Climate change worldwide due to a number of reasons has threatened the very existence of human life in both the developing and developed countries. Again, diseases and adverse health conditions are on the increase in Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries. The Japanese International Cooperation Agency has now undertaken a renewed policy initiative whereby it will prioritise disaster management and protection from the effects of climate change threatening permanent inundation of a huge area along our coastal belt affecting human habitation and agriculture , fisheries and livestock.

The country’s poultry industry has recently suffered a serious setback following large scale decimation on account of avian influenza widely known as bird flu. In order to overcome this dismaying situation , and to boost commercial output of poultry , fishery and diary production , the Council of Advisers approved the Fish feed and Livestock Feed Ordinance 2008 , on Sunday.

World Bank president Robert Zoellick has estimated that doubling of food prices over the last three years could potentially push 100 million people in low-income countries deeper into poverty. He said the food crisis could mean seven lost years in the fight against worldwide poverty. The World Bank’s first response is a $10 million grant for feeding programmes in Haiti, where food riots have just forced the removal of the country’s prime minister.

Bangladesh is a poor, developing country with most of the people living in abject poverty, but all the citizens here are not poor. This reality, reflecting the sharp contrast between the economic condition of poor as well as middle class and rich people, was evident from some reports published in different newspapers on Saturday.

In our riverine country , with rivers, canals and streams reaching up to cities , and village centres, the latest government survey shows that 4300 launches ply the river routes , with 2100 passenger launches , about 200 large vessels and the rest are cargo transports . But , unfortunately every year there are many launch and steamer accidents in the country , which include collisions and capsizing and also on occasion, vessels catching fire .

The current grave crisis over spiraling food prices that followed heavy imports of costly grains reflects how negligent was the government in managing agriculture in the last one year and a half. Disasters like floods and cyclones visit Bangladesh every year but never before had in the past people suffered due to high prices as they do these days. Authorities say there is no food crisis as sacks of rice are seen in stores in plenty.

Army Chief’s assertion that army have no ambition to take over the reins of the government can not remove doubt of the mass people about the army’s interest in running the government. In his meeting with the leaders of the media, General Moeen has discussed many of the current topics frankly and his evident concern about the problems should be appreciated. Like General Moeen and his colleagues in the services, we also want honest and efficient people to take over the reins of the government. Honestly speaking, he is not alone in this.

We have assurances from the Chief Adviser, the Army chief and also the Chief Election Commissioner that the schedule would be maintained but we are also aware that one good excuse at an appropriate time would drown all these assurances. At this very critical stage verbal assurances without some concrete actions would not be enough. Unfortunately, here is where frustration creeps in.

To achieve the MDGs is the promise and agreement of the countries s of the world, made in the year 2000. This is mainly to achieve eight goals by 2015 as eradication of poverty and hunger , achieving universal primary education , promoting gender equity and empowerment of women , reducing child mortality , improving maternal health combating HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, ensuing of environmental sustainability ,and developing a global partnership to achieve these goals.

The other day the CEC admitted that for various reasons the EC is unable to keep to its schedule of carrying out various activities prior to holding the national elections at the end of this year. Some of the problems that the EC faces are: the Electoral Rolls Rules have not yet been finalized and approved by the Government; the identification and demarcation of constituencies have not even started; no more than 60 % of the voters' registration has been completed and no more than 10% of the registered voters have received their voter ID cards, although the Army, given the responsibility for registration and issue of voter ID cards, is insisting that it would complete the task by October 2008;

Measures needed to face fallout

It seems ludicrous that following the footsteps of the Food Adviser Shaukat Ali who advised people to eat less, the Special Assistant for Power and Energy has asked industrial units to reduce gas consumption and also to install own power plants. The newly elected President of the FBCCI has dismissed the Special Assistant’s advice as a prescription to destroy the country’s economy. It is a reasonable guess that like businessmen dealing in essentials and MS rods disregarding the caretaker government’s repeated requests, gas and electricity users would also do the same.

The caretaker government’s decision to borrow money on ‘hard’ terms from a private bank and the International Monetary Fund to  import oil and meet the galloping budget deficit has met with severe criticism from eminent economists of the country. Their argument: with foreign exchange reserves at a healthy five and half billion dollars, the decision to borrow instead of using the reserve is irresponsible and may eventually prove a terrible burden.

The first train for Kolkata would leave on Pahela Baishakh,  April 14 as planned. That’s just a few days away. If there are no more hassles this will open up a new horizon in the people-to-people relations between the two countries, especially those living on two sides of the border but speaking the same language and sharing common culture and heritage. Not many are aware that thousands of people cross the international border every day using buses and air routes.

The first train for Kolkata would leave on Pahela Baishakh, April 14 as planned. That’s just a few days away. If there are no more hassles this will open up a new horizon in the people-to-people relations between the two countries, especially those living on two sides of the border but speaking the same language and sharing common culture and heritage. Not many are aware that thousands of people cross the international border every day using buses and air routes.

Millions across Bangladesh were all praise for the anti-corruption drive after the 1/11 changeover. But, in fact, corruption remains where it was. This is because, most of people today tend to make extra money through illegal means only to survive. Morals fade away when rice and ata go beyond their reach. Empty stomachs hardly heed morals. Yes, none takes bribe openly today. It is taken through the backdoor.

A fundamental transformation of our administrative system and public agencies to create increases in their effectiveness, efficiency, adaptability is essential today. The very first aspect that needs transformation is that of the recruitment policies and procedures in the civil service cadres . One of the elements of the recruitment policy and procedures that needs immediate revision is the existing quota system.

The Education Adviser, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahaman, has rightly said that there was no alternative to quality education for prosperity. He was speaking at the prize giving ceremony of annual sports and cultural competition of the Ishpahani School and College in the city on Saturday. The Adviser said that the government was working with effective reforms and necessary supports to improve the overall state of education.

It is in fact, the responsibility of the government of the day to ensure food at prices the people can afford. Citing rise in international prices means sidetracking the issue. If international prices of essential food items are high, then the government shall have to find ways and means to subsidize the prices. All other things can wait. In fact, the coming days are going to be even more difficult.