New government's tasks
Photo: Habibur Rahman / Driknews
The 2009 parliament of Bangladesh is truly unique in many ways. Among its many uniqueness, one that will top the list is its biggest number of fresh and young members. Analysts across the board are full of praise and hope for this new lot. While doing so they are too cautious even to examine the risks that are associated with inexperience. Such is the predicament of the so called “brute” majority. People become hesitant to give free flowing opinions. This government is sitting with lots of agenda on hand. These range from the very tough issue of trying Pakistani collaborators to the interesting concept of making a digital Bangladesh by 2021; from employing most of the employable, to lowering the prices of basic commodities. These are the wishes of the teeming millions. Meeting these challenges will also take thousands of quality man-hour. This government is in a better position to achieve these challenges. It has the combination of wisdom of the experienced and the energy of the young among its ranks. However, the danger is that if the government only eyes the eye-catching tasks, its basic duty to provide the populous metropolis with clean air, dust free roads, covered drainage system, improve the shattered transportation system, provide well lit streets and footpaths, and supply safe drinking water may get into a limbo. Any popular government to survive the test of time must ensure these things for its people. Interesting enough, the new sensation of the world, Barack Obama's presidency of the mighty America - to which comparisons are made to our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's present premiership - puts its full efforts to mend the economy and make the average American financially comfortable. His interest lies in affairs of, as he says, the “main street”. It is indeed fascinating to listen to the new President of the most powerful country when he promises to build new schools, new roads and provide jobs for his people with a decent wage. Being the richest and the mightiest he is not forgetting the basics that his citizens need. Being in the league of poor nations, let us also focus on very basic public amenities like clean roads, drainage systems, drinking water supply, ticket counter for buses, hazard free footpaths, re-establishing meter based taxi and three-wheeler, creating jobs in the rural areas to minimize city slum dwelling and turning the primary public schools truly into educational institutions: at least in the major cities, to begin with. As there is no dearth of able parliamentarians of all age groups in this government a few of them may be assigned to do these tasks. People know that these are not easy jobs. But other nations have done it. If we could build a bridge over the Jamuna River and planning to construct another over the Padma, why cannot we do the very basics here right in the cities for a decent and healthy living?
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