04-02-2022

FrIDAy, FebrUAry 4, 2022
4
We need to abandon our consumerist mindset
Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam
e-mail: editor@thebangladeshtoday.com
Friday, February 4, 2022
Eviction of rickshaws
and hawkers
Among the prescription for curing road jams in Dhaka city,
two suggestions have been there for a long time : getting
rid of the rickshaws from main roads and also evicting the
hawkers from there. The slow-moving rickshaws help to create
traffic jams and the hawkers occupy road spaces blocking the
free flow of traffic and pedestrians.
But the two appear to be grossly oversimplified solutions also
to the problem of traffic jams. For there are many reasons for
traffic jams-all of them equally important and highly
contributory to the ever present jams. Thus, it is not wisdom to
blame the jams only on hawkers and rickshaws and going for
surgical like drastic measures thinking that the same would like
Aladin's lamp magically make traffic jams a think of the past.
Indeed, the traffic jams issue is not so simple that it can be so
easily solved by only evicting hawkers and rickshaws. If it were,
then why do we see such chronic jams all the time even in
thoroughfares where rickshaws do not ply and the hawkers do
not sit. This situation only goes to prove that the problem of
traffic jams is a multi-faceted phenomenon that can be addressed
with only multiple measures. Of course, none will deny that
transition from rickshaws to motorized transports and getting
the hawkers into shops instead of pavements, are desirable
developments for a planned and neat city as well as for the
partial positive impact of the same on road jams.
But it is also extremely important not to attach
disproportionate importance to these two factors for jams and
going for abrupt actions to scare away all the hawkers and
rickshaws away from the roads at one go. The same may be
attempted in a graduated manner over time building alternative
opportunities for the hawkers and rickshaw pullers and as the
plans and their implementation to this end make progress. Any
attempt to rob them of their occupations overnight will neither
lead to any significant ameliorative effect on jams but would
rather lead to volcanic like eruptions of discontent on the part of
the victims of such actions. The same then could very
dangerously undermine peaceful living and social relations not
only in the nation's capital city but gradually also elsewhere in
the country.
Reports appeared in the press that government has decided to
take actions to evict hawkers and rickshaws from the roads to
ease traffic jams. Statements were reportedly made by a
minister about the imminence of such a move when a foreign
dignitary came to meet him. Understandably, the unveiling of
this information has created consternation in concerned circles.
For any rash move at this point to enforce these decisions are
almost certain to set off awful backlashes from the people to be
affected. There could be rioting, arson and all kinds of violence
from those who would consider the same as a direct threat to
their survival. And these things happening or lingering for some
time could pull the city's living conditions for its uninvolved
residents to the lowest depths from strifes and violence.
One only has to look at the recent happenings at Rupganj in the
outskirts of the city to realize how severe and violent the backlash
can be from people when they sense that their basic sustenance
is at stake. The disciplined forces in uniform were pitted against
mobs in the Rupganj incident and the former were almost
overwhelmed. We cannot simply have repeats of such anarchy if
the drift towards complete breakdown of authority and law and
order is to be avoided. Certainly such anarchies must not be
allowed to be encouraged in Dhaka city by poorly conceived
decision on the part of government leaders. Bangladesh would be
well set in no time on a course of bloody revolution from
encouraging such policies.
Besides, one also has to look at the economic rational behind
such moves. The eviction of hawkers and rickshaw pullers will
not solve the traffic jam problem. But it would take away selfemployment
and means of earning their subsistence from a vast
number of the poor in the city. Government is not helping any
with their survival. They are helping themselves and providing
basic needs to themselves and their family members. But all on a
sudden, they could find their ways of earnings or income gone.
Nothing could be more unkind or inconsiderate and also
economically counter productive as the eviction move would
only seriously worsen unemployment and poverty.
The hawkers peddle merchandise on roads which are far
cheaper than ones at stores as they have to bear no establishment
costs. And non affluent people are mainly the consumers of such
relatively cheaper products. They would loathe to see their handy
source of supply gone. The hawkers and their family members
and the non affluent consumers together form the greater
number in the population of the city. It can be neither
democratic nor benevolent to rob them of their source of
earnings and better bargain respectively. Not only the hawkers
live off their trade directly. A large number of people are
engaged in the small enterprises that produce the numerous
merchandise peddled by the hawkers. Thus, there are large
investments in such enterprising also. Thus, the hawkers, their
family dependents, the producers of the goods they sell and their
family dependents as well - all would be threatened by the
eviction. Some 10 to 20 million people could be adversely
affected.
As for the rickshawpullers, they are officially some 70 thousand
in numbers but actually are more than a million strong. They
and their dependants form a vast number of the poor in the city
. The rickshaws are also completely relied on by a very large
section of middle class people who cannot even dream of owning
private cars nor can they ride suffocating transports like buses.
The rickshaws are also completely environment-friendly and
enable import substitution of fuel oil on a large scale.
Government must not ignore all of these considerations and
go for rabid actions that would only compound the problems.
What is true
happiness, and
what drives us
to live happily on this
earth? Lately, this
question has been
revolving in my mind.
There was no way I
could get it off my head.
There was a lot of reading about this, from Indian
philosophy to Tolstoy, including Greek
philosophy. It is like firing a cannon to kill a fly. I
recently read the book "Flow: The Psychology of
Optimal Experience" written by a Hungarian
psychologist Mihali Sikzentmihali in 1990 with
great attention. The author of the book, like me,
posed a simple question. We need most to make
our lives happy and live happily.
The code of joy and happiness seems
unfamiliar to all of us. But what are we not doing
in the hope of getting these two? It is safe to say
that almost all of us have somehow managed to
bring pleasure to our lives. Many of them are
engaged in dreaming while keeping their arms
around them! The world is like a dream. But as
soon as the rash of the dream begins, the
unbearable pain of life is crushed by the
intolerable unhappiness. Then it seems that no
one is happy. The Hungarian author discusses the
nature of the flow of happiness. Happiness is a
physical and mental state when a person forgets
about the universe. At that point, the person
becomes entirely focused on the task at hand.
Nothing but that work can make that person
impatient. That work is the ultimate attainment
and peace of that person for that time. Properly
finishing the work is the ultimate meditation and
duty of the person. According to
Csikszentmihalyi, there is a time when a person
has a strong feeling of peace, excitement, or joy in
his mind, and he becomes oblivious of the whole
universe, which is the moment of the best blissful
experience. When we feel happy, we all cherish
and cherish it for a long time - it is a flow of joy and
happiness, the same happiness as the author sees.
Surprisingly, my little grandson explained this
simple but ultimate truth to me beautifully and
fluently. My serious study and research on
happiness and bliss seemed to vanish instantly. I
am delighted with the childish wisdom of this little
boy. As if simplicity is the best. This young boy,
who is only twelve years old and is studying in
class seven in a high-quality school in Dhaka, is
very focused on art and studies. During the short
period of my visit to Bangladesh, whenever I got a
chance, he would come to me to showcase his
diverse aesthetic craftsmanship. Sometimes he
would look at me with great admiration if in case
there was a hint of appreciation about his work
from me. But I can swear that I was fascinated by
the art of this calm, gentle and talented boy. I
blessed him. I said in unspoken words, grow
graciously with confidence, be a good human. My
grandson told me the mysterious and
complicated code of happiness that day. I asked
him when he was happiest. Which is his favourite
work, and which time is the most beautiful and
joyful? In a prolonged, childish manner, the
answer is that I love reading and drawing. The joy
for me is having the things I like, such as when my
parents encourage me to learn art or when they
bring me things used in art. And happiness is my
inner feeling. Like when I sit down to draw
something, I become so engrossed in my drawing
that I don't understand what is happening around
me after a while. When the work is finished, I see
that I have created an excellent painting style.
That heavenly feeling of that moment is the
ultimate happiness for me. And the work that I
did was my favourite thing at that time. I am
overwhelmed by the adolescent wisdom of
Dadubhai (grandson).
Pleasure and happiness are not the same - one
(pleasure) depends on the external state, and the
other (happiness) arises from the internal state of
mind. Only a peaceful, calm, and pure mind, free
from any extreme desires and external
materialistic forces, is the source of true
happiness. We live today in a turbulent and
complex world of attainment and materialism.
Chaotic and full of worldly desires. It is impossible
to achieve peace and harmony in such a situation
unless one person can suppress all desires. An
ocean of consciousness and perception is essential
for happiness. Many in the world never want to
feel unjustly comfortable; Some are truly happy,
while others are unjustly happy.
Are we really happy? Everyone in the world
wants to be happy and live in peace. That's
normal. When I think back to my childhood, I get
overwhelmed. My childhood life was full of joy,
peace, excitement, and happiness. Despite being
in poverty, I have enjoyed every moment-a
massive gap between now and then. Now, we live
in a digital age with all the technological advances.
With the growing middle-class family and the
Dr P r DAttA
pace of globalisation, we have experienced
tremendous economic growth and development,
rapidly changing our way of life. However, life in
the rural areas of Bangladesh was difficult in the
1970s or 1980s. Most of the people in the past
depended on agriculture and allied activities.
Gradually people started moving from villages to
big cities and suburbs in search of better
education, employment, healthcare, and better
opportunities. It seems that this effort for the
overall development of the people will continue.
The tide of development is rapidly swallowing up
even cities like Dhaka, Chittagong, Comilla and
other major cities. Bangladesh is now a
developing country, and soon it will be one of the
top 25 major economies globally. Although we are
Pleasure and happiness are not the same - one (pleasure)
depends on the external state, and the other (happiness)
arises from the internal state of mind. only a peaceful, calm,
and pure mind, free from any extreme desires and external
materialistic forces, is the source of true happiness.
all still cherishing and nurturing our cultural
heritage somehow, we have to adapt to the world
in this age of globalisation and technology to
create new opportunities. We are learning to live
with a promising future at the cost of our
emotions, feelings, peace, and harmony.
Eudaimonia is a Greek word. Greek
philosophers like Plato and Aristotle used
Eudaimonia to emphasise the true meaning of
happiness. According to Aristotle, Eudaimonia is
a process, and happiness is one of our favourite
activities and should be seen as the result of the
action. Eudaimonia's primary purpose in Greek
philosophy is to achieve the best happiness for a
human being. Happiness and a meaningful life
include morality, virtues, principles, dignity, and
ethics. How can we be good people? How can we
meet our unique potential? Hence the basic
underlying principle or core message of
Eudaimonia. To achieve this kind of Eudaimonic
happiness, we all need to work hard, build our
virtues, adapt to the current situation, and balance
our actions with the right wisdom. In
Eudaimonia, happiness is not something we own.
It is not a tiny pleasure, nor is it our social or
economic position; this happiness is not to worry
about how we live our lives regardless of our past,
to be satisfied with the present situation and not to
worry about what has not yet been achieved.
Pleasure or consumerist philosophy are all unique
concepts; The opposite of eudaimonia.
Ancient Greek philosophers such as Aristotle,
Plato and others saw that happiness
(Eudaimonia) was the ultimate goal of human life
and that morality was the proper application of
wisdom. Therefore, it is an essential prerequisite
for happiness to have a moral and responsible
lifestyle. Based on personal observations,
philosopher Epicurus concluded that a pleasureseeking
attitude is the norm of humankind and
that it begins in our infancy when we are born. We
all expect happiness, pain, or sorrow
unexpectedly. The most enjoyable activities
provide great pleasure and free us from pain and
anxiety. So, these pleasures are most conducive to
our peace of mind. Therefore, Epicurean
happiness releases pain and stress that leads us to
the ultimate joy or peace. Epicurus believed that
external stimuli had little or no effect on
happiness. Personal happiness is not conditioned
by wealth, marriage or winning the lottery; Or
beautiful or impeccable to look at. These are not
permanent. For him, the greatest secret of
happiness is to be free from external things and to
be satisfied with the simple things that constantly
take away the frustration.
In today's world, the concept of happiness has a
close thematic and relative meaning. It is a mental
state of personal well-being conditioned by
positive emotional feelings that lead to happiness.
Pure happiness is not possible in how we all live in
this world. Our lives are full of desires, falsehoods,
worldly pursuits, endless excitement, anxiety, and
immorality. It is possible to achieve temporary
happiness but not true happiness. Pure happiness
is truthful, compassionate, and not filled with any
unnecessary greed for complex aspirations. To
achieve this, one has to practice and make a habit
of concentrating on familiar things.
Real happiness that is lasting and
unadulterated always looks poisonous or bitter at
first, but in the end, it is like nectar. True creativity,
innovation, and true inner happiness come
through destruction, pain, and trouble. To achieve
true happiness, we all need to have the courage to
face all kinds of pain, suffering, problems, and
illnesses. But are we ready to face those pains and
problems? Can we be more moral? Can we live a
simple but pleasantly happy life based on socially
responsible work, ethics, principles, and not based
on any false expectations or unexpected
aspirations? Happiness with simple joy should be
the ultimate goal of all of us. Like my little
grandson, we seem to be lost in the bliss of an
infinitely beautiful heavenly happiness in all our
work.
Dr P R Datta, Educator, author, and
researcher, Executive Chair, Centre for
Business & Economic Research, UK
Daffodil International University
20 years of progress-a lot of achievements and a long way to go
D affodil
International
University, a
technology-based
digital educational
institution named after
the world's renowned
flower 'Daffodil',
started its journey on January 24, 2002.After
twenty years of establishment, the university is
now attended by about 20,000 local and
foreign students, but started with only 68
students. In just a few years, Daffodil
International University ( DIU) surprised
everyone by rising to the top of the list of best
private universities in Bangladesh rated by the
University Grants Commission (UGC). Not
only in Bangladesh, but also in the international
arena, the reputation of Daffodil International
University has spread significantly.
Founded by country's renowned IT
Personality and visionary leader Dr. Md. Sabur
Khan and the prudence of the founding Vice-
Chancellor late Professor Dr. Aminul Islam,
university's involvement of technology based
activities from the very beginning and the
perseverance of creating young entrepreneurs
have enabled the university to become one of
the best educational institutions today.Through
the introduction of 'Blended Learning' and 'Go
Edu' education system, the university has
already gained the honor of being a role model
in online education in Bangladesh.
My favorite philosopher Rousseau and he
said, "The University will be in a secluded place
away from the city, where there will be no noise,
the environment will be free, the students will
grow up in the lap of wonderful nature and
nature will be their teacher." The campus of
DIU has been built in the same pattern on
about sixty acres of land.
Daffodil University's Green Campus is
situated at Daffodil Smart City in Ashulia,
surrounded by shady, bird-chirping, sundrenched
peaceful green surroundings near
Dhaka. The green campus will easily attract
anyone who is a nature lover in a playful
environment with aesthetic beauty. Just as the
authorities did not fail to organize various
activities to enhance the beauty of the entire
campus, the students also did not spare a single
penny in receiving the nectar of Ananda
Sanjivani.In addition to education, students
regularly explore and enjoy the focal point of
natural beauty of the university - like
Knowledge Valley, Banmaya, Food Court,
Fountain, Aircraft, Green Garden, Gymnasium,
Swimming Pool, Innovation Laband Golf
Course.Jumpes hangout continues everywhere
besides studying. And for sports lover, there are
international standard cricket grounds,
basketball courts, volleyball courts, badminton
courts, indoor complexes. If you don't see it
with your own eyes, it is a very difficult task to
express the enormity of the 'State of the Art'
campus in a bouquet of words and an enjoyable
description.
MD. ANowAr HAbIb KAzAl
The university has not only earned national
and international recognition in aesthetics but
also has earned the reputation as a unique
source of quality education. At the very recent
Olympic World Congress on Information
Technology (WICIT-2021), the university has
been honored with the 'Global ICT Excellence
Award'. Not only has that, through this
achievement, the university proved its
superiority in online education not only as the
only institution in Bangladesh but also in the
world. In QS Asia University Rankings 2021, it
ranks 4th among the private universities in
Bangladesh in the list of the best universities in
Asia. DIU also tops the list in UI Greenmetric
World Rankings 2021 and Times Higher
Education University Impact Rankings
2020.The university has maintained its
position in all the internationally acclaimed and
recognized rankings.
Not only ensuring the beauty of the campus is
important but also ensuring the dining and
rooming environment is equally important for
the students to ensure a quality learning
environment. DIU has world class hostel
facilities to alleviate the student housing crisis.
The university currently has accommodation
for about 10,000 students, including a learningfriendly
environment, quality food, internet,
WiFi, and strong security.The University has
Digital Class Room, Computer Lab, Textile Lab,
Physics Lab, Pharmacy Lab, English Language
Lab, Fab Lab (Digital Fabrication), JMC Lab,
Cisco Lab, Microsoft IT Academy, Linux, Red
Hut, Oracle, Multimedia Lab and Innovation
Lab.
At this time of the epidemic, the university
authorities have provided an incentive of Tk. 22
crore for the students in 2021 semester. The
university authorities are trying to prevent a
student from dropping out due to lack of funds.
So the university authorities have brought all
the students and their guardians under life
insurance risk coverage.If a student's parent
dies in an unintentional accident, the university
authorities are responsible for bearing the rest
of his / her education expenses. Similarly, if a
student dies prematurely, his family is also
provided with one-time financial compensation
under insurance facility which is rare in
Bangladesh.
The Career Development Center (CDC) is
constantly providing employment, internship
placement, career grooming up and field visits
to the students through building a good
relationship and building bridges between the
university and the industry.
For the first time in Bangladesh, an
'Innovation Lab' has been set up at Daffodil
International University to awaken the
innovative talents of the students. The
Innovation Lab includes Market Space, Robotic
Zone, 3D Printer, IoT based Electric Bulb, Fan,
Air Conditioner, Architectural Design Zone,
Book Reading Zone, Business Incubator,
Meeting Room, Android and Windows TV.
Using these facilities, students are able to turn
their innovative ideas into reality.
The university has been working relentlessly
from the very beginning to take the education
Not only ensuring the beauty of the campus is important
but also ensuring the dining and rooming environment is
equally important for the students to ensure a quality
learning environment. DIU has world class hostel facilities
to alleviate the student housing crisis.
system of Bangladesh to an international
standard. The university has signed agreements
with more than 500 reputed universities in the
world.Various activities are conducted
throughout the year in the contracted
universities including Asia Summer Program,
Teacher-Student Exchange Program,
Scholarship, Internship, Research, Joint
Conference, various competitions. The
reputation of the university has spread all over
the world beyond the borders of the country.
The courtyard of DIU has also become a
hotbed of foreign students. Already, more than
400 students from around the world, including
the United States, Turkey, Indonesia, South
Africa, Nepal, South Korea, Somalia, and
Nigeria, are studying in various departments at
Daffodil International University.
Journals are being published regularly from
different faculties of the university and the
university has a research division and research
fund to motivate the teachers and students to
do more research. Daffodil International
University has the record of spending the most
money on research among private universities
in 2021.
DIU believes in deeds not in words, Students
are the pride and soul of the university. DIU
graduates are already working in various
important positions in the country and abroad,
especially in many multinational companies
including Google, Yahoo.DIU graduates are
achieving extremely good results in the BCS
cadre and are working at various levels of
government. The University's Alumni
Association builds bridges between former and
current students. Alumni at home and abroad
are connected through the Daffodil Alumni
Association Network. As a result, current
students get all kinds of benefits from alumni.
Our education system has suffered the most
during the Corona Extreme. All educational
institutions were closed for more than 18
months. But even in such a crisis, DIU is the
only university in the country that was active all
the time. The reading of the students was not
disturbed even for a moment.
It is only because the university's platforms
like 'Blended Learning Center' and 'Go-Edu' are
active and teachers-students are already
accustomed to it. As a result, the teachers and
students of the university are enjoying the
maximum benefits of the online platform
'Blended Learning Center (BLC)' in these
difficult times of the Corona epidemic.
Bangladesh is in the first stage of digital
education, beyond the face-to-face, in the
second stage, i.e in the banded digital. For
which the University Grants Commission has
already approved the Blended Learning Policy
2021. The next step is online digital
education.Literally, Bangladesh has yet to make
its presence felt in the global online education
industry. However, DIU has informed the
world about their ability to launch online
degreesand has started platform based
education for the first time in tertiary education
in Bangladesh.
DIU is interested in launching online degrees
at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and
has already applied to the Ministry of Education
and the University Grants Commission for
permission to offer online degrees.Due to the
current global situation, many of our
neighboring countries have now started
offering online degrees. Recently, the
University Grants Commission of India has
given approval to a number of universities in
their country to offer online degrees. The
developed world started it at least 10 years ago.
If the technologies of the Fourth Industrial
Revolution (such as artificial intelligence-based
LMS, learning analytics) are effectively
integrated into the system, it could easily
become our third highest source of income after
remittances and garments.Hopefully, the
country's planners and policy makers will
prioritize research and innovation related to the
Fourth Industrial Revolution and bring timely
changes in education policy so that Bangladesh
can emerge as a brand in the global education
market.
Two decades is not a long time for a university
to focus its attention on education, innovation,
development and research, but Daffodil
International University has already been able
to make its position known in Bangladesh and
outside Bangladesh. About 40,000 graduates
have already graduated from the university,
contributing to the national and international
arena. Many achievements of the university in
this short time, in the future the fragrance of
this daffodil will spread far and wide beyond the
borders of the country, this fragrance will
spread all over the world.
The Writer is Senior Assistant
Director (Public Relations), Daffodil
International University