MAILBOX

Photo: Prabir Das

Hay 2014
I want to thank the organisers of the Hay Festival for giving us the opportunity to learn from so many world renowned scholars, academics, writers, poets and thinkers.  During the three days of the festival, I felt proud that our country could host a programme of this magnitude. I hope festivals like this will encourage free thinking and tolerance in this country.
Naila Khan
Gulshan, Dhaka

Ruining the education system
My younger brother's primary school closing examination is going on. To prepare for the exam, he went to coaching classes and even had a private tutor. We were hopeful that he would do well. But now we are seeing that some people are leaking the exam questions in social media. Now the students who didn't study well all over the year are also going to gain good marks in the exam. On the contrary the students like my brother who have studied hard are going to be disappointed. The government must acknowledge its failure and should stop taking PSCE and JSC.
Nazmul Hossain Nihal
On Email

A Critical Problem
I am deeply concerned about the present state of our beloved country. We know that today's child is the future of our country and education is the backbone of a nation. But question paper leaking is ruining the education in our country. The government seems to be in denial. Please take immediate actions to arrest those involved in question leaking and punish them according to the law. We have managed to destroy almost everything that was good about this country. Now if we ruin the education system, we are surely headed towards the dark age.   
Raju Ahammad
Department of Socialogy      
M M College, Jessore

Unusual Source of Income
For the last two days, the law enforcement agencies took initiatives to stop jaywalking where foot over bridge is available. If any person does not use foot over bridge, he or she will be imposed penalty as specified by law or imprisonment of at least six months. This is a good move but I want to know where the money which is collected from defaulter as penalty is deposited. I think an awareness campaign highlighting the risks of jaywalking will be more effective than fining people or putting them in jail for this minor offence.
Shimul Kumar
Executive, Accounts
Genvio Pharma Ltd

Mobile phone radiation and health hazards
Mobile phone radiation is a serious threat to our health. It may cause not only cancer but also various problems like infertility. There are many mobile operators in our country.  They are strengthening their network by erecting towers in crowded places without any safety measures. Moreover towers are being built on top of apartment buildings and houses. There must be a government policy to curb the bad effects of mobile radiation.
Md Zonaed Emran
By email

Stop Human Trafficking
A few days ago the Bangladesh Navy detained 600 passengers with 20 women and children at the time of trafficking to the Malaysia. Human trafficking to Malaysia by the Tecknaf costal area is a regular occurrence. Approximately 50,000 people traffic from Bangladesh to Malaysia by the dangerous sea way every year. Some of them are being sold as slaves in the deep forest of Thailand. They are forced to do hard work in the fish farms in Thailand. Last month the BBC, TIME magazine and the Guardian gave us detailed reports on the slave business in Thailand. The maximum number of slaves is from Cambodia, Myanmar and Bangladesh. The government must do everything it can to stop human trafficking. People also must be aware of the dangers of trafficking.
Md  Al- Amin Jony
School of Business
Asian University of Bangladesh

Shame for Humanity
I was really shocked when I learned about the murder of the sociology teacher of Rajshahi University. Teachers of a country are nation builders. At this stage teachers are not safe in our country. I can't forget the face of Soumin, the only son of the slain teacher. Why was his father killed? What is the government doing to capture the criminals?  It's a great shame for humanity.   
Aysa Alam
Dhaka University

Mirza Waheed

Kashmir in my heart
In my opinion, Mirza Waheed, the author of ‘The Collaborator’, is one of the most promising writers in contemporary English literature. It is a remarkably well-written novel about the socio-economic life in war-torn Kashmir. India and Pakistan both agreed to solve the Kashmir issue through a plebiscite.  Neither country kept their word. Both countries seem to have forgotten that Kashmiris are perfectly capable of choosing their own future.   I was really glad to read his interview in the Star.
Sumona Haq
Baridhara, Dhaka

Photo: Star File

Are You a VIP?
I went to attend the Bengal Musical Festival on the first day. I was really surprised to notice something. The number of VIPs outnumbered the non-VIPs! I have a recommendation. Let's make everyone a VIP or let's treat everyone the same.
Anonymous