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Friday, December 11, 2020

[mukto-mona] Opinion: Austerity, economic recovery, and the debt trap



Austerity, economic recovery, and the debt trap
SALEEM SAMAD

Why developing nations such as Bangladesh must be especially wary of how they seek to recover from the Covid-19 fallout
Development economists and civil society organizations (CSOs) argue that austerity measures adopted by the governments of third-world countries are not a solution during the coronavirus crisis.
They raise questions about austerity, gradually imposed after the Covid-19 crisis due to the massive debt contract. Immediate suspension of debt  payments and better still, cancellation of debt, must take priority.
Instead, they advise governments to opt for economic recovery. The economic recovery will only be possible from "debt relief" and "debt justice."
Bangladesh and other developing countries have given special attention in the wake of the coronavirus crisis and engaged in servicing external debts to international financial institutions.
The governments are deliberately diverting funds from education, human development, and infrastructure development sectors, whereas the health and safety net programs are implemented under a shoe-string budget.
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the pandemic has pushed another 32 million people in poor countries into abject poverty.
Another report by the International Finance Institute highlights the $272 trillion global debt, a new high, in the third quarter of 2020 and warns us about the "attack of the debt tsunami."
There are issues in which countries while seeking assistance from international financial institutions, are often imposed conditionalities that have not necessarily been negotiated with borrower states. These conditionalities are even seen in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government deliberately does not involve the citizens to participate in consultations, discussions, or negotiations. Such conditionalities increase the country's chances of falling into a "debt-trap."
Ultimately, it is the people that have to foot the debt repayment after authorities impose additional taxes and levies to recover from the vicious cycle of debt.
According to standards of international law, international financial institutions should be held responsible for complicity in the imposition of economic reforms that violate human rights, which is well documented.
Governments and major multilateral institutions like the World Bank, the IMF, and regional development banks have used repayment of public debt to generalize policies that have damaged public health systems.
This has meant job cuts in the health sector, job instability, reduced numbers of hospital beds, closing down neighbourhood health services, increased medical costs both for care and medicines, under-investment in infrastructure and equipment, and privatization of various sections of the health sector along with public under-investment in research and development for treatment, which is to the advantage of big private pharmaceutical groups and companies.
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, these policies had already led to an enormous loss of human lives, and all around the world, health personnel were organizing protests.
Neither the World Bank nor the IMF have cancelled any debts since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
Although they have made endless calculated declarations to give the impression that they are taking very strong measures. This is completely false.
Worse still, since March 2020, the IMF has extended the loan agreements that entail continuing with the structural measures enumerated above. As for the World Bank, since March 2020 it has received more in debt repayments from developing countries than it has paid out to finance either donations or loans.
Eminent development economist, Dr Atiur Rahman states that "We want to fight the coronavirus and, beyond that, improve the health and living conditions of populations, [for which] emergency measures must be taken."
Immediate suspension of debt payments and cancellation of debt must take priority, suggests former Bangladesh Bank's governor Dr Rahman.
The austerity measures do not contribute to economic recovery, but instead have negative consequences in terms of economic growth, debt ratios, and equality, and routinely result in a series of negative human rights impacts.
First published in the Dhaka Tribune, 8 December 2020
Saleem Samad is an independent journalist, media rights defender, recipient of Ashoka Fellowship and Hellman-Hammett Award. He can be reached at saleemsamad@hotmail.com; Twitter @saleemsamad
https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2020/12/08/op-ed-austerity-economic-recovery-and-the-debt-trap


#StaySafeStayHome
><((((o>><((((o><o))))><><((((o>
SALEEM Samad
Recipient of Ashoka Fellow (1991) & Hellman-Hammett Award (2005)
Freelance Journalist & Columnist
Correspondent, Reporters Without Border (RSF)
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Blog: http://bangladeshwatchdog.blogspot.com/

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Posted by: Saleem Samad <saleemsamad@hotmail.com>


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Saturday, December 5, 2020

[mukto-mona] Cartoon: America's worst responder







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Posted by: Farida Majid <farida_majid@hotmail.com>


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"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
               -Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190





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[mukto-mona] Today at 7 PM at https://www.facebook.com/BUFLAUSA/ // BUFLA Senior Club Talent Show (Dec-5-2020)



BUFLA Senior Club Talent Show (Virtual)

Date:  December-5-2020, Saturday

Time:  7 PM to 9 PM (PST: California Time)


Live-Video-Stream at

https://www.facebook..com/BUFLAUSA/



Dear Community Friends,

Please watch the full program of BUFLA Senior Club Talent Show in Live-Video-Stream starting at 7 PM today (Dec-5-2020) at BUFLA Facebook page link as follows:


Live-Video-Stream at   


https://www.facebook.com/BUFLAUSA/ 


You can also watch the Trailer (Video-Preview) of the BUFLA Senior Club Talent Show (Dec-5-2020) at the following link:

Trailer Link here for Preview: 

Dear Community Friends,


We are cordially inviting you to watch and enjoy the BUFLA Senior Club Talent Show from anywhere in USA and beyond. This entertainment show by our Seniors is the first-time of its kind in the history of our community. It will be Live-Video-Streamed through BUFLA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BUFLAUSA/ on Dec-5-2020 Saturday from 7 PM to 9 PM (PST: California time). 


