Another year is coming to an end. And the questions arise – how much did we achieve and where did we fail? Today’s Call-In Show focused on the achievements and failures of 2009.
The show began with concerned calls about the economy of Bangladesh and the Climate Conference in Copenhagen. The panelists answered by saying that the government needs to work hard to lower food price and control corruption by targeting black markets and other sources of failure. They also added that if the government fails, then it is the responsibility of the people to act. They agreed that the Climate Conference has led to international awareness about the vulnerability of Bangladesh regarding climate change. But along with ensuring compensation to combat the effects of natural disasters, we need to work towards preparing for these disasters before we are hit by them.
Several callers inquired about President Barack Obama and his plans regarding the future of the United States which in turn will have an effect on the rest of the world. The panelists responded with much positivity as they supported his approach to better the economy, health care system, and international relations. They added that he is moving the right way to do as he promised, but we are yet to see how much more he will accomplish. His inauguration itself has caused a positive stir in the world. It is too soon to provide justification for his achievement of the Nobel Peace Prize but he seems to be moving towards peace. His speech at Cairo is an example of that, they said, but it is unclear whether war for peace is a healthy approach.
The panelists were: Ms. Ayesha Khanam, activist and President of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, largest and oldest women’s liberation organization in Bangladesh, Professor Pabitra Sarkar, linguistic, writer, and ex Vice Chancellor of Rabindra Bharati University of Kolkata, and Dr. Selina Ahmed, Professor of Southern Texas University and board member of South Asian Public Health Association of Houston, Texas.
