Nepal gets a new PM after long power vacuum
Nepal has witnessed leadership vacuum for seven months hampering country’s stalled peace process. However, on February 04, 2011 it got a new Prime Minister named Jhala Nath Khanal, the chief of a moderate communist party, Unified Marxist Leninist (UML). He was elevated to the post after 16 rounds of voting. Mr Khanal, 60, is a veteran politician who was involved in the pro-democracy protests against the monarchy in 1990 and again in 2006.The Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) backed him last moment. He will have to face the challenges of some 19,000 Maoist combatants and drawing up a new constitution. Political analysts comment that the new coalition threatens to cause a left-leaning polarization and an escalation of ambitions of the Maoists. The previous government was backed by the moderate Nepali Congress party and several ethnic parties. They hardly responded to Maoist demands such as radical land reforms, subservience of the judiciary to the legislature, and a constitutional provision of banning "antinationalist’" political parties.
It is known to us that Nepal has been gripped by power struggle since 2008 when a special assembly was elected. Mr. Acharya, the lawyer, terms that surprise coalition announcement unnatural. “It was just an expression of anger and frustration of the Maoists. After being unable to gather support for getting elected himself, Maoist chairman Prachanda wanted to teach India a lesson by elevating someone not favored by India to power,” Prachanda admitted while addressing the parliament on February 03 that he had decided to withdraw his own candidacy and support Khanal to prove that Nepal can make its own decisions, a clear reference to Indian influence in Nepal’s politics. Khanal's UML party leadership is dominated by liberal communists who do not want to promote the Maoist agenda. So, Khanal will have to face the twin challenges of tempering the liberals in his own party and continuing to get support of the Maoist party. Narayan Wagle, editor-in-chief of Nagarik, a leading Nepali daily commented “The success of the new government will depend on whether the Maoists use Mr. Khanal as their puppet," he wrote, "or help him complete the peace process and constitution writing.” Whereas President Ram Baran Yadav expressed his reaction by thanking the Maoists for helping end the political stalemate and hoped that the ultra-left extremists in India too would realize that democratic path is the best.
The 63-year-old leader, who recalled the difficult period Nepal had undergone in the past, sought the support of the international community, particularly India and also said that his country needs the "blessings of the Indian people to go through the process."I also hope that the peace process will speed up and we will soon have a new Constitution," he said, while expressing his happiness over the election of a prime minister. Under Nepalese law, a candidate must get a simple majority of votes polled in the parliament to become the Prime Minister, in this case at least 301 of the 599 votes polled. The deal reached with the Maoist ensured that Khanal crossed the hurdle easily by securing 368 of the 597 votes cast. Of Khanal’s 368 votes in favor of his candidacy, some 350 votes came from the Constituent Assembly (CA) members belonging to the two aligned communist parties and remaining votes from the left-leaning smaller parties. Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) led by Upendra Yadav with 25 votes abstained from voting despite its long-term association with the UCPN (Maoist) which amounted to a lost opportunity for this party but it is expected to backup Khanal-led government and formally become a coalition partner, giving the coalition an honorable close to 400-seat strength in the 601-seat parliament of Nepal.
Nepali Congress (NC) candidate Ram Chandra Poudel received 122 notes and Bijay Kumar Gachchhdar of MJF-Madhesi Front 67 seats, for a total of just under 200 for the two opposing candidates. Of the 44 votes not cast owing to abstentions and boycotts, at least two-thirds of this number, including most of 25 members from Upendra Yadav’s MJF would finally get aligned with government coalition, while others would support NC in the opposition. These figures show roughly two thirds/one third split of the total 601 CA votes divided up between left-wing and right-wing parties. After traveling a topsy- turvy parth probably Nepal’s democracy has arrived but the wise course for Khanal coalition and left-party alliance would be to come up with concrete proposals that focuses on the economy and improves public facilities in areas where government failure has been most visible and persistent. The main pillar of success for new government will be to establish a different identity in terms of how the government relates to the rest of the society which generally has been antagonistic and adversarial. The general population feels harassed by such experiences almost every day. If the Khanal government succeeds in making even a little success in making the government machinery work for the people, it will be considered as an achievement of his government. So, he should be cautious enough in dealing with the whole affair.
Nepal experiences acute shortage of drinking water particularly by the Valley residents. It suffers from power shortage as well. He will have to try very cleverly to address these issues. In the short-term, there are very few options to addressing these problems. For power shortage, other than urging India to sell more electricity to Nepal at a concessional rate and even accessing Bhutan facilities for power purchase, there are no other options. His government will face another problem to deal with its business with India. The Khanal government and its supporters, especially the Maoists, must give India the benefit of doubt, that it wants Nepal to be peaceful and prosperous and, of course, to remain democratic. If the Khanal Government can secure India’s confidence that it commits to be mindful of India’s interests in carrying out its business, his government will not get embroiled with acute problems.
Nepal has been without a functioning government since last June, when former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal announced his resignation. The CPN-UML was involved in the coalition which formed that government. A caretaker government with limited constitutional powers has been running the country since then, delaying the drafting of a new constitution and the conclusion of the peace process that ended the country's civil war. Nepal's fragile peace process began in 2005 after the Maoists ended their armed revolt and entered mainstream politics. A 2006 peace deal ended the war between the Maoists and the then royal government, in which more than 16,000 people were killed. The Maoists won parliamentary elections in 2008 and the 239-year old monarchy was later abolished.
It is hoped that Khanal’s new administration will be able to move forward on the two key issues that have held up the country's long-running peace process. He will have to decide whether more than 19,000 former Maoists fighters to be included in the regular armed forces and the completion of a new democratic constitution. In his oath taking ceremony he has already announced the fate of the Maoist fighters which has been a major unresolved issue. Probably Nepal is advancing towards progress and stability under Khanal’s leadership.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
English Newspapers can carry Education Materials
English Newspapers can carry rich Education materials
The status of English newspapers in Bangladesh does not seem to be encouraging. The number of English newspaper readers has not increased proportionately though English has already received significant attention from all the relevant corners. English is taught as a compulsory subject up to intermediate level. About twelve lakh students study in the secondary and higher secondary levels. English newspapers still don’t; have any specialized room for this huge number of students. These students study English, sit for examinations and have to pass in English. But they gain very poor communication skills. Their syllabus, environment, way of teaching, dearth of qualified teachers can be attributed to this cause. English newspapers can play a very commendable role in this field. Still no English newspaper has come up with pragmatic step to address this situation I mean to help the students of secondary and higher secondary level learners. The New Nation has just started a page dedicated to the students once a week which seems far less than the usual demand. The Daily Star has dedicated a page which comes out on every Monday which is getting distributed among one thousand schools free of cost and prints some education materials highlighting the syllabus. Still some flaws appear here. The real practicing teachers or the people having teaching background or the organizations working directly for the development of secondary and higher secondary levels are not involved with the process. Here I want mention that PACE program of BRAC Education Program ( BEP) stands for Post- Primary basic And Continuing Education Program has been working for the overall development of secondary level education since 2002 along with the government. Its principal features are it works mainly for the rural secondary schools and offers training to the English, Mathematics and Science Teachers and Mentoring training for the students of grade six to nine. Presently this program works in three thousand secondary schools and is planning to work in the higher secondary level from the coming July as higher secondary level is going to be included in the secondary level education according to the new education policy of the government. The people working in this education program of BRAC I mean PACE Program have direct teaching and training background. They still conduct practice teaching in the secondary level schools to show the practicing teachers how to deal with large classrooms and make the teaching more effective, interesting and interactive. Only foreign experts, university teachers and traditional teachers may not bring any desired results in this connection. So, the people who directly deal with secondary school affairs and , maintain regular follow up and conduct research on it may contribute a great deal if English newspaper authorities involve them in doing something for the learners of these two levels.
The contributors of newspapers find themselves in an ignoble situation. They really help a newspaper to present a rich and healthy scene by their professional expertise, urge, sincerity, devotion, honesty. Definitely they contribute a lot to enrich the get up and overall development of the paper. Their multifarious ideas and articles, letters and opinions get published to draw various kinds of readers leading to the newspapers commercially viable. Only the newspapermen cannot bring change or innovations. It is unfortunate that the contributors are hardly counted by some English newspapers with some possible exceptions. It was a time when contributors were honoured with remuneration sent to their address . Now that tradition has died out. Of course, the electronic media has paled the print media into significance. Even some newspapers don’t bother about them let alone showing them courtesy. What happens if English newspapers arrange a tea-party or short meeting with the contributors? The contributors will feel encouraged when it is done. The ultimate objective of newspapers is to enlighten a society by correcting the follies and vices of the society. In doing so, the concerted efforts of the procession of writers need to be recognized and encouraged. English newspapers can still reach the sky by virtue of their innovations, sincerity, neutrality, quality and other related factors of journalism. But some English newspapers don’ show any interest to offer a genuine and social service to surpass the towering height of popularity of some Bengali newspapers. Now time has come to review the whole situation and English newspapers must come up with new ideas to really cater to the needs of the society. We are ready to stand beside them.
It is really astonishing that some English newspapers don’t bother about the innovations and clean and beautiful presentation to attract more readers. It is not healthy for a society that only one or two newspapers will dominate the whole society dwarfing the others. Only one or two newspapers cannot make room for rising number of promising writers whose ideas, opinions and suggestions can bring many positive changes in the society. They give solutions to many social, political and economic problems of the country. But these valuable phenomena don’t see the light and cannot reach the readers as only one or two newspapers cannot bear all these messages to the readers. Other English newspapers don’t try at all to make their papers attractive and eye-catching. Yes, financially it may not be viable first. But business calls for investment first and good investment brings good profit and business. Of recent one or two English newspapers have coloured their pages but with poor messages.
