Travel-Blogue Day 3: Dhaka

What Bangladesh needs to take off economicaly is a stable democracy which has been eluding the country for years. The country is already is in a position to be a small economic engine and we are optimistic this time around we will get a better democracy to make our dream come true.

First off, Bangladesh should bring back its million+ refugees who reside illegally in India. Rather than Blaming India for all its problems, it should break free of its Islamic fundamentalist shackles and do something constructive for its people and coming generations. How conveniently they forget the food and relief efforts that India provides after every major disaster. Rather than blaming its neighbors (so very easy to do) for its self inflicted misery, The gov should try to work towards improving literacy amongst the masses and provide basic amenities. However all the govt does is to blame India for its problems (like Iran and other middle eastern countries) blame the US for all its miseries.

I'm hearing that US companies are beginning to pull some manufacturing out of Asia and closer to domestic markets. One big electronics firm I follow has moved heavily into Mexico and the Czech Republic recently. It would be interesting to know if you're seeing any similar movements in the countries you visit.

Is India Bangladesh's problem or is Bangladesh India's problem? Clearly Bangladesh is India's problem.

So many countries whose geographical locations are comparable to Bangladesh are thriving. If India is somehow holding Bangladesh back, the argument is not well articulated in this article. I might add that Bangladesh should learn to deal with its own problems instead of blaming others for it. Blaming the problems on others has not worked out to the advantage of any countries.

I think people like Zafar Sobhan are todays Nelson Mendela. The future is bright for Bangladesh because I believe there are many people out there like Zafar who are doing their best to fix things here in Bangladesh. Congratulations Zafar for being the Young Global Leaders 2005.

I don't get how Mr. Zafar Sobhan is helping by just writing. You have to think about your target audience. People who can read his work are not the audience, but its majority who are in the rural areas. Secondly, everyone complains about the military, but what good has awami league or BNP done, but play dirty politics? we were number one corrupted country when awami league came in power. Atleast, the military has tried, may have no been successful, but stop complaining, atleast they have done better than two parties! Atleast most people are commuting or living more peacefully without all the hartals and chaos the other parties created! Ofcourse, I want democracy, but the two parties claim they have been democratic, but everything was corrupt inside.

One day, India will reunite Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan under Indian rule. India is a superpower equal to the US, China and Russia. No one should try to mess with us, not even the US.

I certainly agree with the comment posted by Raju. Well said Raju garu.

Mr. Hamm,

"as we sat in the canteen on the top floor of the newspaper offices drinking sweet tea and dodging raindrops"

It's just tea not sweet tea. Not everyone drinks tea the way you do. ;-)

K

It is true that India playing a vital role for Bangladesh through geographically, politically and economically. India is surrounding all over Bangladesh through its large borderline. Everyday, we can see through newspapers that Indian BSFs (Border Security Force) killing Bangladeshi people like birds! This is really cruel. India is not allowing Bangladeshi goods to their market in the name of so called antidumping!. On the other hand, lots of Indian products are flooding across streets of Bangldesh.

India and Bangladesh was a same country before 1947. India has got opportunity to become a large country due to only religious and political reason the then from British!. Apart from religion Bangladesh and India has same culture.

Rather than undermining Bangladeh India can work together with Banglades as a friend for the well being of the two nations. I hope administrators should work for it.

It is clear that India plays a significant role in shaping bangladesh’s domestic and foreign policy priorities and therefore, it plays an important role in bangladesh's underdevelopment. Indian foreign policy and public imagery of her neighboring countries have been significantly shaped by a “big brother attitude” (it is quite clear in some of the reader’s comment: check out this one by raju, July 22, 2008 02: 34 AM or the one by Mahesh, July 21, 2008 04:20 PM) Mahesh poses the question “Is India Bangladesh's problem or is Bangladesh India's problem?” and his answer clearly is “Bangladesh is India's problem.” I reckon, in this globalizing world order these questions have become increasingly irrelevent and therefore they have to be scrutinized and replaced. Rather than considering questions of this kind, we should look at issues of mutual interests and in this process india must take more resposibilities, because of its geographical and economic position. Personally, I would like to see indian state formulating a more pragmatic/decentralised economic policy towards its neighboring countries by initiating a dialogue for the creation of new integrated cross-border regional economic zones (for instance, a economic zone covering the area between calcutta and dahaka or the one cover lahore and chandigarh or the one covering karachi and ahmadabad). In a globalizing world we should also try to imagine something beyond the traditional narrow-minded nation-state, otherwise we would be.....

To Raju You are good example of a myopic and delusional ill informed individual. Why do we in India want to inherit these problem countries when it is difficult o resolve the ones we face currently.

bangladesh is plagued with problems and nothing will work. Sad. Human rights problkems, discrimindation, violence against women and minorities, ethnic cleansing and an outflow of refugees, and extremism and terrorism with an export of it.

I don't know why 'from bangladesh' dreams about democracy. China never did to achieve economic success.

Indias has a hedge monistic attitude to every other nation in the region as more than displayed by its nationals comments here. Bangladesh unlike Nepal or Bhutan is not land locked as such India can not exert much pressure. In my Opinion Bangladesh needs to follow its own path independent of india. We must look to the east for economic integration.

It is rather strange what the editor of the daily star suggests. His policies reflect a subservient attitude to a foreign hostile power. How does what he proposes assist Bangladesh? Has he considered implication to Bangladeshs long-term security? Has he not heard of the Bay of Bengal which links us to the rest of the world. Why would we have to go through india for anything?

India is an unfortunate neighbour to have, but that is the reality. We must try to maintain a cordial relationship with it where feasible. However cordial relationship with anyone need not or should not ever be at the expense of Bangladeshs national interest.

Mindset, mindset, mindet...
Antagonistic politics, century old bureaucracy, blah blah blah...

I am truly surprised by Raju's comment re - 'under Indian rule' and that no one should try to mess with India. Mindset mindset mindset - that's the problem.

Many would say - no one needs to mess with India - India is messed up anyway.

Anyway Bangladesh is far more messed up than any country that I have come across. But there is hope..

There is a vibrant and young private sector thriving in Bangladesh and the young are energetic and generally out of the ills and mischief associated with the youth of the modern world.

Hope lives in quite a poor country - that hope lives in the likes of Mr Zafar Sobhan.

Mindset, mindset, mindet...
Antagonistic politics, century old bureaucracy, blah blah blah...

I am truly surprised by Raju's comment re - 'under Indian rule' and that no one should try to mess with India. Mindset mindset mindset - that's the problem.

Many would say - no one needs to mess with India - India is messed up anyway.

Anyway Bangladesh is far more messed up than any country that I have come across. But there is hope..

There is a vibrant and young private sector thriving in Bangladesh and the young are energetic and generally out of the ills and mischief associated with the youth of the modern world.

Hope lives in quite a poor country - that hope lives in the likes of Mr Zafar Sobhan.

Bangladesh has all the talents it needs. All we are lacking of political sophistications in our political arena.We sure can be a part of global economy.

Harsh,
Look at your own country! we are not blaming it on you guys! we are talking abt reality! wheras you have terrorists in your own country..ltalk about islamic fundamentalists? look at BJP! a bunch of terrorists! Also, any act of terrorism in india, instead of blaming bangladeshis or pakistanis, be responsible for your own mistakes and faults! your own people are terrorists, we have our problems to deal with, and you deal with yours intead of blaming the neighboring countries.

Harsh quit being an idiot. Selling rice to Bangladesh for a profit during a disaster doesn't aid.

@ Jon

"ethnic cleansing and an outflow of refugees"

-What a ignorant idiot. ethnic cleansing???? Bangladesh is composed of 99.8% Bengali.

@Mahesh

Ohh trust me India is a BIG problem for Bangladesh and that majority consensus in BD.

@ M.Bokhari

-India is definitely an unfortunate neighbor to have. Too bad we are stuck in the subcontinent.

@ Harsh

India plays the blame game too. Any time an act of terrorism occur they point the blame at Bangladesh. Though never any Bangladeshi nationals were convicted. Try to fix the shortcomings of your security forces first.

Pakistan always changed the focus of its people towards "bad big" India whenever there was a domestic crisis. I presume Bangladeshi politicians do the same. When corrupt politicians are busy looting the country, a "big bad" neighbor is the best way to shift the peoples' focus. Does development flourish along with corruption? Lets change our mindset and work constructively.

