Yesterday I picked a book from my bookshelf and read it to my 4 and 3 year old children as bed time stories. This one Bangla and the short story called “Didi O Picklo”. Very nice touchy story of pet dog named Picklo.
I did not like the language and the tone of the story. It was poor, mean, and morally weak with stereotype. I don’t want to profile the writer; however there are events and things that do not go with the culture that we have and we value in the west, I mean in Bangladesh.
No offence to English speaking people of England and USA; however they do speak different English; Culture unquestionably different, similar capitalism but one invade the world with Tea and the other with Coffee. So do Bangladesh and India, I mean east Bengal.
I was reading “Dora”, “Diago”, even dinosaur, animal stories in English and I though why not try some Bangla. I would really love to get some reference on good Bangla children books. It does not have to teach big virtue, a simple nature, basic science stories or math stories or having fun tour, adventure stories could be just fine. Or am I expecting too much? Patriots, please no hard feelings!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
More fools expectation ..
Out of approximately 300K applicant paid thousands of dollar as security deposit and willing to buy a piece of land for one’s own place which he/she will call home, not even 10% will get the product. You guessed right, yes, I am talking about RAJUK plots.
The vast majority of the pursuant, more then 90%, will be rejected. Although they have the money and will; although they are ready to invest in the housing industry, they will have no opportunity to do so. In the mean time RAJUK will have thousands of corers Taka of the applicants’ money in RAJUK’s bank.
This money will accrue interest; however applicant will not get a penny of those. I hope RAJUK will not take years to announce the winners and returns the deposits of the unlucky ones; however, I have a proposal of being agile, nimble and execute on scale. This part of my dream big.
While customers are waiting, can we be agile and multiply the scale of the project to ten fold. Can we build a modern model city? I know the real estate in Dubai in the decline and in USA it is hitting nowhere but bottom.
But in nowhere there are so many customers eager to buy.
Hence can we deliver a piece of RAJUK plot to all the applicants? Let’s act quickly and make it happen. We are the same breed of people who architected SEARS Tower, versioned the impossible, when others are doubtful.
People are waiting with money in their hands, funding is no issue here. What you say Buetians? Can Buet engineers architect, design, build such a city in Dhaka to meet customer demand and solve some housing need of the nation?
The vast majority of the pursuant, more then 90%, will be rejected. Although they have the money and will; although they are ready to invest in the housing industry, they will have no opportunity to do so. In the mean time RAJUK will have thousands of corers Taka of the applicants’ money in RAJUK’s bank.
This money will accrue interest; however applicant will not get a penny of those. I hope RAJUK will not take years to announce the winners and returns the deposits of the unlucky ones; however, I have a proposal of being agile, nimble and execute on scale. This part of my dream big.
While customers are waiting, can we be agile and multiply the scale of the project to ten fold. Can we build a modern model city? I know the real estate in Dubai in the decline and in USA it is hitting nowhere but bottom.
But in nowhere there are so many customers eager to buy.
Hence can we deliver a piece of RAJUK plot to all the applicants? Let’s act quickly and make it happen. We are the same breed of people who architected SEARS Tower, versioned the impossible, when others are doubtful.
People are waiting with money in their hands, funding is no issue here. What you say Buetians? Can Buet engineers architect, design, build such a city in Dhaka to meet customer demand and solve some housing need of the nation?
Thursday, June 4, 2009
A fools expectation from RAJUK
Let’s face it, you never turn down a buyer; not especially during the global economic down turn that we are in right now. People who are in private sector, like export oriented garment industry knows how hard they try to keep the LC valid and deliver the product; however if you are in a bureaucratic non transparent organization than you don’t have any motivation to do that; because you job is secure and your benefits is not tied with your performance or productivity.
For example, you all Bangladeshi expatriates probably heard and most of you participated in recent offerings of RAJUK for the UTTRA or PURBACHOL plots. Most of us don’t feel comfortable with the private sector offerings due to their failure to build trustworthy business dealings. Although government run companies does not do a better job; however we kind of feel that our money will be safe in their hands regardless they deliver the product or not.
With the overwhelming response from the people of Bangladeshi origin all over the world, especially middle east, America and Europe, in my estimate there could be as many as 300,000 (three hundred thousands) applicants applied with security deposits of thousands of dollar per applicants. Let me do a simple math:
Number of applicant 3,00,000
Prospectus fee collected = 300,000x1000 (30 Corer Taka) or 300,000xUSD$20 (6 million dollars)
Security deposit collected between
In USD $585 Million= (1500x0.5+2000x0.3+2500x0.1+3500x0.1)x300,000 or
In Bangladesh Taka 30750 Million Taka= (75Kx0.5+100Kx0.3+150Kx0.1+200Kx0.1)x300,000
For my estimation I used a simplified conservative formula, where I assume the following:
a. 50% applied for 3 khatha plots with USD$1500 or 75,000/= Taka (or a mix of these)
b. 30% applied for 5 khatha plots with USD$2000 or 1,00,000/=Taka (or a mix of these)
c. 10% applied for 7.5 khatha plots with USD$2500 or 1,50,000/= Taka (or a mix of these)
d. 10% applied for 10 khata plots with USD$3500 or 2,00,000/=Taka (or a mix of these)
Hence at a minimum RAJUK may collect 3075 Corer taka just from the applicants. If all were collected in USD than the amount could be 4007 Crore Taka. I am not suggesting that Rajuk got that amount of money; but to get some idea we could use the above assumptions and conclude that the amount of revenue collection from the applicants may be 3 to 4 thousands corer taka.
Keep in mind that this huge amount of money collected without even disclosing the price of per khatha of the land. See the enormous hunger of the Bangladeshi people for a piece of land that they could one day build a house. See how much they are willing to give up not even knowing the price of the product they will get.
Where are those sells technique that you learn in your MBA’s from Business Schools? You did not applied any of those; however a huge number of people willing to buy.
Alas RAJUK, I wish you could make more products to satisfy all those applicants! In this global economy nobody has that many customers ready with cash in their hand for a product!
For example, you all Bangladeshi expatriates probably heard and most of you participated in recent offerings of RAJUK for the UTTRA or PURBACHOL plots. Most of us don’t feel comfortable with the private sector offerings due to their failure to build trustworthy business dealings. Although government run companies does not do a better job; however we kind of feel that our money will be safe in their hands regardless they deliver the product or not.
With the overwhelming response from the people of Bangladeshi origin all over the world, especially middle east, America and Europe, in my estimate there could be as many as 300,000 (three hundred thousands) applicants applied with security deposits of thousands of dollar per applicants. Let me do a simple math:
Number of applicant 3,00,000
Prospectus fee collected = 300,000x1000 (30 Corer Taka) or 300,000xUSD$20 (6 million dollars)
Security deposit collected between
In USD $585 Million= (1500x0.5+2000x0.3+2500x0.1+3500x0.1)x300,000 or
In Bangladesh Taka 30750 Million Taka= (75Kx0.5+100Kx0.3+150Kx0.1+200Kx0.1)x300,000
For my estimation I used a simplified conservative formula, where I assume the following:
a. 50% applied for 3 khatha plots with USD$1500 or 75,000/= Taka (or a mix of these)
b. 30% applied for 5 khatha plots with USD$2000 or 1,00,000/=Taka (or a mix of these)
c. 10% applied for 7.5 khatha plots with USD$2500 or 1,50,000/= Taka (or a mix of these)
d. 10% applied for 10 khata plots with USD$3500 or 2,00,000/=Taka (or a mix of these)
Hence at a minimum RAJUK may collect 3075 Corer taka just from the applicants. If all were collected in USD than the amount could be 4007 Crore Taka. I am not suggesting that Rajuk got that amount of money; but to get some idea we could use the above assumptions and conclude that the amount of revenue collection from the applicants may be 3 to 4 thousands corer taka.
Keep in mind that this huge amount of money collected without even disclosing the price of per khatha of the land. See the enormous hunger of the Bangladeshi people for a piece of land that they could one day build a house. See how much they are willing to give up not even knowing the price of the product they will get.
Where are those sells technique that you learn in your MBA’s from Business Schools? You did not applied any of those; however a huge number of people willing to buy.
Alas RAJUK, I wish you could make more products to satisfy all those applicants! In this global economy nobody has that many customers ready with cash in their hand for a product!
Monday, March 2, 2009
BDR Mutiny and Army honor
Like the nation I am disturbed and deeply shocked by the BDR mutiny and aftermath. During the aftermath, we should use our decency and judgment while sharing the shocking images as well as spreading the vivid details of the brutality. We have to ask ourselves what we want by doing those acts.
I have lost friends of my relatives; my heart goes out to those children who lost their parents, to those spouses who lost their loved ones. May almighty give them the strengths to overcome the losses. For the fallen army officers, may almighty rest their souls in peace.
Just think about the alternative of not taking the control immediately under civil administration; If Army were asked to conduct the hostage negotiation or rescue operation, in my opinion, there is higher chance it could result into more casualty.
