Read the following passage and answer the questions given below.
Muhammad Yunus is a famous economist of Bangladesh. He received several international honours for his efforts to promote economic and social development for the benefit of the poor. He and the Grameen Bank he started jointly, received the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2006.
In February 2007, he decided to launch a political party and contest in the parliamentary elections. His objective was to foster proper leadership, good governance and build a new : Bangladesh. He felt that only a political party
different from the traditional ones would bring about new political culture. His party would be democratic from the grassroots level.
The launching of the new party, called Nagarik Shakti (Citizens’ Power), has caused a stir among the Bangladeshis. While many welcomed his decision, some did not like it. “Now I think Bangladesh will have a chance to choose between good and bad and eventually have a good government,” said Shahedul Islam, a government official. "That government, we hope, would not only keep itself away from corruption but also make fighting corruption and black money a top priority.“
But leaders of traditional political parties who dominated the country’s politics for decades were apprehensive. “There was no debate (over him) winning the Nobel, but politics is different—very challenging and often controversial,” said a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Some others were highly critical. They asked why he was rushing into politics. “Is he being planted in politics by mentors from outside the country,” asked one political observer.
(a) Do you think Yunus made a right decision to float a new political party?
(b) Do you agree with the statements and fears expressed by various people?
© How do you want this new party organised to make it different from other parties?
(d) If you were the one to begin this political party, how would you defend it?
(a) Yes, I think Yunus made a right decision to float a new political party.
(b) I agree with the statement of a government official, Shahedul Islam that the launch of this new party may change the political culture of the country. But I do not agree with the view points of a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. He expressed his fear about the capability of Muhammad Yunus in the field of politics.
© It is usual, that people have always different views of their own. Corruption-free people will appreciate such steps while the bureaucrats and those who earn profit through corrupt practices will certainly criticise it. People like Muhammad Yunus when established a political party, it should be democratic from veiy grassroots level.
(d) If I were one of them to begin this political party, I would try to develop direct interaction with the people living in the countryside and in towns. Regular meetings of the party members, seminars, workshops, etc would have been adopted to win the confidence of the people. I would bring about a totally new political culture, more democratic and more transparent.