Quit using Mandela to pimp your globalization agenda. Holding up India and China as "models" shows your degree of concern for poor people.

Bangladesh's problem is population. It truly needs to adopt the one child policy from China. It has one of the densest populations in the world. And it is increasing too fast.

Something went wrong with Bangladesh. The Bengalis were an intelligent breed but somehow forgot to put two and two together....Mohammed never forbid use of condoms, he could not have...they did not exist in those days.

Rise O' Bengalis ...use condoms and enjoy all day and night and you will progress. Try clipping the tubes...not a bad option. Unless you want to be washed to sea or find your children blowing bombs for the Mujahudin.

@Ram: you must be one of those narrow minded indians. You have the 2nd largest population in the world. Birth control is really needed in ur country. If it were not for IT and outsourcing India would not be anywhere. There is still a CAST system in INDIA it's 2008. THink about it!! Both countries have it's own problems that they need to take care of. They must solve it individually before the blame game starts.

APPEAL FOR JUSTICE TO SAVE FROM OPPRESSIVE LAWS

Dear Sir
From 1972 after independent many of the Bangladeshi Citizens started to Established Industries investing family resources & adopting innovative technology as self earner & to create job opportunity for million of unemployed person for achieving economic freedom. And Government also started to help these growing PRIVATE SECTOR INDUSTRIES having fund from International Loan giving Agencies, through different Bank. From 1989.
But the Industrial Entrepreneurs becomes victims of deep rooted conspiracy & anti Propaganda .The Bank Official refrain themselves from ascertaining production capacity of imported machineries and to provide required working capital loan in time extending total non-cooperation, negligence or even to receive back their money if any Entrepreneur decided to pay back the loan amount..
Due to Such conspiracy & negligence’s , Non Banking Activities of Bank Official & Policy Maker, most of the these Industries became inoperative & have lost their Cash Capital, Expatriate Capabilities, and helpless victims of such deep rooted conspiracy having similarity to :
HISTORY WHICH REMIND US THAT THE HANDS OF THE TECHNICIAN OF MUSLIN FABRICS “ ,THE FINEST QUALITY FABRICS WHICH WERE EVER MADE IN BENGAL ONLY “ WERE CUT DOWN BY THE THEN COLONIAL RULER OF UNDIVIDED INDIA.”
In 1992 &1996 the Sick Industries Rehabilitation Cell were formed by GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH & have Identified and Registered these Industries as SICK INDUSTRIES declaring not as defaulter but victims of Violation of Contract, Negligence, Fraudulent Activities, Malpractices of Bank Officials including Policy Maker due to lack of Accountability .which are no more hidden matter . But unfortunately the SICK INDUSTRIES REHABILITATION CELL are now closed. & have no power to help Industries of private sector.
Industrial Entrepreneur of Bangladesh are completely deprive of Legal Right due to enactment of BANK RUPTCY ACT of 1997 and ARTHA RIN ACT of 1989 which were amended on 2003 and 2007 treating the INDUSTRIAL ENTRPRENEURS OF PRIVATE SECTOR as like as SLAVE of Primitive Age.
But these laws are not applicable in Nationalized Sector where Billions of Dollars are invested with no result. Total outstanding Defaulted Bank Loan are about 60 to 70 % are lying with Government Sector, and only 10 % with Small & Medium Size Industries of Private Sector & Bank Official can explain well about the balance amount of out standing Loan amount

LAW OF TORTS ARE MOST COMMON LAW even in neighboring countries not to speak of USA , EUROPE or AUSTRALIA, BUT NOT APPLICABLE IN BANGLESH YET DUE TO WHICH BANGLADESH HAS BECOME A HEAVEN FOR REPRESSION / EXPLOITATION BY BANK OFFICIAL AND POLICY MAKER including other Agencies .
The Owner of Industries under Private Sector can not CLAIM ANY COMPENSATION OR SET OPF on the Suit filed by the Bank Official or Loan Giving Agencies FOR VIOLATION OF CONTRACT, NEGLEGIENCES, MALPRACTICES, including fraudulent activities of Bank officials As a result NUMBER OF SICK / DISTRESSED Industries are increasing in Every Year due to lack of accountability of Bank Official / policy maker due to restriction as per SECTION NO 18 ( 2) & ( 3 ) of ARTHA RIN ACT of 2003 Bank Official / Loan Giving Agencies have been given total indemnity in all respect . These have been done to hide out existing high profile malpractices, corruption as per opinion of Expert Personals at organizational level .
Industrial Entrepreneur have no legal right to protect themselves from the oppression of Bank Official & Policy Maker which are no more hidden matter rather a part of deep rooted conspiracy till date
Bank official have given absolute Indemnity for Violation of Contract , Negligence Malpractices & Fraudulent Activities Industrial Entrepreneurs can file a separate suit for compensation in separate civil Court creating more complicacy for life long litigation WITH OF NO RESULT due to restriction to obstruct or resist any order / decree of ARTHA RIN ACT / COURT by any other DECREE OR ORDER OF OTHER COURT or even of by HIGHER COURT THE RIGHT OF EQUITY OF LAW HAVE COMPLETELY BEEN DENIED TO THE INDUSTRIAL ENTREPRENEUR OF PRIVATE SECTOR.

Sections 12, 12 ( khan ) 18 ( 2 ) & (3 ) 19, 20, 21, 34,40, 41, 42, 44, 47 and 50 of ARTHA RIN ACT are direct violation of ARTICLE NO : 8, 15, 26 and 27 of BANGLADESH CONSTITUTION and self contradictory to the policy of Government to resist Malpractices and Corruption.

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Now there are no other alternative way but to draw the kind attention of Concerned Authority Including International Community / Organizations seeking help for JUSTICE to save & protect the OWNER OF SICK OR DISTRESSED INDUSTRIES OF Bangladesh under Private Sector, including their properties from such deep rooted conspiracy and oppressive laws as well to protect the interest of large number of workers, staffs of the Private Sector and also for CHANGE of such oppressive laws to restore Accountability of Bank Official / Loan Giving Agencies including Policy Maker to ensure for National Interest

( A ) - Humble appeal before the Government of Bangladesh to kindly allow Industrial Entrepreneur to claim Set Off or compensation on suit filed by the Bank / loan Giving Agencies. or allow to Run Compensation Suit Simultaneously with suits file by Bank Officials under ARTHA RIN ACT -2003 with equal opportunity and equal right between Banks / Loan Giving Agencies and of Industrial Entrepreneurs keeping similarity with on going process of ECONOMIC and ADMINISTRATIVE ,REFORMS PROGRAMME OF Bangladesh to maintain balance of law .

( B ) - All suits of Artha Rin Court may kindly be transferred to Civil Commercial Court providing Equal Right and Opportunity to prove and fix up the actual responsibility .

(C)- The Identified and Government Registered SICK INDUSTRIES of 1992 & 1996 of Private Sector have suffered heavy loss and damages due to Non-Banking Activities of Bank Officials and Policy Maker may kindly be allowed 100 % weaver of all type of loan liabilities as the loan have already been Written Off earlier .

( D )- The system of mortgage of Land & Properties from the Industrial Borrowers by Bank or any Loan Giving Agencies are mostly responsible for Malpractices and ever growing corruption in Banking Sectorand need to be completely bolished at earliest possible time to ESTABLISH ACCOUNTABILITY and Check Malpractices, Fraudulent Activities which are now growing by large in Banks or other Loan Giving Agencies and a major reason of Industrial Sickness as per expert opinions. .

( E ) - And the above mentioned SECTIONS OF ARTHA RIN ACTS should be abolished immediately to restore accountability & check against existing Negligence , Malpractices & Fraudulent Activities of Banking Sector.
More surprising are in this moment around 40,000 thousand suits have been filed by the banks in the Court for recovery of bank loam of this poor country , but no body speaks why such large numbers of Industries in Private Sector are getting more & more sick in each year

(F) – And Section 28 ( Ka ) of BANKING COMPANY of 2001 which explain WRITTEN OFF does not mean Weaver. Bhich are simply to misguide the International Community & Bangladesh National so as to serve the interest of the Vested Group