Think about it a bit. I myself, not being in the Army, was shocked, angered after seeing too many higher officers, colonel, Lt Colonel were killed instantly. Think about the Army brethren and friends of those fallen soldier would react once they saw those while they are loaded with smoking armors, tanks. Pillkhana would have been a blood bath with all those culprit killed along with many more collateral damages. Chances of many more innocent lives along with the perpetrators’ would have perished.
Once the blood bath in BDR headquarter spread around the country, 46 other BDR camp would have experience the call to revolt and more lives would have perished for no higher purpose. However, if that happen, you never know which way public sentiment would go; if things goes out of control and uncontrollable massacre happen. In worst case it could trigger “emergency rule”!
My heart felt thanks to Bangladesh Army for showing their patience for the greater good of the country. My thanks to the chiefs of the armed forces for their trust in civil administration. I appreciate Gen Moen’s advice not to spread rumors as well as he advised to cross check the armed forces offices even if those information are given by the army officer. Because there are lots of emotions going around. Everybody needs a shoulder to lean during this time.
I would ask everybody to refrain from spreading instigating information, especially to the leader of the opposition party. I ask her, what she is expecting to gain by repeating how much brutality those disgruntle BDR men did to the dead body? I challenge her to take a moral position; not a political one, during this national mourning. Please advice a better path and be constructive during this defining moment.
I hope the investigating body takes quick action to hunt those perpetrators. I hope Army would continue to show trust and patience toward democracy and help civil administration professionally.
Honor is what counts. My salute to all the member of Army for their honor and dignity. Above all showing their commitment for the greater interest of the nation. I hope chain of command and senior officers should continue to help mourning officers and show their outmost restrain and respect while battling their emotions.
I am very glad that the chief of the opposition Khaleda Zia hold a grip on herself and made a political move of moral call on March 1st. During this unsettling time, the country need some sense of unity. While people are drowning with grief and pulling every straw of information out there to comfort the suffering, our national leaders and intellectuals should reflect to their senses.
What is happening to the TV media and the news media that, every expert trying to bring their expertise to explain the incident; but the irony of this comes with their own agenda. Hence in lot of cases it exacerbates the anger and frustrations further more. Although, there are people who “gets it” and trying to helpless people to help. We all needed some support to go through this national loss and grief.
This note also publised as a letter to daily newage in Bangladesh: http://www.newagebd.com/2009/mar/03/fb.html
I have lost friends of my relatives; my heart goes out to those children who lost their parents, to those spouses who lost their loved ones. May almighty give them the strengths to overcome the losses. For the fallen army officers, may almighty rest their souls in peace.
Just think about the alternative of not taking the control immediately under civil administration; If Army were asked to conduct the hostage negotiation or rescue operation, in my opinion, there is higher chance it could result into more casualty.
Think about it a bit. I myself, not being in the Army, was shocked, angered after seeing too many higher officers, colonel, Lt Colonel were killed instantly. Think about the Army brethren and friends of those fallen soldier would react once they saw those while they are loaded with smoking armors, tanks. Pillkhana would have been a blood bath with all those culprit killed along with many more collateral damages. Chances of many more innocent lives along with the perpetrators’ would have perished.
Once the blood bath in BDR headquarter spread around the country, 46 other BDR camp would have experience the call to revolt and more lives would have perished for no higher purpose. However, if that happen, you never know which way public sentiment would go; if things goes out of control and uncontrollable massacre happen. In worst case it could trigger “emergency rule”!
My heart felt thanks to Bangladesh Army for showing their patience for the greater good of the country. My thanks to the chiefs of the armed forces for their trust in civil administration. I appreciate Gen Moen’s advice not to spread rumors as well as he advised to cross check the armed forces offices even if those information are given by the army officer. Because there are lots of emotions going around. Everybody needs a shoulder to lean during this time.
I would ask everybody to refrain from spreading instigating information, especially to the leader of the opposition party. I ask her, what she is expecting to gain by repeating how much brutality those disgruntle BDR men did to the dead body? I challenge her to take a moral position; not a political one, during this national mourning. Please advice a better path and be constructive during this defining moment.
I hope the investigating body takes quick action to hunt those perpetrators. I hope Army would continue to show trust and patience toward democracy and help civil administration professionally.
Honor is what counts. My salute to all the member of Army for their honor and dignity. Above all showing their commitment for the greater interest of the nation. I hope chain of command and senior officers should continue to help mourning officers and show their outmost restrain and respect while battling their emotions.
I am very glad that the chief of the opposition Khaleda Zia hold a grip on herself and made a political move of moral call on March 1st. During this unsettling time, the country need some sense of unity. While people are drowning with grief and pulling every straw of information out there to comfort the suffering, our national leaders and intellectuals should reflect to their senses.
What is happening to the TV media and the news media that, every expert trying to bring their expertise to explain the incident; but the irony of this comes with their own agenda. Hence in lot of cases it exacerbates the anger and frustrations further more. Although, there are people who “gets it” and trying to helpless people to help. We all needed some support to go through this national loss and grief.
This note also publised as a letter to daily newage in Bangladesh: http://www.newagebd.com/2009/mar/03/fb.html
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Abedin-Abdullah proposal for short term job creation
The Proposal: Mandate every state to have mandatory full service gas station like my own state Oregon.At least 4 new jobs per gas station. There should be a recovery gas tax and the new jobs will be funded by this gas tax by the owner. This proposal is a temporary plan and may mandate for next two years only. After two years, this could be extended to fund alternative energy initiatives to reduce dependency on foreign oil.Based in 1997 statistics, there are 126,262 gas stations for the lower 48; hence this plan may immediately create half million jobs assuming on average 4 jobs per station. Although these jobs may be per time and low pay; however it may be better than pan handling or food banks or even social security checks.
Thanks to Abedin Bhai for bringing this up during lunch conversation at the Intel's cafeteria today.
All gas stations in U.S.: 126,889
Alaska: 267
Hawaii: 360
Gas stations with convenience stores: 81,684
The following are the 113,000 stations that have been open more than ayear:
Gas stations with sales less than $500,000: 18,802
Gas stations with sales $500K - $1 million: 24,103
Gas stations with sales $1 million - $2.5 million: 49,482
Gas stations with sales over $2.5 million: 20,465
The data comes from the U.S. 1997 Economic Census "Establishment &Firm Size, Retail Sector" (October, 2000)http://www.census.gov/prod/ec97/97r44-sz.pdf
Thanks to Abedin Bhai for bringing this up during lunch conversation at the Intel's cafeteria today.
All gas stations in U.S.: 126,889
Alaska: 267
Hawaii: 360
Gas stations with convenience stores: 81,684
The following are the 113,000 stations that have been open more than ayear:
Gas stations with sales less than $500,000: 18,802
Gas stations with sales $500K - $1 million: 24,103
Gas stations with sales $1 million - $2.5 million: 49,482
Gas stations with sales over $2.5 million: 20,465
The data comes from the U.S. 1997 Economic Census "Establishment &Firm Size, Retail Sector" (October, 2000)http://www.census.gov/prod/ec97/97r44-sz.pdf
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Senate OKs $15,000 tax break for homebuyers (AP)
http://buzz.yahoo.com/article/1:y_news:a6e612dc8aee93d08e28b9c63c4047e6
I think Senate, House and White House need to think outside the box for a while. They should give a break to the current buzz word "Billion" for every bill addressing the economy. Why don't they talk about the "Confidence" and "Real Value" for a change?
There has not been any catastrophe since 2007. I don't see any house smashed down or burn down or leveled up. Farmers did not stop producing produce. It is not the end of the world. More you panic more damage you are causing to the moral of the survivor. Just focus on your job and do it more efficiently and cost effectively. Add more value to it. And that goes for everybody, house and the executive body, factories and industries, farm and most importantly the money managers, investment bankers. Come on how long you though these fake valuation could last? You enjoyed the ride, not stop blaming and get use to it.
I don't want to keep writing off my tax to my future and my children’s, how much more debt are we going to put on their back? It is easy for congress and those tax dodger to write off future tax today; but boy what happen to the good old citizenship to have the politician in check?
I think Senate, House and White House need to think outside the box for a while. They should give a break to the current buzz word "Billion" for every bill addressing the economy. Why don't they talk about the "Confidence" and "Real Value" for a change?
There has not been any catastrophe since 2007. I don't see any house smashed down or burn down or leveled up. Farmers did not stop producing produce. It is not the end of the world. More you panic more damage you are causing to the moral of the survivor. Just focus on your job and do it more efficiently and cost effectively. Add more value to it. And that goes for everybody, house and the executive body, factories and industries, farm and most importantly the money managers, investment bankers. Come on how long you though these fake valuation could last? You enjoyed the ride, not stop blaming and get use to it.
I don't want to keep writing off my tax to my future and my children’s, how much more debt are we going to put on their back? It is easy for congress and those tax dodger to write off future tax today; but boy what happen to the good old citizenship to have the politician in check?
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