Perspective

Other pre-emptive raids will follow, as the chain of moral indiscipline has been activated, and it is too late to switch off the system. External forces cannot control this evil phenomenon. The break-up has already started from within, and the cracks can neither be repaired or covered up. This is the timeless law of retribution ruthless and neutral in its application, because it is self-imposed. History repeats itself, as human nature also undergoes cycles within a bandwidth. Mystics have predicted change of bandwidth, but it is not in the first phase of the cleansing process.

The political detergent agents (watch the soap TV commercials) have to return. Politics has been too much soiled and has become spotted. The spots camouflage like the leopard skin. The political laundry service is a new industry in the emerging countries. There is no point in using arsenic water for cleansing. Not enough.

Who are the groups directly or indirectly responsible for encouraging indiscipline in the society? Must be a section of corrupt leaders (regardless of vocation or avocation). It is easy to be a follower, as leadership has to be cultivated for years, but the followers enjoy the huge service charges earned from dubious operations. Instant fortune is difficult to resist (same in the invasion of Iraq).

The commission from the operators travel upwards it is the beginning of the rent-seeking culture, which has become popular in Bangladesh in the name of toll collections, extortion, coffee money and, you name it. Why the influential politicians, in or out of power, cannot resist temptation? The other hidden side is the misuse of power and influence. What an individual condoles or condones applies to himself also, but it is not publicly admitted ("I am not corrupt, may be others are"). Here comes the protection racket. It is a wide net, and well preserved, oiled and greased for smooth operation.

It makes good governance difficult--dealing with the unfaithful inside the home territory. The QC (quality control) rating of politics and governance has gone down, which the politicians should explain, without casting aspersion on the opponent camps. Recently one editor of a daily newspaper predicted (in his column) gloomy days for the politicians in the near future, as the public image is turning sour, and the mass sentiment might erupt at any time. The players cannot remain in the playing field without political stability and consensus. Question: how to enjoy politics, as we enjoy a WC match? Sounds silly at this point of time. Politics is more than daal-bhat!

There are too many opportunists turned brand-new have-nots. There is a subtle difference in the culture of corruption in the developed countries and in the third world. In the latter it is the economic insecurity in the near future; while in the former it is the relaxed ambition to grow rich and wealthy. Therefore the base in the DCs is broader, with a wider spectrum of players at the different tiers. Both the vertical and horizontal components are strong.

But it is the wrong time for the politicians to defend themselves, as the world situation is changing at short intervals, and none would come to help them. Public memory is short but sharp, and personal agonies are not forgotten easily. Do not make sentiment a victim or casualty, as such memory banks cannot be erased.

We come back to an old, boring issue: the price of leadership; measure in personal sacrifices and suffering, resisting temptation, having the right type of tolerance, and a host of other background virtues, which are swept aside under the new carpets. The local version is expressed in the idiom "chawa o pawa" (desire and fulfillment).

There is disparity of this motivation at the top and bottom ladders of the society, which is causing all the national headaches.

Well, above is a sort of check list. Who will draft the PCP -- the project concept paper?