Martyrs of a different kind

I started making a list of them about four years ago -- but it got too long. Recently, we think of Manik Saha and other journalists. Then there was Johnny Haq, murdered by those he rebuked for persistently harassing his two sisters as they went to and from their school and several village guards, who did their job well -- and were murdered. I think of a little tea-stall worker who refused to sell drugs for a gang and paid for it with his life -- and so we could go on.

Why should not the idea gain ground that a list of such people (maybe just those dead in the past year or having special local meaning) should be read out, every year, at the local war memorial, great or small, on February 21st? Painful listening but why not? The unspoken message would be eloquent. Would it not place before the public ear and eye the disapproval of people of prestige and repute against those who perpetrate such crimes and make clear that these deaths must be publicly acknowledged and grieved? Moreover, by publicly declaring that these people also are 'martyrs', we are collectively resolving that their deaths should not be in vain. Would that not send a clear message, on behalf of the silent majority, that they are on the side of those who face evil with good and who risk -- and pay -- the price?

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Of course, it would take courage, but how do you think any society becomes law-abiding -- or relatively so? History tells us that it takes a massive, and persistent, collective effort to break the control of local thugs and 'barons' of all kinds -- including the powers of the state, when it behaves no better than such. Law and order does not drop out of the sky nor does it come automatically with growing wealth. It has to be fought for, in peace-time as well as war and, very often, standing up for what is right, among your neighbours and on your street, demands more courage than taking to the streets in a crowd or going to war. But how will Bangladesh win through to peace and prosperity except via those prepared to risk sacrifice as in every other country?

The breakdown of law and order is beginning to have a paralysing effect. Acts of Remembrance for a wider range of the fallen in the struggle to true independence might be the sort of collective action that could help to keep fear at bay, steady the nerves and encourage united and effective action. Without a radical change of heart and attitude, reforms in the law and its systems, courts and enforcement agencies are merely re-arranging the deck-chairs on the 'Titanic'. Moreover, the young people of the next generation -- our most precious resource -- need role-models out of the real world. I fear that some of them may be getting the idea that living in the Millennium means knowing how to play computer games and wear designer clothes. We need to equip them to be strong people in a difficult world and have to be a great deal more creative in our ideas and more dedicated about putting them into action, if we are going to give them a reason for living in a way that will truly serve their country.

So, if this idea is no good, what's yours?