An Economic War: Python V/S Hare

During pre historic times muscle power was the ultimate source of success. The most powerful could have everything while the weaker always bite dust. Thereafter, successively being introduced different levels of warfare technologies- from bow and arrows to ICBMs; which remained sign of strength for quite some time. But the present era is mainly the era of economic might. At times, it is used with military might to achieve their designs and goals.

In today’s world it is this ‘power machine’ which enables nations to enslave other nations with brigades comprising of giant multinational companies who sneaks in under the patronization of institutions like- IMF, WB and other similar kind of financial institutions. They all operate in unition under the cover of the recently invented WTO. The tactics used for such kind of invasion and occupation are ‘carrot and stick’- meaning by persuasion combined with dictates and all sorts of pressure. Advertisements, bribery, kickbacks to the corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and the people in the corridors of power are the weapons used, just as an army uses tanks missiles and cannons etc.

Though latecomer in the club but India has joined it with a thud and Bangladesh is the first place where it is going to test all its economic arsenals. It may sound strange but a reality that India, a self-appointed super power, considers it is her birthright to bully and keep under its toe all other nations in the sub-continent and the hearts of Indian ruling elites ache miserably when they see neighbors prospering.

Over the years slowly and gradually, one by one; Sikkim, part of Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal fell prey to its imperialist designs, Sri Lanka has writhed out of its deadly web, Pakistan as they think, India’s dream gone sore even after the debacle of 1971, Bangladesh is like a hare whose one leg is has stuck is an Indian snare and it is trying desperately hard to set itself free. As a hunter knows, a partially trapped animal troubles itself by fluttering desperately. Bangladesh is doing just that, it might be totally sucked into if the eye fails to see the problem in its correct perspective by taking unwise decisions in desperation and frustration.

India is the only economic rival of Bangladesh in the region, while for India the later does not in any way qualifies to be a rival. Despite this fact, India has been trying hard to quash Bangladesh economy at the very nascent stage. As a friend from Bangladesh told me that even a bread maker of Bangladesh has to compete with Indian counterpart.

Being bolstered by the West under the leadership of America India wants to be the  regional economic power vying to make its way to emerge as the global power subsequently. It has a relatively stronger industrial base; government protects industry by tariffs and subsidies while Bangladesh has a nascent industry just passing through its formative stages. So, there is no equitable parallel between them. Even then the Indians are thinking that they should nip Bangladesh’s economy and industrial base in the bud so that it may not pose any sort of threat on its ambition in future. TATAs, Mittals, Birlas, and Reliance etc are ready and stand by to come to Bangladesh with bags full of money. Some people in Bangladesh may be thinking that it’s good for their country. But I with due modesty want to forewarn all those simple souls that they are not coming to Bangladesh to serve them free lunch, rather they have hidden axes to grind, and that too on the bare backs of poor Bengalis. They are not motivated by human compassion, by market dynamics of Bangladesh economy or by any other civilized values or factors; they are in fact big pythons who are mollycoddling the Bangladeshi hare just before devouring it. This hare has the power and potential to run for its life. But, future is the only judge who would tell us fate of this poor creature.

Yet another cruel ploy of Mahabaratites is to desertify Bangladesh which is otherwise an envying lush green piece of earth. It’s a great travesty of the providence that all rivers of Bangladesh come from India. Catching hapless Bangladesh at this point India has resorted to building dams, canals and other projects of that sort which in future may make Bangladesh a barren desert. That sheaf of paddy which we see in their natural emblem might just scorch away and turn into hay. The day, God forbids, this ghastly Indian design is materialized, they would ask for Bangladesh’s self determination, Bengali culture, Bengali resources as price for breadcrumbs.

Indian military and political establishment which is guided by ideologies of Chanakkays are carrying out their coveted agenda against all weaker neighbors but the sad part of the story is that some of the prominent, well educated Bengalis are their camp followers. Those people who otherwise should be at the fore front of Bangladesh’s march towards progress and prosperity sadly, have willing or unwillingly have become tools of Indian imperialism. One cannot stop but wail over this divine tragedy and pray that these people become alive to the fact that if independent and economically viable Bangladesh is there, only then can their future generations shall survive, else, they have to live like schedule castes of India, relegated to the sub-human level due to their rigid and articulate caste system.                                                                             

THE END