Too Easy To Manipulate

Too Easy To Manipulate

Two of my friends from Dhaka went to their village during the local government polls to cast their votes and support a friend who was one of the five aspirants in his own ward. Maintaining the rules and regulations ordained by the Election Commission, they joined the election campaign and tried their best to convince the people about the competency of his candidature. Following the expiry date of the campaign when they had nothing but to reckon the possible number of votes cast for their friend, they were quite hopeful about his triumph.

The election process was strictly maintained, the Election Commission and local administration's dedication to hold a fair and credible poll was really laudable. No fake vote was attempted to be cast and no violation of laws was seen. However, the moment of announcement of the winner gave my friends a real thrill, as they were convinced that their friend would win. But to their utter disappointment, he failed to win the race and received a severe defeat. Nothing but words of commiseration could be said to him.

A few days after the election, while my friends were roaming around their village and talking about the unexpected defeat of their friend, a man who was passing by, intervened in their discussion. He informed them that it was the grand feast for the villagers arranged by the winner during the campaign that played a key role in the defeat of their friend. How can we dream of good governance that will work for the welfare of the country and its citizens when the people are easily convinced to trade their votes in exchange of a grand feast?

Ashim Kumar Paul
Government Edward College
Pabna

To view its internet edition: Too Easy To Manipulate

Costly Gifts

Costly Gifts

A couple of days ago, I received a message on my mobile phone from my telecom operator. I was informed that since I was an elite subscriber of that operator, some special gifts – MMS, SMS, talk time and free internet data – were being offered. To receive their gifts, I had to activate the offer by 31st of December and I would have to utilise all those items within seven days of the activation date.

I followed their instructions to activate and pick up their gifts before the 31st of December. Among the gifts, what I needed the most was internet data as I frequently use internet on my mobile phone. To my utter disappointment, I could not get access to the free internet data. I dialed their customer care hotline to get help. After a long conversation, the hotline administrator assured me that within 24 hours, I could browse the internet with the free offer. I got a text message saying I can now use the free amount of internet data, but I was let down again when I tried to use it.

Two days before the expiry of the offer, I again made a call to the helpline to submit my complaint. The internet expert team manager made me wait for a very long time to verify the information, and later, confirmed that the technical hitch had been fixed. However, I was disappointed again. Exasperated, I rang them up again. This time, another executive performed a time-consuming inspection and comforted me with empty promises. But my problem was yet to be resolved and finally, I gave up all hopes of using the free offers.

Even though I couldn't enjoy the free offers, I had to pay surplus money for calling their indelible customer service. Should mobile operators exploit their much valued customers in this way?

Ashim Kumar Paul
Government Edward College
Pabna

Internet Edition:Costly Gifts