World-renowned person Dr Muhammad Yunus's ‘Three Zero Theory’ has shaken the globe. This theory holds the keys to a beautiful, prosperous, and peaceful world. The ‘Three Zero Theory’ is a social and economic perspective: The theory aims for Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, and Zero Net Carbon Emission. Youths, technology, good governance, and social business are essential to implement this theory.
This 85-year-old youth is now leading the youth-driven interim government. Except for the fallen fascist group, the whole nation wishes for the success of this government. A nation that has stumbled several times now seeks to build the future within a stable reform framework. To fulfil this aspiration of the countrymen, Dr Muhammad Yunus will have to implement another ‘Three Zero Theory’. This theory is --Zero Inefficiency, Zero Imprudence, and Zero Dishonesty. There is no alternative to implement this theory for the success of this government. If there is any failure in even one of these three aspects, the government will be failed. Revolutionaries will be disappointed. The souls of those martyred in the July Revolution will be hurt and Dr Muhammad Yunus's sky-high image will be tarnished.
The interim government consists of 22 minister-ranked advisors, three special assistants with advisor status, and three special assistants with state minister status. Dr Muhammad Yunus has placed them in his government keeping trust in them. The government is now in its seventh month. No one expects them to do everything within this short period. However, questions may arise about whether each individual is competent in fulfilling their assigned duties. The measure of competence is also subjective. Different people perceive proficiency in different ways. But the universal is whether a person is performing his duty with sincerity or not. Since this government took office, demands have surged everywhere-from the streets to the Secretariat. Many of these demands and protests have escalated into movements. Capital Dhaka was in turmoil with demands putting the fresh government in a difficult position. These issues could have been efficiently addressed. If the government could manage these demands in the early stages, the current pressure of demands would have been significantly lower. This government will succeed if each person performs their assigned duties with sincerity and efficiency given by the Chief Adviser. Then, the reputation of Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus will increase. It will add another shining feather to the Nobel laureate’s crown.
Foresight is essential to manage a family, an institution, or a state. The ability to anticipate the future impact of today's actions on society or the state is foresight. One of the most foresight jobs of this government is reformation. Six reform commissions have already submitted their reports to the government. If the recommendations in these reports are implemented, Bangladesh will be benefitted in the future. A special education commission could have been formed to ensure skill-based education for the future generation, especially for the students who bravely faced bullets during the July Revolution. This government had an opportunity to work on education in a way that no political government could. Because education is not a right nowadays. It has now become a profitable business. We always say ‘Education is the backbone of a nation.’ When the country’s economy was already struggling, and people's daily lives were becoming increasingly tough, the government unexpectedly imposed VAT on over 100 products and services. It claimed that this VAT hike would not affect ordinary people. This imprudent decision and speech have frustrated the nation. From the very beginning, the country’s people expected the interim government to take swift action against Awami League’s identified criminals, godfathers, and those who had tormented the people for 16 years. They wanted action against the corrupt government officials, who had openly acted as servants of the Awami League. The financial institutions that were looted needed urgent reformations and assistance, and the culprits had to be brought to justice. Arms and ammunition looted from police stations needed to be recovered immediately. A roadmap for new investment and employment should have been prepared by engaging capable business persons. Make an error-free list of revolutionaries. Despite six months passing, the complete list of revolutionaries is still not finalized. Remember that the Great Liberation War occurred in 1971, and even till 2024, fake freedom fighters have been added to the official list. If the list of real revolutionaries and martyrs is not made accurately now, many fake revolutionaries will emerge in the future. The mob justice is now a name of terror for the society and the government. If this mob justice had been tackled strictly in the early stage, the situation would not have escalated. On February 10, Advisor Mahfuj Alam said that those who engage in mob violence will be considered devils. Many tasks could have been prioritized with better foresight, but these tasks were neglected. As a result, the economy is still struggling to recover. Investors remain silent fearing much instability. They have no confidence to make new investments. Attacks on revolutionaries in Gazipur by Awami League leaders and activists became possible for the absence of these works timely. If a worse situation had occurred in Gazipur, the protest marches could have moved towards the Jamuna. It should have been understood that Sheikh Hasina took ruthless revenge for only the loss of her family members. She and her associates would attempt to take even more brutal revenge for being ousted from power and flee the country. Remember that Sheikh Hasina and her party leaders have huge amounts of money. Money has much power. Another issue is very alarming. Awami League and members of its affiliated organisations have changed their political identity by orders from their leaders, infiltrating the revolutionary movement and other political parties. Even within the government, some of them are still staying well. They can return with their real face at any moment. All must remain vigilant against such intruders.
Dishonesty is not limited to financial corruption alone. Its definition and expansion are much broader. Those entrusted with safeguarding the legacy of the July Revolutionaries must remain unwavering in their integrity. Even the slightest deviation from honesty could diminish Dr Muhammad Yunus's dignity in the world. If anyone believes they can engage in dishonesty while closing their eyes like a crow, assuming no one will notice, they are wrong. Sheikh Hasina and her family members were the so powerful figures of the fallen regime. They never imagined they would have to flee the country or the world would know their massive corruption. Exposing corruption no longer requires much effort now. Computers, laptops, and mobile phones serve as silent witnesses-preserving evidence of one’s actions without their knowledge. Another bitter truth is that a person who lacks honesty in his personal life cannot be expected to uphold absolute honesty in his professional life. If anyone’s dishonesty touches the interim government, it will tarnish Dr Yunus’s reputation, which is not desirable under any circumstances.
The biggest test to probe the honesty is the next general election. It will be the biggest test for the interim government to give a historic inclusive election with the participation of all recognized political parties. The preparation of this test is underway among the government and political parties. The interim government is the regulator, invigilator and auditor of the test. The government and election concerned have responsibilities to hold the election free, fair and neutral. The nation will be frustrated if the election is defiled by any group of the government. Then, the whole nation will raise fingers to Dr Muhammad Yunus. We do not want such a situation. For this reason, there is no alternative to implement the Zero Inefficiency, Zero Imprudence, and Zero Dishonesty theory.
Writer: Executive Editor, Bangladesh Pratidin. He can be reached at [email protected]
