machine

[shibli]

In the future, we will have more and more leisure time as machines replace many of the tasks we do at home and at work. Can we discuss the benefits this will bring and also the problems it will cause.   

[Shamim Ansary]

Some people say, More and more people would be jobless, if machines take their position.

I say, it will unleash to threshold of self evaluation and discovering. People will be more motivated to do some self-generated work. Some new job fields will be opened up. People will be stimulated to create new jobs. Self-dependence will strengthen economy from the core.

[shibli]

Trees are essential for the existence of the human race as they provide the oxygen that we need to survive. Yet, daily all around the global large areas of woodland are being destroyed. Many people feel that they as individuals can do nothing and that only governments and large companies can halt the destruction.

[Shamim Ansary]

A monthlong "Tree Fair" is going on at the Sher-E-Bangla Nagor Fair premises (DITF premises). It is open for all and no ticket is required. So it is all gratis!

I visited the place twice. Though the proportion of the visitors is not in great numbers, I appreciate the initiative. People are buying tress according to their demand.

A file photo of a Tree fair

All of DIU family is requested to visit (the fair). It will be furled up at the end of this month.

Note: DIU has a project of making Dhaka Green. You have certainly seen the "Beautification Project" in different traffic islands around Dhaka city, where a great number of trees are planted and cared. DIU has the plan to extend this project more and more in future.

[shibli]

Many people complain that modern society is too materialistic. Other people, they say, place too great an importance on material property. Rather than value values, these critics insist, people today value things.

There is no doubt that we live in a material, consumer-oriented society. In economic terms, consumers use products; in everyday language, they acquire things: TVs, cars, clothes, furniture. This kind of materialism can actually be good for a society since it helps create jobs. When people have jobs, they acquire self-respect along with the money they need to provide the material things they and their families require.

It is true, on the other hand, that many people have taken healthy consumerism too far. Materialism is evident when an otherwise intelligent person goes into debt charging things that he or she cannot pay for. Materialism is evident when people insist on buying a particular designer label even though the same quality can be found in a cheaper product. Materialism is evident when people are judged and admired for what they own rather than what they are or can do.

Even if society has gone too far in the direction of materialism, as some say, the individual person doesn't need to surrender. He or she can still value honesty, integrity, freedom, talent, quality, and all the other values there are to value and leave the materialism to others.

[Shamim Ansary]

"They lose the world who buys it with much care..." William Shakespeare

[shibli]

People always are learning and practicing through their whole lives. From reading words in text book such as toy, car, train etc., people have the concept and ideas.  They further understand the actual meaning of these words by playing toys and riding or driving cars, trains etc.

Education (books) and experience are the main two channels for People to gain their knowledge. Each play different roles for people. In my opinion, knowledge from experience is more important than that from books.

Experience first can prove if the knowledge form books are true or false. Textbooks are very wonderful in teaching people essential principles, how is the world looks like? what is the basic law of change of people and things? We can learn a lot through primary school, secondary school until  university. However, people can only understand the really meaning of those form books and justify them if they are right through practices. A few hundred years ago, people learnt from text book that the earth was flat. However scientists found that was wrong through observations and measurement.

The knowledge from experience can improve and advance the world and our society. As books have limitation, they only teach us the what people found in the past. The knowledge from the books are constrained to the certain conditions and environment. For example, mould and tools design for plastics industry, the university course only taught me very simple cases, most knowledge are obtained from various different and complicated cases in my career.

There are a lot new inventions and new products which could not be found from textbooks. Our society and world are developed through continuous practices, those knowledge, never found in books, such as internet, e-business etc. are all developed through new practices.

"The truth comes from practices and experience", people are continually discovering new things and assessing the creditability of the knowledge written in books. The knowledge from experience help us much more than those from books.  

[shibli]

One should do what he or she likes doing, what he or she enjoys doing. But we have to do what we don't like. What do you think?

It is our parents who are the first people that make us to do so many things we do not like. The list of all unpleasant chores is lengthy, including doing homework, helping about the house, brushing teeth, getting up early ­- I think everyone has her own specific list. However, when a child grows up, she understands that there were reasons for parents to demand all these things: doing homework helped to study well and get into college, brushing one's teeth prevented tooth decay, and helping about the house developed useful skills and prepared for grown-up life.

Most things that are unpleasant now usually promise greater rewards in the future. Studying instead of going to the cinema eventually leads to a better, more interesting and rewarding job; regular exercise brings fitness, health and a long life; eating low-cholesteral food inhibits cardio-vascular diseases; pregnancy brings a happiness of motherhood, and paying taxes brings social protection.

Doing things one does not like to do is similar to physical exercise; only it trains character, not leg muscles. Overcoming one's own laziness requires determination, giving up bad habits requires will, mastering new skills also develops intellectual flexibility, and admitting mistakes takes courage. These important personal qualities develop little by little and mostly by doing things one does not like, but has to do.

Sometimes doing something you don’t like is important in enjoying life. A person gets used both to good and bad, so with time, pleasure loses its intensity and turns into habit. Contrast refreshes feelings and returns pleasure. Doing unpleasant things makes nice things seem even nicer. Hard work makes rest desired; house chores make evening out a genuine party, a year at the office makes vacation a real holiday.

It is important to keep balance in doing things one does like and does not like. Sometimes a person gets so involved in doing unpleasant things in the pursuit of some distant goal that he loses the very talent for enjoying life. Being with family, traveling to some distant exotic place, and having a child are put off until it is too late. One needs to stop in the everyday rat race, just to look at and admire the world around him, to share several words or thoughts or jokes with his closest people, to make something with his own hands.

In short, one certainly needs to do things s/he does not like to do, but s/he still should not forget about life pleasures.

[shibli]

Because we live in a free society, people are not forced to do things that they do not like. And, it is normal for people to reject to do things that are not interesting for them or can hurt them in some way. According to constitution people are free to choose almost all of their actions, to choose a job, style and place of living, hobbies and friends. However, people need to do things sometimes even they do not want or do not like to do. In my view, it is better for people to follow requirements or fulfil a task in some situations than to turn the work down, because that can bring them some positive effects in their personal or professional life or help them to build better relationships with other people.

First of all, it is important to make children to go to school and do their homework, even they refuse to do. Very often children want to skip their homework or classes because they want to do more exiting occupations, like playing computer and video games or watching movies. However, school lessons, homework, quizzes and tests are important part of education, and children has to do their studies, even they are not very exited of doing them. In fact, lessons that children learn in school help them to gain knowledge and develop their skills and abilities, which are important for understanding our society and preparing for future jobs.

Second, people need to obey some rules and follow some requirements in work place even they do not like the rules or feel that requirements are not appropriate for them. Indeed, almost every person in a corporation has his own opinion for a problem or situation. Although co-workers have different views, and sometimes they are irritated from other people's actions, they have to find a way to work well with and listen to others, otherwise they can get fired. Moreover, there are times then people do not feel like job because of family or health problems but they have to do their work, and be patient with their colleagues and clients. If they complain or excuse themselves all the time, they can destroy their own reputation or lose friends.

Third, people have to obey the law even they are against some rules. For instance, most smokers complain the prohibition of smoking in public places. However, if they smoke in these places, the police can arrest them. Moreover, there are some people who do not like people from other races or gender, or ones who obtain higher positions in the society. These people can have their own opinion but their have to behave properly in public places and do not broke the law. Otherwise, they can go to court and receive punishment of several years in jail.

In conclusion, most of the time people can do things that they want to do and enjoy doing them. However, there are some situations when people are restricted by written or unwritten laws to follow some rules and behave in a way that government, society, or people around require.

[shibli]

Every one remembers that s/he has done things that s/he did not like to do, because our life has been so arranged that it is not always possible that all people do just things, which they like to do. Because of potential benefits sometimes it is best that people do what they are not completely convenient with. So, I do agree that it is important for people to sometimes do things that they do not like to do.

