When will Bengalis be freed from limitations of stomach

Shakespeare’s Hamlet, trapped in his own dilemmas and uncertainties, failed to shoulder the responsibilities of kingship. When Hamlet was paralysed by his own crisis, the future of the kingdom too stood in peril. The picture of our Bangladesh is no less grim. Fifty-four long years have passed since independence, yet we remain like Hamlet—entangled in inner conflicts and selfishness—unable to take the right decisions for the nation. The lure of comfort, indulgence and selfish desires has shackled our thinking power, while politics too is caught in a web of confusion and rivalry.

For 54 years we have been divided only over differences between political parties—who was a collaborator, who corrupt, who the proclaimer of independence; who follows which principle—Bangladeshi or Bengali, Islamic ideals or an Indian-influence-free outlook. Voting procedures, PR systems or election strategies—all have become a playground of political wrangling, where the ordinary people are often lost in the debates. As a result, the spirit of the nation, the standard of morality and the overall progress of the people are being gravely undermined. Despite achieving independence, we still remain stuck outside the true spirit of the nation and its real interests, just as Hamlet’s kingdom would have been ruined had he not overcome his own dilemmas.

In civic life, an excessive fascination with food and comfort has stifled the country’s intellectual strength. We devote ourselves to the debate over panta-ilish as if it were of equal importance to the nation’s history. We lavish attention on glossy images of food in television hotel series, yet often forget to focus on state-building, technology, industry and scientific advancement—the very things that shape the country’s future. This excessive attachment to the stomach is not just a private inclination; it is profoundly influencing the national psyche, the social structure and our moral consciousness.

The same endless circling is seen in politics. The lust for power, selfish strategies and the tangled games of party rivalry often leave the ordinary people adrift. Elections, voting procedures and strategies have become a stage for clashes of political might, where the real needs of the country and the interests of common citizens frequently vanish into thin air. This situation is suffocating the creativity, initiative and moral awareness of the younger generation.

Consequently, the captivity of the stomach and the confusion of politics together obstruct the proper attention that should go to education, science, industry and local enterprise. On one hand we are dazzled by television images of food, on the other hand the nation’s productivity, scientific research and indigenous initiatives remain neglected. The opportunities earned through independence are not being used properly, and the country’s economic and social progress is being stifled.

This combined crisis is not merely about personal happiness; it is weakening the nation socially and politically. The obsession with the stomach, political confusion and selfishness together are corroding our moral sense, our sense of responsibility and our patriotism. This failure is no different from Hamlet’s dilemma—if we do not rise above our own crises and selfishness, the nation will never realise its full potential.

Bangladesh’s plight is not confined to love of the stomach or political bewilderment. The lack of foresight, selfish leadership and the failure to give competent people proper opportunities have long hampered the nation’s advance. Even after independence we have often remained dependent on foreign technology, industry and solutions, while the talents of our own engineers, scientists and innovators have largely gone untapped.

There is also clear inadequacy in military preparedness, industrialisation and local enterprise. The essential structures for the country’s security and economic stability have not been built properly. As a result, reliance on foreign technology and equipment has increased, while the innovative power of the younger generation is trapped within irregular and limited opportunities. These shortcomings are affecting the nation’s overall progress, its independence in decision-making and its self-respect.

The erosion of morality has become a deep crisis for the country. Selfishness and excessive attraction to indulgence have worn away society’s sense of responsibility and moral awareness. Progress in education, scientific pursuit and innovative enterprise is limited, and in many cases the youth choose easy and convenient paths—such as becoming a BCS cadre or seeking secure government jobs. This not only hinders the proper use of the nation’s skilled human resources, but also drives many to emigrate, having lost faith in the country due to corruption in administration and political dysfunction. Consequently, the nation’s innovative power, talent and long-term progress are obstructed, and proper opportunities for the future generations are not being created.

Now let us reflect on patriotism. Panta-ilish or food festivals are indeed part of our cultural identity, but the true meaning of independence and the spirit of the nation have become diminished. We seek joy in annual festivals or television hotel series, but issues such as national security, industrialisation, improving the quality of education and long-term advancement are often neglected. Just as Shakespeare’s Hamlet, trapped in his dilemmas, failed to fulfil the responsibilities of kingship, so too do we, by our excessive attraction to food, fail to take crucial decisions for the nation.

Even after independence we are still stuck outside the spirit of the nation and its real interests—just as Hamlet’s kingdom would have been destroyed had he not overcome his own dilemmas. Excessive attraction to food, comfort and selfishness has narrowed our thinking power and moral awareness. Political confusion, lust for power, party politics and selfish leadership are obstructing the country’s true progress.

Rabindranath Tagore warned, “A nation that bows before the stomach can never walk the path of great dreams.” Food, aesthetic sense and cultural joy can be sources of creativity, but if they are not aligned with consciousness, morality and patriotism, we squander the nation’s potential.

Kazi Nazrul Islam taught us, “Without rebellion, man can never feel the essence of his existence.” If we break free from the captivity of the stomach and selfishness, and channel our rebellious spirit into education, science, enterprise and patriotism, then the nation will be able to attain true strength, dignity and self-reliance.

Shakespeare, Tagore and Nazrul together give us the same message: without character, responsibility, thought and courage, independence and power only lead to destruction. The limits of the stomach are not just a matter of personal pleasure; they are also obstructing state, social and cultural progress.

The solution is simple, though it demands effort. Investment must be increased in education, science and technology, alongside literature and culture. The nation must harness the potential of its own enterprise and skilled human resources; not every problem can be solved by foreign technology or solutions. Cultural joy and the taste of food must be balanced with national development and patriotism.

We are not condemning the pleasures of the stomach—rather, we must transform them into allies of our thought, action and progress. Just as it was vital for Hamlet to overcome his dilemma, so must we overcome the captivity of the stomach, political confusion and moral crisis. Only then will both home and country be safe, the nation freed from the bondage of the stomach, and true progress achieved.

Rahman Mridha: Researcher, writer and former director, Pfizer, Sweden