Children Park – a type of real social business

(example of MOON PARK & MOON HOUSE)

This was also published in The News Today 09 Dec 2010 and other blogs

http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=14376&date=2010-12-09

http://www.bdcomcn.com/English-Articles/children-park-a-type-of-real-social-business-of-moon-park-a-moon-house.html

 http://bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=343086  



Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, of Bangladesh while addressing the prize giving ceremony of a painting competition at Dhaka Osmani Smriti Auditorium on October 18, 2010, has directed the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to recover all the children’s parks in the capital. The prime minister, according to UNB Dhaka, vowed to establish a safe and prosperous Bangladesh for every child.

Yes, there is no doubt that concerned authorities would try their best to recover all government children parks, no matter how successful they would be to maintain and keep the campaign according to given directives from the highest executive of the government. But I, like many others, am little wondered as to how much those local influential illegal occupants have gone regarding places like Children parks too. There is no need to emphasize the requirement of children parks for the over all development of a total Children. Considering their importance’s, government did their parts and hopefully would continue doing the best in this regard always. But we being the brothers and sisters, parents and relatives, teachers and lovers of every child also got to think and do exactly in the same way as our Prime Minister thought and gave directives.

Because the government can not establish more and more children parks all of a sudden, and because we all also have the morale and social responsibilities too for all the children, so, we got to also do some thing, either individually or being in a group. We may think of taking following measures to ensure so that more and more children get the facilities of Children parks:

1. Authorities of schools and other educational institutions may consider establishing children parks at their own premises, no matter how small or big those could be. They should also ensure the proper maintenances of all existing children parks.

2. Those who, specially at rural area, can effort to make few items of children park at their own premises may also make such facilities available for their own and local children. There are few such items directly related to physical exercises which don’t need lot of space, cost or electricity. Besides, such can be made with collective efforts too. Some one may also think of making the same at their roof top at city location too. The idea is so that every child gets the minimum facilities of Children Park.

3. Many rich people of our society already have hundreds and thousands of “Farm Houses” (bagan bari in bengali pronunciation) of their own. Those are indeed their spare houses out side the city areas mostly for their personal leisure and pleasure. Of course I am not trying to say any thing against their farm houses, however, would like to humbly suggest so that they could also think of making those, whole or part of those, in to some thing like children park for the local children and thus allow local children to play there either free of cost or with little ticket money. We always talk about social responsibilities and social businesses. Arranging such facilities for the children could be one of the best social responsibilities. Again the concepts of social businesses often emphasized by our Noble Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus are known to the whole world and also widely discussed. So, from that point of view too, some token ticket money may also be charged from incoming children, however, the ticket fee got to be within affordable limit of those rural parents too.

Frankly speaking, I won’t suggest any of above if I won’t believe on those totally. I use to always think in the past about these children park facilities for our rural poor children. That is the reason I tried to establish two such children park at my own according to my personal interest, planning, limited economic capabilities and efforts. Spending my pension money, I have established one Children park named Moon Park at village PIRUJALI in General Area Hotapara, Gazipur. The area is near writer Humayun Ahmed’s Nuhash Polli and really green and comfortable in all seasons.

Well, for this case, I tried to establish and experiences by myself first and then now trying to suggest some thing for others too. It is said in the religion also that you try to do the same first before you suggest the same to others. When ever, I heard or read about the social businesses expressed by noble laureate Dr. Yunus, tried to think and identify as to how many types of social businesses could there be, specially for a country like Bangladesh? I also tried to think always as to what maximum social benefits can be offered with what minimum charges from different types of social businesses. Well, there can be many different types, but, for me, I have desired to do some thing related to children’s health, enjoyment, excitement, mental growth, physical exercise etc, and so thought of establishing one children park for them as part of so-well-discussed social business.

Now at this stage, being little encouraged by the noble directives of honorable prime minister of Bangladesh, I have only one aim of mentioning this as an example and that is, so that others who are interested may also establish such children parks at different parts of our country. Besides, those who are already having their Farm Houses (bagan bari) may also become interested as well as feel responsible to tern their those farm houses, part or whole, into children park for the local rural children and allow them to play either free of charge or with little token ticket money.

“Moon Park” is a small eco friendly green garden which is also used for picnic or outing spot for those city people who may afford to rent it and be interested to enjoy the green nature as part of their rest and refreshment. However, the focus is always given to the local children’s playing and that is why the word “park” is associated with it’s name. Any one may be wondered to know that a local child may visit and play at Moon Park with only taka ten ($ US 10 cents only) per person. The Moon Park was inaugurated on 14 April 2010 (pohela boishak) through arrangement of boishakhi mela (local fair organized on the bengali new year) where all the incoming children along with their parents, friends and relatives were allowed to go inside and play with free of charge. Surprisingly the total presence on that very single day crossed the figure 2500 (almost 100% children of that general area) which really proved in my mind that, yes, our children really need such facilities. I also felt very comfortable inside for being able to make one such park for our rural children. The smiling faces of our rural deprived children are still in my memories, pictures of which can also be shared by readers from below web link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/113734232071731875096/MoonPark#

“Moon House” is also another such place, same eco friendly garden with children park facilities where children can not only play but also see life birds and fishes. No matter how many facilities children are enjoying inside but only taka 30 ($ US 40 cents only) is charged per person. It is designed to be a real safe house for the playing of children and that is why the word “house” is associated with it’s name.

It may be mention that the eco friendly green gardens of both Moon Park and Moon House are also attracting foreigners and as such contributing to the tourism in Bangladesh too. Hope the scope of tourism in this sector would also increase in future.

I hope both Moon Park and Moon House would be able to contribute for children’s playing in the long run as part of social businesses in real sense. I also hope that many other persons having similar feelings like me would also try to do some thing better for our children which are so necessary for their total development. Children would carry us forward, they are our future hopes and so we must do our best to do best for them.

For those who may be interested to know about Moon House and Moon Park for their picnic or outing purposes may also brows below web link:

http://www.moonhousemoonpark.com/

 email: moonhouse.moonpark@gmail.com,

When Bill Clinton was campaigning against George Bush Sr. in 1991 (who had 90% approval rating at that time), a Clinton adviser, James Carville, hung a sign in his office that said “It’s the economy, stupid.” This referred to the fact that Bush’s 90% approval rating came from winning the 1991 Gulf War but the economy was getting bad and it will hurt Bush soon. That’s exactly what happened–in 1992 Bush had 64% disapproval, and “It’s the economy, stupid” became immortalized as the phrase that best describes what voters care about the most. We saw another example of this when Clinton was president: despite personal scandals, Clinton oversaw a booming economy and is still hugely popular in the USA–the voters really did not care what he did that did not affect the country or the economy.

There is no reason to think that Bangladeshi voters are any different. They punished AL in 2001, BNP in 2008, and will do it again in 2014 if AL can not deliver on its promises.

So here is my humble suggestion: take care of building a solid Analog Bangladesh before trying to go digital.

In the Bangladeshi context, what does this mean? The answer is simple: Food and essentials prices, law and order, transportation.

First, kill Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB). Since 1974, TCB has never been able to control market prices–so why carry this white elephant?

Second: remove the requirement for government licenses to import food. Why would a marchant need a new license to import Onions or Rice if he already has a license to trade? This only keeps out competition, and makes the Khatunganj syndicate stronger. AMA Muhith spoke last night about breaking up the syndicates. Give everyone the power to import, and the syndicates will vanish on their own.

Third: Accept that police officers are sometimes corrupt. Change the current process called “closing” when a police officer is caught. That is nothing but a joke. The current laws of the republic are sufficient: just enforce them. Establish an “Internal Affairs” department under the ACC, give them the power and the task to root out police corruption and misdeeds, and see what happens. Start with Kohinoor Mia and the other corrupt police officers who framed Joj miah for the bus bombings.

The PM has kept defense in her own hand, and a former DGFI chief, Major Gen. (rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddik is now her security adviser. Can we expect that crimes committed by the Army will not be swept under the rug any more? Specifically, I am referring to the Chalesh Ritchill Sangma’s death, and the judicial commission that was set up to investigate it. Let us, for once, see that a uniform does not grant a virtual indemnity, and that justice is served. Set one example, dear Prime Minister, and the rest will follow.

Fourth: Ask each Minister to take a public oath that they will not call any police officer and ask them to release any criminal.

Fifth: Establish an efficient mass transit system in Dhaka. Please, I beg you. Just an overhead light rail will do. Start with Mirpur to Motijheel by 2012, and add routes in the next few years if possible.

Then we can talk about a Digital Bangladesh.

J @ Shada Kalo [http://shadakalo.blogspot.com] writes using a pseudonym and is best known for exposing government, military, corporate foul plays through whistle-blowing investigative reports.

[Read posts by J @ Shada Kalo]

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, whom I knew, had the gift of amazing oratory skill and blazing revolutionary fervour which made him an iconic politician to many young activists like me in 70s. In his mercurial political trek from revolutionary nihilist to centrist AL till date, his followers always felt measurably abandoned by the leader at every turning point of the journey. In the present context when exponents of democracy should remain stead fast and united under the party banner to counter the enormous thrust of conspiracy against democratic institutions, his article appears to be anecdotal and detrimental to his own political identity. We can only hope Manna will work to overcome his political and emotional pitfalls and will be able to show his political maturity not duplicity at this critical point in time.

The reactions of the readers deftly dealt with the intentions of Peer’s articles bringing under spotlight, unlike highly publicized corruption of the politicians, the silent but rampant corruption that has plagued journalism and the tale of a pen turning into a tool of a bounty hunter.

Lutfur Rahman Riton’s Open letter to Moeen U Ahmed

[Jagoruk Manush, Canada]

Lutfur Rahman Riton received Bangla Academy Award 2007 on juvenile literature. This award earned him kudos and criticism as well. The timing of give and take of this award churned a cloud of suspicion in many minds including mine, more apolitical less literary and a long time admirer of Riton. A recent poetry of Riton, a posthumous tribute to the greatest pen-warrior Wahidul Huq, helped me see Riton at a much higher ground, much beyond his limericks and spoofs. His sudden arrival in Canada couple of years ago, as a political exile, had created a huge inertia of excitement among his fans and local Bangalee literary hubs. That also has decimated in a relatively short time, and his initial presence at the centre of every arty and literary podium has now reduced to living room sizzling adda. His life in Ottawa gliding on odd jobs was not uncommon for a starter in Canada, but certainly a huge plunge from his immediate velvety past as a diplomat. His diplomatic assignment in Japan is found as critically inappropriate but hefty dividend of his earlier political investments, thanks to Awami League’s brief respite from street to the power.

However, the timing of Riton,s open letter to General Moeen U published on June 22, 2007 in ‘Weekly 2000’ with a shrill  of appreciation for the General left many of his fans and comrades like me flabbergasted. Particularly, when the time, tune and the turf have been too hostile for an aficionado of democracy to waltz with the wolf.  .In his open letter to the General, Riton articulated his total alliance, punctuated by a feeble request to stop liaisons with war criminals, with the mesmerising ambitions of the General on political reforms and corruption cleansing. Riton’s emotional aberration went further in cajoling the General to pay him eighty dollar that he spent on overseas calls for his abortive attempt to contact the General for a live chat and to whisper his love for his agendas. General did not falter to seize the opportunity and precisely after a month on July 22, 2007, in an interview, in a befitting response to his new found ‘beau politico’, he assured him bounty much more than mere eighty dollar.

Riton often used to complain about a bus ticket to Toronto that his pedestrian life in Ottawa could not afford him. Last month, all of a sudden, he found a magic carpet to fly him in luxury to Bangladesh. Public radar got the blips from Dhaka of a floral reception and goose step honour on red carpet and a ceremonial handover of a ‘lifetime ladder’. The first step of the telescopic ladder took him to the podium of Bangla Academy. A prestige envelope with a point One Million Taka cheque was the first consignment of humble payback from the General in response to a meagre demand of Dollar Eighty and a certificate, which Riton undisputedly deserves but not from this Bangla Academy, was an untimely harvest of his life long cultivation.

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Jagorook Manush [http://jagorookbangalee.blogspot.com] writes micro analysis of events unfolding in Bangladesh. He is a vigilante to materialize the dreams of our martyrs and uses to write as a Guest Blogger for E-Bangladesh. He prefers to remain anonymous for his own personal reasons in the present context. 

Abdul Jalil and Anxious Awami League Supporters in front of LabAid hospital . Photo: Banglar Chokh 

[Jagorook Manush, Canada]

Here is an urgent appeal to save a Freedom Fighter of 1971. His name is Abdul Jalil. He is fighting for his life in a hospital prison cell. His kidney is not functioning. His heart is failing. His blood is not getting enough haemoglobin to keep him alive. Whatever charges (if any) are against him are a matter of the court and the law of the country and should be processed accordingly. But he is in the prison without any trial without any chance for self defence, which is very unfair. A freedom fighter, who had directly fought for this country, does not deserve a death in the prison cell without proper treatment, in utter negligence and humiliation. Please do something before the life of this freedom fighter comes to an end.

I feel so helpless, so much frustrated that I myself do not know how to request or demand the release of Abdul Jalil to the present Government. I am asking your conscience; please keep your intellectual discussions and debates aside for a while. Please look beyond your political allegiances and preferences and think of Abul Jalil as a person. Please think for a moment about Abdul Jalil, who fought for the freedom of our country, how he can spend his last days of life with honour and respect that he deserves and can die as a freeman in his country. Please mobilize and use your every resource you have to save Abdul Jalil.

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Jagorook Manush [http://jagorookbangalee.blogspot.com] writes micro analysis of events unfolding in Bangladesh. He is a vigilante to materialize the dreams of our martyrs and uses to write as a Guest Blogger for E-Bangladesh. He prefers to remain anonymous for his own personal reasons in the present context. 

[Update from Dhaka Correspondent]

The ailing Awami League general secretary Abdul Jalil was released on a 30-day parole on Sunday night to enable him to have better medical treatment abroad.

The government, however, imposed a number of conditions for the 30 days of his being on parole.

Family sources said, Jalil, who had been undergoing treatment in a private clinic in Dhaka, would be flown to Singapore today for treatment of his ill-functioning kidneys and some other complications.

As the jail code does not permit a prisoner to take treatment abroad, the interim government ordered his release on parole on humanitarian ground only after his health condition deteriorated. 

The 30-day parole began at 7:45pm Sunday. 

A government handout issued Sunday night said Jalil was released on parole for 30 days but imposed a number of conditions if he goes abroad for treatment. 

‘Jalil or relatives accompanying him will inform the Bangladesh mission within three days of his arrival in a country for treatment and will not be involved in politics and business there’, says the handout. 

The other conditions are – he will not be able to communicate with anybody or any organisations about any issues excepting the issues related to his health. He will inform the government immediately after his treatment completes and will return home. He will not travel to other countries other than the country he is allowed to go for treatment.  

‘His parole will be cancelled if any of the conditions is violated’, the handout said. 

Earlier, chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed held an emergency meeting with some of his cabinet colleagues at his office and decided to give him parole.

A five-member high-powered medical team was also formed at the meeting to report to assess condition of the AL leader, who was arrested from his Mercantile Bank office at Dilkusha on May 28 last year.

Hundreds of party leaders and followers of Jalil thronged to LabAid hospital in the afternoon hearing his release on Parol.

Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Abdur Razzak, Suranjit Sengupta, Syed Ashraful Islam, Shahara Khatun were among the leaders who met Jalil at the hospital.

Amu told reporters at the hospital that they would take Jalil to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.

Earlier briefing newsmen at his office, home adviser MA Matin said the authorities sometimes have to compromise with law in some special circumstances. ‘If necessary, Jalil may go abroad for better treatment on the parole.’

Asked why the AL general secretary should not be released since he was neither convicted nor any specific charges were framed against him, the adviser said, he would be paroled on ‘humanitarian ground’.

The government brought no specific charge against Jalil in more than six months after his detention for his alleged involvement in trying to destabilise the country by making provocative statements.

The Anti-Corruption Commission lodged a case with Ramna police station accusing him of concealing wealth in his wealth statement on December 18, five days after the High Court declared his detention illegal and ordered the jail authorities to release Jail if there is no case pending against him.

Later Jalil was shown arrested in the case on January 1, 2008. Earlier his name came up in the third lists announced by the ACC on May, 2007.

Asked about other ailing detainees, Matin said same decision would be taken if similar cases were found.

He said, they were well aware of the health conditions of detained AL president Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia who were suffering from various diseases.

‘Health conditions of madam Hasina and madam Khaleda Zia were not so bad that similar decision should be taken in their cases.’ 

Jalil was admitted to the LabAid Hospital on July 15, 2007. Hs condition deteriorated on February 28 leading to formation of a medical board to assess his health condition on Saturday. The board suggested immediate transplantation of his kidneys in a developed centre. Water was developing in his lunge and body due to the malfunctioning kidneys.

His family and the AL leaders were demanding his release and sending him abroad for better treatment. The government finally released him parole paving way for treatment in abroad as his health turned grave on Sunday.