Digital Bangladesh with analogue politicians?
PERHAPS Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina realises that it is rather difficult to build Digital Bangladesh with analogue politicians and accordingly dropped some of them altogether from important party portfolios and pushed a few upstairs. Such clans often prevent fresh political groups from emerging and tend to focus mostly on historic legacies because they cannot articulate fresh policy ideas. These moves may change the political complexion of the party and pave the way for new generation of leaders to play an active part and help rejuvenate the party. Well-educated politicians can view impending issues through the prism of overall national interest.
The path to democracy in Bangladesh is one that has too may signposts of inactivity, of promises made and not kept, and of hard decisions not taken out of populist concern. Political analysts believe that our leaders have mastered the art of ruling without taking hard decisions. Politics is for people's welfare, not merely a means to attain power. It is about drawing up an action plan to maximise growth and fulfil election promises.
The recent election of a strong and stable government may have re-ignited new hopes and the expectation of a better tomorrow. Ordinary people think that this government elected on certain promises will not turn its back on the mandate it has received. An almost surreal air of optimism permeates all levels of society, and now the time has come for decision makers to move from preaching to practicing.
The year gone by has been one of the most challenging for the world economy. The unprecedented financial crisis has shaken the foundations of some of the strongest economies of the Western world, but Asia still remains the most dynamic part of the planet. Both China and India are growing at annual rates of about 8% and modernising at ferocious clip. Surprisingly enough, never in human history have so many people improved their lifestyle so rapidly as in China today. This is mainly due to their massive investment in human resource development. Many economists feel that we should not miss the boat -- we should follow China's lead.
Quality education is central to a country's economic growth and social development. In our country, nearly half of the children cannot read a sentence correctly in English, nor do a simple division of two digit numbers, after several years of schooling. Rather than producing ordinary graduates on a massive scale, our education system should be revamped in a way that it becomes more job-specific. Most academics reckon that our higher education is in a big mess and unless drastic steps are taken immediately, the country will lose out in terms of growth and economic development.
Another area of critical concern relates to energy. Clean and cheap energy is required to create cost competitive economic environment to lure "big-ticket" foreign investment. The rising energy cost and unstable Middle East have turned energy into a security issue. Countries around world began investing in nuclear energy. France generates 80% of its electricity from nuclear power.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for the construction of eight new reactors to build what he called "the post oil economy." Our government should adopt a coherent strategy to construct at least a couple of nuclear power plants over the next few years to fulfil our developmental requirements as well as enlarge employment and income opportunities for the masses.
Our political leaders are yet to recognise the fact that people's growing mobility needs should be matched by the presence of efficient, affordable and decent public transport. Unfortunately, our cities are centered on the personal vehicles, causing environmental and social damage. Cities like London, Singapore, Paris and Frankfurt are urging people to abandon personal vehicles and use public transport.
Our governments have done nothing, and are still not doing enough to provide quick and safe travel opportunities for all. We are suffering because of long vehicle queues, unbearable traffic jams on congested roads and dangerous walking conditions. In many East Asian countries, advanced passenger trains, and in India super fast trains, are covering vast distances, but some of our locomotives could be priceless treasures for railway museums.
The food crisis is real, and more immediate than we might think. With climate change and dwindling water resources, it is essential that we explore all possible options to increase food production. Bio-technology offers the best hope of producing enough food for everybody. The US and many European countries are already producing genetically modified (GM) food crops. After proper testing and research we should also introduce GM food crops in our country.
India and the US signed a science and technology endowment agreement on July 21 last, which permits US companies to build nuclear parks in India. The US has identified two nuclear sites, which will kick off US nuclear business in India. According to Jane's Defense Weekly, Myanmar is clandestinely trying to attain nuclear capability. Such moves will surely trigger an arms race and alter the geopolitical equation of the region.
Our politicians should understand that the world has changed; the language and the concepts that made sense 20 years ago do not make sense now. We need politicians with the skills and expertise to handle the pressing and difficult economic and diplomatic challenges that the country faces today.
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