Golden jubilee of independence: A journey through the lens of the people

As Bangladesh celebrates Mujib Year and the golden jubilee of independence, Dhaka Tribune spoke with the general people in an attempt to capture the pulse of those whose opinions matter the most.

People from all walks of life shared their thoughts on the country’s achievements, failures, and overall progress in the past 50 years. 

They spoke their minds on what could have and should have been done for the country’s development and shared the expectations and dreams surrounding their motherland.

Umme Kulsum Rumu – Housewife

People all over the world now know Bangladesh as an emerging tiger in terms of export and cricket, among other things. But social security for the general people still remains a concern. I just want a better future for my child.

I believe Bangladesh will prosper economically provided that the ongoing development projects are finished in due time.

Md Tofazzal Hossain – A day labourer 

We are poor people. Our income is uncertain. We will be thankful to Allah if the government provides us with better employment opportunities with which we will be able to eat three meals every day. This will ensure my freedom.

Hannan Sheikh – A veteran street vendor 

My earnings have halved due to Covid-19. My children are not going to school anymore. Things will become better if my business gets revived somehow.

Trisha Moni Chanda – A part-time employee 

Being a woman, I have to face gender inequality everywhere. I am not prioritized in the decision-making process because of my being from the opposite gender. Those of us who work outdoors struggle for our safety.

Recruiters sometimes demand that we have extra qualifications, such as having a beautiful face and voice, to get a job. 

Afroja Shoma, a teacher at a private university 

Bangladesh’s economic success in the last five decades is fascinating. But I am frustrated as religion is still being used as a political tool.

The Constitution of Bangladesh has given equal rights to all. But in practice, women are still considered lower class citizens. Equal property inheritance rights for men and women are yet to be established. 

Despite the increase in women's participation in education and other sectors, we are still victims of gender discrimination in all spheres of society, including in the laws of this country.

It has been so many years since the 1952 Language Movement but Bangla is still not the medium of education in higher studies.

Emad Uddin, a student of DU 

Everybody should have equal opportunities in education. The existing English and Bangla medium systems are creating division among us. 

English medium students get better jobs after finishing their higher education. They are also preferred more in the classrooms.  Also, students of the arts stream are lagging behind in the job market.

Idris Ali Khan, a poet

I have watched this country achieve freedom from Pakistan. Now this year we are observing the golden jubilee of our independence, but my expectations for this country have not been realized. 

There are some greedy and corrupt people who – right from the time of our liberation – have always taken away the share of the underprivileged and also dominated them. We have to be careful of such individuals in order to have the development of our country continue.

Mazharul Islam Robin, a student of DU 

The mindset of our youth has become civil service and government job-oriented. But this shouldn’t have happened. Students cannot do research work due to no funding or for the lack of it. These are the reasons why students are only memorizing textbooks to secure jobs instead of learning something. The state is forcing us to do this.