MAILBOX

To Walk Alone but Strong
The article titled "To Walk Alone but Strong" published in Star Weekend on December 9, 2016 gave me an informative insight on famous song "Ekla Cholo Re" by Rabindranath Tagore. It has been one of my most favorite songs since my childhood. However, I didn't know that this song played such an important role during the tumultuous days of Swadeshi movement against the British colonial rulers. Bengali writers, poets, singers and lyricists inspired the nation by their artistic creations during every struggle for rights and emancipation. We should relive these literary creations by spreading them among our young generation. 
Shafina Khan
Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Shishu Park: Hoping for a Better Future
The article titled "Shishu Park|: Hoping for a Better Future" published in Star Weekend on December 2, 2016 put me in deep thought. As number playgrounds in the urban areas are decreasing fast, parents have no other way except taking their children to the amusement parks. However, most people cannot afford the expensive private amusement parks which are also well decorated, safe and equipped. On the other hand, low cost government owned parks like Shishu Park are poorly maintained, occupied by the intruders and many of their rides are damaged and unsafe for children. Especially in Dhaka, Shishu Park is the only place to go for children of millions of families belonging to middle class and lower middle class tier of our society. If the government can take immediate step to renovate these parks, millions of children will get a space for their mental and physical development, the city's beauty will be enhanced and government can also recover state owned property millions of taka worth. 
Dipto Kairy
Independent University
Dhaka

Photo: Sayam U. Chowdhury

The Tigers of the Sundarbans
Bengal Tiger is one of the rarest species of big cats found only in the forests of Bangladesh, India and Nepal. Bangladesh's Sundarbans is the largest habitat of this mighty, graceful creature. The article titled, "Together We can Save our Pride- the tigers of the Sundarbans" featured some of the initiatives to protect this endangered species. However, Bengal tigers cannot be protected without preserving the Sundarbans. The Sundarbans, due to industrialisation and forest destruction, is on the brink of total annihilation. The Bangladesh government is patronising a lot of initiatives for tiger conservation; however, to protect tigers, the Sundarbans has to be saved first.      
Khairul Bashar
Shantinagar, Dhaka