The problems confronting Bangladesh today can hardly
be exaggerated . little has been done
since achievement of independence about
two decades ago in resolving the problems that the nation has been facing in
the fields of politics and economy, or at socio cultural sphere. The entire
nation must assume responsibility for this failure. We can identify the problems
facing the nation today in the following way:
(1)
Lack
of unanimity of opinion on major national issues
(2)
Weakness of democratic and political
institutions
(3)
Worsening of state of poverty and
external dependence
(4)
Erosion of value and growing moral
anarchy
(5)
Back-benchers role of Bangladesh in the
international arena
(1)Lack of unanimity opinion on Major
National issues
Unanimity
of opinion on resolving major issues is a must for national development of any
country in the absence of such a consensus, voluntary popular response to
national development effort is impossible. In such a situation state policies
are perused
without manifest consent of
people. People`s support to government
remain Unquantified . The absence of unanimity of opinion is the
major obstacle standing in the way of national development. All patriotic
forces therefore should come forward to contribute towards reaching an
unanimity of opinion on major national issues, such as; state policies,
development of social frame work, forms of government etc. In doing so the
forces should keep in view the enlightened national interest for consolidating
national independence and sovereignty; accelerating economic development. Only
after attainment of unanimity of opinion on major issues the nation con expect
steady economic development and political stability .Our development efforts
shall suffer from want of definite social goal. If this problem prolongs further,
economic development mooring. Political Institutions will ont command manifest
support of the people. This is a condition which is likely to breed social
volatility and even con pose threat to the existence of the nation. So before
the situation worsens the nation must see a way out form the problem and find a
solution acceptable to the majority of the people.
We
in Zaker party feel that unanimity of opinion of the people on major issues
should be based on the following elements:-
(a)
Our national history tradition and
culture
(b)
The issues of economic and social
development
(c)
Consolidation of independence and
national sovergnity
(d)
Religious belief of the majority people
We must keep in mind that ours is a nation which is
a new one but has its roots steeped deep into history Colonial rule might have
masked our entity for a certain period. By the grace of the Almighty we have
achieved independence today. Independence may open a new horizon of social,
political and economic potentials of a nation, but it does not change the
history of its people. It does not deface or remove the past. So there is no reason
to think that We are a new nation without roots into history. We want to appeal
to our people to reach an unanimity on major national issues recognising the
glories of our past history, safeguarding the national interests of the present
time and pledge to lab our with determination and perseverance to build up a
new future of bounty and grandeur.
(1) Weakness of Democratic and political institutions: Our
failure to reach a consensus on major issues did not allow growth of strong
democratic and political institutions .Since there had never been manifest
unaniminity on state policy ,forms of government and the social framework ,the
question of the consent of the people to these national of the consent of the
people to these national issues was never taken seriously .Therefore ,existing
state policies ,institutions, and system of government remained a matter of
controversy .Political aberrations and phenomenon rising from such situation
have compounded the democratic and political institutions .Situation is so
anguishing today that democratic and representative institutions are no longer
identified with the will of the people .However worse and challenging the
situation might appear to be, we must overcome the problem with determination
,earnestness and good will of all. We hope we will be able to build up a set of
democratic institutions capable of reflecting the hopes and inspirations of the
people to forge our march to future.
(2) Worsening of state of poverty and external
dependence:
In last two decades
since independence our population jumped from 75 million to 120 million ; a
rise of about sixty percent. But the cumulative growth of any sector of the
national economy will not match the growth of population; Obvious result is
worsening of state of poverty, About two core people or about one third of the lab
our force are either year round or seasonally unemployed. Development in the
ultimate analysis is employment of lab
our force and the means and method of this end. The higher the rate of employment in a society, the higher the
number of people who get better food, healthcare, housing facilities, higher
consumption of electricity or avail higher education. But development efforts
and economic plan of our country these days attach little importance to employment facilities. That
poverty is becoming more acute can also
be measured from increasing incidences of landlessness amongst farmers. Surveys
confirm that about 60 percent of rural people are landless. This has resulted
in the concentration of land in the
hands of a few people. It is ascertained that about 65 percent of the
landholding is concentrated amongst less than 20 percent of the people, it
implies that there is a growth of clandestine landholders who give their land
to landless sharecroppers for cultivation, For shortage of fund the sharecroppers
con not go for propel utilization of land by way of raising multiple crops or
putting in proper inputs.
The clandestine
Landholders do not usually invest in farming. Therefore agriculture suffers.
again because of the poverty and erosion
of purchasing capacity of the people,
investors and entrepreneurs do not come forward for setting up industry.
Therefore, we languish in a poverty
trap. There is very little forward moment
of the wheels of economy. It is almost like running on one spot.
In such a situation the
country, as it is supposed to be, is left foreign aid, the nation now bears a
debt burden of 10 billon dollars or 33000 corers Taka, Our trade imbalance is
estimated at around taka 50,000 corers, Each
citizen of the country bears a debt load of taka 3300. Therefore
frustration is all pervasive. The situation calls for an earnest effort to
reach unanimity on majar national issues and
make a determined quantum-jump to lift economy ahead of the bog in which
we are stuck up for last 20 years. We are optimistic that given sincerity, good
will and tireless lab our, the nation will be able to change the situation for better;
we cannot afford to political, economic and social development and discourse on
the strategy and approach of national development. For the present we have only
identified the major problems and hinted at probable means of solution. We only
express optimism despite all odds. Given dynamic, efficient earnest and honest
leadership gifted with talent and vision, those problems can also be
surmounted. In fact Zaker Party has a clear vision and a concrete set of
strategies of development, which necessary, shall be divulged to the people for
their appreciation and opinion.
3(a) Administrative
framework:
A capable, efficient, honest, patriotic and
dedicated bureaucratic or administrative framework is necessary for execution
of development program. After independence we have seen reforms in the field of
administration in early 80s. The result of this reform and decentralization can
be measured by the thinking people. We may only say at this stage much is still
to be done for the development of a
capable and efficient administrative framework.
(4) Erosion of Values and Growing Moral
Anarchy:
An
unabated erosion of value amongst the people for last few decades poses a grave
threat to social stability. Immoral activities are on a spate at all levels of
society.
We
have mentioned in an earlier chapter of this booklet that spiritual detachment
of people from God is the root cause of moral degeneration. Spiritual link or
communion of a person with God can buttress integrity and sense of
righteousness of the people. The Muslim society of Bengal was founded by the
Mystiques and Murshide or Shaikhs, Saints or Sufis, their higher sense of
values, virtuous ways of God fearing life and love for humanity and creation at
large attracted the people of this land to embrace Islam as a means of getting
rid of social inequality and problems prevailing before the advent of Islam. So
spiritual pursuit as a means for moral regeneration of our people is not a new
concept but a concept steeped deep in our tradition and history. We also hold
the view that this value is universal and van do equal good to all society and individuals.
(5) Back-bencher`s
Role of Bangladesh in International Arena:
No nation, trapped in
poverty is expected to have a triumphing and trumpeting role in the
international arena. The case of Bangladesh was no exception. Our voice though
at times audible in international arena could not altar our back bencher`s
role. Unless we set our nation on a right track and attain certain stage of
development. Our role in the international field is not expected to be exerting
one. As long as we cannot break the
poverty trap .the nation should pursue a foreign policy which should uphold its
independence and sovereignty; help promote economic interest and accelerate
development efforts; above all safe guard national security and contribute to
peace in the region and international arena.
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