Bangladeshis' Natural craving for books continue
VognoDuut750
Natural craving for books continue
By A.T.M.Nurun Nabi
Tue, 14 Feb 2006, 05:50:00
I intercepted a head-covering woman in front of a bookstall in the Ekushey
Book Fair (EBF) on Friday evening and said, "What does bring ye here?" She
looked up and said, "I intend to buy a copy of Bukhari Sharif provided the
price is affordable.
This renowned book of hadith is now available in one volume in the
bookstalls. It is originally divided into 11 volumes. In order to bring it
to the doors of the quenching people, the learned men summarized 11 volumes
just for one. To a question, a salesman of Solemania Book House said, "Human
craving for the books on religion has been increasing day by day. Many a
buyer asks for a copy of the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (SM) and the
Quran Sharif. The sale position is better than the corresponding days of the
last year." Solemania Book House is an inspiration for those having thirst
for knowing Islam.
Tablig-e-Kutubkhana gave identical view and added that the people being
tired of the mechanised civilisation want to get rid thereof and they find
it in the books on religion. They have now realised that the true practice
of the Islamic law and principles can give human beings relief from
monotonous life." Friday being weekly holiday, people from all walks of life
swarmed to the book fair to express their solidarity and integrity with
nationalism. They had to stand in queue, which stretched to beyond the TSC,
DU in the north and Doel Chatar in the south. None of them showed any kind
of resentment at the system; they were rather patient. Ruma, a student,
said, "I am proud of our adherence to the discipline we need to advance
ahead. An undisciplined nation is sure to suffer. Our acceptance of the
system with patience proves that proper guidance is the prime need of the
country."
The most amazing and valuable explanation came from a member of Bangladesh
Police. I spoke to him and two others standing on the footpath of the TSC
Sarak. He said, "21st February is a red letter day in the history of the
world as no other nation shed blood for mother language. This day reminds us
of our glorious past and rouses us from hibernation.
The poets, the writers and the litterateurs get an opportunity to market
their new books and help our present generation to know the unknown. We are
of the opinion that the book fair like this could be organised at the
district headquarter also."
On the long queue, he said, "People's cooperation indicates that we are in
truth a disciplined nation. We are not unrestrained."
The idea of holding book fair at the district level can be judiciously
considered.
A RAB man inside the book fair said, " It gives us pleasure to perform duty
here, as all those who come are mostly educated and make no problem. We are
happy to be posted here." But how many of the students and the educated
circle are conscious of their doings in time of national crisis and know the
genesis of the language movement?
"The Ministry of Education, the Cultural Affairs Ministry and the Bangla
Academy should take joint initiative to write the history of language
movement from the 12th century. There is no scope to evade, to sidetrack and
to ignore the truth," said a college teacher on condition of anonymity.
Organising the book fair has been part of our culture, and there is no
ground to deny its impact on our socio-political life. It increases the
spirits of nationalism to fight against hegemony and imperialism.
Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) is a stall with research
books on the country's economy. Upward Occupational Mobility Among Female
Workers in Garment Industries of Bangladesh, published in October 1997 by
Protima Paul Majumder and Sharifa Begum is one of them. Role and Problems of
Public Financial Institutions in the Recovery of Loans: Case Studies of the
Nationalised Commercial Banks by Dr. Rahman Sobhan and Md. N. Ehsan Sharif
are a very good book.
Men looking after the interests of the stall said, "The sale position is not
satisfactory."
Salma Akhter who lives in Italy is now in Dhaka. I let not the opportunity
to talk to her. She bought a novel by Victor Hugo. She said, "The number of
the Bengali-speaking people in Italy is small comparing in the USA and the
UK. I we are alone, I reminiscerate our past, days in Bangladesh. I am very
glad being able to come to the book fair."
Quantum Foundation was found collecting blood from the healthy and sound
persons free of cost. It had collected till Friday afternoon 471 bags.
According to a figure supplied by the foundation, the country needs for
hundred thousands bag per year.
