MAILBOX

A New Bangladesh
Last year I came back home after living abroad for 15 years. I was surprised to see that our country has indeed gone through a sea change in the area of technology. I was riding a rickshaw the other day and saw the rickshaw puller talking on a cell phone and listening to music on another. I felt really proud to learn that young students in remote areas of Bangladesh can now write programmes  in JAVA and sell them to clients in other countries through outsourcing sites. Way to go Bangladesh!
Anisur Rahman
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
***
The efforts and achievements of the government in the ICT sector are commendable.  The government is training a lot of young people in several districts on skills necessary for outsourcing jobs. However, as the cover story points out, many poor trainees do not have their own computer. This is where the private sector can come in by donating computers to some of these talented young students. It is simply unrealistic and unethical to expect the government (regardless of what party is in power) to do everything for us. The government simply does not have the resources.
Shamsur Rahman Shibli
Banani, Dhaka

Photo: Star File

Super Women
The cover story on International Women's day [March 7] prompted me to dig up the history of the Muslim women rulers.  I found a book in Bangla tilted 'Juge Juge Muslim Nari Shashok' written by Kazi Akhteruddin, published by Dibbya Prokash. The book contains a chronology of about 200 Muslim women rulers, starting from Ayesha (ra.) all the way up to Bangladesh prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. I was surprised to learn that as leaders Muslim women always were benevolent, just and pious. They played a key role in upholding Islam by constructing mosques, madras, schools, and roads. They also promoted art and culture. Some 20 Muslim women rulers' names were mentioned in the Jumua Khutba and inscribed in the coins. Yemen was ruled for 90 years by two women: Ashma and Arwa. I think those who oppose women development in the name of religion should read the book.
Abdullah Youshuf Mohammad
Via email

Photo: Andrew Eagle

What Ronjon Can Do
Congratulations to the writer for such a moving story about an ordinary rural man named Ronjon. The article is about an ordinary man and yet it is extraordinary because in depicting  Ronjon's resoluteness  and resilience the writer actually depicts  the resilience  of this  entire nation. Here is a blind child who survives and makes it in the big world, without any assistance from the society. Can you imagine such bravery in any other country? Our country is full of such  stories which often remain untold. It's nice to see the Star take the initiative of telling these stories of the ordinary people who are the real heroes of this country and who personify the great spirit of what this country stands for.
Dilruba Khatun
Jessore

The Jewel of Our History
I would like to congratulate and give my heartiest thanks to the Star for the nice and informative, cover story 'People's Leader published on March 21. Though I am a university student, I have to admit that I knew very little about Tajuddin Ahmad's   leadership skills.  After going through this article, I have come to know that Tajuddin Ahmad wasn't just a name. He was a combination of patriotism, unquestionable leadership, visionary diplomacy and courage. He can be a role model for generations to come.
Md Amjad Hossain
Dept of Public Administration
University of Dhaka

Chintito
As I got the Star this weekend, I opened it to read Chintitio, my favourite writer like I always do. I want to thank him for the nice and informative article on the national anthem of different countries. However, it does not include the national anthem of England which is, in my opinion the weirdest and stupidest national anthem of all. It's called “God save the Queen”. Most national anthems talk about pride in their identity, love for the country and so on. But here is England, one of the mightiest and most developed nations on earth praying to God to save their Queen but not themselves! We may be poorer than England economically but as far as the national anthem is concerned we are richer than many countries.
Mohammad Ruhul Amin
Chowdhurypara, Dhaka

Inventing a Wonder Drug
Time and again our scientists have proved that they are talented and they can invent solutions to problems and diseases using low cost materials and ingredients. Dr Mohammad Rahamutullah has invented the wonder drug that can cure bird flu and pancreatic cancer. Now let the government and others help him get the approval from FDA and other bodies so that companies can start manufacturing it.
Mohammad Saifuddin Jalal
Mohammadpur, Dhaka.

Home and Abroad
The news item titled "Dangerous Donation" [March 28] caught my attention. A mobile court found an addict with a large number of needle marks on his hand at a blood bank of Bakshibazar. Thanks to the mobile court, he was arrsted.  But the question remains: who allowed him to donate blood? Don't they know how fatal it can be to patients who need blood? I want to thank the Star for bringing it to our attention and I sincerely hope that these sort of dangerous practices will stop.
Md. Sayedur Rahman
Pubali Bank Limited
Ati Bazar, Keranigonj, Dhaka