READERS' FORUM
The concept of call centre is primarily related to two basic requirements: proper equipment and the ability to render proper service in a prompt and proper manner. It is true in Bangladesh many organizations have their centrally located telephone networks which they claim to be call centres but the quality and volume of service provided by these organizations hardly meet those requirements. Any comparison with Pakistan is relevant only when we take a narrow view of the term. You cannot think of an independent call centre flourishing with nonchalant telephone operators displaying poor communicative skills in English. Call centres can truly be lucrative with business being brought from abroad - outsourcing.
Shahrior Shaon, Bakshibazar, Dhaka
India is a much bigger country than Bangladesh but that is not the reason why its global market share is big (21%). English is the business and official language in India - some Indians speak English as their first language - Indians have developed a cosmopolitan culture, and above all they have a long tradition of dealing with foreigners. Bangladeshis are well mannered but not well trained, in Bangladesh English was neglected due to wrong government policy and here society is still influenced by the orthodox minority. I think before Bangladesh can hope to have its fair share of the global call centre business it needs to be more global in its outlook.
Shahiduzzaman, by email
Suddenly there is a huge interest in call centre business. Entrepreneurs were looking for new opportunities and they have found one. But they should study the market first and then invest. I agree we have cheap manpower but to make the business viable government should give all kinds of facilities in the initial stage. In our country bureaucrats behave with businessmen like stepmothers. Government depends on these bureaucrats and so we see new rules, tax and duties. Unless the government policy is pro-business a new venture like call centre cannot succeed.
Jahangir Alam, Shantinagar, Dhaka
The Executive Times
What's gone wrong with the Executive Times? I thought it was a high quality journal - in fact the best in Bangladesh - very good English, good getup and good taste. But I am disappointed this time. There are a number of spelling errors and some words are missing from a sentence! I hope you I will not be disappointed next time.
Md. Abdul Baten, Azimpur, Dhaka
[We regret the inadvertent errors and should like to assure the esteemed reader of utmost carefulness on our part in future. - Editorial Board]
Vitamins
Thank you for the article on antioxidants. I used to take vitamin tablets regularly as dietary supplements. Now I am following Nature's rule - eating a lot of fruits and vegetables. My children have also begun to like them.
Zannat-ul-Ferdous, Banani, Dhaka
Food Security
While population in Bangladesh is increasing rapidly, food production remains more or less the same. It is true that technology has helped us to produce high yield crops; it is also true both land and technology has their limits. This time we have seen bumper production of Boro rice, next time we may not. Moreover, there is the question of natural calamities. I think there cannot be any food security in our country unless we control population growth.
Shah Alam, Agrabad, Chittagong
Law and Order
Dhaka is returning to its old days of rampant mugging, murder, sexual assault and vandalism. Traffic on the road is chaotic, traffic police sergeants are seen having telltale conversations with the owners of captured vehicles and police remain indifferent to crimes or abet criminals (The recent Uttara Shanto-Mariam University female student case is just one example). We all know of the underworld don "A Bhai"; he is the uncrowned king of the smuggling world and it is he who is responsible for the murder of two film actors and yet the law's truncated hand can not reach him. We had been disillusioned with previous political regimes so we welcomed the new government after 1/11. We thought it was now that these pestilent social sores would be healed and we would feel proud to be citizens of a country that preaches and practises egalitarianism. At the end of the day the baby sun is just getting eclipsed!
Tanveer Sultan by email
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