Three volunteer social organisations of the country that collect blood from
the volunteers are Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Sandhani and Quantum
Foundation. On the quality of giving blood, it was said that the age group
between 18-45 was entitled.
Swadesh, a book stall, said, "Books on science fiction has the best demand.
Besides that, the biography of Prophet Muhammad (SM) by Karen Armstrong
translated by Swakat Hossain and Sofies Verden by Jostein Gaardex translated
by G.H.Habib and Islam: A short history by Karen Armstrong have received
good response from the buyers." Hamidia Library said that the sale position
was not up to the expectation due to poor site.. However, three books, one
on Karbala tragedy titled Shahadate Hossain, second one is Gunah Maf
Samparke Rasulullah's Shuvo Sangbad and third one is Shane Najul have
received good response from the buyers.
Those who love to have the photograph of Dhaka before hundred years or more
than that, may go to Bangladesh National Museum stall. Photographic Album of
Old Dhaka will help the readers quench the thirst for knowledge. Another one
Introducing Bangladesh National Museum is also a precious book. Those who
are confused as to the access of drawing and paintings to Islam may go
through Historic Dhaka City: Evolution and Probability by Dr. Iftikharul
Awal, Islamic Art Heritage of Bangladesh and Bangladesher Islami Shilpokala
both by Enamul Haque. The book fair tries to give the new generation an idea
about their doings both as students and afterward life.
Torpedo
"VognoDuut750" <VognoD...@zilmore.com> wrote in message
news:jfGdnVvl06l...@comcast.com...
nkdat...@bigmailbox.net
Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Wednesday, February 8, 2006
Corruption disqualifies Bangladesh for MCA funding - Says US State
Department official
A senior US official yesterday said corruption has prevented Bangladesh
from qualifying for Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) funding and
suggested improvement in key areas of governance to derive benefit from
the special fund.
He particularly recommended strengthening the regulatory regime,
addressing transparency in government conduct of public affairs, and
improving business laws.
"Bangladesh should benchmark its performance in recent years vis-a-vis
the MCA methodology and track its progress in the near future," David
Luna, Director for Anti-Corruption and Governance Initiatives, US State
Department, said during an online chat with a group of journalists in
Dhaka.
He said assuming strong political will in the government to work
through these issues, and improving MCA scores in weak areas,
Bangladesh should be in a more competitive position to qualify for the
MCA funds.
In reply to a question about the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) in
Bangladesh to combat the menace, he said the ACC needs to be truly
independent to be most effective. "It too must have the resources to be
able to do its job and the necessary legal authority to prosecute
corrupt officials."
Quoting Bangladesh newspaper reports, Luna said he understood that the
absence of rules and organogram was cited as the main reason for its
slow start.
"To truly succeed, however, the ACC must have the enforcement 'teeth',
independence, and trust of the people that it can be impartial," he
said, adding, "Checks and balances are perhaps the most effective
approach to tackling the vested interests in the country."
In reply to another question, he said UNCAC has become an important
tool and focal point for the international community in the collective
fight against corruption.
"I am not sure why Bangladesh has not signed the UNCAC," the US
official said and urged the Bangladesh government to take prompt action
to join the international community's commitment on this important
instrument.
In reply to a question, Luna said Bangladesh government will have to
take concrete action to implement key reforms and empower those who
investigate corruption to prosecute at all levels of society in
implementing the national integrity strategy.
He said in many places around the world people are fed-up with
corruption and are holding government officials accountable.
Asked about the urgency of separation of the judiciary from other
branches for good governance and making the government accountable,
Luna said checks and balances are critical to ensure the integrity of
the overall system. "An independent judiciary helps safeguard
Bangladesh' public trust that no one is above the law."
Asked about effective combat of corruption, the US official said
fighting corruption entails a comprehensive approach, including a
combination of prevention, detection, and sanctions.
A key area of prevention includes developing ethics, laws and
requirements such as the practice
in some countries to file publicly financial disclosure reports that
detail investments, gifts from outside sources, and information and
other incomes and assets. Such transparency reports help employees to
avoid conflicts of interest and to preserve the integrity of public
office.
