The New Nation - Internet Edition

In not a single country in the world people of different religions, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, are living so peacefully, fearlessly and freely together as we live in Bangladesh.

We are, however, very much surprised and shocked that while celebrating Durga Puja with great religious fervour, festivity, rituals and rhythm at Dhakeswari Temple Major General (retd) C R Dutta has demanded ban of Islam as state religion. We feel that the demand of C R Dutta at the premises of Dhakeswari Temple is uncalled for, religious fanaticism and communalism. It is simply ridiculous.

Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance and welfare for mankind.

Major General (retd) C R Dutta could have made his political statement at Dhaka Press Club or at Paltan Maidan demanding banning of Islam as state religion and not at Dhakeswari Temple for the sake of secularism.

O.H. Kabir

Dhaka

A recent research in California, USA revealed that Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) is thousands of times more potent as a greenhouse gas for global warming than a similar mass of Carbon dioxide (CO2).

As it is known, NF3 is a nonflammable, colorless, odorless, toxic gas used as an etchant in microelectronics. Earlier NF3 was chosen substitute for PFCs (Perflurocarbons). PFCs are extremely potent greenhouse gases with a lifetime up to 50,000 years. PFCs are used in cosmetics, refrigerating units, fire extinguisher, and etcetera.

Meanwhile recent research findings also indicated NF3 as a greenhouse gas with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) 17,200 times greater than that of Co2. At present NF3 is not enlisted in the group of Kyoto-recognized greenhouse gases.

If an effective global action program is not taken immediately to containing greenhouse gases, our cool and calm earth will soon be turned into a hot and hazardous planet!

Professor M Zahidul Haque

Department of Agricultural Extension & Information System,

Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka.