A few weeks ago while on my way back home from school, I noticed an increased number of security personnel lining the streets. Police were stationed at every intersection, with more in Toyota trucks and the RAB was patrolling in their Nissan Jeeps; the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina was about to go by. I was only intersecting with her route at one specific point, but I think it’s fair to assume her entire route is similarly lined with security. Just imagine how much unnecessary fanfare that is for one single person, EVERY DAY. The poor policemen (stuck in that jurisdiction) had to wake up early that day and be dressed in their very best uniform.
Never mind the ripple effect stopping traffic would have. Never mind the waste of resources. Never mind about those things. That’s a rant for a later time. I want to talk about the Prime Minister’s motorcade itself.
Why does she drive around in a Mercedes?
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh uses either a white or black B7 Level armored BMW 7-Series or a metallic silver, armored Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG SUV. The Elite Special Security Force & Army Guards Regiment in the President/Prime Minister’s motorcade use specially modified Lexus LXs and Nissan Patrols equipped with advanced communication systems.
Bangladesh used to have an automobile manufacturing company called Progoti. It’s state-run and was founded in 1966. They made cars. I don’t know if they were any good, or what happened to them, but now all they do is assemble Nissan’s.
If some guy named Leepu can put together khaat versions of Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s out of his own small garage, I think a state-run car company should at least be able to make cars for the state. Police cars, army trucks, buses, lorry’s, auto-rickshaws, cars for public servants, etc should all be home-made. With state demands and a government contract alone, a company should be able to sustain itself.
How are we expected to have any feeling of nationalism, or pride in our local produce if our own head-of-state would rather ride around in an armored German / Japanese car than something made here. Up until recently, the Indian Prime Minister used the Hindustan Motors’ Ambassador. ‘It was highly-armored and modified considerably for the use by the President, The Chief Justice of India, Vice-President, Governor, the Prime Minister, and Justice of High Court and Supreme Court.’ Nowadays, he uses two black, B7-level armored 2009 BMW 7 Series High Security saloons, with one acting as a decoy vehicle and one as Ambulance. They’re escorted by the SPG in five armored black BMW X5s and multiple Tata Safaris which are a permanent part of the Prime Minister’s convoy.
When will we learn?