To a question, Luna said the US and other G8 countries have taken a
strong position in the fight against 'kleptocracy', including
aggressively denying safe haven to corrupt officials, to those who
corrupt them, their illicitly-acquired assets - and, prosecuting those
engaged in bribery, including in international business transactions.
Asked about US role in helping Bangladesh establish good governance,
Luna said the State Department's role relates to fighting corruption
internationally that includes cooperation to unite governments to work
cooperatively on these issues, help them meet or exceed those
commitments, mobilise popular will and support civil society.
=====================================================================
Berlin-based Transparency International has released its report for
2005. Iceland is the least corrupt country with a score of 9.7 while
Bangladesh and Chad have jointly been described as the most corrupt
nations in the world ranking 158th (1.7).
Here's the ranking and Corruption Perceptions score of selected
countries in the 2005 report:
http://ww1.transparency.org/cpi/2005/cpi2005_infocus.html#cpi
TI 2005 Corruption Perceptions Index
COUNTRY RANK 2005 CPI SCORE
Iceland 1 9.7
USA 17 7.6
Japan 21 7.3
Israel 28 6.3
Sri Lanka 78 3.2
China 78 3.2
India 88 2.9
Iran 88 2.9
Nepal 117 2.5
Pakistan 144 2.1
Myanmar 155 1.8
Chad 158 1.7
Bangladesh 158 1.7
===================================================================
http://ww1.transparency.org/cpi/2005/cpi2005_infocus.html#cpi
The TI Corruption Perceptions Index is a composite survey, reflecting
the perceptions of business people and country analysts, both resident
and non-resident. It draws on 16 different polls from 10 independent
institutions. For a country to be included, it must feature in at least
3 polls. As a result, a number of countries - including some which
could be among the most corrupt - are missing because not enough
survey data is available.
The Corruption Perceptions Index provides a snapshot, with less
capacity to offer year-to-year trends. Nevertheless, time-series data
for the CPI have been analysed for the first time this year by
Professor Johann Graf Lambsdorff at Passau University in Germany.
TI is advised in relation to the CPI by a group of international
specialists. The statistical work on the index was coordinated by
Professor Graf Lambsdorff.
Details are available at:
www.transparency.org/surveys/index.html#cpi
Corruption hampers achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by
undermining the economic growth and sustainable development that would
free millions from the poverty trap. Fighting corruption must be
central to plans to increase resources to achieve the goals, whether
via donor aid or in-country domestic action. Among the countries
included in the Index, corruption is perceived as most rampant in Chad,
Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, Myanmar and Haiti - also among the poorest
countries in the world.
===================================================================
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1522575,0008.htm
Hindustan Times
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
India's ranking in world corruption index declines
New Delhi, October 18, 2005
Contrary to popular perception that corruption was on the rise in
India, an international organisation on Tuesday said it had in fact
decreased in the past one year and placed the country 88th among 159
nations, down by two ranks.
The Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index for 2004
had placed India 90th among 146 countries.
India scored 2.9 in 2005 on a 10 to 0 scale of the index indicating the
cleanest score and 0 the most corrupt. Last year India had scored 2.8.
The survey is not just limited to estimating monetary value of petty
corruption but also ranking public services and States. The study looks
into systematic aspects of corruption in public services, Transparency
International India's working Chairman SD Sharma said, while releasing
the report.
Among India's neighbouring countries, Berlin-based TI placed China and
Sri Lanka at 78th position ranking it least corrupt than India with a
score of 3.2 while Afghanistan and Nepal have been jointly placed at
117th with a score of 2.5, Pakistan 144th with a score of 2.1 and
Myanmar 155th (1.8).
Iceland is the least corrupt country with a score of 9.7 while
Bangladesh and Chad have jointly been described as the most corrupt
nations in the world ranking 158th (1.7).
The United Kingdom has been placed 11th jointly with Netherland (8.6)
while United States has been placed at 17th with a score of 7.6 in the
index.