Need for a BAD time!

by Sohail Choudhury
November 26, 2008

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/126/need-for-a-bad-time

I remember, during the great flood in 1988, seeing snakes and human's peaceful co-existence. The whole country was virtually under flood water. Even in the capital Dhaka, when most of it was inundated, only a few places were above the flood water and people took refuge in those water-free places; so did the snakes. Quite an amazing scene! Other than a very few scattered incidents, mostly the snakes were kind towards human; as if they were always like this even when things are NORMAL.

Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League President and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia exchanged greetings at a reception on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day at Dhaka cantonment on 21st November evening. They last attended the Armed Forces Day reception in November 2006 but ignored each other rather than talking. The Armed Forces Day is observed to pay tribute to the members of the armed forces who laid down their lives in the war of independence.

The two leaders, who were put behind the bars by the present government of Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and ultimately released after nearly a year in detention, met with each other lightheartedly and shared 'jail' experiences at the reception. The opponents from two top political parties were in temporary jail in the parliament building complex in connection with graft cases. Mrs. Zia and Sheikh Hasina were released on bail recently as election process restarted in the country.

When Mrs. Zia stretched out her hands towards Sheikh Hasina and as the two leaders shook hands, the guests attending the program cheered the unusual moment with great applause. The two political rivals, who did not talk 'publicly' for more than a decade, also inquired about welfare of each other's families. The chief adviser, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, and the army chief, Moeen U. Ahmed also talked to the two leaders individually. Dr Ahmed spoke to the two leaders after the president's speech delivered on the occasion of the Armed Forces' Day.

Earlier, both AL president and BNP Chairperson were absolutely stubborn, ignoring each other and it was rather 'un-dreamable' for people of Bangladesh that there will be a day when these two giant leaders will talk or smile at each other with kindness.

It happened; at last Begum Khaleda spoke to her equal Sheikh Hasina! Bad time gave them a good lesson!

Time will judge the negative and positive aspects of this present government. Time will also tell if imprisonment of both these leaders for quite a while was lawful or not. But imprisonment made them wiser or at least wise. They now know if they quarrel amongst each other, this will give chance to a third party take advantage of the situation. Although, the jail where both these two ladies lived was rather a 'Solitary Holiday Home' in compare to a regular jail, but for people of their level, it was certainly a punishment. We [public] know how badly they strived to get out of the 'jail'. If after NBP Chief Khaleda Zia's turn as prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, the AL chief was the Prime-minister and with corruption charge Awami-League imprisoned the BNP chief, possibly, the country would practically be ablaze!

Any one inclined to either of these parties or these leaders might still have rage against the present government that they sent them to prison, but an improvement in their attitude and personality after their lives in jail is evident. It is for sure they really needed a BAD TIME!

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