MAILBOX

Enter the Dream
The writer has done an excellent job of providing necessary official and more importantly, practical but unofficial information and tips for the newcomers of Dhaka University. It will be very helpful for them. However, I feel the article could cover a few more areas.  Some advice for both male and female students on how to fend off sexual predators in the guise of fellow classmates and honourable teachers could come in handy.  A lot has been said about student politics and how to cope with it, but the obsessive impulsive colour affinity (White-Blue) of the teachers was totally omitted. A fair warning on the fact that political ideology plays a greater role than merit when it comes to grade or recruitment of lecturers – would be a little bit harsh, but necessary.
Saif
on Email
***
This has reference to the cover story “Enter the Dream" published on 31 October 2014.  DU is the highest hope of all students across the country. But the current rules do not allow Madrassa students to get admitted into 13 very lucrative subjects. University should be free from any from discrimination based on gender, ethnicity and religion.
Abdur Rahman, a madrassa student failed to get admission in the subject of his choice even after securing the first position in Kha unit.  In the past, students of madrassas have proved their competence by securing top positions in the BCS exam.   The government must change such discriminatory rule in DU.
Md Zillur Rahaman, IBBL,
Sadarghat Branch, Dhaka

Photo: Prabir Das

Signs of a Bangladeshi Passenger
The behaviour of Bangladeshi passengers may provide materials for satires and comedies, but the fact remains that we ought to show better manners while travelling abroad.  On board an international airline, we must show respect to others and be sensitive to the needs of others. We must remember that we are ambassadors of our nation while we are in a foreign country or at an international airport.   
Faria Khan
Dhanmondi, Dhaka

A Jab at Reality
I became an ardent fan of Kaiser Haq when I read his translation of a collection of poems by Shamsur Rahman. Haq is, without any question, a poet and writer of international standard. I enjoyed reading the review of his latest book of poetry. The well written book review itself reads  like a long poem. Very nicely done.
Shayla Karim
Lalmatia, Dhakla

Who gives them the money for narcotics?
A few months ago, my father and I went for an evening walk. We had to take a different route that day because the one we used to take earlier was under construction. On our way to the city park we saw a child drinking phensedyl from a bottle. It seemed to us that he had done this before.  We were shocked and wondered what kind of a future this little kid had before him. I know it sounds horrible but from now on I will think twice before giving cash to any poor kid.  If we want to help them, we should buy them food or books or medicines, depending on what they need most.
Alif Elham
Laboratory School

Stop this nonsensical cruelty
I have always been against the corporal punishment of children and could never understand why people who love their children would ever want to beat them or allow anyone else (teacher or otherwise) to do so. As a mother of two half-angels at times and half-monsters most other times, I can't help but agree with Sir Frank Peters when he says, “the majority of children will drive you up the wall and many are naturally curious to see how high you will go, but that's no justification for beating them”. From my childhood I could not understand the expression 'spare the rod and spoil the child'. Which was taken by most (including me) to mean beat your children to discipline them. I could not understand how the holy books could preach such cruelty, inhumanity, and abuse. The answer I found in Sir Frank's report and I'm so pleased to have read it. In Proverbs 13:24 it states, 'He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him'. His report points out that in Hebrew, the word translated as 'rod' is the same word used in Psalms 23:4, "thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me”. The shepherd's rod (or staff, as it's sometimes called) is used to guide the sheep to prevent them from straying and is NEVER used to beat them. The truth struck me like a bolt of lightening from Heaven.  As Sir Frank writes the proverb should read 'spare good guidance and spoil the child'. Corporal punishment in schools and homes must end.
Halima Annis
On Email

Virus Vs Us

The West Africa Ebola outbreak has the potential to rapidly develop into the most serious intercontinental public health emergency of our time. This epidemic has already caused a huge loss of life and we don't know how long it'll take to find a cure for this fatal virus. Now Asia is at second high risk of Ebola and if it breaks out here it'll be a disaster out of control. It's good to learn that Bangladesh is at low risk and is taking necessary steps. Thanks to the star for an informative article on this crisis.
Naznin Sultana Niti
University of Dhaka

Photo Courtesy: National Geographic