the boundaries and distances between them vanish, and no difference exists between their identity. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, 'Mujib bhai' of the Bengalees could truly cross that boundary and become the leader of the common man. That is why, the death of Bangabandhu created divisions, scar, and vacuum in the hearts of the innumerable peasants-laborer-sworking people of the country. The language and pain of that hemorrhage can only be felt with the heart, and not in any other way.

Translation: Helal Uddin Ahmed

Promoting tourism in SAARC countries

Mohammad Shahidul Islam

The centuries old civilization, affluent and exclusive cultural diversity, exquisite gastronomy invitation, exceptionally diverse and vast array of geography, wonderful archaeological monuments, historic sites of religious worth and above all very friendly people of South Asia, make the region a very attractive place for intra-regional as well as worldwide tourism.

Easily the region can woo all kinds of tourists from momcation to baby boomers at a single row because of the regional connected boundaries.

The SAARC Leaders constantly signify the importance of tourism and give emphasis to the need of taking measures for advancing tourism in the region.

The Leaders, during the Second Summit, underscored that concrete steps should be taken to facilitate tourism in the region. Tourism has been an important dimension of most of the subsequent Summits. At the Twelfth Summit held in Islamabad in January 2004, the Leaders were of the view that development of tourism within South Asia could bring economic, social and cultural dividends.

There is a need for increasing cooperation to jointly promote tourism with South Asia as well as to promote South Asia as a tourism destination by improved air links and uninterrupted highways.

To achieve this and to commemorate the twentieth year of the establishment of SAARC, the year 2005 has been designated by the Leaders as "South Asia Tourism Year". Member States are required to individually and jointly organize special events to celebrate it.

Working Group on Tourism The Working Group on Tourism was established by the Council of Ministers during its Twenty-fourth Session held in Islamabad in January 2004. This was done after a comprehensive review of the SAARC Integrated Program of Action by the Standing Committee at its Fourth Special Session held in Kathmandu in August 2003.

After that, the collective initiative for promoting South Asian Tourism has been almost unseen and unspoken for.

The sense of its importance has not been exhibited in the recent 15th SAARC Summit as well.

The subject of tourism has been shadowed by the issues of food crisis, climate change and terrorism. But ironically tourism may play an effective role to combat those above manmade threats towards peace and prosperity.

The Working Group in 2004 made a number of recommendations for promotion of tourism in the SAARC region e.g.

Printing of a SAARC Travel Guide,

Production of a documentary movie on tourism in SAARC,

Promotion of sustainable development of Eco-Tourism, Cultural Tourism and Nature Tourism,

Collaboration in HRD in tourism sector by having programs for exchange of teachers, students, teaching modules and materials,

Promoting Cooperation in the field of tourism with other relevant regional and international tourism organizations.

In reality these recommendations are yet to be regular and are having less priority among more stressed issues of the region.

In 2006 SAARC Tourism Ministerial meeting was held in Cox's Bazar. The gist of the meeting was almost remaining rhetoric in the promotion of tourism. Another sincere and serious SAARC tourism meeting should be called for pretty soon.

The following mostly expected issues can be discussed in the meeting or underscored for the promotion of SAARC Tourism:

Regularization of recommendations of the 2004's working groups

SAARC Passport

SAARC Tour Operators and Travel Agencies

SAARC Tourism Board

SAARC Chain Hotels

Institute of SAARC Hotel and Tourism Management

SAARC Airlines

SAARC currency

SAARC Transportation etc.

The promotion of tourism in the region is the intense demand of the hours. Tourism could be the only recipe for uplifting peace, prosperity, fraternity, poverty reduction, for which SAARC had been originated, in the region.

The food, climate and energy crisis

Ronnic Cummins

Rising food prices and shortages have joined the energy and climate crisis, economic recession, and the war in Iraq, as headline news. While consumers struggle to pay their bills and put food on the table, Monsanto, Cargill, and Archer Daniels Midland rake in billions from taxpayer-subsidized biofuels. Monopolizing markets, polluting the environment with genetically modified organisms, and hoarding future reserves of crop seeds, wheat, rice, soy, corn, and other grains, the food and gene giants profit from global crisis and misery. Adding fuel to the fire, Wall Street speculators have shifted their greed from sub-prime mortgages to food and non-renewable resources.