( G ) - It would be an extreme favors if your good self kindly collect the PRINTED COPIES OF THE ABOVE MENTION LAWS for confirmation of above mentioned facts .& to help the Suffering Groups by circulating this appeal among Honorable Member of your Organization and Partner’s Organizations & to Publish in WEBSITES or News Bulletin or News Media, Electronic Media of your territory to bring to the knowledge of Concern Authority including International COMMUNITY OR ORGANIZATIONS working for HUMAN RIGHT & FUNDAMENTAL / Democratic Right of People for immediate help and support to protect the Owner of the Sick Industries / Distressed Industries of Bangladesh and their properties from such OPPRESSIVE LAWS for which they all would be ever grateful as well for change of all types of oppressive laws restoring accountability at all organization

********* N.B. the Summery of above mentioned Section of Arthatha Rin Act at a Galance:

(A)- In section 18 ( 2 ) & ( 3 ) Defendant or Owner of Industries will not be able to claim any set – off or to make counter claim against the Bank or Bank Official nor will be allowed to claim any Compensation by submitting any Suit against Bank ( Plaintiff ) analogously or simultaneously in Artha Rin Court due to violation of contract, fraudulence activities including negligence, malpractices of Bank officials.
(B)- Section 21: Settlement Conference between Borrower and Bank is a misnomer of Law of Arbitration or just to divert the attention of common people in the name arbitration or to make everybody fool .
(C) -As Per Section 19 (6) of Artha Rin Act of 2003 no suits can be declared to be dismissed or discharged for default or above mentioned fault of Bank Official. As per Section 20 regarding any order or proceedings of Artha Rin Act can not be raised to Higher Court or to any Other Superior Authority without paying 50 % of claimed or Decretal Amount if the order is totally misleading or against any law or illegal one even .
(D) - As per Section 34 Defendant or the Owner of Industries in Artha Rin Adalat Case can be put to the Jail for compelling or forcing him to pay the Bank Money without considering the fault or negligence’s of Bank Official without allowing him to proof the matter of violation of contract, fraudulence activities , negligence, malpractices of Bank officials. V- As per section 41 and 42 -The Owner of Industries are not allowed to file any appeal or revision to High Court or Superior Court against any order of Artha Rin Court without paying 50 % of the claimed amount or Decretal amount in advance , But the Bank Official are not require to pay any amount in advance in the Higher Court, allowing A Great Disparity of Law and Justice.
(E) - Under section 47 and 50 , The learned Court under Artha Rin Act of 2003 have been bared to make any exemption of principal loan amount for Violation of Contract , Negligence’s Malpractices, including fraudulent activities or any fault of the bank official uni laterally

(F)- Section 12 ( Kha ) Imposed a bar for filling write petition to Higher Court which are direct violation of human right and constitutional right of the citizen and reflects the negative attitude of Policy Maker and the Law Maker .

Suffering Groups of Industrial Entrepreneurs of Bangladesh

Hundreds and thousands of Suits / Litigations are pending in Different Courts of Bangladesh due to illegal occupation of land ignoring documents and title right by miscreants.
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The officials of Land Survey Department, Settlement Office and their Subordinate Office are also responsible for many of the litigations as in many cases they prepare records & parcha and other related records of land willfully in the name of some other people or concern ignoring deed & title right. depriving the actual land owner.
Such type of malpractices of officials of Land Survey Department, Settlement Offices including their subordinate offices upto uphajila level are known to all corner.
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It shall continue as the officials of the above organizations can not be made responsible nor they can be taken to the court for loss and damages of owner of land since the colonial period to till date.

Correction of records, parcha & related documents of concerned lands at present are very much complicated , lengthy and expensive system.

Due to which majority of effected person can not efforts due to which loss right of ownerships of his land by this time the illegal occupier changes the faces or position of the lands depriving the owner.

Government may come forward to take immediate steps to ensure accountability at all stages of land survey department including settlement office and their subordinate offices against manipulation and malpractices during land survey, preparation of records , parcha and mouja map in the name of force full occupier of land or other organizations.

Experts opinions are that application TORT LAW also can help the process of accountability & prevent existing malpractices by officials to some extents

TORT LAW also protect poor people becoming more and more poor due to repression, oppression

It will be highly appreciated if you kindly circulate the above to all level for creation of awareness among the people, international community as well as patriot political worker. leader or intellectual group, & policy maker .

The Peoples