The Issue of FARAKKA:
An Introduction
XIII. Some Forward-Looking Thought
A. We need to rise above mere "impressions"
I began this series on Farakka for my own education. In the process, I also had personal communication with some of the notable contributors to this subject, especially Professor Ben Crow at University of California, Santa Cruz. I believe that the issue is important enough for all of us and thus we should be better informed and educated about this. Before doing a survey of the non-technical literature on the subject, to be honest, I knew hardly anything mentionworthy about this subject. By taking this opportunity of October TOTM, I haven't learnt everything about the subject, but I feel that I am now better informed. Lacking the requisite minimum reading of the subject, I began this series with some "impressions". My personal reading as well as the interactive discussion, including the input from Dr. Kaushik Sen, Mr. Udayan Chattopadhaya, Mr. Masudur Rahman and others, has helped me scrutinize some of the aspects better.
As I am writing the last part, I realize that I would need to go back and retouch some of the earlier parts as further reading of the subject helped me learn better. Of course, I did approach this with an open mind and, to the best one can, non-partisan attitude. In this concluding part, I would like to offer some - hopefully - constructive thought with a forward-looking vision and spirit of Shetubondhon.
It is only in recent time that the reality has led us to a common ground between the West Bengal (and a few other parts of India) and Bangladesh. It is unfortunate that the common ground could not be identified from human stand point before the devastation touched within India's border, but - better late than never - we are finding a common ground as evidenced by the contribution of several participants on this forum who are from the other side of the border and such rapprochement needs to be welcomed without reservation.
B. What is it going to take from Bangladesh side to effectively deal with Farakka and other Water-related issues?
My initial assessment is that the following are aspects that are critical for Bangladesh to effectively deal with Farakka and the pertinent issues.
i. Bangladesh needs to have a stable, functional and popular government that is both true to the interest of Bangladesh, and yet informed and practical enough to deal with the issue.
ii. Bangladesh needs to have a technically-sound and cohesive position on Farakka and pertinent water-related issues backed by popular national mandate.
iii. Bangladesh must defend its just right with firmness and tenacity, but it needs to avoid a "fighting" approach and rhetoric, even though it is a fight for life as far as Bangladesh and its people are concerned.
iv. Bangladeshi leadership must not use Farakka or water-related issues for diversionary tactics or tools for domestic political consumption or mileage.
v. The legitimate needs of India as a neighbor as well as a big power must be dealt with appropriate respect and recognition.
vi. Bangladesh needs to develop a better strategy to internationalize the issue, which would hinge on stable political system and mature political leadership that is respected or at least take seriously by the global corridors of power and other important players.
vii. Bangladesh needs to develop a better relationship with the PEOPLE of India and build bridges that cut across the geographical, social, cultural and religious divides. As a disproportionately big regional power and neighbor, it might not be easy for India to undertake an initiative that would be different than a big brother. However, Bangladesh must be able to effectively establish an image and formulate/communicate its message that Bangladesh is not a threat to India, and at the same time, it is in the interest of the stability of the region that Bangladesh must be treated as an independent country and a neighbor of full dignity and partnership. Bangladesh might not be easily able to achieve internal stability without good relationship and cooperation of India. At the same time, it is also true that an unstable Bangladesh would also be a conduit of instability that would knock naggingly at the doors of India.
Farakka is more than a "technical" issue. I hope to address this aspect in a separate write-up. Even though there is a now bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and India, signed under the Awami League government, the issue is far from over. Indeed, comprehensive treatment of water disputes must be addressed in future. Unfortunately, it would be unrealistic to expect that it would happen under a docile, pro-Indian government, or a feisty, anti-Indian government. Also, the entire issue of Farakka needs to be viewed and pursued in the overall context of India-Bangladesh relationship. What I have listed above are needed from Bangladesh side. What is needed from India is obvious, but it is better that it come from our friends from India.
I would very much appreciate your feedback on the above ideas so that we can explore them further, and if agreeable, we can pursue something concrete and constructive in future.
If you have read all these long postings, please accept my personal gratitude for your patience and interest. I have included my entire series on Farakka at my website under Bangladesh pages for future reference. I hope to work further on those as I have additional pertinent information.
Best regards.
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Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq
Associate Professor of Economics and Finance
Personal Homepage: http://www.globalwebpost.com/farooqm
Nazrul Site: http://www.nazrul.org
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