MAILBOX

Milking Life
I like the story alright. I like the pictures better.  It was refreshing to see so many healthy and kind looking cows. If we can set up dairy farms all over the country our children could benefit by having milk as part of their daily diet—just like the good old days.
Sakhawat Jamil
Purana Paltan, Dhaka

Congratulations to the Star
The Star magazine has reasons to feel proud and elated on turning 18. English newspapers and magazines have few readers in this country. The fact that the Star has crossed 18 years is a testament to the quality, content, relevance, popularity of this magazine which never tried to increase circulation by placing popular, sensational, alluring, captivating news/ articles/ pictures. It's basket of themes/ subjects/ issues cover a wide range of human endeavour and interest. In addition, The Star's perennially popular “Chintito" and "Postscript", fortified by Letters, Travel, Health, Science, History, Remembrance, Interview, Star Diary, Cartoon etc, is a judicious mix which is well received by its readers. Moreover, the Star complements “The Daily Star" in its mission to provide its readers with the “Right to Know." The Daily Star and the Star's ( along with sister publication “Prothom Alo") courageous and uncompromising journalism  has exposed countless cases of corruption, irregularity, extortion, lapse, cover-up, injustice, human rights violation etc to the public, and prompted debate, outcry and investigations in many cases. I wish the fearless team of the Star continued success as you carry the Star to greater heights of journalist, innovation, justice and fair-play. You have countless, but silent, supporters in your readers, to encourage you in your noble mission. Good luck!
 Humayun A Kamal
 Former secretary & ambassador
***
Let me congratulate the Star for completing 18 wonderful years. It is one of the best and educative English magazines of Bangladesh. It has a something for every reader—politics, food, fashion, travel and humour and so on.  It has created a faithful reader base by publishing inspiring cover stories and wonderful columns like Village Flute, Chintito, Writing the Wrong and Star Diary.  The anniversary issue was a really special one. Chintito's "Made in Bangladesh" was thought provoking. The cover story was inspirational. The special feature discusses many unknown things about the mainstream music of our country. Heartiest congratulations and thanks to all members of the Star.
ShasaUrmi
Dhania University College

Photo: Prabir Das

An Egyptian Tale
I was a bit confused about the third paragraph of the story which states, “And the Tahrir Square revolution? The truth is simple: Egypt's people had looked forward to a secular democracy taking roots in the country after the fall of Hosni Mubarak. Instead they got, first, a fundamentalist regime and, now, one more soldier in high office. Political liberalism as an idea has been aborted.”
In the paragraph prior to this, the writer says, “A democratic exercise of the vote catapulted the rightwing Mohammad Morsi to the presidency.”
This is self-contradictory.
The underlined part suggests that somehow the fundamentalist regime was imposed on them. The reality is the Egyptian people exercised their right to vote for the first time in a long time after Mubarak was ousted from power through a revolution and they cast their ballot for Mohammad Morsi, a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood. It's not like Morsi turned fundamentalist overnight after getting elected. The world and most importantly, the Egyptian people knew what his party and he stood for.
Ahbab Ahmad
Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Photo: AFP

Football Festival

It's really amazing to see the World Cup Football generate so much enthusiasm in this country.  Let us enjoy this mega festival together in harmony and peace. I hope Bangladesh will
be able to play in this mega tournament of football one day.
M N Islam Sarker
Dept of Economics
Carmichael College, Rangpur

Harmful Eucalyptus Tree
The eucalyptus trees are extremely harmful for the environment.  Experts say the tree absorbs water 24/7 . It always takes Oxygen and gives up Carbon- di- oxide. It spoils the productivity of lands. The spore of the tree causes asthma if it enters into our body through breathing. Many of us do not know the bad effect of the tree. It is true that eucalyptus tree grows very quickly. In order to get profit within a short time our farmers are planting the tree randomly. They plant the tree beside roads, in front houses and yards, uncultivated lands and many other open places. We should avoid and we must stop planting eucalyptus trees. We have to create awareness among the mass people.
Md Mashfiqur Rahman Bayezid
BSS Honours (Political Science)
Govt  Azizul Haque College, Bogra

No Shame
It seems that the ruling party leaders many of whom are serving as ministers have no shame and decency left in them. My heart sank when I listened to the recent speech of the PM where she sort of defended the corrupt officials and politicians who were involved in the “Crest Scandal.” She has also defended an underground Don by saying that she would take care of his family in the event something happened to him. She promised and the nation   expected better from her.
Anonymous
Via Email