Creation of Bangladesh Creation of Bangladesh questioned the underlying principle of a nation formation on the basis of religious identity. The formation of nation-state, its historical and cultural heritages constitute inspiring factors in the national identity construction. • Bangladesh: a role model of moderate Muslim dominated country Bangladesh, the world's third largest Muslim-majority nation, continues to struggle to define the role of Islam in society and governance. A dynamic civil society, an active community of nongovernmental organizations, an independent judiciary, and active participation of women in the social and economic sectors has thus far contributed to denying extremists a grip in the country. Millions of Bangladeshis are raised out of poverty, governing institutions are strengthened further, and corruption is controlled. However, the assets that Bangladesh has accumulated over the past four decades remain a solid base for a potential recovery and setback of Islamist radicalization. Perhaps the most successful country to combat terrorism has been the world' second largest populous Muslim nation, Bangladesh. The data on public opinion in Bangladesh are overwhelming. London School of Economics professor Fawaz Gerges has analyzed polls from dozens of Muslim countries over the past few years. He notes that in Bangladesh—there have been considerable declines in the number of people who say suicide bombing and other forms of violence against civilian targets can be justified to defend Islam. Wide majorities say such attacks are, at most, rarely acceptable. Political Success: • Evolution of a Nation State The independence struggle of Bangladesh was deeply rooted in the aspiration of reclaiming its heritage of being the golden Bengal in the past - an era that many reasonably believed was held hostage by exploitative ruling elite from outside. Bangladesh emerged from its war of independence desperately poor, overpopulated, and reeling from overwhelming war damage to its institutional and physical capital. The economy was ravaged by acute Food shortages and famines during the early years. Bangladesh was designated as a “test case” for development, and Henry Kissinger called it “an international basket case.” More than 30 years later, doubts and doubters have been proven wrong. With sustained growth in food production and a good record of disaster management, famines have become a phenomenon of the past. Bangladesh’s per capita GDP has more than doubled since 1975. Life expectancy has risen from 50 to 63 years; population growth rates of 3 percent a year have been halved, child mortality rates of 240 per 1,000 births have been cut by 70 percent, literacy has more than doubled, and the country has achieved gender parity in primary and secondary schools. Most of these gains have taken place since the early 1990s, when the introduction of wide-ranging economic reforms coincided with transition to Democracy. Bangladesh faces the enormous challenge of achieving accelerated economic growth and alleviating the massive poverty that afflicts nearly 40 to 50 per cent of its 135 million people. • Success in respecting for indigenous peoples' rights EU Ambassador Dr Stefan Frowein said the general level of respect in Bangladesh for indigenous peoples' rights can be considered one of the success stories of Bangladesh's democratic development. • Religious harmony in Bangladesh Last Easter Sunday was observed across the country with prayers for peace and prosperity for the nation. The Christians in Bangladesh, two-thirds of them catholic and the rest Protestants, celebrated the day with the rising of the sun. • Comments of concerned personalities: Bangladesh people very liberal in religious outlook: US congressman “Bangladesh is a tolerant democratic nation where people are religiously very liberal… Bangladesh was different from some other South Asian nations, which are riven by conflicts on the question of religion, racism and establishment of democratic system……. Bangladeshi immigrants living in US are always eager to ensure welfare of their motherland and working hard to uphold the image of Bangladesh” US Congressman Joseph Crowley “Bangladesh is an elegant, compelling and greatly needed voice of moderation"-Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell “the peaceful celebration of Durga Puja simultaneously with Ramadan testifies to 'tremendous amount of tolerance' and commitment to constitutional commitments…….this shows the tremendous level of tolerance in the country ... and the people are enjoying constitutional right by practicing their own religion," Former US Ambassador to Bangladesh Harry K Thomas Social Success • The Millennium Development Goals: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received a UN award for Bangladesh's outstanding achievements in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) particularly in reducing child mortality at a colorful function at a New York hotel on 19/10/2010. US President Barak Obama on Friday, 24/10/2010 congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for Bangladesh's achievements in attaining UN-set Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that earned the South Asian nation the special UN award. Obama congratulated her as Bangladesh received the MDG Award particularly for reducing child mortality rate in Bangladesh. . Criteria of performance and corresponding performance indicators Criteria Performance indicator The case of Bangladesh4 (Cycle; grade: A - highest, F - lowest) Social and economic equalization Regarding status, opportunities, wealth, income, and levels of living Distribution wealth and income Vicious; C Rise of productivity Increased output per capita % change in GDP/capita Vicious; D Rise of levels of living Prerequisites for rising efficiency and improved productivity of labor Incidence of poverty, Real wages, Unemployment, Inflation Vicious; D Source: Angresano, James (1997), The Political Economy of Gunnar Myrdal: The Institutional Basis for the Transformation Problem, UK: Edward Elgar; p. 13. • Bangladesh today: a champion in poverty alleviation While Bangladesh was considered once as a "basket case", it has proven to the entire world that it can do wonders as a development country. Since Mohammed Yunus has received the Nobel Prize for his pioneering work in making poor women bankable and has led the foundation for the micro-finance revolution, the image of Bangladesh has greatly improved. • Achieving total sanitation 15 years ahead Bangladesh will achieve total sanitation by the year 2010 and this means that the Millennium Goals for sanitation will be achieved at 100 % (not only halved) 15 years ahead of schedule. • The Human Development Index Progress in the human development indicators was even more impressive. Bangladesh ranked among the top performing countries in the 1990s in the extent of improvement in the UNDP Human Development Index and it is among the few developing countries that are on target for achieving most of the Millennium Development Goals (World Bank 2003a, 2005). Between 1980 and 2010 Bangladesh's HDI (human development index) rose by 1.86% annually from 0.328 to 0.543 today. Bangladesh’s above achievements may appear as a “development surprise,” given the country’s desperate initial conditions • Success in Population Control Family planning and birth control campaigns are considered to have been more successful in Bangladesh than in many other countries. Despite the low growth of per capita income Bangladesh has been one of the most successful countries in reducing the population growth rate. The population growth rate of 3.9% in the early seventies has fallen to under2%4. The growth rate is projected to fall further to 1.7% by 2015. A World Bank study last year concluded that Bangladesh, alone among the world's 20 poorest countries, had achieved a significant, sustained fertility decline over the last two decades. • Success in Mass Education According to a 2003 estimate, 43% of the population over the age of 15 are literate, i.e., are able to read and write. • Success in Women’s Education 32% of the female populations are literate • Success in Women Empowerment The empowerment of women in Bangladesh is also intrinsically connected to the success of micro-credit schemes. Over 90% of the borrowers are women. The Government has taken a noteworthy step to make education for female students free up to the 12th year, and is contemplating extending the scheme to the university graduation level. Women’s participation in local government has also been assured through reserved seats. Women’s access to birth control measures and maternal and child healthcare have also been improved significantly throughout the country. • Success in Gender Equality Bangladesh is held up as a regional success story in achieving the MDG to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2005. With all the poverty, the underdevelopment, the disasters and things we are known for, we have achieved gender parity. India hasn't been able to do that. The focus now needs to be on quality, and tertiary education. • Success in Development through NGO’s There is a profound impact of the NGO movement on the economy of Bangladesh, especially on rural employment, literacy, and other indicators of human development. Economical Success Bangladesh has in recent decades achieved reasonably rapid economic growth and significant progress in social development indicators by creating awareness through successful social mobilization campaigns despite many impediments.