Crafting a positive image of Bangladesh

A class of people in Bangladesh are seen very good at imprinting into the minds of  their fellow countrymen and, more significantly foreigners, the notion that their country is small and insignificant in all respects.   Henry Kissinger, the  very famous former US Secretary of State started it all by describing Bangladesh as a  “ bottomless basket ” in its post-independence period meaning that this country was destined to be a hopeless  and endless case of international charity that would go down the chute of  its corruption with no impact  of the  international assistance seen on its development.
But today’s Bangladesh is a different story. It pays nearly fifty per cent of the costs of its annual development plan (ADP) and  raises entirely the resources for its  administrative budget. It is noted for relying less and less  on foreign aid for its sustenance and meeting the needs of its developmental activities.
Forty three years down the road,  Kissinger’s  description of  Bangladesh has been, no doubt, resoundingly proven wrong. Unlike  the failed states  with which Kissinger sought to bracket Bangladesh,  Bangladesh has slowly but steadily made progress in different spheres without back sliding over these last over four decades to carve out a place  of respect in the  family of nations.
It has become  self sufficient in food production despite being one of the most populous countries of the world . It has developed a first class export-oriented apparel industry and is among the top five apparel exporting  nations. Its shipbuilding,  pharmaceutical and IT industries are fast emerging to be counted in a major way in the international scene. It has become a coveted market of nearly 90 million people with an existence above the poverty line. There are many other success stories to be noted in Bangladesh.  
For the moment, however, there are certainly strong points in favour of Bangladesh. Notwithstanding the present bitter focus on Bangladesh as one of the worst corruption afflicted countries , the reality is  that Bangladesh is no Somali or Ethopia where people starve in millions and  warlordism hold sway in place of a constitution or government. Indeed, the conditions of Bangladesh are far better than many countries of the world and it only requires caring and non prejudiced eyes to see its real strengths and potential.
Nation building can be a long story notwithstanding the eagerness of those who are accustomed to speed in all matters. Thus, there is no reason to be so deeply pessimistic about the future of Bangladesh.

The writer writes from Austin, Texas,USA

 

Crafting a positive image of Bangladesh

A class of people in Bangladesh are seen very good at imprinting into the minds of their fellow countrymen and, more significantly foreigners, the notion that their country is small and insignificant in all respects. Henry Kissinger, the very famous former US Secretary of State started it all by describing Bangladesh as a bottomless basket in its post-independence period meaning that this country was destined to be a hopeless and endless case of international charity that would go down the chute of its corruption with no impact of the international assistance seen on its development. But todays Bangladesh is a different story. It pays nearly fifty per cent of the costs of its annual development plan (ADP) and raises entirely the resources for its administrative budget. It is noted for relying less and less on foreign aid for its sustenance and meeting the needs of its developmental activities. Forty three years down the road, Kissingers description of Bangladesh has been, no doubt, resoundingly proven wrong. Unlike the failed states with which Kissinger sought to bracket Bangladesh, Bangladesh has slowly but steadily made progress in different spheres without back sliding over these last over four decades to carve out a place of respect in the family of nations. It has become self sufficient in food production despite being one of the most populous countries of the world . It has developed a first class export-oriented apparel industry and is among the top five apparel exporting nations. Its shipbuilding, pharmaceutical and IT industries are fast emerging to be counted in a major way in the international scene. It has become a coveted market of nearly 90 million people with an existence above the poverty line. There are many other success stories to be noted in Bangladesh. For the moment, however, there are certainly strong points in favour of Bangladesh. Notwithstanding the present bitter focus on Bangladesh as one of the worst corruption afflicted countries , the reality is that Bangladesh is no Somali or Ethopia where people starve in millions and warlordism hold sway in place of a constitution or government. Indeed, the conditions of Bangladesh are far better than many countries of the world and it only requires caring and non prejudiced eyes to see its real strengths and potential. Nation building can be a long story notwithstanding the eagerness of those who are accustomed to speed in all matters. Thus, there is no reason to be so deeply pessimistic about the future of Bangladesh. The writer writes from Austin, Texas,USA