When a child is grown up enough to begin to express his/her wishes and his wills, s/he will undoubtedly begin to face objections. His/her parents may think that what s/he wants is not logical or even hazardous for him. Besides a child is always made do what s/he does not like to do; for example, he is forced to eat what he thinks is not delicious or he is forced to be hygienic and polite. When he is older, he is forced to go to school that is one of the worst events in every child's life. In his/her adolescence, every child will certainly realize the benefits of these obligations. By means of these obligations he is healthy, he has learnt public relationship and he is literate. Psychologists say that children who have not faced these obligations would have several personality disorders. Even in adulthood, one may do what he does not like to do and this may be essential for his life. Consider a young man who has finished his school and is forced to do his military service. He may not like to become a soldier, but it would be his first separation from his family that can make him more convenient in his further separations. He will learn to obey what he may consider irrational but is really essential for him. There are also some fatal events that one cannot act as he likes; for example, most people do not like to kill others but a soldier should kill the enemy or he would be killed. Some times people should do things that they do not like to do because there is no other way; for instance, a clerk may dislike his/her job but unable to find a better job. My own experience shows me that when a person does things that he does not like to do, s/he would become stronger in his real life events and he would not get upset in his difficulties.

Human life especially our modern life has many aspects that are not completely desirable for us so that we are all obliged to do things that we do not like to do but in some cases we will later understand their benefits. There are also possible unpredictable events in our daily life that require special power to cope with; like wars, earthquakes, etc. It is well known that people who have faced obligations would be much stronger in such events so it is important for people to do things that they do not like to do.

[Shamim Ansary]

One should do the POSITIVES what one likes n enjoys.

At the same time, it should be kept in mind that, the action done by someone may not hamper the peace or security or life of other people.

Independence is one's basic right. But it must not bother others.

[shibli]

"Discipline must be the basis of all achievement - Even of learning." Discuss

 

Discipline is a word often used but the least understood. Discipline refers to a system where actions are controlled by certain almost fixed rules. So wherever there is systematic work, we find discipline. This way anything having a system of rules and regulations is looked upon as discipline. In this sense even subjects are considered disciplines. Every branch of knowledge is supported by a system of rules. There is no question of denying them. The grammar of a language is a good enough example of discipline. Without understanding grammar one cannot become a master of that particular language. Again mathematics or science has its own discipline. Because they are so well disciplined they have become exact Sciences. The law of the land is again another discipline.

Discipline or norms have spread to human affairs. In every walk of life there must be discipline. Thus if everyone is asked to keep to the left of the road and the people follow it then they are disciplined. In behavior also we speak of disciplined behavior. People at all levels have a way of behavior. If the outcome of such behavior is good for all then such people are said to be disciplined. This is often used to judge school boys. If they behave well in class, in public and at home, then we say the boys are disciplined. There can't be a better example of a disciplined organization than our body. How the various parts and organs of our body function is something wonderful; it is a marvel of discipline. So we can easily say the end product of discipline is efficiency; whether it be our body or a people there must be discipline.

Now the question speaks of discipline being at the basis of all achievements. What is achievement ? You try to do a thing and after many trials and errors you succeed. That is achievement; for instance an acrobat does something wonderful; it may be a physical act of a few seconds but for achieving it he must have worked hard for hours on end. A famous example is to run a mile within four minutes. The first man Banister to do it practiced it so vigorously and regularly that he did it. Now following his foot-steps many are able to run a mile, in fact within four minutes.

For such an achievement the mile runner ought to have a disciplined body. The astronauts have to go through a vigorous discipline before they can be put into space.

Take an example from the humdrum world. A man of business house becomes a successes. They cannot achieve anything by sitting and chanting a verse from the Bible. Thy work in a disciplined way. They know their goals, they know the loopholes and they know the pitfalls. Having known all this they work in a disciplined way and achieve success. This is true of an empire. When the machinery of government is highly disciplined, the government achieves best. The achievements of the English nation are worth remembering.

So this scene of discipline holds good even in learning. Take for instance learning to ride the bicycle. You have to follow certain rules strictly if you want to master cycling. Every young man who has learnt cycling knows this best. Discipline in learning may involve doing the right thing in a right way using the right tools. Learning very often involves humans and the learner must go to the right person. People who have studied chemistry do know this. In qualitative analysis there is what is called systematic analysis. If one follows it, very rarely will one miss; but if one adopts guess work, more often than not he will be wrong. So in learning also discipline is necessary.