Many Seniors from the greater Los Angeles area, Silicon Valley, Kansas, Arizona, Texas, and New York have participated in this Talent Show. All presentations and performances have already been video-recorded and will be streamed together for your enjoyment and entertainment online for audiences across USA and beyond, on Dec-5-2020.


Here are some of the things that our Seniors, as presenters and performers, have done and already video-recorded to entertain you:

 

1)    Commented about BUFLA

2)    Introduced themselves

3)    Shared their Education and Profession in Bangladesh 

4)    When they came to USA

5)    Education, Profession, and challenges in USA

6)    Community involvements in Bangladesh and USA

7)    Hobbies 

8)    Recited self-written poems, and recited poems by famous poets

9)    Singing of songs

10)  Sharing of Arts and Paintings

11)   Jokes that will make you laugh 

12)  Some accomplishments in life 

13)  Happiest moments and events of life

14)  Sad memories of life

15)   Sharing the philosophy of life evolved from many experiences 

16)  Comments about COVID-19 effects and some very essential advices 

17)  Sharing of many other highlights of life walking along the long memory lane of life


Please mark your calendar for Dec-5-2020 from 7 PM to 9 PM (PST: California time), and please plan to enjoy this unique BUFLA Senior Club Talent Show with your family and friends. Thank you very much. 


On behalf of BUFLA Advisory Council:


Event Coordinator
Mohammed Abdul Hannan (818) 266-8806, miahannan123@gmail.com

Event Co-Coordinators

BUFLA-AC (Advisory Council)

Ziaur Rahman - (Chairman),  732-829-8252, ziaur1rahman@gmail.com,zia_100@yahoo.com, Haroon Rashid (Vice-Chair) (909) 569-3629, haroondka@gmail.com, Sqn. Ldr Muhammad Zaman (626) 253-2262, mn_zaman@yahoo.comMohammed Abdul Hannan (818) 266-8806, miahannan123@gmail.com,  Rafiqul Islam (323) 806-5332   sheikhrafiq@gmail.com, Shawkat Alam, 951-310-4055, shaw4homes@gmail.com,  Dr. Mohammad Auwal  (626) 679-3141, mauwal@gmail.comDr. Mahbub Khan (408) 859-3566, mahbubkhan@ieee.org 


BUFLA-Cabinet:

Shiper Chowdhury: President of BUFLA


Shiper Chowdhury: President,  805-551-0392, presshiper@gmail.com,  Mahbubur Rahman (Shaheen):  Vice President, 213-220-7198,  shaheen90020@hotmail.com, Anjuman Ara Sheulee: General Secretary,  213-200-2901, choitee76@yahoo.com,  Faruque Howlader:  Organizing Secretary, 213-509-9393, mfhowlader@yahoo.com, Abdus Samad: Public Relations Secretary,  310-619-3532, labanglatimes@gmail.com,  Roshny Alam: Cultural Secretary: 562-310-3669, rowshanaraa@yahoo.com


BUFLA BOT (Board of Trustees)

Mourshad Alam Haider - Chairman: 909-996-6609 mourshad@yahoo.com, Habib Ahmed Tia 818-430-5726, Nasimul Gani 909-844-1336 nasimgani@gmail.com, Rumi Solaiman 909-921-9191 rumisolaiman@yahoo.com


BUFLA Charity Committee Members:


Jashim Ahmed (BUFLA Charity Committee Coordinator):  818-987-7454ahmed.j@sbcglobal.net, Dr. Abul Hashem: 213-200-0984, hashemdds1@gmail..com, Khandakar Alam:  909-732-8800alamkhandakar96@yahoo.com,  Shamsuddin Manik: 818-744-6284shamsuddinmanik@gmail.com, Engr. Saleh Kibria: 323-404-1386saleh_kibria@yahoo.com, Major Enamul Hamid:  323-896-8779, hamidenamul@gmail.com,  Nazrul Alam: 818-469-4300, nalam3@hotmail.com



BUFLA-EC (Executive Committee)

 

American Association of Bangladeshi Engineers & Architects (AABEA-SC): Jamshed A Hyder - President, (909) 728-0813, president@aabeascc.org, Iqbal Rahman, Mohammed Mahibur Rais, Shahid Alam

Bangladeshi American Association of LA (BAALA): Mohammad Ali - President, (213) 570-3100,alikhan23@live.com, Shahed Khan Duli, Saiful A Chowdhury, Zakir Hussain Khan