Village English teachers don’t have easy access to English newspapers. I deal with about two hundred English trainers developed from rural schools and several thousand English teachers of rural secondary schools. Out of many suggestions and requests, I suggest them to read English newspapers regularly to improve their English. Their common answer surprises me that they don’t find English newspapers in their localities. Managing it from the hawkers is also not easy. I would request the newspaper industry to ensure the easy availability of English newspapers in our rural areas which are neglected in various ways. Learning English has become a necessity of the day but only the textual matters and non-trained teachers cannot make it practical and possible. These gaps can be filled in by English newspapers. Now time has come to prove that English newspapers don’t carry only news but also rich education materials.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Programme, PACE
The status of English newspapers in Bangladesh does not seem to be encouraging. The number of English newspaper readers has not increased proportionately though English has already received significant attention from all the relevant corners. English is taught as a compulsory subject up to intermediate level. About twelve lakh students study in the secondary and higher secondary levels. English newspapers still don’t; have any specialized room for this huge number of students. These students study English, sit for examinations and have to pass in English. But they gain very poor communication skills. Their syllabus, environment, way of teaching, dearth of qualified teachers can be attributed to this cause. English newspapers can play a very commendable role in this field. Still no English newspaper has come up with pragmatic step to address this situation I mean to help the students of secondary and higher secondary level learners. The New Nation has just started a page dedicated to the students once a week which seems far less than the usual demand. The Daily Star has dedicated a page which comes out on every Monday which is getting distributed among one thousand schools free of cost and prints some education materials highlighting the syllabus. Still some flaws appear here. The real practicing teachers or the people having teaching background or the organizations working directly for the development of secondary and higher secondary levels are not involved with the process. Here I want mention that PACE program of BRAC Education Program ( BEP) stands for Post- Primary basic And Continuing Education Program has been working for the overall development of secondary level education since 2002 along with the government. Its principal features are it works mainly for the rural secondary schools and offers training to the English, Mathematics and Science Teachers and Mentoring training for the students of grade six to nine. Presently this program works in three thousand secondary schools and is planning to work in the higher secondary level from the coming July as higher secondary level is going to be included in the secondary level education according to the new education policy of the government. The people working in this education program of BRAC I mean PACE Program have direct teaching and training background. They still conduct practice teaching in the secondary level schools to show the practicing teachers how to deal with large classrooms and make the teaching more effective, interesting and interactive. Only foreign experts, university teachers and traditional teachers may not bring any desired results in this connection. So, the people who directly deal with secondary school affairs and , maintain regular follow up and conduct research on it may contribute a great deal if English newspaper authorities involve them in doing something for the learners of these two levels.
The contributors of newspapers find themselves in an ignoble situation. They really help a newspaper to present a rich and healthy scene by their professional expertise, urge, sincerity, devotion, honesty. Definitely they contribute a lot to enrich the get up and overall development of the paper. Their multifarious ideas and articles, letters and opinions get published to draw various kinds of readers leading to the newspapers commercially viable. Only the newspapermen cannot bring change or innovations. It is unfortunate that the contributors are hardly counted by some English newspapers with some possible exceptions. It was a time when contributors were honoured with remuneration sent to their address . Now that tradition has died out. Of course, the electronic media has paled the print media into significance. Even some newspapers don’t bother about them let alone showing them courtesy. What happens if English newspapers arrange a tea-party or short meeting with the contributors? The contributors will feel encouraged when it is done. The ultimate objective of newspapers is to enlighten a society by correcting the follies and vices of the society. In doing so, the concerted efforts of the procession of writers need to be recognized and encouraged. English newspapers can still reach the sky by virtue of their innovations, sincerity, neutrality, quality and other related factors of journalism. But some English newspapers don’ show any interest to offer a genuine and social service to surpass the towering height of popularity of some Bengali newspapers. Now time has come to review the whole situation and English newspapers must come up with new ideas to really cater to the needs of the society. We are ready to stand beside them.
It is really astonishing that some English newspapers don’t bother about the innovations and clean and beautiful presentation to attract more readers. It is not healthy for a society that only one or two newspapers will dominate the whole society dwarfing the others. Only one or two newspapers cannot make room for rising number of promising writers whose ideas, opinions and suggestions can bring many positive changes in the society. They give solutions to many social, political and economic problems of the country. But these valuable phenomena don’t see the light and cannot reach the readers as only one or two newspapers cannot bear all these messages to the readers. Other English newspapers don’t try at all to make their papers attractive and eye-catching. Yes, financially it may not be viable first. But business calls for investment first and good investment brings good profit and business. Of recent one or two English newspapers have coloured their pages but with poor messages.
Village English teachers don’t have easy access to English newspapers. I deal with about two hundred English trainers developed from rural schools and several thousand English teachers of rural secondary schools. Out of many suggestions and requests, I suggest them to read English newspapers regularly to improve their English. Their common answer surprises me that they don’t find English newspapers in their localities. Managing it from the hawkers is also not easy. I would request the newspaper industry to ensure the easy availability of English newspapers in our rural areas which are neglected in various ways. Learning English has become a necessity of the day but only the textual matters and non-trained teachers cannot make it practical and possible. These gaps can be filled in by English newspapers. Now time has come to prove that English newspapers don’t carry only news but also rich education materials.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Programme, PACE
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Jasmine Revolution sparked unrest in the Arab Countries
Jasmine Revolution sparked unrest in the Arab Countries
Three key Arab countries have witnessed mass upsurge. It originated from Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor who set himself on fire after police had confiscated his vegetable cart. This incident provided the immediate impetus for protests in Tunisia. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s regime in Tunisia had a long-standing reputation as corrupt and abusive. Ben Ali was reelected with a dubious 90 percent of the vote in 2009, and after a long history of governmental mistreatment. The mass uproar led the president to flee the country following the formation of an interim government which now promises the people that all political parties would now be allowed to operate in Tunisia, political prisoners would be freed and the media would be permitted ‘ total freedom’. They have also decided to free all the people imprisoned for their ideas, their beliefs or for having expressed dissenting opinions. A number of Egyptians have actually imitated Bouazizi’s macabre show of defiance. Egyptians marching through the streets of Cairo proudly brandished Tunisian flags, and their counterparts in Yemen are wearing pink bandannas as a show of solidarity with the people of Tunisia. After mass protests erupted in Egypt and Yemen this week, speculation mounted over whether the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia sparked the unrest. Observers in the media are quick to point out similarities between all three uprisings. The correlation is obvious -- protesters in all three countries have cried out against poverty and demanded the abdication of their rulers. However, claiming that the chaos in Tunisia caused the calls for democracy in Egypt and Yemen may be overstating matters. The similarities between the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen are compelling. There are also notable differences. The spark behind the outbreak of unrest was food prices and unemployment; however this channeled long-standing discontent about the rule of former President Ben Ali, his tight control over the political system and his and his family's control over the Tunisian economy. It is a common trend in Arab politics that the most volatile outbreaks of unrest come when there lies a conjunction between a closed political system, economic downturn, an aging president and a large young population.
Egypt faces a similar challenge to Tunisia in terms of the timing of events. The outbreak of unrest in Tunisia has certainly provided a spark, however, there has been simmering unrest in Egypt for many years, and particularly so after the much-criticized Presidential elections last year. In Egypt, however, the problems are a bit more overtly 'political'. By this, Egypt's economy has been struggling for many years, so the catalyst for events here has not so much been food prices, unemployment or housing shortages but the increasingly heavy-handed tactics of the Mubarak regime and the efforts by the President to smooth the way for his son, Gamal, to succeed him in the coming years. As mentioned above, it is the conjunction of events. The two most important ones here are economic marginalisation and the so-called 'youth bulge'. Outside Tunisia and Egypt, Algeria and Jordan are experiencing similar trends where the economic marginalisation of young people is driving unrest. Unemployment, housing shortages and food prices hit this group the hardest. As the long-standing social contract in the region of less political representation in exchange for state services has collapsed, the most vulnerable Arab states are susceptible to this sort of unrest.
The world sees that the Arab world is home to very resilient authoritarian regimes. They have relied in part on direct oppression, in part on externalizing enemies and in part on this social contract of less political representation in exchange for state services. Where other parts of the world have seen greater political liberalization, this has not happened in the Arab world.
In addition, this region has one of the highest young populations of any region, therefore is susceptible to political unrest when the economy stagnates in the key areas of employment, food prices and housing. Neither country is a democracy in anything more than name. They have both had tightly controlled political systems, with elections serving to deflect attention away from the direct and indirect means. The political elites use to maintain their grip on both the political and economic systems. The protests are therefore in part a call for greater democratic rights, but represent the breakdown of the system that allowed these regimes to maintain such rule for decades. Calling for democratic reform is more a call for accountability for those who have sold the necessity of their rule in exchange for a measure of economic stability.
However, this is not to say that should a regime bring about economic stability again, people in Tunis, Cairo and elsewhere would not continue to pressure for greater political representation. One has opened the door for the other, and it is likely that a new political arrangement will emerge, one that is more politically open but inherently less stable
A good analogy here is Algeria in 1988. Similar riots broke out over the pricing of food, leading to a collapse of the single-party government and the opening of the political system. The Islamists were not behind the initial unrest but were able to take advantage of this in harnessing the unrest and running a very successful election campaign as the face of the disenfranchised.
This, however, led to an army coup in 1992, cancelling the electoral process and the outbreak of a civil war between the government and Islamists that claimed over 200,000 lives by its end in 2000.A similar trend in terms of the Islamists seeking to harness the discontent may happen elsewhere, but it is doubted that the subsequent events that unfolded in Algeria will happen in Tunisia. The key exception here is Egypt. With the Muslim Brotherhood as the established central opposition movement, the political and military elite in Egypt will not be reticent to use direct repression should they fear the Muslim Brotherhood being able to harness their potential power.
Most importantly, it represents what is seen as the first signs of real change to the failing autocratic system of rule that has dominated the region. This need not necessarily be a fully positive outcome, with greater uncertainty and chaos for ordinary civilians in the context of greater political freedoms. However, it may signal the death throes of Cold War-style authoritarianism in the Arab World, and that is a good thing
The Mubarak regime has maintained a state of emergency in this populous country since the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981. Since then, governmental abuses have spurred the people of Egypt to launch widespread demonstrations a number of times, though they were each eventually quelled. The brutal murder by police last summer of Khaled Said provided the impetus for the most recent surge in anti-government sentiment.The Yemeni government likewise has a poor record in the area of accountability. The government most recently drew the ire of opposition with a proposed constitutional amendment that would eliminate presidential term limits, and through its refusal to postpone parliamentary elections in April. It has also been ineffective in promoting economic development.
The Tunisian military never demonstrated support for President Ben Ali, who fled the country in the wake of mass protests. Since then, two different interim governments have been established. More opposition leaders have been included in the newest administration, but the moves fall short of demands by protesters for a fresh take as several members from the Ben Ali regime remain in top posts. Now the government is offering some packages to the protesters to quell them.
Gamal Mubarak, the Egyptian president’s son and heir apparent, reportedly fled for Britain with his family, the government otherwise shows few signs of imminent collapse. Police have clamped down on demonstrations, and lingering unrest has been sporadic and scattered. Egypt is a key strategic ally for the United States, and Obama’s press secretary Robert Gibbs called the country a " close and important partner " A governmental collapse there could be problematic for U.S. foreign policy. So, they are working very and putting comments very cautiously.
The Yemeni government’s authority outside the capital is nominal at best. It has struggled to counter insurgencies in both northern and southern regions, while al-Qaida continues to stage attacks on Westerners. However, revolution may not be in the cards just yet. President Ali Abdullah Saleh responded to unrest by raising army salaries and ordering the reduction of income taxes. Yemen’s interior minister claims that police have been instructed to protect protesters. Police presence is limited and the protests are largely violence free, and the Christian Science Monitor reports that a regime ouster is unlikely: Rather, Yemen's coalition of opposition parties seeks to tap the post-Tunisia revolution energy in Yemen to pressure the ruling party to make reforms that they had sought months before the Tunisian uprising began. The U.S. would greatly prefer a stable Yemeni government as it struggles to keep al-Qaida neutralized in the region.
Democracy evolved over many centuries in Britain and the rest of Europe and was given a kick along by the Industrial Revolution and two world wars. Generally speaking, the Arab countries are still getting over the colonising influence and interference of European powers, not to mention the imposition of Israel in their midst. This recent history, coupled with the problem of religious fundamentalism, suggests their societies have some way to go. Arab nations have sparked it up, other nations under similar bondage will soon join the revolt. World's undemocratic leaders must certainly be wiped out.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
Three key Arab countries have witnessed mass upsurge. It originated from Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor who set himself on fire after police had confiscated his vegetable cart. This incident provided the immediate impetus for protests in Tunisia. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s regime in Tunisia had a long-standing reputation as corrupt and abusive. Ben Ali was reelected with a dubious 90 percent of the vote in 2009, and after a long history of governmental mistreatment. The mass uproar led the president to flee the country following the formation of an interim government which now promises the people that all political parties would now be allowed to operate in Tunisia, political prisoners would be freed and the media would be permitted ‘ total freedom’. They have also decided to free all the people imprisoned for their ideas, their beliefs or for having expressed dissenting opinions. A number of Egyptians have actually imitated Bouazizi’s macabre show of defiance. Egyptians marching through the streets of Cairo proudly brandished Tunisian flags, and their counterparts in Yemen are wearing pink bandannas as a show of solidarity with the people of Tunisia. After mass protests erupted in Egypt and Yemen this week, speculation mounted over whether the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia sparked the unrest. Observers in the media are quick to point out similarities between all three uprisings. The correlation is obvious -- protesters in all three countries have cried out against poverty and demanded the abdication of their rulers. However, claiming that the chaos in Tunisia caused the calls for democracy in Egypt and Yemen may be overstating matters. The similarities between the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen are compelling. There are also notable differences. The spark behind the outbreak of unrest was food prices and unemployment; however this channeled long-standing discontent about the rule of former President Ben Ali, his tight control over the political system and his and his family's control over the Tunisian economy. It is a common trend in Arab politics that the most volatile outbreaks of unrest come when there lies a conjunction between a closed political system, economic downturn, an aging president and a large young population.
Egypt faces a similar challenge to Tunisia in terms of the timing of events. The outbreak of unrest in Tunisia has certainly provided a spark, however, there has been simmering unrest in Egypt for many years, and particularly so after the much-criticized Presidential elections last year. In Egypt, however, the problems are a bit more overtly 'political'. By this, Egypt's economy has been struggling for many years, so the catalyst for events here has not so much been food prices, unemployment or housing shortages but the increasingly heavy-handed tactics of the Mubarak regime and the efforts by the President to smooth the way for his son, Gamal, to succeed him in the coming years. As mentioned above, it is the conjunction of events. The two most important ones here are economic marginalisation and the so-called 'youth bulge'. Outside Tunisia and Egypt, Algeria and Jordan are experiencing similar trends where the economic marginalisation of young people is driving unrest. Unemployment, housing shortages and food prices hit this group the hardest. As the long-standing social contract in the region of less political representation in exchange for state services has collapsed, the most vulnerable Arab states are susceptible to this sort of unrest.
The world sees that the Arab world is home to very resilient authoritarian regimes. They have relied in part on direct oppression, in part on externalizing enemies and in part on this social contract of less political representation in exchange for state services. Where other parts of the world have seen greater political liberalization, this has not happened in the Arab world.
In addition, this region has one of the highest young populations of any region, therefore is susceptible to political unrest when the economy stagnates in the key areas of employment, food prices and housing. Neither country is a democracy in anything more than name. They have both had tightly controlled political systems, with elections serving to deflect attention away from the direct and indirect means. The political elites use to maintain their grip on both the political and economic systems. The protests are therefore in part a call for greater democratic rights, but represent the breakdown of the system that allowed these regimes to maintain such rule for decades. Calling for democratic reform is more a call for accountability for those who have sold the necessity of their rule in exchange for a measure of economic stability.
However, this is not to say that should a regime bring about economic stability again, people in Tunis, Cairo and elsewhere would not continue to pressure for greater political representation. One has opened the door for the other, and it is likely that a new political arrangement will emerge, one that is more politically open but inherently less stable
A good analogy here is Algeria in 1988. Similar riots broke out over the pricing of food, leading to a collapse of the single-party government and the opening of the political system. The Islamists were not behind the initial unrest but were able to take advantage of this in harnessing the unrest and running a very successful election campaign as the face of the disenfranchised.
This, however, led to an army coup in 1992, cancelling the electoral process and the outbreak of a civil war between the government and Islamists that claimed over 200,000 lives by its end in 2000.A similar trend in terms of the Islamists seeking to harness the discontent may happen elsewhere, but it is doubted that the subsequent events that unfolded in Algeria will happen in Tunisia. The key exception here is Egypt. With the Muslim Brotherhood as the established central opposition movement, the political and military elite in Egypt will not be reticent to use direct repression should they fear the Muslim Brotherhood being able to harness their potential power.
Most importantly, it represents what is seen as the first signs of real change to the failing autocratic system of rule that has dominated the region. This need not necessarily be a fully positive outcome, with greater uncertainty and chaos for ordinary civilians in the context of greater political freedoms. However, it may signal the death throes of Cold War-style authoritarianism in the Arab World, and that is a good thing
The Mubarak regime has maintained a state of emergency in this populous country since the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981. Since then, governmental abuses have spurred the people of Egypt to launch widespread demonstrations a number of times, though they were each eventually quelled. The brutal murder by police last summer of Khaled Said provided the impetus for the most recent surge in anti-government sentiment.The Yemeni government likewise has a poor record in the area of accountability. The government most recently drew the ire of opposition with a proposed constitutional amendment that would eliminate presidential term limits, and through its refusal to postpone parliamentary elections in April. It has also been ineffective in promoting economic development.
The Tunisian military never demonstrated support for President Ben Ali, who fled the country in the wake of mass protests. Since then, two different interim governments have been established. More opposition leaders have been included in the newest administration, but the moves fall short of demands by protesters for a fresh take as several members from the Ben Ali regime remain in top posts. Now the government is offering some packages to the protesters to quell them.
Gamal Mubarak, the Egyptian president’s son and heir apparent, reportedly fled for Britain with his family, the government otherwise shows few signs of imminent collapse. Police have clamped down on demonstrations, and lingering unrest has been sporadic and scattered. Egypt is a key strategic ally for the United States, and Obama’s press secretary Robert Gibbs called the country a " close and important partner " A governmental collapse there could be problematic for U.S. foreign policy. So, they are working very and putting comments very cautiously.
The Yemeni government’s authority outside the capital is nominal at best. It has struggled to counter insurgencies in both northern and southern regions, while al-Qaida continues to stage attacks on Westerners. However, revolution may not be in the cards just yet. President Ali Abdullah Saleh responded to unrest by raising army salaries and ordering the reduction of income taxes. Yemen’s interior minister claims that police have been instructed to protect protesters. Police presence is limited and the protests are largely violence free, and the Christian Science Monitor reports that a regime ouster is unlikely: Rather, Yemen's coalition of opposition parties seeks to tap the post-Tunisia revolution energy in Yemen to pressure the ruling party to make reforms that they had sought months before the Tunisian uprising began. The U.S. would greatly prefer a stable Yemeni government as it struggles to keep al-Qaida neutralized in the region.
Democracy evolved over many centuries in Britain and the rest of Europe and was given a kick along by the Industrial Revolution and two world wars. Generally speaking, the Arab countries are still getting over the colonising influence and interference of European powers, not to mention the imposition of Israel in their midst. This recent history, coupled with the problem of religious fundamentalism, suggests their societies have some way to go. Arab nations have sparked it up, other nations under similar bondage will soon join the revolt. World's undemocratic leaders must certainly be wiped out.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
Energy and manpower talk figured in Abu Dhabi
Energy and manpower talk figured in Abu Dhabi
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came back to the country yesterday (January 19) after her four-day visit to United Arab Emirates. She participated in the fourth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi which retains much importance for several reasons. On each day of the summit, international policymakers, business leaders, innovators and financiers discussed the issues that matter most to the delegates from sectors such as solar, wind, energy efficiency, biofuels, geothermal and hydropower. The fourth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi was the world's largest conference and exhibition on renewable and future energy solutions, innovations, investments, policy and vision. It was held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center and was participated in by more than 25,000 participants from around the world. The summit focused on the theme: Enabling Future Energy Solutions. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also addressed the Heads of State and international delegates at the summit. Actually it is a forum to promote collaboration, innovation and investment opportunities in renewable energy, environment and clean technology.
Bangladesh is one of the most affected countries due to the adverse effects of the climate change, although the developing countries like that of ours are not responsible for it," Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken various programs involving $ 100 million to face the adverse affects of climate change. The programs include capital and maintenance dredging of the country's rivers, forestation, raising green belts in the coastal areas and ensuring food security. It attaches huge importance to Bangladesh . Bangladeshi Prime Minister raised the issue of climate change , necessary steps and raising a common fund in various national and international forums. This time also she did the same. Sheikh Hasina also visited Russia to attend a conference on how to protect the Royal Bengal Tigers of the Sundarbans. She used the tour as an opportunity to discuss Russian help in setting up nuclear energy-based power plant. Bangladesh did well to project its vulnerability to the climate change due to global warming. At all international conferences, including the ones in Copenhagen and Cancun, Bangladesh strongly put its case as a climate change victim; highlighting the people's plight and impediments it posed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. In response to Hasina's appeal for the transfer of green technology and new money from the Global Climate Change Fund to enhance the country's adaptive capabilities, developed economies agreed to assist Bangladesh by providing financial and technological assistance. In one way it bears the testimony of success though money has not yet reached Bangladesh.
She urged the United Arab Emirates' government to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh side by side investing in the power and energy sectors of the country. She made the call while holding a meeting with the UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the VIP lounge of the Dubai international Airport. The Bangladesh premier visited Dubai on an invitation of her UAE counterpart during her stay there on way to Rome to attend the World Summit on Food Security beginning today in the Italian capital. The UAE PM gave assurance to Hasina of his all-out support to the development of Bangladesh including recruitment of more manpower and investing in the power and energy sectors of Bangladesh. During the meeting, issues related to food security, climate change, river dredging, collecting dredgers, health service, development of Chittagong seaport, expansion of trade between Bangladesh and UAE got importance. Sheikh Hasina apprised the UAE premier of the present Bangladesh government's various initiatives in developing power and energy sectors and expressed her firm hope that the UAE would assist Bangladesh. In reply, the UAE ruler assured the Bangladesh premier of providing necessary supports in this regard. While requesting to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina informed the UAE premier that the Bangladesh government has taken initiative to provide sector wise training to the labourers before sending them abroad
Standing on the unprecedented success of the 2010 edition, the four-day Summit program for 2011 was structured around four key themes for the renewable energy industry: policy, business, technology and finance. Hot topics under discussion included building green cities, e-mobility, transforming policy into business opportunities, overcoming the challenges of energy storage and financing future energy projects. WFES 2011 has been designed to be even more flexible than previous years, with delegates able to either attend the whole four-day summit or to choose to attend certain days that are themed around their specific area of interest. Heads of State and Energy Ministers from developed and developing nations discussed the global challenges facing policymakers as they seek to boost energy infrastructure, fuel economic growth, meet environmental goals and provide a sustainable future for their countries.
Sheikh Hasina seized another opportunity in her four-day state visit to Abu Dhabi. Manpower export and trade and investment figured prominently in her talks with the UAE leaders.
She also talked to enhance economic relations between Bangladesh and the UAE a- on promotion and protection of investment, and on avoidance of double taxation.
She held meetings with UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE vice-president, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and other high level leaders and ministers. We need to expand market for Bangladeshi workers in the oil-rich gulf state, UAE As per an official estimate, some 356,102 Bangladeshi workers went to different countries of the world from January to November 30, 2010. Of them, 186,127 skilled and semi-skilled workers went to the UAE. According to the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), some 32,363 Bangladeshi workers went to the UAE in October while the number was 31,835 in November. The figure shows how much importance manpower market we have in the UAE. Recently this potential market has experienced a setback due to various reasons which need to be addressed pragmatically. Considering this perspective, Bangladesh Prime Minister’s visit can be labeled as doubly important.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came back to the country yesterday (January 19) after her four-day visit to United Arab Emirates. She participated in the fourth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi which retains much importance for several reasons. On each day of the summit, international policymakers, business leaders, innovators and financiers discussed the issues that matter most to the delegates from sectors such as solar, wind, energy efficiency, biofuels, geothermal and hydropower. The fourth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi was the world's largest conference and exhibition on renewable and future energy solutions, innovations, investments, policy and vision. It was held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center and was participated in by more than 25,000 participants from around the world. The summit focused on the theme: Enabling Future Energy Solutions. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also addressed the Heads of State and international delegates at the summit. Actually it is a forum to promote collaboration, innovation and investment opportunities in renewable energy, environment and clean technology.
Bangladesh is one of the most affected countries due to the adverse effects of the climate change, although the developing countries like that of ours are not responsible for it," Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken various programs involving $ 100 million to face the adverse affects of climate change. The programs include capital and maintenance dredging of the country's rivers, forestation, raising green belts in the coastal areas and ensuring food security. It attaches huge importance to Bangladesh . Bangladeshi Prime Minister raised the issue of climate change , necessary steps and raising a common fund in various national and international forums. This time also she did the same. Sheikh Hasina also visited Russia to attend a conference on how to protect the Royal Bengal Tigers of the Sundarbans. She used the tour as an opportunity to discuss Russian help in setting up nuclear energy-based power plant. Bangladesh did well to project its vulnerability to the climate change due to global warming. At all international conferences, including the ones in Copenhagen and Cancun, Bangladesh strongly put its case as a climate change victim; highlighting the people's plight and impediments it posed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. In response to Hasina's appeal for the transfer of green technology and new money from the Global Climate Change Fund to enhance the country's adaptive capabilities, developed economies agreed to assist Bangladesh by providing financial and technological assistance. In one way it bears the testimony of success though money has not yet reached Bangladesh.
She urged the United Arab Emirates' government to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh side by side investing in the power and energy sectors of the country. She made the call while holding a meeting with the UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the VIP lounge of the Dubai international Airport. The Bangladesh premier visited Dubai on an invitation of her UAE counterpart during her stay there on way to Rome to attend the World Summit on Food Security beginning today in the Italian capital. The UAE PM gave assurance to Hasina of his all-out support to the development of Bangladesh including recruitment of more manpower and investing in the power and energy sectors of Bangladesh. During the meeting, issues related to food security, climate change, river dredging, collecting dredgers, health service, development of Chittagong seaport, expansion of trade between Bangladesh and UAE got importance. Sheikh Hasina apprised the UAE premier of the present Bangladesh government's various initiatives in developing power and energy sectors and expressed her firm hope that the UAE would assist Bangladesh. In reply, the UAE ruler assured the Bangladesh premier of providing necessary supports in this regard. While requesting to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina informed the UAE premier that the Bangladesh government has taken initiative to provide sector wise training to the labourers before sending them abroad
Standing on the unprecedented success of the 2010 edition, the four-day Summit program for 2011 was structured around four key themes for the renewable energy industry: policy, business, technology and finance. Hot topics under discussion included building green cities, e-mobility, transforming policy into business opportunities, overcoming the challenges of energy storage and financing future energy projects. WFES 2011 has been designed to be even more flexible than previous years, with delegates able to either attend the whole four-day summit or to choose to attend certain days that are themed around their specific area of interest. Heads of State and Energy Ministers from developed and developing nations discussed the global challenges facing policymakers as they seek to boost energy infrastructure, fuel economic growth, meet environmental goals and provide a sustainable future for their countries.
Sheikh Hasina seized another opportunity in her four-day state visit to Abu Dhabi. Manpower export and trade and investment figured prominently in her talks with the UAE leaders.
She also talked to enhance economic relations between Bangladesh and the UAE a- on promotion and protection of investment, and on avoidance of double taxation.
She held meetings with UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE vice-president, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and other high level leaders and ministers. We need to expand market for Bangladeshi workers in the oil-rich gulf state, UAE As per an official estimate, some 356,102 Bangladeshi workers went to different countries of the world from January to November 30, 2010. Of them, 186,127 skilled and semi-skilled workers went to the UAE. According to the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), some 32,363 Bangladeshi workers went to the UAE in October while the number was 31,835 in November. The figure shows how much importance manpower market we have in the UAE. Recently this potential market has experienced a setback due to various reasons which need to be addressed pragmatically. Considering this perspective, Bangladesh Prime Minister’s visit can be labeled as doubly important.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Bhutanese Prime Minister’s Bangladesh visit
Bhutanese Prime Minister’s Bangladesh visit
Prime Minister of Bhutan L.J.Y Thinley paid a four-day state visit to Bangladesh with his twenty-three entourage with a view to further strengthening the economic and political ties as top of his agenda along with developing diplomatic and commercial relations and finding out further scope of cooperation between the two poverty stricken nations. One of the most important aspects of his recent visit has given us food for thought which was his lecture delivered on Gross National Happiness at the University of Dhaka where he described people in today's world as "economic animals" and characterized development activities as tools for materialistic growth. He said that societies were doing little to make people happy. Very important point he touched which makes huge scope for all of us to ponder and give serious attention. The study of happiness and its use as an index to measure human welfare goes back in history. Adam Smith, an English economist of the eighteenth century and Jeremy Benjamin, a philosopher, had seriously studied happiness as an economic phenomenon. But with the introduction of quantitative methods in economics, happiness fell out of fashion and utility became synonymous with income. He focused on the Easterlin Paradox reflecting the present trend of competition to earn materialistic gain which has become the index of happiness across the globe. A century passed before Richard Easterlin, an American economist, revisited this relationship between happiness and income. He discovered a paradox -- average happiness level did not increase as countries got richer. There was also no clear relationship between average per capita GDP and average happiness level across countries, once such countries crossed a certain minimum level of per capita income. In 1972, the former Bhutanese King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who opened his country to modernization, was determined to build an economy that would serve Bhutan's unique culture based on Buddhist spiritual values. He, therefore, introduced happiness of humans as the key indicator of growth.
After King Wangchuk, learned Bhutanese themselves developed a survey to measure the general level of wellbeing of the people. Other academics around the world then devised policy screening tools to measure potential impact of economic projects and programs on what Bhutanese call as Gross National Happiness (GNH). GNH has four pillars namely sustainable development, preservation of cultural values, conservation of the environment and establishment of good governance. GNH is also applicable across various cultures. Thus, it can be used equally in a Buddhist polity as well as in a Muslim society or in the Christian world. There are also eight contributors to happiness: physical, mental and spiritual health, time balance, community vitality, cultural vitality, education, living standards, good governance and ecological vitality.
We know Bhutan is a country with a unique history. The country was never conquered or colonised. The Bhutanese have, therefore, developed a culture free from outside influence. They cherish their institution of monarchy and have developed a deep sense of nationhood. So when they arrived in the modern world they already had an ancient culture strapped on to their backs. Their pristine environment is another element that always dominated their lives. They live among beautiful mountains which have protected them from the vagaries of nature and also from human depredations. Living in splendid isolation they became a happy people.
Although governments in many countries have been able to produce income and wealth for their people, this has not brought happiness to them. Therefore, the very basis of modern life and its principles are being challenged. Tony Blair, former British prime minister had once said: "Money isn't everything. Delivering the best possible quality of life for us all means more than concentrating solely on economic growth." David Cameron, the present British prime minister, had said: "We should be thinking not just what is good for putting money in people's pockets, but also what is good for putting joy in people's hearts." The idea that politics should be about creating the "greatest happiness of the greatest number" still holds good and deserves serious attention.
Bangladesh and Bhutan signed an agreement on cultural exchange and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) pertaining to cooperation in the health sector. In terms of the MOU on health cooperation, upwards of 90 medical specialists and physicians, would be recruited by Thimphu in three years. Exchange of cultural delegations on a regular basis would help strengthen people-to-people relationship. In this context, Thinley's endorsement of a proposal for package tourism among Bangladesh, Bhutan and other neighbouring countries under a single umbrella should be followed up on. Of particular significance is the joint resolve to expand bilateral trade from worth US$ 30 million now to US 100 million within next few years. Many tradable goods of complementary nature have been identified. An interesting trade-off between our winter vegetables and horticulture commodities and those being produced by Bhutan during its summer months with relatively high altitude will keep the markets of both countries saturated with vegetables round the year. It is a good proposal that Bangladeshi entrepreneurs would be encouraged to invest in Bhutan's IT, agro-processing, education, hospitality and construction sectors, opening a fresh window of opportunity for us.On two other particular points the understanding that has been forged between the two governments is of special import: first, the sharing of data between upper riparian Bhutan and lower riparian Bangladesh on the Brahmaputra river, especially pertaining to its frequent flooding; and cooperation in hydro-power sector following augmentation of capacity in Bhutan on a regional basis.
The hall-mark of historic ties between Bhutan and Bangladesh lay in the contributions of Atish Dipankar, a Buddhist scholar from Bikrampur to the spread of Buddhism and knowledge across the world between 980-1052 AD. It is upon such foundations that secular values of Bangladesh are based, we are happy to recall that. Relations between independent Bangladesh and Bhutan developed steadily since 1971. Bhutan recognized Bangladesh on 07 December 1971. In early 1973, formal diplomatic relations between the two countries were established. On 29 April 1973, the first Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh presented his credentials to the then Bangladesh President. Of recent relations we can mention the Commerce Secretary’s visit to Bhutan during 12-15 August, 2008. Bhutanese Minister for Economic Affairs visited Bangladesh including Burimari land port on 27 Sep-5 October, 2009. Also, the Hon’ble State Minister for Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh visited Bhutan to attend a seminar on Democracy The Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid her first South Asian bilateral visit to Bhutan from 6-9 November 2009. Besides, signing of a new bilateral trade agreement Bangladesh and Bhutan issued a joint statement reaffirming the excellent relations and expressing desire to further strengthening of close cooperation that exists between them. Our prime minister handed over life saving medicines for the victims of earthquake that hit Bhutan in September 2009.
Over the years Bangladesh and Bhutan has maintained significant cooperation in this important area. Bhutanese students have pursued higher education in Bangladesh particularly in Engineering and Medicine. With the coming up of many private universities of high standards Bhutanese students can pursue higher studies in wide array of subjects including their traditional interests in Medicine and Engineering in these institutions at their own cost.Recently, the number of scholarship in medicine for the Bhutanese students has been raised from 2 to 4. Accordingly, Bangladesh offers four seats every year to Bhutanese students to study medicine in the public medical colleges in Bangladesh. Besides these, the premier institute in its field, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) also offers few seats to Bhutanese students.Bangladesh offers every year one scholarship to Bhutanese Army for Staff Course in the Bangladesh Defence Services Command and Staff College. A great potential lies for mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of tourism between Bangladesh and Bhutan. One area could be joint ‘tour package programs’.Both countries may also strengthen and promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of science and technology in areas of mutual interests including agricultural and environmental sciences.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said “The extraordinary relation between Bangladesh and Bhutan now needs to be turned into truly meaningful ties for mutual benefits.” Really both the countries should work in close cooperation to harness our synergies on these and other areas for the welfare of our two nations As we both strive to reach our goals to make our nations hunger free, illiteracy free, free from disease , we want to see the valuable cooperation between us including regional connectivity to make our region a prosperous one. Great opportunities lie before us which we need to seize together.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
Prime Minister of Bhutan L.J.Y Thinley paid a four-day state visit to Bangladesh with his twenty-three entourage with a view to further strengthening the economic and political ties as top of his agenda along with developing diplomatic and commercial relations and finding out further scope of cooperation between the two poverty stricken nations. One of the most important aspects of his recent visit has given us food for thought which was his lecture delivered on Gross National Happiness at the University of Dhaka where he described people in today's world as "economic animals" and characterized development activities as tools for materialistic growth. He said that societies were doing little to make people happy. Very important point he touched which makes huge scope for all of us to ponder and give serious attention. The study of happiness and its use as an index to measure human welfare goes back in history. Adam Smith, an English economist of the eighteenth century and Jeremy Benjamin, a philosopher, had seriously studied happiness as an economic phenomenon. But with the introduction of quantitative methods in economics, happiness fell out of fashion and utility became synonymous with income. He focused on the Easterlin Paradox reflecting the present trend of competition to earn materialistic gain which has become the index of happiness across the globe. A century passed before Richard Easterlin, an American economist, revisited this relationship between happiness and income. He discovered a paradox -- average happiness level did not increase as countries got richer. There was also no clear relationship between average per capita GDP and average happiness level across countries, once such countries crossed a certain minimum level of per capita income. In 1972, the former Bhutanese King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who opened his country to modernization, was determined to build an economy that would serve Bhutan's unique culture based on Buddhist spiritual values. He, therefore, introduced happiness of humans as the key indicator of growth.
