Can't handle power!

Latest local example: the government, at long last, have reluctantly decided to allow generation of electricity in the private sector (initial limit 50 MW). It is a decade too late-no political consensus at the national level.

Second example: the market conditions compelled BTTB to go in for mobile (cellular) telephone service. But the opening was bungled up. (for the usual reasons), and now a court case is under way to check up on transparency (in public interest). BTTB will lose the fixed phone market.

Third example: the pathetic inability to lay natural gas pipeline network in the northern districts for so many decades. Example number four: the world's largest jute mills had to be closed down (labour union leaders contaminated politically). Our shipyards are not running, although we are in a deltaic region; and are blessed with around 300 rivers (and canals); and 90 per cent of sites in Bangladesh could be reached through waterways.

To misuse political power, our educational institutions had to be corrupted, adversely affecting the future generations. Today there is no respect for honesty and neutral stances: while hatred and intolerance rule the day. We have no patience or respect for others' views; and the society is divided-to achieve national unity!

We have bungled up lousy governance to such an extent that ordinary, normal leadership can no longer deliver. We cannot import leaders, and the young future leaders are indoctrinated in the wrong way. When the approach is not correct, there is no point in examining the details.

The electorate has to be tough and punishing. Our leaders are too much spoiled, and they do not know it, or do not care. This attitude will take its natural toll in due course. Sign? The collapse of the nine storey garment factory in Savar.

It is a warning symbol. The internal cracks will show up, in each and every sector. The heavy loads of unauthorised power are unsustainable with weak foundations, materially and morally. This is a built-up situation which cannot be nipped in the bud. Nobody talks about political tsunami. Why?