Bleak Dream
Ashim Kumar Paul
Good governance - some may call it a mere daydream or reverie,
while others may opine that it still is a possible thing which matters for Bangladesh. In fact, good governance is a matter of
great debate for developing countries like ours. As views asserted by experts,
many issues revolve around the process of good governance and nothing can be left
unaddressed which is responsible for the absence of it. Formal education,
anti-corruption watchdog, political stability, fair and transparent participation
of mass people in relevant sectors, social security and absence of violation of
laws can play the vital role in ensuring the practice of good governance. These
indispensable requirements of acquiring the much needed act of governance are
all inter-related and the efficacy of one hinges upon the other; a problem in
any ingredient of it will, in the end, compromise the success of the other. If
there is any interruption in the flow of good governance, one can be sure that
there will be absence of public access to their basic rights and privileges.
However, many assent to the view that formal education and mass
awareness are two of the main components required to build up the structure of
good governance. If availability of formal education and mass awareness is
ensured, the beginning of good governance must and will mark its mammoth footprint.
But, it is a matter of great dismay that in our country, the rate of achieving formal
education is often substituted with the number of mere literacy (the ability to
read and write one’s name only). Gaining the aptness of literacy means
mastering the level of education, but that very concept is absolutely absurd. I
would like to draw the picture with the following experiences of my friends who
had gone through a huge trauma of finding their glowing dreams go off the rails.
During the local government poll, two of my friends residing in Dhaka had gone to their village to cast their vote and lend their supporting hands to a local friend, who was one of the five aspirants in his own ward. The aspirant friend became much glad and sanguine at their lively presence. Maintaining the rules and regulations ordained by the Election
Commission, they joined in the election campaign and tried their best to make the people understand about the competency of his candidature. After a several-day-long campaign, my friends were convinced that despite their seemingly poor educational background, the villagers would not at least turn in their valuable votes to the incompetent candidates like before. Following the expiry date of the campaign, when they had nothing but to reckon the possible number of votes casted for their friend, they were much hopeful about his triumph.
It is noteworthy that the process strictly followed by the Election Commission and local administration to hold a fair and credible poll was really laudable and exemplified. No fake voting was attempted and no violation of laws was even seen. The village looked like a festive arena and the villagers preserving order and discipline were found in cosy mood. However, from the moment when the name of the winner was to be announced, my friends were thrilled as they were waiting to hear their friend’s name as the winner. But to their utter disappointment, he failed to win the election and received a severe defeat. Nothing but words of commiseration could be said to solace him.
During the local government poll, two of my friends residing in Dhaka had gone to their village to cast their vote and lend their supporting hands to a local friend, who was one of the five aspirants in his own ward. The aspirant friend became much glad and sanguine at their lively presence. Maintaining the rules and regulations ordained by the Election
Commission, they joined in the election campaign and tried their best to make the people understand about the competency of his candidature. After a several-day-long campaign, my friends were convinced that despite their seemingly poor educational background, the villagers would not at least turn in their valuable votes to the incompetent candidates like before. Following the expiry date of the campaign, when they had nothing but to reckon the possible number of votes casted for their friend, they were much hopeful about his triumph.
It is noteworthy that the process strictly followed by the Election Commission and local administration to hold a fair and credible poll was really laudable and exemplified. No fake voting was attempted and no violation of laws was even seen. The village looked like a festive arena and the villagers preserving order and discipline were found in cosy mood. However, from the moment when the name of the winner was to be announced, my friends were thrilled as they were waiting to hear their friend’s name as the winner. But to their utter disappointment, he failed to win the election and received a severe defeat. Nothing but words of commiseration could be said to solace him.
Few days after the election, while my friends were roaming
around their village and talking about the unexpected defeat of their friend, a
quinquagenarian man, who, at that time, was passing by, intervened their discussion.
He informed that it was the grand feast for the villagers arranged by the
winner, dodging the eyes of law during his campaign that played the key role in
the defeat of their friend. They were thunderstruck at his words. They could
hardly find a word to express their exasperation.
It is really sad to say that the blazing star of their dream was sunk in the beginning of its ascent. While they were gripped in foreseeing the materialisation of their aspiration and dream, the foolish act of those people left them deserted. I put forward to you a question to muse on: how can we dream of good governance that will act for the welfare of the country and her citizens when these people are easily convinced to trade their valuable votes in exchange of a grand feast or some money?
It is really sad to say that the blazing star of their dream was sunk in the beginning of its ascent. While they were gripped in foreseeing the materialisation of their aspiration and dream, the foolish act of those people left them deserted. I put forward to you a question to muse on: how can we dream of good governance that will act for the welfare of the country and her citizens when these people are easily convinced to trade their valuable votes in exchange of a grand feast or some money?
