Bangladesh stunned �basket case� storyteller: Prof Anisuzzaman

Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman yesterday said those who termed Bangladesh as a basket case in 1971-1972 had to admit now that the country has attained an unthinkable growth, reports UNB.
He came up the remarks while addressing a seminar titled ‘Seven years of change’ at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB).
The Publicity and Publication Sub-committee of ruling Awami League organised the seminar on completion of the government’s seven years in office in two terms.
Anisuzzaman said the present government has been able to hold the trial of crimes against humanity committed during the War of Liberation and executed several verdicts as per its election pledges, which many could not even imagine. Although there was international pressure on the government for not going with the war crimes trial, it has been possible to continue the trial for the boldness of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the prominent intellectual said.
Noting that the country’s democratic institutions could not flourish in the last 25 years as expected, he said the government should give more attention in this regard. “When democratic institutions will get strong, democracy will have a strong base,” he said.
Prof Anisuzzaman, however, lamented that corruption could not be wiped out completely from the country, and underscored the need for giving local government bodies proper footing.
In his speech, economist Dr Binayak Sen said the construction of the much-hyped Padma Bridge proves that success can come out of crisis.
He lamented that although the size of middle class is increasing in the country and the poverty rate is decreasing, the discrimination has increased further.
Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury said many say the judiciary is not independent. “Nothing could be a grater falsehood than saying it.”
The judiciary is now enjoying full independence which was absent in the past. “When I was a judge, I never felt lack of independence,” he said.
Presided over by Prime Minister’s Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam, the programme was addressed, among others, by Jatiya Press Club President Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman.

Bangladesh stunned �basket case� storyteller: Prof Anisuzzaman

Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman yesterday said those who termed Bangladesh as a basket case in 1971-1972 had to admit now that the country has attained an unthinkable growth, reports UNB. He came up the remarks while addressing a seminar titled Seven years of change at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB). The Publicity and Publication Sub-committee of ruling Awami League organised the seminar on completion of the governments seven years in office in two terms. Anisuzzaman said the present government has been able to hold the trial of crimes against humanity committed during the War of Liberation and executed several verdicts as per its election pledges, which many could not even imagine. Although there was international pressure on the government for not going with the war crimes trial, it has been possible to continue the trial for the boldness of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the prominent intellectual said. Noting that the countrys democratic institutions could not flourish in the last 25 years as expected, he said the government should give more attention in this regard. When democratic institutions will get strong, democracy will have a strong base, he said. Prof Anisuzzaman, however, lamented that corruption could not be wiped out completely from the country, and underscored the need for giving local government bodies proper footing. In his speech, economist Dr Binayak Sen said the construction of the much-hyped Padma Bridge proves that success can come out of crisis. He lamented that although the size of middle class is increasing in the country and the poverty rate is decreasing, the discrimination has increased further. Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury said many say the judiciary is not independent. Nothing could be a grater falsehood than saying it. The judiciary is now enjoying full independence which was absent in the past. When I was a judge, I never felt lack of independence, he said. Presided over by Prime Ministers Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam, the programme was addressed, among others, by Jatiya Press Club President Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman.