Flopped ministers and funny diplomats in BangladeshFazlur Rahman Khan
The very talketive commerce minister of Bangladesh, Lt. Col [Retired] Faruk Khan finally might have decided to keep completely mum as he has been continuing to face series of flops in his actions, thus putting the position of the ruling party into real trouble. He was one of the most quoted ministers in the ruling party, who never hesitated in commenting on every issue, even though most of those were not within the jurisdiction of his own ministry. Khan is considered to be the most influential man in the present government for reason unknown. Being the commerce minister, he has already failed in controlling the prices of essentials for a number of reasons. One of the reasons should be just mentioned here. Since Faruk Khan became the minister in charge of the Commerce ministry, a number of touts including some of his relatives started knocking doors of local and foreing business houses offering "any business benefit" in exchange of "kickback" for the minister. There are several highly circulated names in the market, which are very infamous for their blatant attempt in cashing money from local and foreign houses by selling their contacts with the commerce minister. There is particularly one cousin of Faruk Khan, [whose nick name starts with 'B'], even does not hesitate in meeting various types of businessmen in Bangladesh, introducing himself as the 'representative' of the commerce minister and continues to cash money in the name of kick-back by according various favors from the minister. It is even alleged that, such 'networks' of the commerce minister are linked with some syndicates in Bangladesh, which are responsible for exorbitant rise in the prices of essentials. Although some people continue to claim that Faruk Khan is an honest person, but, the record of past few months, does not show anything encouraging on believing such claim. Rather, it is proved that, Faruk Khan is no exception than all other corrupt ministers in Bangladesh, who either were directly commiting crime or were rather abused by their friends and relatives in various ways. Whatever the fact may be, it is already a fact that Faruk Khan is the first man in the present government, who's name should be at the top of those failed ministers. Next is the foreign minister Dipu Moni. It is reported in the press that, Dr. Dipu Moni is spending more of her time abroad thant at home since she took the responsibility of the foreign minister in Bangladesh after the new government came in power in January 2009. Unfortunately, despite the shuttled trips of the foreign minister, there is no good news for Bangladesh through any of her efforts yet. She failed to resolve the ongoing crisis faces by the Bangladeshi workers in a number of nations in the world. It is evidently proved that Bangladeshi market of manpower is getting smaller almost every day since the present government came in power. Is it failure of diplomacy or lack of experience? I will say, both. Dipu Moni does not fit for the foregn minister's post, as Sahara Khatun never fitted as the home minister. Of course, it is a great opportunity of Dr. Dipu Moni to enrich her personal record of trips abroad.. But, in exchange, till date, although she already spent a few million dollars from the national exchequer, there is no result at all from her efforts. Nothing! Possibly some nations always wanted such naives as ministers in Bangladesh, so that they could continue their big-brotherly attitude with this nation. Before concluding, I surely should mention one particular matter. Few days back, when I was on the road, I saw the Mercedez Benz carrying Indian flag with the Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Charavarty rushing towards Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. There had been few more diplomatic vehicles belonging to other nations too. But, surprisingly, I saw, a jeep [Maruti with diplomatic number plate] using dutter and syren was escorting the vehicle of the Indian High Commissioner and was trying to skip all traffic rules. At least 3 policemen were inside that MARUTI jeep. Some other day, I saw the British High Commissioner in Dhaka also moving on road with similar facilities, while many others such as Japanese ambassador, Chinese ambassador, Saudi ambassador, French ambassador, Canadian High Commissioner etc just move on the roads as all other diplomats following the regular traffic rules. My question is, why the Indian high commissioner or British High Commissioner should use escort vehicles and move on the road of Dhaka as VVIPs? Are those foreign diplomats VVIPs in Bangladesh? No way! Can a Bangladeshi diplomat enjoy such facility in London or New Delhi? No way! Then why the British High Commissioner or Indian High Commissioner should move on Dhaka road like Viceroys? Hope both the diplomats will get some sence soon and fine tune their manners. Yes, if the British High Commissioner or Indian High Commissioner feel security threat, certainly Bangladesh government should accord all possible security protections to them. But, in that case, why not other diplomats in Bangladesh too? Moreover, before Awami League came in power, the Indian High Commissioner never used such escort by a MARUTI jeep using Dutter and Syren. Is there any special reason for the Indian High Commissioner now to feel that he does not need to follow the regular traffic in Dhaka and can move like a VVIP? |
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