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,

Photo: Five condemned killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were hanged early today at Dhaka Central Jail amid tight security. Mohiuddin Ahmed (artillery) was first to be executed at 12:05am and then four others walked to the gallows one after another.Four others are Maj (retd) Bazlul Huda, Lt Col (retd) Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan, Syed Farooq Rahman and Maj (retd) AKM Mohiuddin (lancer). Tight security measures have been taken in and around Dhaka Central Jail over the executions. A large number of law enforcement agency members including RAB and police were deployed. Dhaka, Bangladesh. January 28, 2010.by Photo- A.M.Ahad,DrikNEWS.

Bangladeshi nation has finally had sigh of relief that the verdict of the Supreme Court of the self confessed killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the undisputed father of the nation has been executed.

5 of the 12 convicted killers were executed at Dhaka Central Jail last night, one already died abroad, 6 others are hiding. Nation could finally wipe off its curse. Bangladesh from rule of Jungle returned to rule of law.

The person who dedicated his entire life fighting for legitimate rights of the helpless Bangladeshis, person who spent most of his glorious youth behind the bar fighting for the autonomy, democratic rights of the downtrodden Bangladeshis, the person who could successfully motivate peace loving nation to resist and fight one of the strongest army to liberate the country was brutally murdered by some misguided elements of the armed forces. They proudly announced at home and abroad that they were killers. The cruelest part was that the conspirators, the plotters and the benefiaries passed act in the parliament indemnifying the killers from trial .Military rulers rewarded the killers with lucrative diplomatic assignment, allowed some of them to form political parties. These elements conspired to kill the two living members of Bangabandhu family.

Later Awami League government in 1996-2001 started the trial cancelling indemnity act .It took a long time to formally carry out trial process in civil court. By the time the next government was formed the appeal of the convicted criminals was the final stage of disposal.BNP-Jamat alliance government from 2001-2006 and Care Taker Government in two years did not take any initiative to complete the trial process. Finally PM Hasina led Mahajote Government winning the land slide victory in national election completed the trail process in about a year. 5 of the eleven convicts were executed.6 others absconders hiding abroad will walk the gallows as and when can be brought back from their place of hiding. Finally justice has been meted out to killers of the gruesome murder of Bangabandhu family including innocent women and children.

There is a saying that justice delayed is justice denied. Nation had to wait 35 years for justice and definitely justice is not denied here. Killing in any form of any one is a condemnable offence. Killers must face justice. But it is unimaginable to even think any civilised nation could keep the self confessed killers of its founder immune from justice passing act in the parliament. The government and the leaders who succeeded Bangabandhu government after 1975 till 1990 must also be brought under judiciary scanner for protecting and rewarding the killers. Killing of August 15th 1975 created more killings. 4 main leaders of the liberation war were killed brutally inside Dhaka Central Jail by the same group of the killers. The killer group and the defeated force of 1971 under state sponsorship carried out several killing missions. Many libration war sector commanders, freedom fighters in the army were killed to consolidate power of a so called liberation war front leader- planted agent of ISI from August 1975 till May 1981. Then another cunning fox conspired to kill several birds in the same shot to grab power and make Bangladesh the safe heaven of corruption and autocracy. Civil commotion overthrew the government in 1990.But true democracy could not be established. The beneficiaries of autocrat rule still dominated to propel the country to reverse gear. A popular government came to power in 1996 .Indemnity act was cancelled and trail process started. Government initiated massive war plans to rebuild countries economy from the brink. But unfortunately conspirators again conspired and installed their favoured rulers to power again to make Bangladesh safe heaven of corruption, anarchy and terrorism. From 2201- 2006 there was hardly any rule of law. There parallel government misruled the country, State sponsored terrorists carried out deadly grenade attack on opposition rally to kill leader of the opposition at the heart of the capital city in the broad day light. Elected MPs were killed, leading journalists were murdered. Government allowed terrorists of neighbouring countries safe hiding. Bangladesh was used as safe corridor for hauling deadly weapons. Bangladesh for four year in succession earned the ignominy of being the most corrupt country of the world.

Present government with huge mandate came to power in 2008 in a free, fair and neutral election acclaimed by all observers. They could hardly start functioning when another massive conspiracy to destabilise the country and unseat the government was staged through heinous killing at BDR headquarter in Peelkhna. The trail process of BDR carnage is continuing. Government is also proceeding positively to bring 1971 liberation war criminals under trial. All acts of killing and terrorism are set for proper probe and trial. The beneficiaries of all those acts are anxious. They are plotting and conspiring to create b new crisis.

People must remain alert to thwart all new conspiracy. People must stand solidly behind all good endeavours of the government. Government must also realise that people are its solid asset. Government must keep people aware of all its plans and actions. Government must make people aware of its challenges and limitations.

We can now have a sigh of relief that rule of law again has re established in Bangladesh. The killers of the greatest Bangladeshi ever born got punished. Bangladeshis in the committee of nation can again take pride that killers and conspirators in Bangladesh are punished according to the rules of law. We must congratulate the mahajote government for fulfilling yet another of its election pledges.
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Kh. A. Saleque (Saleque Sufi) is the ex-Director (Operation) GTCL and writes from Australia.

Three children pose while playing in the muddy water in the rural area. Dhaka, Bangladesh. May 24 2009,Photo- Sharif Sarwar.

Rural children play in the water when they come to river for bathing. Dhaka, Bangladesh. May 24 2009,Photo- Sharif Sarwar.

Children jump into the river from bridge while they come to river for bathing. Dhaka, Bangladesh. May 24 2009,Photo- Sharif Sarwar.

Children run through field after they played with the mud in river. Dhaka, Bangladesh. May 24 2009

Photo- Sharif Sarwar

Pohela Boishakh celebrated in Bogra, Image by Shafiq Islam, Drik News

This colorful rally was arranged by different cultural organizations in Bogra on the first day of Bangla Year 1416 (14th of April, 2009). The highlights of the rally were paper made colorful masks featuring owl, elephant, and crocodile figures.

Photo: Shafiqul Islam Kajol, DRIK News

Students of the fine arts institute of Dhaka University painted these masks which will be used tomorrow in the rallies of Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year. Dhaka, Bangladesh. April 13 2009

A farmer walks through a Boro paddy field. The price of the rice is expected to go down after the harvesting of this season’s Boro paddy.

Photo- Firoz Gazi, DRIK News, Jessore, Bangladesh. March 30 2009

Photo- Noor Alam, DRIK News

Indigenous children studying in a primary school in a rural village at Boshonto in Rangamati hill area. There are many schools established by Government and NGO’s in the hill tracts area for the indigenous children. Records show that 150,000 children from indigenous communities have dropped out of school, and the completion rate of those who do enroll is very low. The current services provided for indigenous children by various NGOs and the Govt. are inadequate. Govt. primary schools cannot operate in remote regions because they require a large student body to be cost effective.

Photo by Iqbal Ahmed, DRIK News

Rajshahi, Bangladesh. March 12 2009

A scene from the clash between two rival students political wings, the Islamic Chhatra Shibir (ICS) and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL)  at Rajshahi University on Wednesday. At least 20 BCL activists were injured during the clash. After the clash Shibir activists took control of all the male dormitories and forced BCL supporters out of their halls.

Photo- Shafiqul Islam Kajol, Drik News, Dhaka, Bangladesh

A school student is completing his lessons under candlelight due to power shortage in Dhaka. The power situation in the capital continues to worsen as the city dwellers everyday experience one-to-two hour long power cuts.

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