There has been many talk about the general who was appointed by 4-Party Alliance government to lead the Bangladesh Army and who is also currently a key figure in Bangladesh's public discourse, if not power discourse
So, when it comes to analyzing a personality like him and what he has to offer Bangladesh in terms of leadership beyond the official role of Chief of Army Staff, its not a very easy task. Here are few perspectives and challenges that can be useful while assessing the situation.
1. If the governments of the past has neglected in every other sector of the nation, they too have neglected to perform well in the defence sectors. What are the challenges that Bangladesh's Military Forces face? It can not be a fact that during the last 36 years (as we all refer to the life-span of the country), there is not any logistical as well as resource problem with the force. The national discourse has been focused on all the problems with other sectors and we are certainly fixing as many as problems. However, what was the problem so far with the Military that was neglected? What things should current government and next government do to uplift the status of the military? Can you elaborate and demand of the nation about what should we do to make our military forces better prepared? The emergency that we are going through now was human created - you have no option but help the civilian government if you are asked of it. But if an emergency happens in terms of physical situation (something like Tsunami, Cyclone or Earthquake), what do you need to be better prepared to serve the nation? Can you inform the public about your thoughts on this in broader terms?
So, when it comes to analyzing a personality like him and what he has to offer Bangladesh in terms of leadership beyond the official role of Chief of Army Staff, its not a very easy task. Here are few perspectives and challenges that can be useful while assessing the situation.
1. If the governments of the past has neglected in every other sector of the nation, they too have neglected to perform well in the defence sectors. What are the challenges that Bangladesh's Military Forces face? It can not be a fact that during the last 36 years (as we all refer to the life-span of the country), there is not any logistical as well as resource problem with the force. The national discourse has been focused on all the problems with other sectors and we are certainly fixing as many as problems. However, what was the problem so far with the Military that was neglected? What things should current government and next government do to uplift the status of the military? Can you elaborate and demand of the nation about what should we do to make our military forces better prepared? The emergency that we are going through now was human created - you have no option but help the civilian government if you are asked of it. But if an emergency happens in terms of physical situation (something like Tsunami, Cyclone or Earthquake), what do you need to be better prepared to serve the nation? Can you inform the public about your thoughts on this in broader terms?
2. With an extended civilian deployment within the country, what problem it might be creating to the military forces? What are the steps (e.g. training, sessions, etc) that top brass of the military has implemented to counter the side-effects of being exposed to civilian administration for an extended period of time? Two issues are here - do you understand and acknowledge the problem? If you do, what you are doing about it? Would you publicly express your concern about this problem and urge the nation to be aware of the situation and do everything possible so that armed forces can return to their original duty at the earliest possible time leaving the actual determination of the timing to the civilian leadership (i.e. president has asked for help from your force, so you are bound to serve as long as needed. However, would it be within the jurisdiction of yours to let the nation know that as the Army Chief you would rather have your forces back to the barrack asap, if and when government allows that)?
3. In addition to being the Chief of Army (government seems to be happy with you in that role as demonstrated by your service contract extension), government has bestowed upon an additional duty to you. You are the boss of the national sports body. How is sports doing lately? We understand that it takes time to get results - be it in development or be it in sports. But laying out the vision should not take that much time, should it? Let us get to some speicifics. Do you envision Bangladesh playing Fifa world cup in the short to medium term? Can you challenge the BFF in achieving that goal within the shortest period of time? How far is that goal? Now that a legend in football has taken the helm of BFF, did you ask Mr. Salahuddin whether he has any excutable plan to work toward that that vision?
4. This is the last one and a bit tougher. You have been showing your knowledge and interest in the overal national issues including those of political in nature. Constructively thinking, the nation may welcome a move in that direction if you can demonstrate that you have the capacity. Talking free and giving opinions are easy. Lets see if you also have some materials. For the development of Bangladesh, one of major challenge that Bangladesh faces from foreign policy perspective is the issue of its relations with Myanmar, or rather the lack of relationship with our eastern neighbor. That country is our barrier to benefit from a number of things that we would have otherwise achieved from our South-East Asian neighbors. Since Myanmar is somewhat isolated, we are deprived from that prospect since it has not so far provided us the much needed corridor to the South-East. Also, the problem with the refugees from that nation has been a continued problem for more than a decade. Both the problem can be addresses simultenously. Specifically, since there is new development focus on Myanmar on the part of UN, this might be an opportune time to come up with overal holistic plan. So here is the most challenging idea. It might be particularly suitable for you since the counterparts in Myamnar also wears uniform and your force is largest contributor to UN peace keeping. Seek permission from your bosses in Dhaka first, off course. If you really can do this, we would assume that the current government would be happy. So, here is your fourth challenge. Connect Cox's Bazar to Yangoon with direct road connection by constructing an international standard wide road. Bypass all the usual hoopla of construction work (e.g. tender, etc), rather once an agreement is reached along with support from UN since it will enable UN agencies to use Bangladesh as another base (similar to Thailand), engage the engineering core of the two national armies to build the road within the shortest period of time. Do it with an urgency since an urgent need of reconstruction is there. If that can be achieved soon enough, people of Bangladesh could more effectively take part in the UN-led reconstruction of Cyclone Nargis. That will also enable our businessmen engage Mynmar economy more quickly and effectively including the possible opportunity of contract farming. This would also be helpful for the refugees, if they want to return to their home countries with specific job offer, working for the contract farmers. Let's see if you are really upto the challenge. Build a railway connection, too, between Yangoon and Chittagong (We are sure you have read the novels of Shorotchondro Chattergy. Remember reading few such novels when others were busy with Masud Rana series, many of the heros of those novels of Shorot Babu would travel to the then Rangoon from Dhaka for professional purposes. Having some of those lost cultural as well as economic connections back would be nice).
Accomplish all these challenges, or at least show your intention that you do acknowledge these challenges, we are sure the nation will be proud to have such an effective son.