Time to end student politics and rebuild the nation

No developed nation has reached its present status by nurturing violence corruption within the boundaries of educational institution. If we turn to the history of the so called G8 or EU nations, nowhere it is evident that students enacted their political belief within the periphery of their campuses.

This does not mean that the government can ensure complete elimination of the vice all by itself. Without the sincere participation of the students themselves it will be an impossible task. If we can grab this opportunity to finally decide that we will start on the right footing the whole world will come together to aid us with means that they have been reluctant to commit until now, only because of an unstable political situation. Development projects continue to remain unfinished and we receive no meaningful enhancement in terms of research and development.

The political parties must play their role by ensuring that their members are well educated in politics and not well practiced in crimes. When there is an illegal position to claim, there can be no legal means to attain it. This requires active participation of political parties and their members to be dedicated to the cause not only in words but also in deed. The politicians should play their role as representatives of the people. The constituencies they represent, the people whose votes determine their positions must be impartially rewarded. The burden of the political parties must not be borne by the cadres of universities. The shady deals, if any, made by the ministerial quarters must be settled by their own comrades, and not by any imposition on the students.

When education would reach the masses, no village will have to lend truckloads of innocent villagers to shout at the political rallies. The parties must have the finesse to produce their own supporters, supporters who can acknowledge and understand why they need to be present at the meetings and what is the agenda they are trying to follow. Education cannot be placed aside for the sake of the political career building of a few.

To compete in markets that tend to succeed, our entrepreneurs suffer losses everyday because of the lack of confidence of their international business partners. Confidence building is an initiative when truly pursued will ascertain the fate and fortunes of our nation.

While the clock is ticking away and before too many innocents fall victims to the deluding clarion call of the political parties, we must face the nation dutifully. Let us believe in the consequences of our good deeds. If we unite without a cause, posterity will never know the facts. We must for a cause. The process of elimination of accumulated ills will not come without obstacles. Those who have become accustomed to the ignominious lifestyles made possible by 'Mastan-loot', will have to rethink their means of income. We will not see the results overnight but a positive change is inevitable.

A nation as poor as we claim to be has no time to lose. If we do not embrace opportunity now we may never get another chance. This is our golden moment to show the world we are not unaware of the need for a society free from violence and corruption. We can capitalise on the global concept and demand that the world take us seriously. It is up to all of us to exercise our sovereignty and rebuild the nation we are proud to call Bangladesh.

Rubana Ahmed is a freelance writer.