Bangladesh Armed Forces Veteran Officers Association (BAFVOA):Lt. Col. (Retd) Omar Huda - President, (818) 689-0445,omarhuda@live.com, Sqn. Ldr. (Retd.) Mohammad Zaman, Flt. Lt. (Retd.) Fida Hossain, Lt. ( Retd.) Zia Islam

Bangladesh Medical Association of North America (BMANA): Dr. Rubina Najeeb - President, (714) 377-0227,bmanacachapter1@gmail.com, Dr. Iqbal Munir, Dr. Aboo Nasar, Dr. Diba Farah

Bangladesh Mela: Mohammad Tarek- Preident, (323) 382-4129,tarek90020@gmail.com, Jamiul Islam Belal, Siddiqur Rahman, Jahangir Joney

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (B N P): Badrul Chowdhury Shiplu - President, (818) 679-4924,badrulchowdhury@sbcglobal.net, M Wahid Rahman, Murshedul Islam, Mahbubul Rahman Shaheen

Bikrompur Association: Dr. Abul Hashem - President, (213) 200-0984,hashemdds1@gmail.com, Mohammed Rahman, Mohammed Shahidul Haq

Chittagong University Alumni Association (CUAA): Ilias Sikder - President, (805) 458-0507,tigersikder@yahoo.com, Mohammed Rafiquzzaman, Md. Ahsan Hafeez, Iftekhar Ahmed

Dhaka University Alumni Association  (DUAA):  Khandakar Alam - President, (909) 732-8800,alamkhandakar96@yahoo.com, Quzi Mashoorul Huda, Swakat Alam, Shiekh Rafiqul Islam

Distressed Children & Infants International (DCI):  Engr.. Saleh Kibria - President, (323) 404-1386,salehkibria@yahoo.com, Zadiul Hai, Monirul Islam, Roshny Alam

Dohar Association of California: Sohidul Islam - President, (213) 531-1979,shahid4i@yahoo.com, Mohin Ahmed, Sikdar Habibur Rahman, Siba Islam

Greater Faridpur Association: Hossain Ali - President, (818) 321-5447,romanasikder@yahoo.com, Chonnou Mollik, Zakir Khan, Rob Rabbani

Greater Khulna Association: Dublo Amin - President, (213) 663-4121, Faruq Howlader,mfhowlader@yahoo.com, Md. Alam, Md. Ahsan

Grisho Boron (Summer Festival) Orange County: Rafiqul Haque Raju - President, (714) 470-0814,muhammed.haque01@gmail.com, Rezaul Karim, Nazrul Islam Fahim, Fatema Khatun Moni

Jalalabad Association of California: Assaduz Zaman Bachchu - President, (323) 821-9976,zamanbachchu@gmail.com, Mohammed Badrul Alam, Syeed Nasir Uddin, Mohammed Nazrul Alam

Los Angeles Tiger Club: Mehdi Hassan - President, (213) 590-9920,mahadihm@yahoo.com, Elias Khan, M. M. Shameem, Christopher B. Austin

Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA): Ashraf Hossain Akbar - President, (213) 926-2959,ashraf.akbar@gmail.com, Ali Akbar, Abdul Mannan, Anisur Rahman

Osmani Smrity Shangsod: Jashim A. Ashrafi - President, (818) 987-7454,ahmed.j@sbcglobal.net, Abul Hasnath Rayhan, Matab Ahmed, Faizu Subhan

Sylhet World Council: Jafrin Tia - Council Chair, (818) 430-5726, habib.ahmed@sbcglobal.net, Mohi Uddin, Shofir Uddin, Shuhin Choudhury

Taranga of California: Shiper Chowdhury - President, (805) 551-0392, presshiper@gmail.com, Enamul Hamid, Bashir Ahmed, Moazzem Hossain Chowdhury

Uttoron of Los Angeles: Anjuman Ara - President, (213) 200-2901,choitee76@yahoo.com,Shahnag Bulbul, Ashraf Hossain (Babul), Khurshed -uz- Zaman

Vashani Foundation: Mohammed Shamsuddin Manik - President, (818) 744-6284,shamsuddinmanik@gmail.com, Sheik Raza, Abdus Samad, Abul Khair

 

BUFLA Associate Members

 

Bangladesh Community of Inland Empire (BCIE): Sheikh Rafiqul Islam - President, 323-806-5332, sheikh.rafiq@yahoo.com, Zillur Rahman, Mohammad F Haque, Mahadi Sabin Salim

Probash Bangla: Quazi Moshoorul Huda - President, 213-590-1554,quazi.huda12@gmail.com, Sharmin Sohana Trisha, Mohammed Hasan, Shofi Ahmed

Banglabandhu Sishu Kishore Mela: Salma Alam - President, 213-595-2920,jothy.alam@gmail.com, Mahmuda Alam Nilu, Kaniz Fatema, Saharin Alam

Sanatan Bengali Society: Bidyut Dey - President, 949-302-1277,sanatonbengalisociety.org, Amrita Bibek Sarker, Tulsi Saha, Sougata Mazumder

Bangabandhu Cultural Organization: Tawfiq Suleman Khan - President, 213-842-1048,tskhan007@yahoo.com, Jahir Udddin Ahmed Panna, Zamal Hossain, Shahriar Khalil Rebel

California Awami Volunteers League: Md. Shah Alam Khan Chowdhury - President, 602-715-0174,salam7166@yahoo.com, Amir Hossain Sardar, Aliza Hossain, Eliyas Hossain

                                                

                                                                             

 

Additional BUFLA Team Members and Supporters

Major Enamul Hamid: 323-896-8779, Dr. Kali Pradip Chaudhuri 951-683-5988, Moazzem Chowdhury 661-816-8468, Belayet Hossain 702-210-2839, Tia Habib 818-430-5726, Col. Omar Huda 818-689-0445, Haroon Rashid 909-569-3629, Nasimul Gani 909-653-4314, Rumi Sulaiman 909-921-9191, Emdadul Huq Bob 775-815-8726, Dr. Rafiqul Alam 951-683-5988, Sqn Ldr Muhammad Zaman 626-253-2262, Shahidul Islam: 213-531-1979,  Habibur Rahman Swaraj 213-380-3650, Mourshad Haider: 909-996-6609, Lt. Ziaul Islam818-518-5784, Engr Saiful Huq 949-449-9975, Anwar Hussain Rana, Quazi Moshoorul Huda 213-255-0213, Anisur Rahman 213-840-7264, Ilias Sikder  805-458-0507, Ashraf Akbar 213-926-2959, Sayedul Hoq 805-696-3374, Ali Akbar 714-930-6677, Abul Hasnat Rayhan 818-383-9560, Lt. Ziaul Islam 818-518-5784, Mohammad Ali 213-570-3100,  Ahsan Bachu 818-365-0030, Humayun 213-925-8399, Quazi Moshoorul Huda 213-255-0213, Jahan Hassan 818-968-6736, SK Zaman, Shafiul Alam Babu, Ferdous Khan, Nazrul Islam Chowdhury Kanchon 213-270-4567, Badrul Alam Chowdhury Shiplu 818-679-4924,  Dr. Pradip Chowdhury, Dr. Iqbal Munir, Dr. Salma Khan, Dr. Rubina Najeeb, Dr. Aboo Nasar (Shuman),   Dr Moazzem Hossain, Dr. Ruby Hossain, Abul Kashem Toha 818-624-1551, Dr. Shah Alam 818-370-3685, Diluar Chowdhury 909-213-5862, Khaleed Hossain 818-681-3710, Syed Nasiruddin Zebul, Layek Ahmed 818-294-1523, Faruq Howlader 213-509-9393, Dablu Amin, Maruf Khan 424-215-6461,  Siddikur Rahman Foisal 818-593-9441, Sheikh Rafiqul Islam 323-806-5332, Shahnag Bulbul 213-304-1607, Aktar Hossain Mia 213-235-8619, Mohammad Tareq 323-382-4129, Enamul hoque Emran 818-625-5031, Karim Chaudhury 805-358-9635, Md Hasan 805-218-5574,  Dr. Khalid Mahmud 951-315-2608, Shaw Ali 951-279-4741, Flt Kt Fida Hossain 951-283-4917, Dr. Rezaul Karim 714-519-1220, Dr. Rafiqul Bhuyan 909-537-5789, Tahmina Morshed 213-840-7264, Badiul Alam 626-627-7462, Kushum Alam 818-445-8522, Manzurul Chowdhury Rabiul,  Jilani Sadiq 714-269-6607, Khaled Gazi – 949-653-0606, Zafar Ullah 562-305-3819, Firoze Fakhri 714-470-6438, Ahsan Hafeez 213-509-9393, Ashraf Hossain Babul 213-884-3538, Saiful Alam Chowdhury 323-338-1417, Mushfiqur Chowdhury Khosru 323-422-5479, SMA Razzaque 213-389-1208, Farhana Sayeed 213-926-7522 and many others.



BUFLA

Bangladesh Unity Federation of Los Angeles (BUFLA)

BUFLA is a Federation of many different Bangladeshi Organizations of Greater Los Angeles area in California, USA

www.bufla.comwww.bufla.org



BUFLA Office and Mailing Address:
BUFLA,  135 S. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004, USA





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Posted by: Mahbub Khan <mahbubkhan45@yahoo.com>


****************************************************
Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration: 
Call For Articles:

http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68

http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585

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VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/

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"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
               -Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190





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