Paradox in the land of poverty
In the late 1940s, our English third paper text for matriculation was "Our India" written by Mino Masani, a renowned Indian economist. An important examination question was explaining the paradox "poverty in the land of plenty" In contrast in Bangladesh with pronounced inferior quality of life we face the paradox of the opposite kind. Our society suffers the ills of the lack of reasonable habitation, acceptable standard of drinking water, healthcare and education, to say the least. New additions to the list of woes are unbridled corruption, absence of law and order, deplorable shortage in the sectors of power, transportation and employment. Yet we have "plenty in this land of poverty". Volvos, BMWs, make record-breaking sales in Bangladesh. Opulence and wasteful luxury is openly touted; palaces adjoin shanties, and lavish food is destined to the dustbins in all night parties, while beggars plead for a slice of bread.
Our paradox is "plenty in the land of poverty". Could someone explain the paradox and suggest a way out of this vortex of misery? But our leaders when in power tell all of us to only harp on the brighter side of things; and refer only to the non-existent silver lining of the looming dark clouds. Do they ponder or care? I wonder.
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