No Picnic
A WAR will always bring about hosts of ticklish problems that make speedy normalization of public and private lives an extremely difficult proposition. Given the circumstances as faced by Bangladesh, this would appear to be almost impossible. Yet normalcy is what our neighboring State requires most of all. The war of liberation which just ended so happily for all but the Pakistani occupation forces and their collaborators has inflicted severe damage. Answering to their orders from the top, the Indian Army avoided destruction as far as possible. Still with the harm caused by retreating Pakistani troops and through processes of modern warfare, a lot of damage has been done that needs immediate mending. Telephone links between important cities are being established fast, postal connections will soon be restored. It will naturally take a long time to repair all the rail and bridge breaches. But the main channels of communication should soon open up.
The most important thing, however, is that the Government of Bangladesh starts functioning in all its departments, as fully and swiftly as possible. The Government has appealed to all employees to report for duty without delay and the response is encouraging. Still Mujibnagar will have to move up to Dacca for everybody’s sake. It will also be wise to preserve the border posts and some restrictions on travel between India and Bangladesh-an official spokesman for Bangladesh has already hinted to avoid numerous complications which may arise otherwise. And those gay citizens who plan to cross the border on weekend picnic trips should advisedly restrain their enthusiasm. [Editorial]
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 22.12.1971