Our millionaires, are you listening?
The article by Professor Rashiduddin Ahmad (May 18th) made delightful reading with its account of numerous worthy people who laid aside privilege and personal profit in order to perform acts of public service in the only way they thought proper. The article was inspired by the example of Sohel Taj, wishing to retire from politics and reject the income he was being paid, which, the writer said, was an attitude surely inspired by his father, Tajuddin, first prime minister in exile, who set an example of personal austerity and honesty.
Another example he chose was that of Tony Benn, the longest-ever serving MP in the British Parliament - 50 years. The writer says he was the son of a big landlord when, in fact, he was the son of a hereditary peer and inherited a title - Viscount Stansgate! However, he wished to enter the House of Commons, in keeping with a tradition on both sides of his family and in the Nonconformist Church tradition that upheld the best sort of involvement in politics. Besides, he considered the House of Lords to be 'the British Outer Mongolia for retired politicians'! He fought successfully for the law to be changed so he - and others - could renounce their titles in order to enter the House of Commons.
How nice it is to contemplate people who have this mindset, in a world where so many grasp at political power for personal advantage when the world needs those who make personal sacrifices for the benefit of all as a normal part of being human!
Wouldn't it be nice if some of the 23,212 multi-millionaires in Bangladesh known to the Bangladesh Bank (that Professor Muniul Islam reported in his article of May 20th) began to pay the income tax they owe so that the fewer than 1000 people paying personal income tax to the tune of one lakh taka in the 2011-12 taxation year became a great flood of those releasing funds for the benefit of this dear country - instead of pocketing it for themselves?
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments