Unquotable quotes
The Reader's Digest has an old and popular page, “Quotable Quotes”. In the context of Bangladesh today, we could well start with some “Uncouth Quotes” coming from our 'leaders'. I will start with the gems from the home ministry's parliamentary standing committee's recommendations on Dhaka's traffic problems as printed in DS on 27 April 09.
“There is no law and regulation for non-motorized vehicles which cause the traffic jams” Do the committee members become visually impaired as soon as they sit in their air-conditioned stretched-out gas guzzling monstrosities paid for by the public? Can they not see what causes the traffic jams? It is their own vehicles and about 400,000 others occupying 75-80% of roads, footpaths, sans licenses, un-paid taxes, while travelling empty/half-empty.
“We have recommended enacting a law for all non-motorized vehicles (NMVs).” The laws are already there both for NMVs and the 400,000 motorized vehicles, but where is the will to, and who will enforce these laws?
“Police will fine pedestrians for not using overbridges” Are the authorities going to build another 1,000 over-bridges and perhaps 5,000kms of footpaths needed for the pedestrians in Dhaka? Will these have escalators/walkways for the old, infirm, women, children, disabled, etc? Or is this going to be a new source of income for our 'honest cops'?
“Pedestrians and NMVs are two main reasons for traffic jams”. This was expected and surely coming from our new political masters (previously public servants, circa, 29 Dec 08). I am flabbergasted at this statement of imbecility that perhaps, shows the inner working of their IQ (or lack of it).
I have saved the 'best' for last. “WASA water is stinking aesthetically but hygienically pure”. Tell me, the Chief Engineer, WASA, how many bottles of your aesthetically stinking but hygienically pure WASA water are you drinking every day?
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