After King Wangchuk, learned Bhutanese themselves developed a survey to measure the general level of wellbeing of the people. Other academics around the world then devised policy screening tools to measure potential impact of economic projects and programs on what Bhutanese call as Gross National Happiness (GNH). GNH has four pillars namely sustainable development, preservation of cultural values, conservation of the environment and establishment of good governance. GNH is also applicable across various cultures. Thus, it can be used equally in a Buddhist polity as well as in a Muslim society or in the Christian world. There are also eight contributors to happiness: physical, mental and spiritual health, time balance, community vitality, cultural vitality, education, living standards, good governance and ecological vitality.
We know Bhutan is a country with a unique history. The country was never conquered or colonised. The Bhutanese have, therefore, developed a culture free from outside influence. They cherish their institution of monarchy and have developed a deep sense of nationhood. So when they arrived in the modern world they already had an ancient culture strapped on to their backs. Their pristine environment is another element that always dominated their lives. They live among beautiful mountains which have protected them from the vagaries of nature and also from human depredations. Living in splendid isolation they became a happy people.
Although governments in many countries have been able to produce income and wealth for their people, this has not brought happiness to them. Therefore, the very basis of modern life and its principles are being challenged. Tony Blair, former British prime minister had once said: "Money isn't everything. Delivering the best possible quality of life for us all means more than concentrating solely on economic growth." David Cameron, the present British prime minister, had said: "We should be thinking not just what is good for putting money in people's pockets, but also what is good for putting joy in people's hearts." The idea that politics should be about creating the "greatest happiness of the greatest number" still holds good and deserves serious attention.
Bangladesh and Bhutan signed an agreement on cultural exchange and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) pertaining to cooperation in the health sector. In terms of the MOU on health cooperation, upwards of 90 medical specialists and physicians, would be recruited by Thimphu in three years. Exchange of cultural delegations on a regular basis would help strengthen people-to-people relationship. In this context, Thinley's endorsement of a proposal for package tourism among Bangladesh, Bhutan and other neighbouring countries under a single umbrella should be followed up on. Of particular significance is the joint resolve to expand bilateral trade from worth US$ 30 million now to US 100 million within next few years. Many tradable goods of complementary nature have been identified. An interesting trade-off between our winter vegetables and horticulture commodities and those being produced by Bhutan during its summer months with relatively high altitude will keep the markets of both countries saturated with vegetables round the year. It is a good proposal that Bangladeshi entrepreneurs would be encouraged to invest in Bhutan's IT, agro-processing, education, hospitality and construction sectors, opening a fresh window of opportunity for us.On two other particular points the understanding that has been forged between the two governments is of special import: first, the sharing of data between upper riparian Bhutan and lower riparian Bangladesh on the Brahmaputra river, especially pertaining to its frequent flooding; and cooperation in hydro-power sector following augmentation of capacity in Bhutan on a regional basis.
The hall-mark of historic ties between Bhutan and Bangladesh lay in the contributions of Atish Dipankar, a Buddhist scholar from Bikrampur to the spread of Buddhism and knowledge across the world between 980-1052 AD. It is upon such foundations that secular values of Bangladesh are based, we are happy to recall that. Relations between independent Bangladesh and Bhutan developed steadily since 1971. Bhutan recognized Bangladesh on 07 December 1971. In early 1973, formal diplomatic relations between the two countries were established. On 29 April 1973, the first Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh presented his credentials to the then Bangladesh President. Of recent relations we can mention the Commerce Secretary’s visit to Bhutan during 12-15 August, 2008. Bhutanese Minister for Economic Affairs visited Bangladesh including Burimari land port on 27 Sep-5 October, 2009. Also, the Hon’ble State Minister for Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh visited Bhutan to attend a seminar on Democracy The Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid her first South Asian bilateral visit to Bhutan from 6-9 November 2009. Besides, signing of a new bilateral trade agreement Bangladesh and Bhutan issued a joint statement reaffirming the excellent relations and expressing desire to further strengthening of close cooperation that exists between them. Our prime minister handed over life saving medicines for the victims of earthquake that hit Bhutan in September 2009.
Over the years Bangladesh and Bhutan has maintained significant cooperation in this important area. Bhutanese students have pursued higher education in Bangladesh particularly in Engineering and Medicine. With the coming up of many private universities of high standards Bhutanese students can pursue higher studies in wide array of subjects including their traditional interests in Medicine and Engineering in these institutions at their own cost.Recently, the number of scholarship in medicine for the Bhutanese students has been raised from 2 to 4. Accordingly, Bangladesh offers four seats every year to Bhutanese students to study medicine in the public medical colleges in Bangladesh. Besides these, the premier institute in its field, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) also offers few seats to Bhutanese students.Bangladesh offers every year one scholarship to Bhutanese Army for Staff Course in the Bangladesh Defence Services Command and Staff College. A great potential lies for mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of tourism between Bangladesh and Bhutan. One area could be joint ‘tour package programs’.Both countries may also strengthen and promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of science and technology in areas of mutual interests including agricultural and environmental sciences.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said “The extraordinary relation between Bangladesh and Bhutan now needs to be turned into truly meaningful ties for mutual benefits.” Really both the countries should work in close cooperation to harness our synergies on these and other areas for the welfare of our two nations As we both strive to reach our goals to make our nations hunger free, illiteracy free, free from disease , we want to see the valuable cooperation between us including regional connectivity to make our region a prosperous one. Great opportunities lie before us which we need to seize together.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Textbook distribution
Textbook distribution ceremony and our education
The Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina introduced the textbook distributing ceremony at Gonobhaban on 31 December 2010 handing over a set of books to one student of each class up to class nine under general, madrasa and technical education board. This festival will continue for seven days as some students might be absent on the first day. The Education Minister hoped that every student would get textbooks by this week. He said “ We have our buffer stock of primary and secondary books ready in case of any shortage. “ The government has aimed at distributing around 23.20 crore books to students of primary, secondary , ebtadai and vocational class of this academic year. Of them 10.45 crore copies are for primary students and 12.75 crore for secondary level. NCTB officials said around 99.07 percent of books are for secondary students and 98.78 percent of primary books had already reached the schools. The government this year for the first time took initiative to print over five crore copies of textbooks for class 1, 2 and 3 through international bidding. Of the books Indian printers got the contract for around 2.98 crore copies. It actually displeased the local publishers.
Our text books must be students friendly. Relevant colourful pictures will attract the learners. Our existing textbooks miserably failed to attract the learners neither the pictures nor the pages and prints and articulation is not good enough. These things call for serious government care. Free distribution of books does not have full merit for some reasons. First the price of text books board is not beyond the buying capacity of even the now income people. Secondly, textbooks don’t cover and satisfy the educational needs and full circle. Stundents must buy subsidiary and helping books published in the private sectors by different printing and publishing authorities. Their price is much higher than the textbooks. Guardians find it difficult to buy those books because of higher price. The price of one such book can cover the whole set of NCTB books but NCTB books don’t deal with the questions and problems critically to prepare the students for the tradiotanl and semi-traditional examinations. Necessarily students must depend on the privately published books which contain the necessary elements and exercises reflecting our almost traditional questions but they discourage our students to be creative enough. Teachers are also not well equipped to satisfy the needs of the students harping on the textbooks only. Hence, the books in the private sector are being printed and sold establishing itself as a thriving business.
Addressing the function, the prime minister directed the authorities concerned to introduce e-book system at the earliest possible time to ensure more availability of textbooks. She said book would facilitate all particularly the expatriate Bangladeshis’ who are keen to educate their children with the national textbook curriculum. She also underscored proper utilization of governments’ Workers Welfare Fund to set up schools in other countries where Bangladeshi expatriates live in large number. Undoubtedly the proposal retains much merit. The earlier it can be done, the better. She asked the education ministry to reduce school syllabus to ease pressure on the kids and also said “But the syllabus should include the history of 1971 Liberation War as well as glorious history and national culture and tradition. “ She urged the students not to rely on note books and instead concentrate more on textbooks. Prime Minister further said that the students would go to school with few books. There should be more books in the library. Students will read them in the library. These proposals also need to be taken into consideration as our students seem to be overburdened with their various kinds of books. Their learning can be hastened and developed through well organized and very student friendly environment in the institutions. Again, innovative question patterns will discourage the available note books and highly qualified and creative teachers must be identified to prepare questions giving salute to very traditional ones. Otherwise, only giving free textbooks does not have any value, to speak the truth.
Prime minister further said, “ Government is working to introduce free education up to graduate level for both male and female students in all government educational institutions. This declaration deserves appreciation in one sense but calls for further thinking as the students of government institution will enjoy free educational benefit who constitute only the two percent of whole student community. When free education will be offered to the students only in the government institutions it will invite further corruption in the education sector. Almost all the best educational institutional are run in the private sector and the number of better institutions prove scarce in comparison with the population. To get admission in these institutions mad competition prevails which calls for a better solution. Again, the cost of schooling in these institutions proves abnormal. The mad contest in the private sector occurs due to scarcity of seats and extremely poor quality education in the government schools and colleges compel many middle class guardians to send their wards to English Medium schools. This is another sector to trap the guardians into spending money for buying education abnormally. When the responsibilities of education rest on the state,,quite a good number of guardians are forced to send their wards to English medium schools. Tuition fees in government schools and colleges are already very low. Full exemption of fees will hardly put any influence on education particularly quality. It does not affect many guardians to pay Taka 20 as tuition fees. These fees in non-government schools are abnormally higher. In English Medium schools fees are further abnormally higher. Government’s sincere intervention is essential to deal with this affair without planning to make tuition free education in government institutions. If the government really wants to bring some changes in this field, tuition free education can be introduced in the rural areas ranging from than headquarters to remote villages. In the cities it is not necessary on mass to distribute textbooks freely when the guardians are to spend about seventy to eighty thousand taka per year for private tuition for each student which is a serious disease and the authorities must give serious attention to this paradoxical fact.
Printing and publishing books in the private sector has emerged as a potential sector. This sector contributes a great deal to discourage the creativity of the learners. On the other hand, this sector has employed a good number of people lessening burden of unemployment in the country. These two things must be taken into consideration and they can be engaged in some fruitful and really creative process of teaching learning process. To make a meaningful change in this sector, existing established printing and publishing industry should be utilized fruitfully as we cannot close this industry. A real bridge can be established between the government and non-government printing and publishing industry. Change in the question pattern can bring qualitative change in education. The same pattern of question year after year not only makes teachers obtuse, it damages the creativity of the students and hampers to bloom their hidden potentials.
Commercialization of education, urban rural divide, mushroom growth of coaching centers, poor quality teaching, lack of proper training of teachers, failing to attract the bright students to teaching profession are the real challenges of education. Governments need to give serious attention to these issues. Education is not hampered because of the lack of textbooks. Textbooks could have been distributed only among the rural and hardcore poor community students who are really unable to buy textbooks.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
The Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina introduced the textbook distributing ceremony at Gonobhaban on 31 December 2010 handing over a set of books to one student of each class up to class nine under general, madrasa and technical education board. This festival will continue for seven days as some students might be absent on the first day. The Education Minister hoped that every student would get textbooks by this week. He said “ We have our buffer stock of primary and secondary books ready in case of any shortage. “ The government has aimed at distributing around 23.20 crore books to students of primary, secondary , ebtadai and vocational class of this academic year. Of them 10.45 crore copies are for primary students and 12.75 crore for secondary level. NCTB officials said around 99.07 percent of books are for secondary students and 98.78 percent of primary books had already reached the schools. The government this year for the first time took initiative to print over five crore copies of textbooks for class 1, 2 and 3 through international bidding. Of the books Indian printers got the contract for around 2.98 crore copies. It actually displeased the local publishers.
Our text books must be students friendly. Relevant colourful pictures will attract the learners. Our existing textbooks miserably failed to attract the learners neither the pictures nor the pages and prints and articulation is not good enough. These things call for serious government care. Free distribution of books does not have full merit for some reasons. First the price of text books board is not beyond the buying capacity of even the now income people. Secondly, textbooks don’t cover and satisfy the educational needs and full circle. Stundents must buy subsidiary and helping books published in the private sectors by different printing and publishing authorities. Their price is much higher than the textbooks. Guardians find it difficult to buy those books because of higher price. The price of one such book can cover the whole set of NCTB books but NCTB books don’t deal with the questions and problems critically to prepare the students for the tradiotanl and semi-traditional examinations. Necessarily students must depend on the privately published books which contain the necessary elements and exercises reflecting our almost traditional questions but they discourage our students to be creative enough. Teachers are also not well equipped to satisfy the needs of the students harping on the textbooks only. Hence, the books in the private sector are being printed and sold establishing itself as a thriving business.
Addressing the function, the prime minister directed the authorities concerned to introduce e-book system at the earliest possible time to ensure more availability of textbooks. She said book would facilitate all particularly the expatriate Bangladeshis’ who are keen to educate their children with the national textbook curriculum. She also underscored proper utilization of governments’ Workers Welfare Fund to set up schools in other countries where Bangladeshi expatriates live in large number. Undoubtedly the proposal retains much merit. The earlier it can be done, the better. She asked the education ministry to reduce school syllabus to ease pressure on the kids and also said “But the syllabus should include the history of 1971 Liberation War as well as glorious history and national culture and tradition. “ She urged the students not to rely on note books and instead concentrate more on textbooks. Prime Minister further said that the students would go to school with few books. There should be more books in the library. Students will read them in the library. These proposals also need to be taken into consideration as our students seem to be overburdened with their various kinds of books. Their learning can be hastened and developed through well organized and very student friendly environment in the institutions. Again, innovative question patterns will discourage the available note books and highly qualified and creative teachers must be identified to prepare questions giving salute to very traditional ones. Otherwise, only giving free textbooks does not have any value, to speak the truth.
Prime minister further said, “ Government is working to introduce free education up to graduate level for both male and female students in all government educational institutions. This declaration deserves appreciation in one sense but calls for further thinking as the students of government institution will enjoy free educational benefit who constitute only the two percent of whole student community. When free education will be offered to the students only in the government institutions it will invite further corruption in the education sector. Almost all the best educational institutional are run in the private sector and the number of better institutions prove scarce in comparison with the population. To get admission in these institutions mad competition prevails which calls for a better solution. Again, the cost of schooling in these institutions proves abnormal. The mad contest in the private sector occurs due to scarcity of seats and extremely poor quality education in the government schools and colleges compel many middle class guardians to send their wards to English Medium schools. This is another sector to trap the guardians into spending money for buying education abnormally. When the responsibilities of education rest on the state,,quite a good number of guardians are forced to send their wards to English medium schools. Tuition fees in government schools and colleges are already very low. Full exemption of fees will hardly put any influence on education particularly quality. It does not affect many guardians to pay Taka 20 as tuition fees. These fees in non-government schools are abnormally higher. In English Medium schools fees are further abnormally higher. Government’s sincere intervention is essential to deal with this affair without planning to make tuition free education in government institutions. If the government really wants to bring some changes in this field, tuition free education can be introduced in the rural areas ranging from than headquarters to remote villages. In the cities it is not necessary on mass to distribute textbooks freely when the guardians are to spend about seventy to eighty thousand taka per year for private tuition for each student which is a serious disease and the authorities must give serious attention to this paradoxical fact.
Printing and publishing books in the private sector has emerged as a potential sector. This sector contributes a great deal to discourage the creativity of the learners. On the other hand, this sector has employed a good number of people lessening burden of unemployment in the country. These two things must be taken into consideration and they can be engaged in some fruitful and really creative process of teaching learning process. To make a meaningful change in this sector, existing established printing and publishing industry should be utilized fruitfully as we cannot close this industry. A real bridge can be established between the government and non-government printing and publishing industry. Change in the question pattern can bring qualitative change in education. The same pattern of question year after year not only makes teachers obtuse, it damages the creativity of the students and hampers to bloom their hidden potentials.
Commercialization of education, urban rural divide, mushroom growth of coaching centers, poor quality teaching, lack of proper training of teachers, failing to attract the bright students to teaching profession are the real challenges of education. Governments need to give serious attention to these issues. Education is not hampered because of the lack of textbooks. Textbooks could have been distributed only among the rural and hardcore poor community students who are really unable to buy textbooks.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Wen Jiabao's Indo-Pak visit
Wen Jiabao’s visit focuses more on economic than political diplomacy
In the present global perspective China, the giant neighbor of India, witnesses its growing importance in the world trade and politics. India, another giant in Asia, is also going ahead with her trade and military power. She is vying with China to curb her importance and occupy the same position as China or to supersede her. For strategic reasons these two big neighbours have a souring relations between them. The border dispute led them to wage a war in 1962 which brought victory for China. Keeping all the practical perspectives in consideration the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made his three -day important tour to India which was followed by his Pakistan visit. Ahead of Wen’s visit, Mr. Zhang Yan, the Chinese ambassador to India had said December 13 that relations between the two countries are very fragile and need special care. Really China-India relations are very fragile and very easy to be damaged and very difficult to repair. Therefore, they need special care in this information age. China is India’s largest trade partner with two –way trade rising from $18.7 billion in 2005 to $51.8 billion in 2008 and expected to cross $60 billion by 2010 end. Wen and Singh have exchanged diplomatic platitude about their bilateral relations and places in the world but gave no indications that any of the mostly China made issues that had seriously soured their relations recently would be resolved any time soon. As noted by an IANS news service report on December 16 after the meeting between the two prime ministers the two sides took a long range view of their relationship and focused on economic diplomacy to offset divergences on contentious issues. My current visit is aimed at prompting friendship expanding cooperation building on our past achievements and opening up new dimensions for mutual benefit and common development of the two countries. In reality however, trade and economic relations were the primary focus of the visit. Almost nothing was achieved on the very contentious issues India looked forward to raising with Wen. That was only to be expected for the main area of agreement between the two sides is the desire of both nations to boost economic ties which India’ Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Vishu Prakash called the bedrock of India- China relations .Contentious issues were no doubt referred to but merely glossed over. In this connection, Wen made the right noises about China and India being cooperative partners instead of rivals while not forgetting to call for efforts to further enhance bilateral trade links and jointly fight protectionism as reported by the official China Daily .
Prime Minister Manomohan Singh and Wen talked for about an hour and half at Hyderbad House to forge strategic consensus on a range of issues including the problem of stapled visas for residents of Jammu and Kashmir, the widening trade deficit, global terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation and climate change. At the end of it, the two leaders were reported to have agreed that there was enough space in the world for the development of both India and China and enough areas for both to cooperate. A joint communiqué issued at the end of talk said that the two sides decided to establish the mechanism of regular exchange of visits between Heads of Government , welcomed the opening of a telephone hotline between the Chinese primer and Indian Prime Minister, agreed on regular consultation on issues of importance to both sides, endorsed the launching of a mechanism of annual exchange of visits between their foreign ministers and agreed to initiate a strategic economic dialogue to enhance macro-economic policy coordination and try to bring their annual trade to 100 million US dollar by 2015.
