Dear Alochoks
Civil society is generally a term for polite society - meaning a
society that is financially secure, respectable and cultured. Civic
society generally refers to a society that is attached to civic
duty - either by action or intention. From this it seems there is a
black and white distinction but in language, as with people, there
is a lot of grey area too. After all those who perform 'civic'
duties (eevn if for pay)are part of the 'civil' service. Then we
have terms like 'civil proceedings' and 'civic centres'.
In Bangladesh we have aloo bortha terms - that reflect our aloo
bortha society. (By the way I love allo bortha - especially with
onions and mustard oil, so please don't mind).
We have historically been a generally illiterate and impoverished
people. We have a complicated relationship with wealth and literacy
as we have only just acquired them. Hence anyone who makes a fortune
or lives well can be trashed, anyone who speaks well and behaves
well can be trashed and anyone who thinks well and writes well can
be trashed.
Trashed by whom? Not the ordinary people. They are trashed by the
political classes.
Shushil shomaj is the class that has the highest learning and
intellect in Bangladesh. What does that say about us that we trash
this class like this? Certainly I have seen elements of this class
behave in the most subversive way in our media. But here's the
interesting part:
These subversive elements are political creatures who can be defined
more by their pro AL or BNP agenda than any agenda for the
intellectual enlightenment of Bangladesh. I have achieved clarity on
this by defining such people as members of the political class who
have also gained entry to the shushil shomaj - not the other way
around.
Of course the shushil shomaj by my way of thinking has displayed
unforgivable inertia in taking aour country forward.
So shushil shomaj, by my definition, would be that society populated
by those who:
1. have the highest learning and intellect in Bangladesh
2. can put country before party
3. want to do something but are blocked by the politcial class.
So what is their problem? Their problem is the same problem as the
main problem of the country: THE POLITICAL CLASS.
Which of the following is true:
The political class can't get things done because of the shushil
shomaj OR
The shushil shomaj can't get things done because of the politcial
class.
The shushil shomaj is a victim of the politcial class which occupies
the national playing fields and blocks the entry and exit to those
playing fields.
It is the politiians, and their chamchas, who are the main culprits.
It is they who afford elements of the shushil shomaj delusions of
grandeur. It is they who use these elements of the shushil shomaj.
Its why when you talk to AL or BNP activist they are proud to name
only a few intellects in their leadership - and be satisfied.
Damn political class. Wonder how they'd taste if I bashed and mashed
them all up with my aloo bortha? Probabaly taste bitter but I'd
happily eat the lot of them for my country...
Ezajur Rahman
Kuwait
--- In alochona@yahoogroups.com, Jamil Ahmed <jamil_dhaka@...> wrote:
>
>
> This is a shomaj which doesn't involve 95 % of Bangladeshis.
> They have good intentions, often get together with simelar minded
people and talk about things that they themselves don't practice.
> They have good connection with media and fills up lot of spaces in
newspaper and electronic media.
> Bangladesh is always a play ground for geo-political games at the
expense of poor people and it seems they are just a pawn in this
intricate manuvers.
>
> --- On Tue, 12/16/08, jahid russel <jahidrussel@...> wrote:
>
> From: jahid russel <jahidrussel@...>
> Subject: Re: [ALOCHONA] What is Shushil Shomaj?
> To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 2:06 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> civil society.
>
> --- On Tue, 12/16/08, Ezajur Rahman <ezajur.rahman@...> wrote:
>
> From: Ezajur Rahman <ezajur.rahman@...>
> Subject: [ALOCHONA] What is Shushil Shomaj?
> To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 4:46 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Dear Alochoks
>
> What is the English translation of the term: Shushil Shomaj?
>
> Regards
>
> Ezajur Rahman
>
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