MAILBOX

An Incorrigible Straight Shooter
Mohiuddin Ahmed seems to be a lone soldier in the fight against the violation of copyright and Intellectual Property Rights. In this country, no one respects and follows copyright laws. At schools rote learning is encouraged. Students memorise something from a book and then get high marks for reproducing it in the exam. At no stage of our education system are students made aware of copyright. The consequences have been a disaster. Copyright is infringed upon in every sector. There is no remedy. It is hard to find a good public interest litigator. Unless we learn to respect copyright, we will fail to encourage original thinking.
Raihan Shuvo
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
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The story of UPL is highly encouraging. Other publishers can learn from how UPL has been able to publish so many academic and scholarly books in English written not only by Bangladeshi authors but by international writers. I think the biggest problem publishers face is dwindling readership. Another challenge is to find good manuscripts. UPL has, to some extent, been able to overcome all these hurdles because Mohiuddin Ahmed was trained by the Oxford University Press in Karachi. There is no other publishing house in the country like UPL because they did not go through the same drill as he did at the OUP, Karachi. Better training is one of the ways to make publishing houses more efficient.
Abdul Kalam
Uttara, Dhaka

Photo: Zahedul I Khan

Say No to Corporal Punishment
Abusive treatment of school children often misrepresented as discipline or punishment is wrong and dangerous and this is very common and natural in our society. Most of the time unprofessional behaviour like physical or non-physical abuse or torture of children kills their enthusiasm for learning. It is important for parents to know that they have a fundamental right and a moral obligation to protect their children from mistreatment by anybody. Let the teachers and school principal know that no one has the permission, or the right to hit, threaten, humiliate, degrade or abuse a child. Make the children know that they should never submit to any act of aggression by any adult. Failing to ensure a safe, nurturing, delightful environment for a school child, particularly in the earliest years, may have painful and bitter consequences later. So what we need most is to provide fullest support to our children and implement laws against child abuse.
Naznin Sultana Niti
Dhaka University

Photo: Prabir Das

Enter The Dream
I was delighted to read the article on our beloved Dhaka University. It offers a picture of what university life is really like. This article is really encouraging for future students. Although there are problems like harassment by political goons, there are still plenty of opportunities for students to explore their talent and interests. Really love my university and the life it offers.
Jishu Deb
Jagannath Hall
Dhaka University

What Dream?
Abdur Rahman is the top scorer in both the D unit and B unit of Dhaka University admission test. He is also one of the two successful examinees who secured the required marks to study English. Yet he will not be allowed to study English in DU because of his 'madrasa' background. DU prides itself as the flag-bearer of progressive thinking and vanguard of equality.  In these difficult times when fundamentalists with their narrow mindset and myopic view often trample progressive thoughts, liberal minds of DU always speak up to save the day. Ironically, the so called enlightened institution itself is denying the fundamental right to education to a deserving and competent student only because he was a madrasa student. When the enlightened section of a country is more adamant than the usual bigots, we have reasons to be worried.
Yeasmin Liza Khan
Banani, Dhaka

Learning English

Audio lingual method is one of the most examined and timely method of teaching students foreign languages. Our government has introduced it in schools for teaching English. Initially it is being taught to students of class 6 and 7. We appreciate the initiative but the schools must be prepared for the use of this sort of equipment. A lot of schools in remote villages do not have electricity. While providing books the government should also provide listening CDs. Every school should have a language lab where students can listen to the audio and talk to each other. On the other hand, there should be training for teachers every year. If the authority concerned can provide such facilities I think the purpose of audio lingual method would be successful within the shortest possible of time.  
Md Zahidul Islam Zibon
Chittagong Model School and College