Sunday, May 6, 2007

Wanted: A good leader

Current Status: the Begums are gone (at least we hope so; but then again, some of us are missing them). The caretaker government has its hands full with inflation, unpaid wages, and a power crisis; our leaders in khaki are pacing back and forth; we pushed away a Nobel laureate -- now what do we do? I propose a solution -- we advertise for a leader. We need a leader who will fulfill all our specifications and fearlessly run in the elections and win.

Read the requirements below, perhaps you or a friend or relative may qualify (remember, as Tagore eloquently put it: "Aamra shobai raja amaderi rajar rojjott").


Job Title: Democratically elected leader of a promising nation.

Job Requirements
Integrity/Honesty


  • Must be "clean."

  • Only work with "clean" people.

  • Must promise not to hire any unqualified relatives.

  • Will not be influenced by the existing evils of dirty politics.

  • Will not be influenced by the temptations of ill sourced wealth.


Creativity

  • Can mobilize others to work.

  • Overcome gender, race and religion barriers.

  • Able to make us Bengalis optimistic (this will be the most difficult task).

  • Show us a government and society without corruption.


Courage

  • To stand up to the evils of our society.

  • To stand up to our other so-called political leaders.

  • If need be, to make some unpopular decisions for the ultimate good of the country.

  • To change Bangladesh's image in the global community (this one should be easy: the image currently is so low that it can only go upward).

  • To bring the Foreign-Direct-Investment that the country needs without being labeled a "foreign/MNC dalal."

  • To withstand a deluge of criticism (criticizing, is after all, our favorite past time).


Vision

  • Dare to make every citizen dream.

  • Rid our country out of chronic poverty and the curse of illiteracy.

  • Provide basic health care and economic opportunity.

  • Bring unprecedented economic growth.

  • Encourage entrepreneurship.

  • Upgrade infrastructure.

  • Create public-private partnerships.

  • Establish a place for Bangladesh in the international community.


Communication

  • Distill the message/goals of the country for all the citizens.

  • Inspire people to think beyond bi-partisan politics.

  • Communicate in ways other than hartals, strikes or name calling.

  • Preferably a "non-screamer."

  • Convince every citizen (here and aboard) to do their share in rebuilding the nation.

  • Effectively communicate Bangladesh's position in the international arena.

  • Establish fruitful dialogue with other foreign leaders (without being labeled a foreign agent).


Motivator

  • Get the young, the old, the disenchanted and the pessimistic to follow you.

  • Surround yourself with good leaders.

  • Make your immediate team better than yourself.

  • Motivate your underlings with the pride of serving the nation but pay them well enough so there will be no excuse for corruption.

  • Rally the international community to assist Bangladesh in the meeting the challenges of global warming.


Charisma

  • Either you have it or you don't.

  • If you don't have it, then make up for it with passion.


Good Health

  • To withstand the physical and mental rigors before, during and after the election.


Education

  • At least a university degree with good, coherent communication skills in both Bengali and English.


Relevant Past Experience

  • Led a large public or private "civilian" organization with representation all over Bangladesh.

  • Daughter or wife (or for that matter, son, husband, mother, father, second cousin, or any other relative) of a past leader does not count towards relevant experience.


Reference

  • At least 17,000 citizens who will write in and ask you to "run for election."

  • Vote of confidence from international community is a plus not a minus


Compensation

  • Upon winning the election, salary of a prime minister (sorry, no other financial "bonus").

  • Government housing, car and security.

  • The priceless pride, joy and agony of turning a nation around.


If you are still reading this, that means you know of someone who will fit the role. If you do, please do get the person to come forward. I cannot guarantee that some of our countrymen will not tear him/her apart. However, I can guarantee that if the person fits the rigorous requirements above, enough of us will support his/her candidacy. We will throw all in and support the person through victory in the election, through five years of clean, effective government, all the way until he/she hands over a new thriving country to his/her legitimate, elected successor.


Durreen Shahnaz is the Managing Director of a regional media company based in Singapore.

This article was published in Daily Star on May 06, 2007

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