To conclude, discipline makes life easier. It makes for achievements in all walks of life easier. Last but not least, it makes learning efficient, effective and lasting. But the best discipline is that which is developed within and not forced.
          
on end         continuously, without interruption
          
humdrum         have no excitement, ordinary
          
pitfall         like mistake and problem in a situation
          

[shibli]

What do you think is the value of science in general education for one who doesn't want to become a scientist

Science makes sense. What is sense ? Knowing, understanding, applying and appreciating, all to go to make sense. Man alone is endowed with this capacity to know while other animals live by mere instinct. Man alone can modify his environment while other animals when they cannot adapt to the changing environment simply perish. Not only does man modify his environment but he creates also an environment where he can live comfortably. Thus man today can live in the hottest part of the world or the coldest part. This achievement he has been able to get by his knowledge of Science and by his mastery over forces and by his ability to adapt them for his own ends.

Whether one is going to be a scientist or not, one should be able to use the products of science. There are innumerable gadgets science has placed in our hands; man enjoys using them. There is no time in the day when man does not use some product or other. At home stoves are in common usage. Watches are used as though a man is born with them. Bicycles, motorcycles, scooters and motorcars are commonly used for transport. Transistorized radios and stereograms have come to stay. They are looked upon as important second only to food and clothing. Television is catching up too. In the office many contrivances are used like the intercom telephone, the transistorized calculating machine and computers. Man is affected by all these. Directly or indirectly he has to deal with them. In most cases one has to use them. This requires a rudimentary knowledge of their working. So we see whether it be at home or in the farm or in the office, a knowledge of science would go a long way to enjoy the fruits. Otherwise it would be like a man who bought a gold watch but could not tell the time because it had Roman numerals.

The next stage is to know how things work. One must have a fundamental knowledge of science. An idea of various laws connected science, a knowledge of energy and its various causes and effects are fundamentals to be learnt. One must have the knowledge of the world of elements to know and understand their reactions. One may handle a camera efficiently without knowing the physical and chemical actions involved. To understand them is by far better than simply following instructions blindly. Besides the physical world there is the world of living things. How organisms live and multiply, how they affect our lives, how best to make use of them for the betterment of our lives are some of the areas of biological sciences in which man must be interested. Now that scientific farming has come to stay, man must know all about the tools of farming, manures and fertilizers and enemies and friends of plants.

What the ancient man looked at with awe and fear, the modem man is able to appreciate. He can measure the skies, probe into space and dig deep into the bowels of the earth or ocean for minerals. Science is not only for material benefits but also for the progress of mankind. The landing of "The Viking " on planet Mars may be a costly project today but the knowledge gained from it is useful. The appreciation of the world of colour and sound is something to be cultivated. This had led to the great poetry of the world.

Knowledge of Science has helped man to create. The creative activity is not confined to scientists alone but the knowledge of basic science has helped many to create. This is evident in various fields and we come across ordinary artisans without any scientific knowledge doing a bit of creative activity.

Therefore, a knowledge of Science to an ordinary man, even though he may not become a scientist is as valuable as his knowing the fundamentals of civil law.
          
          
          
          

[shibli]

Freedom of the press

The press is a modern concept and the modern man can be said to be molded by the press just as once he was said to have been made by his barber and the tailor. It means today man's opinions, may be even his philosophy can be said to be shaped by the newspapers and magazines he reads. Thus we see the press has become so powerful that it has come to be called the fourth estate.

Arthur Miller called the newspaper the mirror of the world because it reflects the various happenings in different parts of the world. Modern man cannot afford to be ignorant of what is happening around. Though be may get the news hourly through the radio today, the radio cannot be as comprehensive as the newspaper. The newspaper covers a very broad spectrum of news as to cater to the individual needs and taste.

The democratic system rests upon the assumption that the citizen has access to a wide range of news and views. Only then can he form independent opinions on many important things like the foreign policy of his Government. Ultimately only this can ensure that his vote is based on fair judgment rather than determined by the coercion implicit in being forced to read and hear only the official view point.

Much more than the news, it is the views that are more important. A good newspaper interprets, comments and criticizes many things that are happening. Some of the dailies are so respected that to quote from them is to quote the Bible. The 'leaders' as they are called, educate the public on vital issues and present them in a nutshell as they should be. Thus they save the reader's time and also help mould his opinion. For instance, a good newspaper may weigh the comparative merits of a candidate for an election and thus helps the voter.

