If a political analyst or commentator had informed me that most people in Bangladesh are well disposed to India and that New Delhi had good intentions towards this country I would assume that he was recently released from Pabna lunatic asylum or was a paid agent of RAW or was a die-hard Awami Leaguer.
To my utter surprise an apparently respectable (but unknown) organization RDC (Research and Development Centre)had conducted a survey amongst (presumably sane) Bangladeshis asking them their impression about India's attitude towards Bangladesh. A staggering 45% of those surveyed apparently believed that India had a good disposition towards the country while a minority (35%) believed that it did not and 19% did not know. The terms of reference of the survey were not revealed or who the sponsors of this Research and Development Centre were or how the survey was conducted. I can only assume that the survey had been done in areas with a large proportion of AL constituents.
Fortunately The Independent saved us from embarrassment by emphasizing that the survey only showed a 'thin majority' who believed India was friendly towards Bangladesh.
On 5/17/10, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:
----- Forwarded message ----------
From: Javed Ahmad javedahmad@yahoo.com
It is hard to call India "friendly" when the trigger happy BSF members are continually killing innocent and poor Bangladeshis near the border for their target practice. The members of the present government would have to pay a heavy price on the Day of Judgment when these people would launch a complain to Allah for not taking any action.
083.004 Do they not think that they will be called to account?-
083.005 On a Mighty Day,
083.006 A Day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds?
083.007 Day! Surely the record of the wicked is (preserved) in Sijjin.
083.008 And what will explain to thee what Sijjin is?
083.009 (There is) a Register (fully) inscribed.
083.010 Woe, that Day, to those that deny-
083.011 Those that deny the Day of Judgment.
--- On Mon, 5/17/10, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com>
Subject: How people perceive and think about ties with India
To:
Date: Monday, May 17, 2010, 6:58 AM
The Independent, in collaboration with the Research and Development Center, has commissioned a continuing programme of opinion surveys in Bangladesh to determine what the adult public thinks of important contemporary issue. We have designed this exercise to be the most comprehensive survey of what the common citizen feels about vital matters in the public life of our country. The survey will also track key social and economic trends at the household and individual level.
The Independent and RDC Public Poll surveys will often offer a surprise and contrast to the views and reportage of the existing state of information offered by the mainstream media. Indeed, the very purpose of these surveys is to try and reveal the possible and potential gap between presumed and actual realities of public opinion. Overall, our surveys will provide a richer context for public understanding as well as understanding the public in Bangladesh.
The Independent-RDC Public Poll 3 specifically looked at our bilateral ties with neighbouring India.As expected, the opinion was sharply polarized on the issue; but overall those who were well-disposed towards India formed a thin majority.
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