MAILBOX
Reliving History with Tariq Ali
Putting Tariq Ali on the cover the Star has once again proved that it is not just your typical weekend magazine---it deeply cares about presenting the readers with an accurate version of history even if it is unpleasant. People like Tariq Ali are rare in this world. By paying tribute to him, the Star has won a special place in the hearts of many free-thinking readers.
Muazzem Ali
Malibag, Dhaka
Good Morning, Revolution
It breaks my heart to see the suffering of the people in many Arab countries who are now disillusioned with Arab Spring and its promises. I always wondered what went wrong with the movements for change in these countries. The article showed us that it is not enough to organise a protest, it is necessary to have some plans and programmes about what to do after the regime has fallen. Perhaps, people struggling for justice and change in our country can take a cue from this.
Nazrul Islam Babu
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
In the Purgatory
The writer makes a convincing argument that extremism can rise in a situation where people are unable to exercise their right to choose leaders. We can only hope that the top leadership of the two major political parties will eventually put their animosity aside and do what is best for the country. Please stop the needless bloodshed.
Asif Haider
Banani, Dhaka
Photo: Prabir Das
Our Liability to the young Generation
First of all, I would like to convey my thanks to the Star for publishing an article (November 22, 2013) remembering the life of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani on the occasion of his 37th death anniversary. Since independence, no government has upheld the contributions of national leaders like Bhashani, Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq and Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy. Consequently, our younger generations are unaware of the sacrifices of these great leaders. When the youth are asked to say something about these great leaders, most of them show their ignorance about the matter. The government and the media should make every attempt to present the ideals and sacrifices of these great leaders to the younger generation. Only then can our country move forward in the spirit of our independence.
MD Nazrul Islam
Department of Chemistry
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet
Destination Feni
This has reference to “Destination Feni”, the cover story published on November 8, 2013. Although the story highlights many things that Feni is proud of and famous for, I a was little disappointed to see that there was no mention of Feni Government College and Feni Government Pilot High School. Established in 1922, Feni College was inaugurated by Sir Hugh Landsdown Stevenson, the Governor of undivided Bengal. Honours course was introduced in the College under the Calcutta University in 1924. Currently the College is conducting Honours course in 15 subjects and Masters course in four subjects. The results of the College in both Board and University level are also outstanding. Two students from Accounting and Mathematics department became first class first in the National University Honours examination this year and the previous year respectively. Feni Government Pilot High School was established in 1886 by the Nabin Chandra Sen ICS the then SDO of Feni.
Mohd. Mohiuddin Chowdhury
Vice Principal
Feni Govt. College, Feni
They Deserve Better
I appreciated the story (published on November 15, 2013) about how children are exploited by our media. “They Deserve Better” is something that both the media and the society as a whole should realise. On a different note, I would like to point out that we are not only cruel to children we are also insensitive to their young minds — sometimes without even realising it. Sometimes we ask a child who pampers him or her more---the father or the mother without knowing that the child had lost his or her parents. Imagine what kind of an emotional trauma an apparently 'innocent' question like this may cause them. Let us be more kind and considerate to children.
Israt ahan
Charghat, Rashahi
Changing Life through Photography
Re “Reconstructing Culture” [October 4, 2013]: Depicting culture in terms of digital photography is an innovative and welcome idea. It has opened a new vista enabling us to capture the verities of life through photography. I was deeply moved by Lingering Scars by Farzana Hossen, a photo of a woman who seems to be a victim of physical abuse. Photographs like this is worth a thousand words and will go a long way to raising awareness about important issues such as violence against women.
Cadet Saif
Barisal Cadet College, Barisal
The Spiritual Poet
Poet, critic and writer Arundhathi Subramanian has a beautiful mind which is evident throughout her interview with the Star. Her take on art, life and spirituality is enlightening. I particularly liked her answer to the question, Shouldn't doubt be a part of faith or a belief system? : “…there comes a time when you have to take just a little leap…” I am sure many readers can relate to that.
Dil Afroze
Sydney, Australia.