Because the newspaper is so powerful governments are afraid of it. Naturally therefore Governments, given the chance would like to control the paper. They bring forth banning orders such that the press cannot publish certain things. The press is banned from releasing certain news and thus pressmen are prohibited from being present. The news in the paper may be highly censored so that what the Government feels is detrimental to its existence is not allowed to go into print. Certain governments have their own news agencies through which alone the press can get the news. This is the rule in the dictatorial countries and so a curtain is drawn over the window as it were. Except in really democratic countries this control of the press is a matter of routine.

The press as we have seen is so powerful that various political parties in a country run their own newspapers. In England, for instance, there is the labor press as well as the liberal press. In communistic countries, the party controls the press, so that no other wind except that of the party is allowed to blow. The idea behind is quite obvious. Each party wants to propagate and broadcast its views through its paper.

The control of the press by the Government though it may be desirable in times of emergency, is not so viable in normal times. The control will kill the liberal growth of ideas and people will cease to grow. Just as the free air is desirable to keep a people healthy, today a free press is much important. A free and fearless press can expose individuals and groups when they err. They may even chastise erring officials and criticize the shallowness of certain government actions or policies. They may suggest a line of action and put forth proposals in schemes and projects of national importance. In short the free press can act as an accelerator or sometimes as a brake.

Provided the press does not inflame the feelings of the people as to cause upheavals and does not write libel, the freedom of the press will have to be nourished and cherished.
          
in a nutshell         using as few words as possible
          
propagate         to spread opinions, lies or religions among a lot of people
          
chastise         to criticize someone severely
          

[shibli]

"This is true liberty, when free born me. Having to advise the public may speak free" (Milton). How far do you agree with the sentiment expressed in this quotation ?


The quotation taken from Milton refers to the freedom of speech which is cherished by all freedom loving people. In fact, it is enshrined in a few constitutions of the world. Some people argue it is the birth right of a citizen to enjoy the freedom of speech. Before actually trying to establish a case for freedom of speech, it may be worthwhile to look into what Milton is having in his mind.

Milton assumes that having to advise the public he may speak free. That is true liberty according to him. Now the question may legitimately arise who is he to advise the public ? Advice is to give direction regarding the course of action or conduct of oneself. Advice must be sought and given; otherwise it may lose its force or in extreme cases it may even antagonize the other as in the story of the monkey and the robins. Some people assume the role of advisers and some have it thrust on them. In the first instance it lands the adviser in trouble but in the second instance if the advice is good, the adviser may get the benefit of it and if the advice is bad, he may even go unscathed.

To be an adviser requires a lot of knowledge and experience. Thus experienced lawyers and medical men are in great demand because of their experience. Some expertise is expected of an adviser, hence senior workmen who have a thorough knowledge of their work are always respected.

May be the poet knows a lot because of his erudition. Because of his studies and reflection he feels confident he could advise. This has been the role played by the poets in many lands from time immemorial. Their writings used to influence the life of the people and pull them up morally and ethically. The literature of the world abounds with such writings. That is why in ancient days kings and emperors had their court poets who advised them whenever they went wrong. They were also ambassadors of peace bringing about union among rival kings. This had been very common in oriental countries.

The poet claims the right to speak free. To speak freely there must be a listener. But the poet does not care whether he is listened to or not. There is also the danger of a poet leading people astray. Then the government of the day may find it convenient to put the poet behind bars or exile him. Truth is not palatable and as such when a poet, or writer who takes the liberty too far as to expose the mistakes of a ruler, or government is treading dangerous waters.

Freedom of speech now means freedom to speak freely of the grievances or the ills done. In this spirit only well meaning people look at the freedom of speech. This right cannot be denied in a free society and it is one of the corner stones of democracy.

The assumption that the poet is born free and must have the freedom of speech is a fallacy. One is not exactly born free; in a society one has got as much responsibilities as the rights one can claim. So the freedom of speech cannot be taken for granted at all times. In the name of freedom of speech there is so much of mud slinging and it sometimes leads to undesirable ends. Without absolute freedom of speech one can still enjoy liberty; and can appreciate the poetic vision of Milton.
          
be enshrined in sth         If a political or social right is enshrined in something, it is protected by being included in it
          
unscathed         without injuries or damage being caused
          
erudition         having or containing a lot of specialist knowledge