Picture courtesy : http://gurumia.com/2010/07/13/hidden-shame-of-ship-breaking-industry/
Use the power of IRON
Muhammad Shamim Akhter, 15 January, 2011:
A.
Verse no. 25 of the Sura Al-Hadid in the Holy Quranm, Allah the Almighty has mentioned the name of iron directing that it has been revealed in the world and it has been given specialty for making benefit to the mankind. According to modern science it requires 15 lacs Celsius degree of heat for the production of iron which is impossible to produce metal in this earth and hence they have been concluded that it is the metal which has been produced other than this earth, most probably in the sun and being kept apart and thrown in to this earth which corroborated the claim of ‘revelation of iron' referred to the Quran and we should give thank to Allah Almighty Allah for the revelation of iron for which mankind has received many advantages. History suggests that when Mao Zedong came to power in China in 50's, he requested to his countrymen to control over iron. Consequently China had the opportunity towards industrialization and lots of people have got opportunity to use many cheap industrial goods made in China which is in fact contributed to the consequence of the usage of iron. The usage of iron made benefited to Japan , India, USA, Germany and other countries of Europe and elsewhere too. However, it is mentionable that the total reserve of iron in this world is limited and it is the best option recommendable to its re-usage. According to UN monthly Bulletin of Statistics, iron is obtainable in Soviet Union, China,Australia, Brazil, USA, India, Canada, South Africa, France, Liberia, Sweden, Venezuela and other few courtiers.
B.
Bangladesh is one of the countries which has huge population and for making their life more convenient, the usage of iron has been taken great importance. In order to fulfill the gap since it is not obtained; most of the iron is given input from the source of ship building industries. For last years, from breaking old ships, the supply of iron has been ensured. All on a sudden, the ruling of High Court has shattered this industries which has made a huge job loss and from TV channel, the statement of the concerned entrepreneurs has feared us that an uncertainly has started in this sector which might have long impact on the national economy. Since years back, erratic supply of electricity and gas, had doubled and tripled the quantum of loss of various industrial production. Now re-rolling industries and related other industries dependant on iron has been added in the list too. The entrepreneurs claimed yesterday that the ships which could be released and broken in India , why should not be in Bangladesh ? During Pakistan era, East Pakistan was famous for Jute industries, a suitable and fit fiber for Bangladesh . After 1971, most of the industries had been started to lock up and on the other hand, jute industries had been started to flourish in the West Bengal and other parts of India . The circumstances appearing that iron industries might be awarded to the same consequence. There are different monitoring which are inclined to the Ministry of Industries and environment and regulate different industries whether they are abiding by the rules. They ensure the standard for the benefit of both workers and entrepreneurs. When I was watching the inside view of the re-rolling industries in Naraygonj in the TV channel it has been convinced by me that the standard is below. Apart from this industries many factories and industries in Bangladesh do not comply with the standard either . The reason I investigated: the concerned officials who monitors the sector go often and there is a hidden contract with the companies and receive yearly inducement and to control total inducement inspector and vigorous monitoring scheme is seldom taken.
No the question of ship building industries. The source claimed that those ships contained asbestos may have severe effect. Then a question if the same ship is dumped in the Atlantic Ocean is there no effect at all? In National Geographic Channel I watched that USA 's railway department dumped old but fresh trains dump in the Atlantic Ocean . In the same way they dump food grain in the ocean to control food price when hundreds of people in the world is left hungry. When asbestos was shipped with the ship what was the affect to the dock workers who used to handle that. Obviously taking safety measures may save any catastrophe in this sector. Without taking specific measure what is the reason to suffocate the whole prospect of iron industries from breaking old ships . Besides the source of iron, from old ships we get many machineries and furniture which is contributing to low income people may have adverse effect. The picture which I have the opportunity from still photograph, there is no magnetic cranes and plat form like ship yard which the GOB may build within short period of time as like as the automation of Chittagong port was done short period of time.
Furthermore, I want to add a suggestion regarding the usage of iron fence which can be replaced and new dimension can be annexed. The iron curtain which is fixing up the doors of the houses has two negative effects: one, it is cost effective and secondly if any earth quake heat, it will hard to rescue the victims cutting the iron curtain. Instead of it, we may employ security guards or guarding the society using man power. It is mentionable that we have many people unemployed. The money invested fencing may be diverted. Policy maker may deal with the matter. Then what is usage of iron, we have pots of rivers need bridge which can be build by iron: Iron made Suspension or Arch Bridge may be commendable. Not only it, may we suggest to build train, buses, boats and ferry following proper design with iron.
In addition , we are alarmed to see the steps of a so called democratic Government which is beheading the ship building industries without curing particular area. Concerned quarters are expecting that ship building industry may have the same consequence of Housing Industry. Source added that one thousand crore taka was put to the top person of the Ministry concerning Housing Industries which made sound box off instead of barking without biting. We hate such a sound box: it is the digital age!!
In fine, without being biased I request to GOB to take sustainable approach in ship building and breaking industries because Bengal area was once famous for this industries. Any approach biased from the concrete syndicate only to look after their monopolistic desires and interest for the foreign quarter setting aside the benefit of iron may bring meager than prospect.