Science is attractive to politicians in Bangladesh

Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan the State Minister for housing and public works of the Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh was the chief guest in the discussion meeting on the national mourning day 23^rd August 2010 held at the Stamford University Bangladesh. While delivering speech on various aspects on life of the father of the nation Bongobondhu Sheikh Mujib, he raised some examples concerning effects of “SCIENCE” on different substances. He stated all substances can exist in any one of the three forms; solid, liquid or gas. For example, water is a chemical substance with its chemical formula H₂O that contains one Oxygen atom and two Hydrogen atoms. Water is liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on its solid state as ice, and gaseous state as water vapor.  
The interesting point is – the Minister is a Politician and Lawyer but he gave scientific example which is uncommon in the political arena. He also mentioned when water is heated, its temperature increases till it rises to 100 degree celcius, the boiling point of water. Alternatively if water is cooled down, its temperature decreases till it reaches to zero degree celcius when water solidifies to convert to ice.
He wanted to explain the impotance of science in fulfiling the dream of Bangobondhu’s Shonar Bangla leading to digital Bangladesh. The Honorable Minister frankly disclosed, he is not a scientist but he loves science and scientists. This is absolutely positive attitude from the political leaders which is very much important at the moment for the national scientific development to adapt ourselves internationally.

In another occasion held on August 17, 2010 at Bangabhaban, the Honorable President Zillur Rahman called for implementation of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant while he was unveiling the “Sudhasmarak” a memorial book on Dr. MA Wajed Miah. The President said the Rooppur Nuclear Plant was a dream of Dr. MA Wajed Miah who was devoted to developing the country and also building the nation through the development of scientific applications. He added that Dr. Wajed Miah cherished the concept of building a modern Bangladesh through the expansion of science education. The Respected President of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh is also a politician and lawyer but his speech on Nuclear Scientist Dr. Wajed Miah indicates how much he loves science and the scientists as well.

The Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid has recently raised a very important issue on science education in an event held at capital city, Dhaka. According to his statement the young generation is gradually losing interest in science education. He urged all to attract  new generation to science education for building the technology based prosperous nation. His statements are timely, encouraging, inspiring.and clear indication of love towards the science communities. But we have still a long way to go if we want to reap benefits from science and technology. Some interesting comments are here from international experts.

Scientist Roberto Tuda Rivas from Mexico has recently commented on scientific issues for developing countries- more than just adapting science and technology to local conditions, underdeveloped countries need to form their own scientific communities. That is a great challenge and cannot be met unless developed countries provide guidance. In developing countries, the governments think they can create science by decree and commissioning bureaucrats to create "systems of science and technology". Unfortunately, administrators are not science generators.
Mr. Davis Dickson on July 16, 2010 has written on Editorial column of SciDev.Net-- the biggest single factor limiting developing countries' potential for achieving the sustainable economic growth — or even attaining the Millennium Development Goals is their ability to access and apply the fruits of modern science and technology.
This statement is more complex than it sounds. There are many political and economic obstacles to accessing science and technology. And even if access is granted, effective use of science and technology and adaptation of knowledge to local conditions remains challenging. We need to put capacity building that helps Bangladesh use science and technology at the heart of both international aid policies and diplomatic initiatives. We also need to highlight the importance of effective science communication which is crucial for bridging the gap between producing new knowledge and turning that knowledge into either practice or policy.