MAILBOX

The Zoo that is Not
I am really grateful to the Star Weekend and the writer for writing about condition of the animals in the Bangladesh National Zoo (Published in July 31, 2015). However, my point is putting wild lives in congested cages for displaying to public is simply outrageous. Less than a century ago, Europeans used to exhibit indigenous Africans and Americans in the zoos as wild animals. Now, this inhuman practice has been abolished. We should keep in mind that the practice which we consider immoral for ourselves is also harmful for other living beings. I think all the zoos should be abolished and we should replace them with safari parks or national parks. 

Sarah Farhana
Niketan, Dhaka

Why Must they Wait So Long?
It is a commendable initiative of the government that over one hundred thousand students of primary and junior classes receive government stipend based on their brilliant result in the PSC and JSC exams. However, the process they have to go through to get the money is very discouraging. For instance, the stipend money of the students of the academic year, July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015, has not been paid to the students yet. In many remote areas, the students get the money two or three years after the result. Why is the government making such delays and de-motivating so many brilliant students?   

Md Ashraf Hossain
Ramna, Dhaka 

Photo: Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo

Breaking Our Own Backbone
The article titled "Breaking Our Own Backbone" (published in July 31, 2014) was very informative and well-written. It is very unfortunate that brutality against children has accelerated in Bangladesh in an appalling rate. Mob biting, torture to death, rape; these sort of heinous crimes now are being committed against children on a regular basis. Due to corruption in law enforcement agencies and lack of justice, most of the criminals are roaming freely showing no regard to law. We need drastic actions and exemplary punishment against the perpetrators.

Arman Rashid
Mohammadpur, Dhaka