The gruesome fire at Chawkbazar followed by the one at Banani on Thursday, or the myriad road accidents that occur throughout the year, are a clear testament to our sheer indifference towards the safety of the ordinary people. Public safety should take precedence over everything else in a state's policy making, but that doesn't seem to be the case in Bangladesh when we take into account the shocking frequency with which such incidents happen, taking innocent lives.

Despite all these tragedies, measures so far taken by the authorities have been inadequate which shows a business-as-usual approach deeply embedded within the administration. It also shows how corruption and lack of transparency and accountability have pervaded our institutions and nearly every sector. Will those responsible for different sectors wake up to the sufferings of the citizens? Do these tragedies have any effect on them? Or will we continue to see the recurrence of tragedies day after day? The authorities must realise that such a situation cannot go on for long. They must ensure accountability and good governance as part of efforts to improve public safety. And they must pay equal attention to all areas because the Banani tragedy has proved that accidents may happen even in so-called affluent neighbourhoods .

Abu Hasnat Evna Mostafa

Corporate HR Executive

Ananta Companies