Our bogey is Status Symbol

Regular trips to the air-conditioned shopping plazas, and buying foreign goods. Why? Because local goods have no credibility -- like our political culture. A few steps from our flat, one flashy Cyber Cafe was opened in our residential area. Now it has been replaced by a flashy general stores, of which more than 90 percent are imported items.

Watch the local TV commercials. Hugely imitative. What has happened to the cult of originality? The latter has no market value. Imitate and show off.

Most trendy shops do not stock local items. The newly-rich have to display their affluence. The shops selling household electrical appliances and electronic goods do not carry product information in printed form, normally supplied by the manufacturers (leaflet, brochure, pamphlet). How to make comparative studies? The shoppers do not care about specifications, and do not bother about checking on authorized after-sale services. Easy come, easy go! You are rich only once in your lifetime!

Politics is so easy nowadays. Use pre-emptive force, tadbir, influence and indulgence in nepotism. Nobody talks openly about corruption. It is the black and grey business of the 'other' guys. Take it or leave it. No choice. Today there are few options in life. Chew the cud like a cow, and be happy digitally (for a while) and discontented. Easy come, easy go.

Consider the contrast in the philosophy of root, in contrast to prancing on the branches and flitting around the leaves. The students look for synthetic degrees through note books and tutorials. Many know of families which employ several tutors for their wards. So much dependent, and trying to be outwardly independent! A greater sin is depending on too much wealth to propel the daily life. Simplicity (Clean living and high thinking) has lost its virtue. The gift of the gab is the winner.

One cabinet minister went on a face-saving trip to reprimand the TI (Transparency International) head office, for declaring Bangladesh the most corrupt country in the world for the fourth time running. His concern is bonafide, but how to initiate the rescue mission in the local society, at the national level, when three warnings were not enough? Addicted to addiction!

Resisting temptation is one of the most tough jobs in one's lifetime, anywhere in the world. Shortage of moral torch bearers. The ex-chief of BAC (Bureau of Anti-corruption) has come out with the expected disclosure about high-level interference in their work (DS Nov 29). Let us hope the Judiciary would no longer remain a wall flower.

Here is a quiz: How are the politicians supposed to clean up the social mess?