The public are becoming aware of the causes of the food crisis: millions of acres of corn and soybeans diverted into biofuels; corporate-driven free trade agreements that discourage nations from maintaining grain reserves and becoming self-sufficient in food production; massive subsidies for industrial agriculture and a misguided export model that have forced millions of family farmers off the land; sharply escalating oil prices, farm inputs, and transportation costs; commodity speculation; population growth; a growing demand for feed grains for meat consumption, and, most ominously, a destabilized climate spawning deadly droughts, pests, floods, and unpredictable weather.

Fortunately, there are hopeful signs that we can move beyond crisis to positive solutions. Connecting the dots in our food-climate-energy crisis, millions of green consumers are voting with their dollars for foods and products that are healthy, locally produced, energy efficient, and eco-friendly. A growing number of politicians, mainly at local and state levels, are also waking up.

Organic food and farmers markets are booming. Chemical-free lawns and gardens, green buildings, solar panels, wind generators, "buy local" networks, and bike paths are sprouting. A critical mass of organic-minded Americans are waking up to the fact that we must green the economy, drastically reduce petroleum use and greenhouse gas pollution, re-stabilize the climate, and heal ourselves, before it's too late.

For 10,000 years locally based family farmers and ranchers managed to grow and distribute healthy food, and ample feed and fiber, largely without the use of petroleum-based chemical fertilizers, toxic pesticides, animal drugs, or energy-intensive irrigation, processing, and long-distance transportation.

In 1945 most of the U.S.'s six million family farmers were still rotating their crops and cultivating a wide variety of fruits, grains, beans, and vegetables organically, fertilizing with natural compost, and generally practicing sustainable farming methods they had learned from their parents and grandparents.

By 1945, as part of the war effort, Americans were growing a full 42 percent of our vegetables and fruits in our backyards, schoolyards, and community Liberty Gardens.

The nutritious, primarily non-processed foods that people cooked for their family meals were purchased from locally owned grocers who stocked their shelves with a wide variety of items - typically grown or raised within a 100 mile radius of our communities.

In the 1950s the average American household spent 22 percent of our household income for fresh, locally produced food. Currently we are spending 13-15%, though low-income households are spending 30-35%.

By today's standards the post-war generation was relatively healthy in terms of low rates of diet-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, food allergies, birth defects, and learning disabilities.

Sixty years later we have a Fast Food Nation, living in denial (at least until recently), gorging ourselves on the industrialized world's cheapest and most contaminated fare, allowing out-of-control politicians, corporations and technocrats to waste our tax money on corporate welfare, destroy the environment, starve the poor, wage a multi-trillion dollar war for oil, and destabilize the climate.

The good news is that there is a solution at hand. Turning back to the time-tested practices of local, eco-friendly, organic food and farming will go a long way toward restoring our health and the health of the planet. Revitalizing democracy and bringing our politicians to heel will guarantee that these organic and green alternatives become the norm.

Organic and local farms dramatically reduce energy use in the agricultural sector by 30-50 percent while safely sequestering in the soil enormous amounts of greenhouse gases. Decades of research have shown that small farms produce far more food per acre than chemical farms, especially in the developing world, and that organic farms outperform chemical farms (by 40-70%) under the kind of adverse weather conditions that are quickly becoming the norm. Buying local and regionally grown organic products means food doesn't have to travel 1500-3500 miles before it reaches your kitchen.

Crisis demands change. We must continue to buy local and organic foods and green products. Patronize farmers markets. Start or expand your garden. Move your diet away from restaurant fare and over-consuming meat and animal products. Buy in bulk and cook your meals at home with healthy whole foods ingredients -vegetables, fruits, beans and grains. If you're going to eat meat or animal products, make sure they're both organic and grass-fed or free range. Most important of all, get political. Demand an end to the war. Demand healthy and sustainable food and farming, energy, and climate policies from your local, state, and federal elected public officials or else vote them out of office. Don't panic - go organic.