It's a Conspiracy
This fascinating article about conspiracy theories intrigued me to do a little research on why people believe in conspiracy theories. Many scholars dismiss conspiracy theorists as paranoid and delusional. Psychological data bolster their case: people who harbour these delusional thoughts are also more inclined to paranoid ideation and schizotypy, a mild form of schizophrenia. Conspiracy theory expert Timothy Melley of Miami University, in an article in Scientific American has dismissed such baseless theories as “the implausible visions of a lunatic fringe.” So people who believe that global warming is a hoax or NASA faked the moon landing seem to be suffering from some form of a mental disease. And Bangladesh seems to be a land very fertile for it.
Rokonuddaulah Khokon
Via Email
Photo: Prabir Das
Photo: Prabir Das
Our Liability to the young Generation
First of all, I would like to convey my thanks to the Star for publishing an article (November 22, 2013) remembering the life of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani on the occasion of his 37th death anniversary. Since independence, no government has upheld the contributions of national leaders like Bhashani, Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq and Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy. Consequently, our younger generations are unaware of the sacrifices of these great leaders. When the youth are asked to say something about these great leaders, most of them show their ignorance about the matter. The government and the media should make every attempt to present the ideals and sacrifices of these great leaders to the younger generation. Only then can our country move forward in the spirit of our independence.
MD Nazrul Islam
Department of Chemistry
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet
Destination Feni
This has reference to “Destination Feni”, the cover story published on November 8, 2013. Although the story highlights many things that Feni is proud of and famous for, I a was little disappointed to see that there was no mention of Feni Government College and Feni Government Pilot High School. Established in 1922, Feni College was inaugurated by Sir Hugh Landsdown Stevenson, the Governor of undivided Bengal. Honours course was introduced in the College under the Calcutta University in 1924. Currently the College is conducting Honours course in 15 subjects and Masters course in four subjects. The results of the College in both Board and University level are also outstanding. Two students from Accounting and Mathematics department became first class first in the National University Honours examination this year and the previous year respectively. Feni Government Pilot High School was established in 1886 by the Nabin Chandra Sen ICS the then SDO of Feni.
Mohd. Mohiuddin Chowdhury
Vice Principal
Feni Govt. College, Feni
They Deserve Better
I appreciated the story (published on November 15, 2013) about how children are exploited by our media. “They Deserve Better” is something that both the media and the society as a whole should realise. On a different note, I would like to point out that we are not only cruel to children we are also insensitive to their young minds — sometimes without even realising it. Sometimes we ask a child who pampers him or her more---the father or the mother without knowing that the child had lost his or her parents. Imagine what kind of an emotional trauma an apparently 'innocent' question like this may cause them. Let us be more kind and considerate to children.
Israt ahan
Charghat, Rashahi
Changing Life through Photography
Re “Reconstructing Culture” [October 4, 2013]: Depicting culture in terms of digital photography is an innovative and welcome idea. It has opened a new vista enabling us to capture the verities of life through photography. I was deeply moved by Lingering Scars by Farzana Hossen, a photo of a woman who seems to be a victim of physical abuse. Photographs like this is worth a thousand words and will go a long way to raising awareness about important issues such as violence against women.
Cadet Saif
Barisal Cadet College, Barisal
The Spiritual Poet
Poet, critic and writer Arundhathi Subramanian has a beautiful mind which is evident throughout her interview with the Star. Her take on art, life and spirituality is enlightening. I particularly liked her answer to the question, Shouldn't doubt be a part of faith or a belief system? : “…there comes a time when you have to take just a little leap…” I am sure many readers can relate to that.
Dil Afroze
Sydney, Australia.
It's a Conspiracy
This fascinating article about conspiracy theories intrigued me to do a little research on why people believe in conspiracy theories. Many scholars dismiss conspiracy theorists as paranoid and delusional. Psychological data bolster their case: people who harbour these delusional thoughts are also more inclined to paranoid ideation and schizotypy, a mild form of schizophrenia. Conspiracy theory expert Timothy Melley of Miami University, in an article in Scientific American has dismissed such baseless theories as “the implausible visions of a lunatic fringe.” So people who believe that global warming is a hoax or NASA faked the moon landing seem to be suffering from some form of a mental disease. And Bangladesh seems to be a land very fertile for it.
Rokonuddaulah Khokon
Via Email
Photo: Prabir Das
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments