My father warned against it, saying that it was not safe due to the political situation and also because there were no good opportunities for me unless I had "influential friends." So I decided to stay in the UK rather than risk the worsening political crisis in my native land.

I am not alone in this respect. The current state of our politics has played a significant role in creating insecurity and lack of opportunities for Bangladesh's young generation in their own country.

As far as the economy is concerned, strikes, hartals and oborods have crippled it. My brother-in-law owned a small hardware store in old Dhaka, which he had to shut due to huge losses suffered because of the strikes that began after the previous government left office in late October 2006.

Since closing his store he tried to start a new business with his friends, importing melamine plates from China. The business was supposed to have taken off in late December 2006, in time for the busy Eid-ul-Adha -- he is yet to receive the first shipment.

He tells me that if he could get a visa he would go abroad as he has had enough of Bangladesh. This exemplifies why our young generation seeks better opportunities abroad, resulting in "Brain Drain." The state of our politics is the cause of this, and most of the things that are wrong with Bangladesh today.

The politicians should realise that their purpose is to serve the people, and not the other way around. As demonstrated by the current state of emergency, the country is caught in a vicious cycle.

Politicians take negative actions, including promotion of violence, to further their agenda and undermine their rivals at the expense of the citizens. There are many ways to overcome this crisis. All party-backed student political groups should be banned from our universities.

The country needs a new direction and, therefore, there should be a law barring an individual politician from holding office more than twice. Otherwise, you will get the same corrupt leaders and the same problems. What we desperately need are new, transparent leaders who put the people's interest first.

Laws must be enacted requiring all election candidates to disclose their profession, financial details and assets before being nominated. In addition, a criminal record check must be done on anyone running for elections, and those who have one must be barred.

Once these checks are imposed, we must also ensure that those MPs and leaders who do get elected give time to the people of the areas they represent. For example, MPs must have weekly "surgery hours" when they will be available for consultation in their elected areas, rather than in their lavish, expensive, marbled flats in Dhaka. Once the politicians start serving the people, rather than filling their own coffers, the rule of law will prevail.

Politicians should focus on preventing the numerous heinous acts from happening in their areas. For example, in February, the body of a tortured10 year-old girl was found in a travel bag dumped at a school playground in Mirpur. Apparently, the girl had been a domestic servant.

Politicians and lawmakers need to focus on improving the laws so that children like her do not have to leave their families at such an early age, and fall victim to abuse. They also need to take drastic actions against mistreatment and illegal executions by law enforcers such as Rab, in the guise of "crossfire."

It is the politicians' responsibility to ensure human rights, security and rule of law for the people of Bangladesh. To do this, the politicians need to improve the protectors of the law.

The police and other law enforcement agencies must be held accountable. There is a drastic need for an Internal Affairs agency to investigate and punish any officers who have broken the law, so that others are discouraged from doing the same.

Furthermore, there needs to be a review of the salary of the police and other security forces, and an adequate increase so that they stop giving the excuse that they are underpaid and, hence, justified in taking bribes. Such steps would help stop arbitrary arrests and other human rights violations.

Similar watchdogs should be set up in all the courts to ensure that judges and other legal practitioners uphold the law. Once the law is sound, the work ethic and personal behaviour of the general public will naturally be affected for the better.

When supported by the rule of law, the vast majority of Bangladeshis would prefer to live lives of honesty, principles and morals. For too long our leaders, with their blatant corruption, have allowed wrong values like materialism to grip society.

For example, during Eid-ul-Adha, many of the rich people were more concerned with showing off how many cows they sacrificed, than with being good Muslims.

Instead of principles the younger generation of Bangladeshis is being tempted by lust for power and wealth, and taking shortcuts. Our politicians need to lead by example, and create the right atmosphere for cultivating our latent professional excellence.

Only then will our younger generation's outlook improve, allowing them to take pride in their work and live just lives. Only then will Bangladesh move forward.

In summation, as a member of the young Bangladeshi generation, I have given my views on some of the problems facing our country due to the state of our politics. Such problems can be solved once our politicians overcome their personal interests and focus on the welfare of the Bangladeshi people. I may be over-optimistic but as John Lennon said: "You may say I'm a dreamer... but I'm not the only one."

Nesar Ahmed is IT Officer, Placement & Careers Centre, Brunel University.