MAILBOX

Photo: Prabir Das

Foodies Dot Com
Most of the caterers mentioned in the feature seem to be women of different ages and tastes with love for food and a great deal of passion for preparing it. These women have generated employment for themselves and others by taking up a service based profession.  It is a brilliant cover story and I thank the Star for it.
Shamima Tasnim
Lalmatia, Dhaka
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It's really nice to learn that we have so many healthy and tasty choices when it comes to having something different as Iftar during the Ramadan. I found the cover story well researched and very informative. A lot of bachelors like me will find it immensely helpful. For articles like this I have been an avid reader of the Star for the last two years.
Rohan Khan
Uttara, Dhaka
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I have tried the cupcakes from the Flourist and I can say that it's one of the worst cupcakes I have eaten in my life. On another note, I believe the Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and increased devotion toward Allah. We Muslims are expected to increase restraint, such as abstaining from sinful speech and behaviour. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul by freeing it from harmful impurities. Ramadan also teaches us how to better practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity. What the Ramadan is not is this: it is not a food bonanza. I am a little disappointed at the Star for joining the groups that has commercialized this holy month in this country. We expected more class and restraint from the Star.
Mohammad Zamil
Azimpur, Dhaka

People with No Home
The translated Rohingya song in the beginning of the article drew my attention and I read the entire article in a couple of minutes. It is a beautifully written article with a lot of historic facts in it. I look forward to reading the last part when it is published next week.
Rahamat Ali
Tejgaon, Dhaka

Football Fever
I have a dream: Bangladesh is playing in the World Cup Football. We are not supporting Brazil or Argentina; we are supporting one country that is our very own Bangladesh. We are not hoisting the flags of other countries; all over the country only one flag is visible and that's red and green.
Shasa Urmi
Dhania University College, Dhaka

Trading Green
This is the kind of entrepreneurs our country needs more of. Masrur Khan has proved that it is possible to establish a business that is both socially and commercially viable. Jute is so much more environment friendly than plastic. I hope all businesses in Bangladesh will appreciate the fact and start using jute bags instead of plastic ones. We have to start thinking about our environment seriously. The way we are polluting the environment in this country is unprecedented. Let us make the country livable again. Using jute bags may be a start.
Khodeja Khanam
Dhanmondi, Dhaka

The Iron Lady
I would like to congratulate the women in the Police force for their achievements not only in the country but also internationally. I would like to share with the reader a piece of information: In 1989 the minister of Home Affairs Major General (Retd) Mahmudul Hasan severely criticized the idea of recruiting the women in senior posts and suggested that only Bangladeshi male citizens should be eligible to apply for the post of an ASP. As a result during the period between 8th and 17th BCS no female officer was recruited in the rank of ASP. Ten years later in 1999, 8 women officers joined the police cadre. Had it not been for this 'ban' imposed on women by autocratic Ershad's home minister, policewomen would have crossed many more milestones.
Dilara Zaman
Gulshan-2, Dhaka

Travel Stories
This has reference to the travel story on Greece, the cradle of modern civilization. While reading the interesting story, I felt like I was travelling in Greece and actually experiencing the places the writer saw and the food he ate. I am a regular reader of the Star I will expect to read more travel stories in this widely read magazine. I am sure a lot of readers who do not have the opportunity or the financial capacity to travel to other countries will appreciate that. I hope by publishing more travel stories like this the Star will contribute further toward expanding the horizon of the readers.
Hasibul Huq Shajal
Jessore  

Make It Functional
In October, 2013 the Prime Minister inaugurated a 500-bed hospital at Mugda, Dhaka.  It is regrettable that the required number of physicians, nurses, technologists, management people and other staff have not yet been appointed to run the hospital. It is said that it cost the government Taka ten billion to establish the hospital. I would like to draw the attention of the Minister of Health to make the hospital operational soon to serve the patients in need.
Mohd Ashraf Hossain
Bashabo, Dhaka-1214