enned or enunciated, sayings and dialogue are akin to wine. They assume profundity with age whether it is the palate or the intellect.
This, notwithstanding the initial impact, that could be bitter in taste or a jolt to the psyche. There are phrases that are universal at first sight; there are those that are targeted to a community that think alike and there are others that fit geographical realities.
The inspiring words are often the outcome of growing frustration that seek a channel of expression. Equally balanced with logic and reality, they are lessons that remain unlearned and as is evident in these days, are following the fate of science and logic that are being irresponsibly ignored by the powers that be.
As a way round browbeating reigns, litterateurs, poets, and writers found refuge in lampoons, satires, and the abstract to expose, nay give expression to those many thoughts that were otherwise a crime to express.
Whatever the “ism” prevalent, there has been a consensus that education be widespread and easily accessible for populations, in order for the appreciation of the ways of the world that we have conjured up.
The argument over appropriateness of investment in education continues, as do the accusations that “quality” of education, its relevance with the changing circumstances, and advancement of understanding are being compromised. The fact and logic-based streams of learning are as frustrated in seeing their recommendations being pushed aside.
The increasing attempts to curb freedom of information flow and expression of speech by heads of government and state are giving more substance to Satyajit Ray, the iconic film-maker of India. His creations were based in his time but were far ahead of them. The dialogues pregnant in substance and punch provoked thought way after the film ended. They endured.
In Hirok Rajar Deshe, Ray wrote some of his most searing condemnation of the establishment. The statement (roughly translated) “the more they read, the more they know, the less they obey,” is a classic indictment of the inexplicable thoughts that have led to decisions being made ostensibly for the greater good.
The term had been coined as a cover for the more radical version in accepting PGR that there will be some (obviously in the human population) that will fall through the cracks. It is in defining the numbers that fall that should decide the benefits of “greater good.”
It is the failure of such definitions that has taken place. World leaders, over-inspired with their version of the greater good, have chosen to ignore the findings and warnings of scientists, sociologists, and economists, by coming up with lame excuses such as “fake news” and “magic.”
Dr Antony Faucci has been made ineffective after having been a focal point to the extent that he and his colleagues have been debarred from making statements to the media without vetting. Government doctors around the world, including Bangladesh, have been barred from speaking out on facilities or direness of the situation. Those that do, choose the mask of anonymity.
Previously, anonymity took the sting out of a statement. Nowadays, it doesn’t matter to the members of the public that are resigned to their fate. Tolerance to criticism, however indirect, has come to a zero. The proffered tolerance to mismanagement and corruption has risen from zero to unscalable proportions.
There is still time and scope to correct mistakes. Overhaul of the system, putting the right people in the right places. Informed decisions based on real statistics and assumptions can be made regarding budgetary allocations and taxation that appear to be almost unreal as they stand. In a country where official facts and figures of employment, social realities, and economic sustainability are at such divergence from private sector ones, the “greater good” definition will differ drastically depending on base assumptions.
The Bureau of Statistics data is both outdated and unreliable. Ground realities are being sexed up by the time they reach the top.
Unless radical changes are effected, there is a disaster waiting to happen as is inevitable when logic is made fallible.
Mahmudur Rahman is a writer, columnist, broadcaster, and communications specialist.
