PM's India visit
Sheikh Hasina visited India to improve relations, understanding and mutual trust. But it appears from BNP chairperson and secretary general's version that she was perhaps on a tour of invasion. They should understand that these days countries cannot be invaded rather their heart can be won with sincerity. A new door of co-operation has been opened in many fields. People of the entire sub continent will be benefited if the opportunity can be fully utilized. Bangladesh is an equal partner in the road of development. Sheikh Hasina went to India to strengthen that partnership. Our main opposition party should shun the mentality of begging, bringing or giving. We want trade and co-operation not aid and humiliation. Thanks, Sheikh Hasina, for heralding a new era of relationship.
***
People have mixed opinions about the recent visit of Sheikh Hasina to India. I have no comment on this, but surely at least on one count it can be debated. The people's lives have already become too miserable because of the traffic snarl. This jam became unprecedented on the day of the return of the Prime Minister as the airport road was blocked. People's inconvenience knew know bounds. They were stranded for hours together. It took around 5 hours to move from Uttara to Farmgate. The vehicles sometimes moved, limped or stood still. The passengers in the vehicles and those at the bus stations suffered the most. It must be mentioned that neither the buses nor the stations or bus ticket counters have the facility to help people answer to the call of nature. Due to this the old, the sick and the children, females and even young people suffered. This was man-made and could have been avoided. The inconvenience caused to the people was also noted by The Daily Star newsman in its issue on 14th Jan at page 1 & 15 under the caption “City Struck by Welcome Nightmare”.
If I remember correctly during the caretaker government, once during the visit of the Chief Advisor, the traffic was held up to clear way for him that caused some problem to some students who could not report to exam centre on time. When this was brought to his notice, he instructed that no special arrangement for him be henceforth made. He wanted to travel as the common man. That was great. The Prime Minister may also share the same view, but it could be the “Chamchas” around her who might have done so (blockaded traffic) to appease her and to display their “super loyalty” although some of them might be among those who proposed the minus two formulae in the name of reforms.
We hope the Prime Minister will take note of this and ask the functionaries not to create unnecessary hurdles for the common people during her incoming or out-going visits. This will improve her image with the common people.
A citizen, On email
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments