A SIMPLE, INEXPENSIVE PROPOSAL FOR
FACILITATING THE SIDR VICTIMS
INTRODUCTION :
SIDR caused tremendous loss to Bangladesh and her people by causing
(i) Destruction of part of the Sundarbans, (ii) Damage of huge
properties belonging to the government, (iii) Deaths of over 3500
persons, (iv) Damage of vast properties belonging to numerous families
etc.
The responsibility of the first two tasks, i.e. (i) Regeneration of
the Sundarbans and (ii) Making good the damaged government properties
goes on to the government and it is understood that the government
would take proper steps to that effect. The people of the affected
area are suffering tremendously due to the loss of their dear
relatives and their extremely valuable properties. It is not still
known how these victims would be compensated, or how they would feel
safe in the coming days. The government's aid and people's benevolence
would probably help them to survive for the time being, but it would
not ensure any permanent solution to their problems, which is endless
visit of hazards. Within in a few years there will be similar hazards
(cyclonic storm associated with tidal bore) and the affected people
would face similar fate. In the affected area, saving of immovable
properties like crops, fish and trees from the raze of flood and wind
is extremely difficult. However, in this age, when the government of
Bangladesh is taking billion-dollar projects for the construction of
fly-over, overhead mono-rails or underground rail lines for solving
the traffic problem of a single city (i.e. Dhaka), its failure to save
the lives and movable properties of the people of the affects area
should be considered as unpardonable crime. And we all know, in spite
of vast donations received from home and abroad our government, with
its numerous past records of failure, is going to fail again in
safeguarding the distressed people of the SIDR-affected area.
Many a times, well planned endeavors do not come out successful mainly
because those are done in the indirect way i.e. through via media. The
money donated by the local or foreign agents usually are spend through
some organizations like NGO's, government officials, elected persons
of the local bodies etc. In almost all the cases such agents endeavor
to spend the sum in ways that also satisfies their selfish interest.
For arguments sake one may say, "All right, in that case the donors
may avoid the middlemen and give the money directly to the victims.
Would that solve the problem ?" The answer is "No". "Why ?"
Because (i) It is not possible for the donors to reach all the
victims directly,
(ii) It is not possible to assess how much money
various affected families would need and
(iii) Even though the money thus spent would benefit the
victims, it would not save them from similar hazards in future.
In such a situation, is there any method of utilizing the
contributions, that might benefit them and at the same time, would
save them from similar hazards in future ? In this article we shall
address this question.
MEASURES FOR SAVING LIFE AND MOVABLE PROPERTIES :
As a prelude to our proposal we shall mention hereunder some of the
measures taken by the government for saving the life and movable
properties of men from the raze of cyclone and tidal bore.
(i). USE OF BRICK BUILDING : The brick building (known also as, Pucca
building) with reinforced concrete roof usually used as government
office, hospitals, school, community building, house of affluent men
etc. are used as shelter during cyclone and tidal bore. Mosques are
not used for this purpose because womenfolk are not allowed to enter
in such buildings. Such buildings are quite safe in cyclonic storm. In
case of tidal bore men have been reported to have saved life and
properties by erecting derricks or using the roof. Such structures
with two floors are excellent for this purpose. As soon as there is
any warning for cyclone or tidal bore, the volunteers from the Red
Crescent or Disaster warning cell call people to take shelter in such
buildings.
Disadvantages/Limitations : In spite of their suitability in
disasters, most of the time men cannot or do not avail the
opportunities for reasons like, (i) Such building may not be
available in all areas, (ii) Men may be reluctant because
accommodation inside may be inadequate, (iii) They may also be
reluctant because they cannot take their hard-earned properties
(including cattle) and (iv) Finally, they feel reluctant because they
know, as soon as they would leave the house the vandals would take
away their properties.
(ii). CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING ON STILTS ( known as Cyclone centre) :
Brick buildings constructed on stilts have been constructed at various
locations in the affected area to be used as Cyclone shelters. Such
shelters are better than the above mentioned brick buildings, where
men can take shelter with some of their properties.
Disadvantages/Limitations : Some of the reasons why men cannot or do
not avail the opportunities offered by cyclone shelters are : (i) Such
building may not be available in all areas, (ii) Men may be reluctant
because they cannot take their hard-earned properties (including
cattle) and (iii) Finally, they feel reluctant because they know, as
soon as they would leave their houses they would lose their
properties.
(iii). CONSTRUCTION OF EARTH MOUND (known as KILLA) : High earth mound
constructed at some locations in the coastal area save human life,
properties and cattle in time of flood and tidal bore. Men can be safe
here during storm if strong structures are constructed over the mound.
Disadvantages/Limitations : The disadvantages or limitations of the
earth mound are : (i) These consume huge quantity of agricultural
land, (ii) People may not find such mounds near their habitations,
(iii) They may be reluctant because they cannot take their hard-earned
properties and (iii) Finally, they feel reluctant because of the
possibility of theft in their own houses in their absence.
DEDUCTIONS : From the above realities and experiences we can deduce
that construction of two storied brick buildings in every locality or,
preferably in every house is the ideal solution to save life and
movable properties of the inhabitants.
HOW TO ENSURE TWO STORIED BUILDINGS FOR ALL :
Above we have deduced that the surest and practical means of saving
men's life and movable properties in is to construct "TWO-STORIED
BRICK BUILDING FOR EACH FAMILY". One may look at this deduction as
'big imagination' and end up with 'dismay' because they know, at
present more than ninety percent of the people of the affected area
find it hard to construct houses even with corrugated iron sheet. It
is impossible for the government or the donor agencies to finance all
of them for construction of two storied brick buildings. And finally,
even if any agency gives them this money, most of the inhabitants
would spend the money for other purposes. In such a context we shall
present our proposal that we have mentioned as "A simple, inexpensive
proposal for facilitating the SIDR victims".
The proposal has been prepared on the facts that :
(i) The major and most expensive component of a brick building is brick, and
(ii) Given one facility, it is possible for the inhabitants of this
area to get adequate bricks at no cost.
The soil of this area with its rich organic content is highly suitable
for making bricks. All the members of a family (excluding the infants)
can make bricks at their idle or leisure time, only if they can get
the moulds and training. But they would like to do it only if they can
find the "firing facility" in their own area. Definitely the job of
firing would need some money. If the "firing authorities" introduce a
system that the cost of firing may be paid through burnt bricks, then
the inhabitants in reality can get bricks at no cost.
By making, drying and firing bricks in the above way the inhabitants
would in fact "create new wealth" for themselves and for the country
by using inexpensive material and their idle labor. It is difficult to
assure "excellent quality" of these bricks, which is not even
necessary. Because it is quite possible to construct the "survival
house" of the inhabitants with medium-quality bricks. The inhabitants
can procure bricks consecutively for a few years. After they have
procured bricks to construct a say, minimum 12 feet long, 10 feet wide
and 10 feet high room, they may procure some more. Then they can sell
the excess bricks for procuring sand, cement and the cost of mason.
Thus, it may be possible for the families to get such a room within a
couple of years. For incentive and expediting the program the
government may declare that as soon as one family would construct such
a room, the government would give them corrugated iron sheet for its
roofing.
PLAN OF HOUSE : The house should be constructed in a cumulative way,
where they would start with one room only. Then they would add another
to it. After construction of two or three rooms they may go for the
construction of r.c.c. roof. Since there is no dearth of soil in the
affected area and the members of the affected families have no dearth
of idle or unused labor, it is easily possible for them to own two
storied buildings in a cumulative way in a period of five, ten or
fifteen years.
POSSIBLE ONLY IF … :
Yes, what has been narrated above is possible only if they can find
the "firing facilities" in their own area. In such a context the
government may take a program of establishing small size firing-kiln
at suitable locations. It should be mentioned here that earlier the
affluent people of this country used to burn bricks for their own use
in the traditional way in a system, known as "Puzza system". It has
similarity with the system the potters still use for firing clay pots.
The raw materials used for making puzza are clay and some bricks.
However, coal is the most essential fuel for its operation. Earlier
expert puzza-builders and firing-men were available in the country. We
do not know if they still exist or not. Whatever might be the case,
the government has to take initiative in order to make the above
program successful. The major programs the government would have to
take up are the following :
(01) The government would declare to the people of the affected area
that they would soon introduce 'firing of dried bricks' in their
locality.
(02) They would train the people about brick-making and drying and
give, sell or rent the brick-moulds.
(03) They government would (a) Establish or (b) Help to establish
firing facilities in any of the following ways :
(a) ESTABLISHING (i.e. Cent percent responsibility) : The government
would establish brick burning kilns at suitable locations at their own
cost. The cost may might need would be for (i) Procuring about 1 acre
of raised land, (ii) Construction of a tin-shed office, (iii) Storage
space for dry bricks with arrangement for covering in inclement
weather, (iv) Brick burning kiln or puzza, (v) Storage space for coal
and other fuel, (vi) Storage space for burnt bricks etc. The
government would maintain the incentive program, which is, giving
roofing material for a 12X10X10 room per family as soon such a room is
constructed.
(b) HELP TO ESTABLISH (i.e. to act as facilitator) : In case the
government does not want to be involved in all the formalities of such
a project they may act as facilitator in the following way : The
government would declare that as soon if any private entrepreneur
initiates such program in the affected area they would sanction them
coal at reduced rate, provided that the entrepreneur would accept
burnt bricks as cost of burning. With this they would have to continue
also the incentive program, which is, giving roofing material for a
brick-built room.
CONCLUSION :
With this we have come to the end of our proposal "A simple,
inexpensive proposal for facilitating the SIDR victims. In this
article we have mentioned how one family can own "ONE TWO-STORIED
BRICK-BUILDING" at practically no cost. After SIDR the government has
got or going to get vast amount of finance in order to rehabilitee
them. We know they would formulate many large and small projects. We
would request them to consider the above proposal also. The proposal
involves extremely less cost and minimum formalities.
We know at present there are large brick burning kilns, which are
producing billions of quality-bricks for building houses of the
affluent people. We are aware about the criticism regarding their
environment pollution also. We do not believe, the proposed small-size
kilns would at all stand as their commercial competitor or would
create pollution of any considerable parameter. And even if they
create some, it should be ignored in view of the greater benefit such
a project may give to millions of the poor and aggrieved people. In
short we may mention that the " Simple, inexpensive proposal for
facilitating the SIDR" has got among others the following excellent
potentialities :
(01) Creation of wealth for the country by using inexpensive
materials and idle labor.
(02) Creation of one brick-built room for each family (leading to two
storied houses in the cumulative process)
(03) Creation of alternate job opportunities for the people and
lessening their dependence on the treacherous forest and hazardous
sea.
Being the representative of the people's republic of Bangladesh and
thus shouldering the task of their welfare and safety, the government
of Bangladesh needs to act intelligently and with adequate far-sight.
Even though we did not notice such intentions in our government in the
past, we hope the present Government would show significant
difference. We are hopeful they would pay attention to my simple and
inexpensive proposal. I believe, this small proposal has got the
potentiality to ensure safer, better and brighter future for the
people of the SIDR-affected region.
PROF. BIJON B. SARMA, ARCHITECTURE DISCIPLINE, KHULNA UNIVERSITY
*****************************************
Sign the Petition : Release the Arrested University Teachers Immediately : An Appeal to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh
http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/university_teachers_arrest.htm
*****************************************
Daily Star publishes an interview with Mukto-Mona
http://www.mukto-mona.com/news/daily_star/daily_star_MM.pdf
*****************************************
MM site is blocked in Islamic countries such as UAE. Members of those theocratic states, kindly use any proxy (such as http://proxy.org/) to access mukto-mona.
*****************************************
Mukto-Mona Celebrates 5th Anniversary
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/5_yrs_anniv/index.htm
*****************************************
Mukto-Mona Celebrates Earth Day:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Earth_day2006/index.htm
*****************************************
Kansat Uprising : A Special Page from Mukto-Mona
http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/kansat2006/members/
*****************************************
MM Project : Grand assembly of local freedom fighters at Raumari
http://www.mukto-mona.com/project/Roumari/freedom_fighters_union300306.htm
*****************************************
German Bangla Radio Interviews Mukto-Mona Members:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/german_radio/
Mukto-Mona Celebrates Darwin Day:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/index.htm
*****************************************
Some FAQ's about Mukto-Mona:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/new_site/mukto-mona/faq_mm.htm
****************************************************
VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/
****************************************************
"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
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:mukto-mona-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:mukto-mona-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
mukto-mona-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: