Knowledge and Power: Term vary in Bangladeshi Context

Knowledge this term refers to expertise or stillness of a person, which are acquiring through experience and education। It is not necessarily that, one should educated through academic degree only, it could achieve from society and nature also. on the other word we can explain the term as awareness and familiarity gained by experience of a fact of situation.

Now let us clear the term, power. It can be define from various ways actually, if we put our concentration on Social perspective, we will find Power means ability to make choice or influence outcomes, which is also power held by a person or group of people in a society. There is a strong relation between Knowledge and power term.

Most of the traditional approach is, Power is achieved through Knowledge. I mean the person who is educated he gained power too. However, according to Michel Foucault, Knowledge and Power is same thing. Foucault thought reflect that, power is situate among a society. In addition, it is being practiced over the year and can be show on the basis and demand of situation. According to him, a knowledgeable person is always respecting from every part of the society. As mass people put their faith on that person, ultimately, what he/she states that is cordially received from every part of the society, however the information is not true. this sort of practice create an image among the society and which have been practiced over the year, as most of the people have full of belief on particular person's thought, that create a power too.

Foucault extends his thought in this way, power and knowledge is the belief that those who are in power have specialist knowledge, like physicians, producers, administrative people, or even teacher too.


However, for some obvious reasons, considering social practice of this sub continent the term Power, practicing in a different way. The person who is rich and have inherited lots of property are considering as Power person. Academic even knowledge do not play any role here. In Bangladeshi rural practice the person who has lots of wealth considered as leader of the society; some cases real knowledgeable persons are neglected.

Representation: Nation's Identity in the Global Society

'Representation' term is widely using in the society from ancient time। If we put our concentration on invention of language, we will find concrete idea on representation. To develop a communication between each other, earlier people used different sort of signs and symbols, to share his inner idea, that was first step of developing language. Later on people start to use different words or sounds, where every word represents particular meaning. In every communication process when we will say it success, when communicator and commune will understand the meaning of particular word.

If we try to define the term 'representation' in literally meaning than, representation refers to look like or to resemble something, to stand something or to present something second time. To clarify the fact, Say Zainul Abedin greatest artist of Bangladesh drew famine of Bangladesh after liberation war. The painting shows that how pathetic scenario was than, later on some other painters tried to copy the painting that means, second paintings representing first one.

In political context, we can get a clear concept of term representation. There are various political parties in a democratic country; every political party consists of their own thoughts, ideas, belief and motivation for country. That means name of particular political party refers to combination of that thoughts and beliefs. In the shorter version would be 'sign' of political party. There are two biggest political parties in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Awamilegue (AL). First one create their constitution on right politics and second one on right hand politics. Before election, every political party gives their own ambition after getting pass in the election. Based on that public vote or not, later on that elected political person represent the public of particular area in the parliament.

How a nation or country is, represent to other part of the world. Definitely, every nation has their own identity with their own culture and heritage, as well language and their belief and attitude. For Bangladeshi nation, as a part firstly we love to represent us, hospitable, hard working, self respect with each other, simply satisfies with simple things, patriot, emotion, nature loving, natural beauty, though poor but happy with simple life, there are a number of minority groups but no clash among each other. All this together represent the Bengali nation. Rich culture and heritage, pride history, ancient achievements and other facts, combined make prosper as a nation in the World context.

Myth most important component of Religion

For many obvious reasons religion plays a vital role in Bangladeshi culture and society. Term myth is one of the central components of religion. Some scholars love to explain, that any religion is mostly dominated by two components, ritual and myth. Term myth refers to ancient believe of human being which is practiced by earlier generation. Once upon a time this practicing habit takes place as, social custom. On the other hand ritual refers to religious activities of human society; it could be vary from religion to religion.


To understand the term myth, we can take a number example from Bengal culture and society. It could be latest example from my part, few days ago I visited Sitakondu, about 50 K.M distance from Chittagong city. There is hill call ‘Seta’s pahar’, Seta is one of the vital character of Hindu religion. Sitakondu is full of small hills, and at top of the most of the hills have different temple of Hindu religion. Every year about one million people gather there, in ‘Dull Purnima’ celebration. Though Goya and Kashi is known as biggest pilgrim, but it’s said that if a Hindu fails to come Sitakondu for pilgrims in Dull purnima than, pilgrim is in complete. About 300 years ago temple was built there, now it became one of the biggest religious festival of this subcontinent. Now it’s not just religious festival of Hindus, all religious people take part, and now it become part of Bangladeshi culture especially for Southern part people


There could be another example from Muslim part of the country. Second biggest Muslim religious festival occurs here in Bangladesh. the pious who are involve with spreading Islam and ask muslim to work for almighty Allah they come together every year for three days, long Islamic gathering. Now it’s very important part of our Muslim culture. In the similar way can take example of Two Eid Festival, Shob E- Barat and Qadar also playing a very important role in Bengal culture. All of this belief came from Arabic culture hundreds of years ago and enter into Bengal culture.

In Bangladesh about 85% people are Muslim and second big religion is Hindu about 11% people practice this religion. In both religions there are some persons who lead the community. In Islam, people love to follow the command from Mouluvi and Hindu people love to follow the command of Purohit. This two class people always, command people with showing some history and contribution of fellow followers to establish the religion. As well as they try to follows a bright and prospect of particular person if direction of religion is possible to follow. Some cases they try to show their super power, just to get attention from mass people. once upon a time that person become hero of the society.

Connotation represent Society; Denotation is the Root

Communication is a process, through this some one make a relationship with others. A communication consider as successful when source and receiver exactly understand the message. If we put our eyes in the process of communication, we will find some one firstly who will work as a source he/she will encode a message than will send it to media, the receiver will decode it and than will provide feedback. There could be verbal or non verbal communication.

If we go for the term ‘denotation’, it refers to the surface or literal meaning encoded to signifier, and the definition most likely to appear in a dictionary. Whatever the literal meaning is, to transmit information both addresser and addressee must understand the similar code. In western world, a thumb up refers to appreciate or congratulate a particular person. On the other hand in Bengal society some areas people use the sign to disagree with some one or to show anxiousness use this sign. As meaning is different with similar sign in that case it bit tough to keep communication with two areas people.

On the other hand term ‘connotation’ is used in boarder way. Connotation arises when the denotative relationship between a signifier and it’s signified is inadequate to serve the needs of the community. For meaning of a new object may be newly used by a particular community or even it could be use in dictionary for that community.

To keep relationship with others and to create a social bond human being used different signs and codes. The upgrade version of code and sign is language, which is very important component of culture. Culture represents everything of a particular nation, like dress code, food habit, national celebration, social customs and norms, values, everything. This culture comes through successful connotation. In Bengal culture we see, people of Bangladesh are very much concuss about guests, which may not found in western part of earth. In ‘Pohela Baishakh’ Benagli New year celebration we see, total nation come together with their own heritage. Every woman wears Sharees and male use Punjabi, love to take traditional bangla food, the whole day people pass their busy time with moving to their relatives, listen popular Bangla songs. On the other hand English New Year celebration process is bit different, English people loved to celebrate the day with their own culture.

If we consider sports I mean cricket, you will see the game is same around the world, the enjoyment of supporters are not same. In Australia we see, people rush to stadium as a holyday mood; love to show replica of their own culture. But here in this sub continent celebration process is bit different, in traditional mood people come to stadium in aggressive mood.

To respect elder and be soft on kids it’s part of social structure of Bangladeshi culture. Here in Bangladesh religious value is very important factor. This component mostly dominates social culture and heritage of Bengal. What should be the dress code of female, what marriage process everything is should define by religious rules and regulation?

Social Construction of Reality: Fact of Life

Pohela Boishakh Celebration: Practicing over the year in Bengali Culture

Actually it bit tough to define the term ‘society’ on the other hand it much easier for some reasons. ‘Air’ it’s everywhere in our surroundings, without air any live is possible. Society is similar fact without this human life is impossible; in fact wild life is also under society control.

The term society is all about a person which consist culture, customs, norms, language and all about of a particular person’s day to day life. Social construction is a concept or practice which may appear to be natural and obvious to those who accept it, but in reality is an invention of a particular culture or society. This construction is a continuous process, which started from age to age of a family. A combination of families practice together once upon time creates a new custom.

How brain stores and retrieves information to examine the ways in which learners make meaning from experience. Rather than transmission of knowledge, learning is an internal process of interpretation; learners do not transfer knowledge from external world into their memories, rather they create interpretations of the world based upon their past experiences and their interactions in the world. Say, how a baby grows up in the society and how a baby adopts with a social life it’s totally depend on social life. No one suggest him to learn social language. But what mother says, he/she loves to copy it or want to practice with that. That’s why it called mother tongue. What sort of dress code a baby will follow no one bound him to do that might be mother in the childhood try to impose her on choice. But later on he get a chance to bounce back in his on choice, social custom allow him just to use their social dress. That’s why see variation of using dress from nation to nation. The constructivists approaches that have grown out of these, argue that learning should be durable, transferable and self regulated. In another way, it could be explain in this way, everyone in this earth himself is a complete institution. what he/she achieve from society and educational institution, family even in the surroundings he loves to gather the message in his own way and with own explanation. Thus ultimately a new idea develops from his own way. Ultimately we see various sorts of people having different approaches. Which build a construction in the society.

Review of the film ‘Wag The Dog’: Black face of Media

[Wag the Dog: Media In a Question]

Mass media is well known as watch dog of democracy, it’s one of the fourth states of any democratic country. Fruitful democracy many ways depend on active participation of media people. As mass people have only way to communicate with top level people of a country is ‘media’, whatever the issue is people want to put their faith on media message. But some cases holy faith of public goes down for unethical activities of media. Wag the Dog movie is one of the best examples of manipulation of the mass media and public opinion, with a comedic way.

If we want to find out the background of the movie Wag the Dog directed by Barry Levinson, we will find movie was produced in a time when, former president Bill Clinton was impeached by sex scandal during the year 1997. Although the movie also makes reference to the Persian Gulf War as an example of war used as an electoral topic. Through the movie we see, that American president was involved with sex scandal allegation by a girl, as the election time is just before the opponent candidates taking this opportunity. Opponent political parties started negative campaign of the existing president. During that time President was visiting China. As mass people are not getting any speech from president concerning this issue, one of the renowned producers of Hollywood took the opportunity to work in fever of president. Producer Dustin Hoffman contrasts a fake war against Albania. As media and mass people had full of concentration about sex scandal, it became more important issue for public. Once upon a time people forgot the negative face of president as usual they started thinking how logical this war is against Albania.

If we go through with whole movie, we will find that how much interpretations differ as to the meaning of this metaphor. Most of the time mass people fail to gather exact message from media. If we take the example of ‘Gulf War’ and contribution of media, especially English and American Media, the journalist covering that war had to take shelter from American or British Soldiers. As accommodation and all sorts of facilities are provided from them it’s not possible to be unbiased for a journalist. Ultimately mass people are not getting right information from Iraq. If we relate this experience with this movie we will find similarity.

Democracy under Threate...

Hei Friends,
To Understand the reality, we should put our eyes widely, plz don't be penic...to save democracy...to save your life...to save national economy...to lead our life...for sustain Bangladesh....this reality....please go ahead with following story...this was published in The Daily Star on July 17, 2007. written by Mahfuz Anam, Editor, of The Daily Star...

Commentary
This is no way to strengthen democracy
Just as "command economy" failed, so will "command politics"
Mahfuz Anam

The only reason that the caretaker government has survived six months in power, and the chief advisor acknowledges it every time an occasion arises, is because the general public think of it to be an instrument to strengthen democracy. But now if this very instrument of 'strengthening democracy' becomes a symbol of mindless and arbitrary use of power, then how will the public distinguish it from such previous abusers of power and continue to lend it support?
As a newspaper which supported the reform process of this government, we raise the above question in all seriousness. For we think by arresting Sheikh Hasina on charges that can easily be tried without her internment, the government has put at risk all its achievements of the last six months. To us Sheikh Hasina's arrest is totally misconceived and smacks of arrogant use of power without due process of law. To say that nobody is above the law must also mean that law is not the handmaiden of anybody either.


Examine the arbitrariness with which Sheikh Hasina's has been treated. She was allowed to go abroad and just because she spoke out against some actions of this government, (having earlier promised to ratify everything) suddenly several cases were filed against her. Then, when every government would want an accused to return to the country to face the charges, the government decided that she would not be allowed to come. Why and under what law and whose authority, we still don't know. In a most childish move all foreign airlines were asked not to take her on board, ignoring specific international laws that govern international travel. Then, just as suddenly she was allowed to return to a tumultuous welcome at the airport, which then resulted in cases against 5,000 unidentified attendees. (How these cases will be pursued only God knows).


Things were quiet for a while as the AL chief kept mum. She was allowed some movement but stopped whenever she would make a comment. In the latest instances of arbitrariness, Sheikh Hasina was allowed to visit the ailing Sabina Yasmin but Khaleda Zia was not.


In Khaleda Zia's case a comedy was enacted with her going abroad. The plan was to send her into exile and the bargaining was whether or not she will be allowed to take her two sons with her. We saw the drama of Koko -- being charged with extortion (same as Sheikh Hasina), arrested and then released within a day with the case still pending. The drama continued for days which later turned out to be a farce as the BNP chief did not even have a visa for any country willing to host her. She had to negotiate to visit her husband's grave and seek clearance every time she went anywhere. Again the question is why, and under what law her movements are curtailed.


We trust the chief of staff when he says that the Army is not involved in politics or forming any new party. But what do we do when we receive reports from our correspondents that district administrators are making lists of so-called clean politicians and that many of them are being visited by the powers that be goading them to join the new so-called king's party? What do we do when senior leaders of both the BNP and the AL tell us of powerful visitors asking them to move against their party leaders or face corruption charges?

We would like to strongly suggest that this is no way to strengthen democracy. Just as 'command economy' failed so will 'command politics'. The core of democracy is people's right to choose their leaders and those who will represent them in the government. We accept that we made some bad choices in the past. We accept that our leaders, including Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, betrayed our trust in many cases and over many years. We also agree that we got tired and fed up with confrontational and destructive politics and that we all yearned for a change. But we never agreed to bargain our democracy for 'knights in shining armour' to save us from dire straits.


We repeat that we welcomed the emergency for the simple reason that the election that was looming before us was going to further destroy our democracy, which had been battered by years of partisan politics from both sides. We supported the caretaker government, and we still do, simply because we want to go back to democracy, albeit greatly strengthened and made free of corruption. But arresting leaders at whim and 'punishing' them for making critical comments is no way of doing that.


In reference to the economy our Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus had told an earlier government: "We do not need your help, just remove the obstacles and let people do the rest." We say the same thing today about politics to the caretaker government and to the armed forces that are helping them. We don't need your help in doing politics. Just remove the obstacles and let people do the rest. Here obstacles means corruption, lack of appropriate laws, necessary oversight mechanism, independent judiciary, Election Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, Public Service Commission, depoliticised bureaucracy and law enforcement agencies.

Much of the above the government is doing, and creditably so. But the tragedy is that it is doing something more. It is attempting to manipulate our politics by trying to predetermine who will be and who will not be a part of its future. This is neither desirable nor doable and even if forced, not sustainable. Every leader possessing slightest bit of integrity will shy away from being a part of this process. Those who will be forced to participate in this process will lack credibility to command any respect and thus be unable to provide stability. And those who will volunteer to be part of this process, and there will be many as there has been in the past, will not be worth the paper their names will be written on.

If anybody expects to bring about a dynamic Bangladesh through such group of opportunists can only be termed as being totally devoid of any knowledge of history, especially of this part of the world, and specifically of Bangladesh.

The chief election commissioner's roadmap of Sunday had cleared the air considerably about the coming elections. But yesterday's arrest of Sheikh Hasina brought in some dark clouds over the election horizon. Suspicion has been sown that though the process and mechanics of the coming election may be free and fair, through "command politics" those participating in it may be pre-selected and thereby predetermining the outcome. Simply put "command politics" will yield "command victors" and thus instead of elected government we'll have a puppet government.


We hope that the above nightmarish scenario will not happen. It is imperative that immediate and credible steps be taken to remove all suspicion about it. For a start we think Sheikh Hasina should be set free. Let all credible cases be brought against her and let her face the law and the courts and let the people judge her for what she is. Further, we need lifting of ban on indoor politics. This will allow the reformists and the old guards to fight in the open and give the public a chance to understand the issues and make their judgment. It is our firm belief that there is a groundswell of support for reforms in every aspect of our politics. The leaders who will oppose reforms will be rejected by the voters, if not by the party activists and supporters. But the reform process has to be open and free, and not manipulated.

We conclude by urging the army-backed caretaker government not to jeopardise the whole reform process and the considerable success that this government has achieved in fighting corruption and bringing some institutional reforms by wittingly or unwittingly becoming over-ambitious and taking more on their plate than they can digest. The fundamental mistake committed by past proponents of "command politics" was to underestimate the wisdom of our masses. We cannot afford a repeat of that mistake.