Beginnings

This is my second attempt at blogging. The first failed because of a lack of discipline and too many other things to do. In this blog I will record what I read, watch on TV or the web and my responses to them. It is essentially an aide memoir for my writing. There will be some consistent themes explored here, including Bangladesh, dependency and trust, democracy and the media. In addition there will be notes on things that catch my eye that may be useful in the future e.g. today I read that Manmohan Singh, Indian Prime Minister, regards India to be surrounded by failed states but chooses not to interfere in the affairs of its neighbours because it does not wish to be seen as the regional bully. I know that Bangladeshis don't quite see it that way. I am frequently told that India has numerous 'spies', moles, informants (what you will) who actively try to interfere in Bangladeshi politics. This may be paranoia but on the other hand the number of Bangladeshi 'cattle traders' shot on the border by the BSF is scandalous, and very much the action of a regional bully, as is the fence that the Indians have built around the Indo-Bangladeshi border.