India was reported to have expressed displeasure at China’s virtually questioning Indian sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir by giving stapled visas to residents of the state seeking to visit that country and China accelerated investment in Pakistan –controlled Kashmir that New Delhi sees as strategic threat. China, while claiming to take the Indian concern seriously only said that officials of the two sides should have in depth consolations so that this issue can be resolved satisfactorily. China is building dams on the Brahmaputra and if India doesn’t voice out against this then the whole of north-eastern region of India could one day become a desert if India is deprived of the water flowing from Tibet’s glaciers. On December 15 Wen conferred China-India Friendship Awards to the Indian personalities from various fields for their contribution to promoting India-China friendship and understanding . However, Senior Congress leader and MP Karan Singh declined the award. He felt that a Parliamentarian should not accept such decorations as he runs the risk of being seen as farvouring one particular country. The serious issues such as the stapled visa and boundary disputes souring relations between the two sides were again raised by India’s External affairs minister Mr. SM Krishna.After the bilateral talks the two sides signed six pacts in areas ranging from media and cultural exchanges to green technologies the sharing of hydrological data on the Sutlej River and collaboration between the river banks. Singh and Wen did not hold a joint press conference perhaps because it may prove to be embarrassing to both for the lack of any meaningful progress on the very contentious issues. Of course, they made about fifty agreements mostly centering on trade and commerce.
International affairs experts comment that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to Pakistan will bolster its confidence in facing the current challenges and will be a good counter to US president Barack Obama’s recent trip to India . The visit will send a reassuring signal to Pakistan which is surrounded by a host of problems, challenges and difficulties. It will serve as a good counter to Obama’s high profile visit to India. Dr. Riffat Hussain, head of department of Defense and Strategic Studies of the Quaide Azam University Islamabad told when questioned on exportations of Wen’s trip at a time Pakistan was facing economic difficulties and serious threat of extremism. In Pakistan, China announces its cooperation in 36 development projects; it’s only ‘all-weather’ partner and sign agreements in energy, infrastructure and other sectors.
Wen’s three-day India visit centered on Beijing’s efforts to further expand its burgeoning trade relations with New Delhi. But Pakistan has nothing to worry about Sino-Indian relations as Dr. Lodhi is confident of the strength of Pak-Chinese relationship. Answering to a question on Indian quest to get permanent membership at the UN Security Council, Riffat said Chinese leader’s visit would give the two countries an opportunity to discuss a joint strategy in this regard. China will watch carefully how Obama’s endorsement of India’s claim to representation the SC plays out in coming months.
Frequent contacts between Pakistan and China at the highest level speak of an ever growing relationship between the two sides because China over the decades has emerged as a trusted and reliable friend of Islamabad. He continued “It comes at a critical time for Pakistan, the region and also for China which is being targeted by hawks in Washington as a rising challenger.”“Wen’s visit will solidify the already robust relations between Islamabad and Beijing and direct these towards an expansion in trade and investment ties, “Dr. Maleehad Lodhi said who served as Islamabad envoy to both London and Washington. Today China is in the best position to meet Pakistan’s development and investment requirements having emerged as global economic power and a role model for developing nations.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program
(The writer regularly writes on various national and international issues )
Cell: 01714-091431
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
In the present global perspective China, the giant neighbor of India, witnesses its growing importance in the world trade and politics. India, another giant in Asia, is also going ahead with her trade and military power. She is vying with China to curb her importance and occupy the same position as China or to supersede her. For strategic reasons these two big neighbours have a souring relations between them. The border dispute led them to wage a war in 1962 which brought victory for China. Keeping all the practical perspectives in consideration the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made his three -day important tour to India which was followed by his Pakistan visit. Ahead of Wen’s visit, Mr. Zhang Yan, the Chinese ambassador to India had said December 13 that relations between the two countries are very fragile and need special care. Really China-India relations are very fragile and very easy to be damaged and very difficult to repair. Therefore, they need special care in this information age. China is India’s largest trade partner with two –way trade rising from $18.7 billion in 2005 to $51.8 billion in 2008 and expected to cross $60 billion by 2010 end. Wen and Singh have exchanged diplomatic platitude about their bilateral relations and places in the world but gave no indications that any of the mostly China made issues that had seriously soured their relations recently would be resolved any time soon. As noted by an IANS news service report on December 16 after the meeting between the two prime ministers the two sides took a long range view of their relationship and focused on economic diplomacy to offset divergences on contentious issues. My current visit is aimed at prompting friendship expanding cooperation building on our past achievements and opening up new dimensions for mutual benefit and common development of the two countries. In reality however, trade and economic relations were the primary focus of the visit. Almost nothing was achieved on the very contentious issues India looked forward to raising with Wen. That was only to be expected for the main area of agreement between the two sides is the desire of both nations to boost economic ties which India’ Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Vishu Prakash called the bedrock of India- China relations .Contentious issues were no doubt referred to but merely glossed over. In this connection, Wen made the right noises about China and India being cooperative partners instead of rivals while not forgetting to call for efforts to further enhance bilateral trade links and jointly fight protectionism as reported by the official China Daily .
Prime Minister Manomohan Singh and Wen talked for about an hour and half at Hyderbad House to forge strategic consensus on a range of issues including the problem of stapled visas for residents of Jammu and Kashmir, the widening trade deficit, global terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation and climate change. At the end of it, the two leaders were reported to have agreed that there was enough space in the world for the development of both India and China and enough areas for both to cooperate. A joint communiqué issued at the end of talk said that the two sides decided to establish the mechanism of regular exchange of visits between Heads of Government , welcomed the opening of a telephone hotline between the Chinese primer and Indian Prime Minister, agreed on regular consultation on issues of importance to both sides, endorsed the launching of a mechanism of annual exchange of visits between their foreign ministers and agreed to initiate a strategic economic dialogue to enhance macro-economic policy coordination and try to bring their annual trade to 100 million US dollar by 2015.
India was reported to have expressed displeasure at China’s virtually questioning Indian sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir by giving stapled visas to residents of the state seeking to visit that country and China accelerated investment in Pakistan –controlled Kashmir that New Delhi sees as strategic threat. China, while claiming to take the Indian concern seriously only said that officials of the two sides should have in depth consolations so that this issue can be resolved satisfactorily. China is building dams on the Brahmaputra and if India doesn’t voice out against this then the whole of north-eastern region of India could one day become a desert if India is deprived of the water flowing from Tibet’s glaciers. On December 15 Wen conferred China-India Friendship Awards to the Indian personalities from various fields for their contribution to promoting India-China friendship and understanding . However, Senior Congress leader and MP Karan Singh declined the award. He felt that a Parliamentarian should not accept such decorations as he runs the risk of being seen as farvouring one particular country. The serious issues such as the stapled visa and boundary disputes souring relations between the two sides were again raised by India’s External affairs minister Mr. SM Krishna.After the bilateral talks the two sides signed six pacts in areas ranging from media and cultural exchanges to green technologies the sharing of hydrological data on the Sutlej River and collaboration between the river banks. Singh and Wen did not hold a joint press conference perhaps because it may prove to be embarrassing to both for the lack of any meaningful progress on the very contentious issues. Of course, they made about fifty agreements mostly centering on trade and commerce.
International affairs experts comment that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to Pakistan will bolster its confidence in facing the current challenges and will be a good counter to US president Barack Obama’s recent trip to India . The visit will send a reassuring signal to Pakistan which is surrounded by a host of problems, challenges and difficulties. It will serve as a good counter to Obama’s high profile visit to India. Dr. Riffat Hussain, head of department of Defense and Strategic Studies of the Quaide Azam University Islamabad told when questioned on exportations of Wen’s trip at a time Pakistan was facing economic difficulties and serious threat of extremism. In Pakistan, China announces its cooperation in 36 development projects; it’s only ‘all-weather’ partner and sign agreements in energy, infrastructure and other sectors.
Wen’s three-day India visit centered on Beijing’s efforts to further expand its burgeoning trade relations with New Delhi. But Pakistan has nothing to worry about Sino-Indian relations as Dr. Lodhi is confident of the strength of Pak-Chinese relationship. Answering to a question on Indian quest to get permanent membership at the UN Security Council, Riffat said Chinese leader’s visit would give the two countries an opportunity to discuss a joint strategy in this regard. China will watch carefully how Obama’s endorsement of India’s claim to representation the SC plays out in coming months.
Frequent contacts between Pakistan and China at the highest level speak of an ever growing relationship between the two sides because China over the decades has emerged as a trusted and reliable friend of Islamabad. He continued “It comes at a critical time for Pakistan, the region and also for China which is being targeted by hawks in Washington as a rising challenger.”“Wen’s visit will solidify the already robust relations between Islamabad and Beijing and direct these towards an expansion in trade and investment ties, “Dr. Maleehad Lodhi said who served as Islamabad envoy to both London and Washington. Today China is in the best position to meet Pakistan’s development and investment requirements having emerged as global economic power and a role model for developing nations.
Md. Masum Billah
Program Manager: BRAC Education Program
(The writer regularly writes on various national and international issues )
Cell: 01714-091431
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
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