Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :
As one of the selected books, I have gone through the book “People and Democracy” by Sheikh Hasina. When my reading is over, it has been discussed, shared, exchanged with friends, teachers and intellectuals. By this process my personal experience has been enhanced. I have been attaracted and become inspired by coming in touch of it. In the light of above comments I am going to present a little analysis, perception, ideologist and teaching values of the book written by our hon’ble Prime Minsiter.
Some points of qualities and leadership enshrined in the book’s flap part “People and Democracy” have been stated as follows:
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina holds a place among the more distinguished in the history of Bangladesh. Her political struggle in the defense of democracy has placed her in a unique position, one which accords her the dignity which comes with being in the forefront of popular movement and then emerging triumphant as a result of the struggle. She brings to her career a rich array of experience. The years of struggle between 1981 and 1996 saw her personality and her politics shape themselves in a rising crescendo of movement dedicated to the fulfillment of popular aspirations. It goes to her credit that the success which the people of Bangladesh have today achieved is the direct offshoot of her ability to bring the people of Bangladesh together in the spirit of political struggle.”
As the daughter of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheik MujiburRahman, ShiekhHasina grew up in a whilly political setting. Her education, as is obvious, was in the comfortable, confidence-inducing shade of her illustrious father. Following the tragedy in August, 1975, the aspirations of the people were laid waste as the coterie holding the reins of authority thought it proper to ignore such aspirations. It was against this manifest intention of curbing popular hopes and in the interest of ensuring the rights of food and franchise that Sheikh Hasina went into the course of political struggle. It was her leadership which proved instrumental in the establishment of parliamentary democracy in the country.
PM’s quotation from Preface part of the book “People and Democracy” has been stated as follows:
“My writings are the result of little thoughts that have come one upon the other as I observe the many facets, the many problems related to Bangladesh political economic and social canvas, there are a number of thoughts that gather in the mind. The restiveness, the insecurity, the definitions of life of the masses are all cause concern in her. There is little of value that is attached to life in this country. Social in equities, repression on women, killings and robberies are what constitute the edifications of everyday life. The paramount need in our social environment in these times is for men and women dedicated to upholiding patriotism in life. If the one in whom is reposed the trust the comes with wielding power, with exercising the authority required for effecting public welfare, indulges in the self seeking and the self satisfying, the fundamental objective of politics strength defeated. The people of our country look upon the head of state and the head of government as supreme emblems of sacrifies, symbol of the public goods, which is why it becomes that much more important for individuals in high places, at the center of authority, to uphold the faith place in them by the country it is beyond her to hazard a guess as to when the people of this country will stand emancipated in the economic sense of term. And yet it is important that messures be taken to take the eighty-six percent of the people subsisting bellow the poverty line out of the bind their in.”
PM’s quotation from the article “Educated Manpower and Development” has been stated as follows: “Our education system should be modified pragmatically. White visiting China I had the opportunity to talk to the leaders of cities like Shnaghai and I was surprised when I came to know the 60 per cent of the students took up professional courses just after siting at the lower secondary examination. I appeal to the most reversed educationists to find out ways and means how we can turn our huge population into productive forces to save our youths and students from the curse of unemployment. Our youths are not only “unemployed” but they are also “unemployable” because they have been educated in a way which cannot ensure them any job as per our economic pattern.”
The above review and criticism may be incomplete or may not attain perfection. It may not have dignified position. My efforts are only to highlight the courage and statesmenship thinking of Sheikh Hasina as an author. This book will act the role of state philosophy and its way of state governance. Its appeal and relevance will never fade. This book will be a source of inspiration and courage to the future generation. Above all, the matters inscribed in the book will play the role of development ingredients and advocacy for future mission of change and achieving the goal”.
(The writer is former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh
Ansar & VDP).
