The majority of the Bangladeshi population are in their 30's which makes an estimated 60% of the workforce with a life expectancy of 70 years. Almost all of our cabinet ministers are over 60 which is admirable considering their health complications and level of energy. It has been 45 years since we were liberated and a handful few of our serving parliamentarians are actually born in liberated Bangladesh. Most of those handfuls who are lucky enough to represent us in the parliament were not nominated by the party due to their merits. In most cases they were nominated to continue their father's legacy. The current Bangladeshi Cabinet is a reminder of Greek philosopher Pleto. Young must submit to the rules of the elders. Apparently, written over two thousand years ago.

Participation of elders in Westminster system is not an exclusive phenomenon just for Bangladesh. Under a functional democratic system it would be extremely discriminatory even to suggest that age should be a matter for an individual to hold an elected office. It must also be considered that because of life long involvement and sacrifices our political figures were able to create a larger than life image of themselves. I personally, have desire and respect for such achievements. But then again, we must admit political process and government business is not just about individual images or past achievements.

The ruling of the elders reached an extreme height in Bangladesh. Earlier this year, during G8 summit Prime Minister Seikh Hasina met Justin Tredeau Prime Minister of Canada, Devid Cameron Prime minister of UK, Matteo Renzi Prime minister of Italy. All of them in their 40's. Barack Obama and Bill Clinton was elected as the president of the United States in their 40's. Chinese Communist Party turning to their younger generation for leadership.

Now, have a careful look at her cabinet. Mr. Muhit in his 80's. Motia Chowdhury, Tofael Ahmed, Amir Hossain Amu and almost all other cabinet ministers are either in their 70's or in late 60's. They are the same ministerial faces from 1996-2001 cabinet. Virtually no changes were made after 16 years. The new additions are also as old as them except a few step ministers.

I have no disrespect for them. It is just a very rational thinking that they have given everything they had to offer. It is time for fresh ideas and new faces. Our current cabinet ministers are not even able to communicate with the new generation of Bangladeshis. The 60 percent of the workforce. What is the point of having cabinet ministers who can not communicate with such vast portion of the society?

I'm in my 30's. One of the 60 percent. My friends are also from the same age bracket. Whenever I discuss politics and government with my friends these days, we actually talk about the young ministers like Junaed Ahmed Palak, Tarana halim, Anisul Haque and sometime Obaidul Quader Chowdhury. Somehow we feel that they are communicating with us. They understand our language. I can not remember when the last time we had a conversation in relation to ministerial performance of the greats like Motia Chowdhury, Tofael Ahmed or Amir Hossain Amu. It seems my friends are not even interested in criticizing them. It is not our fault. The ministers are simply just not capable of including us in their speeches and actions. The generation gap between us far too great to communicate. And we are the 60 percent of the population. They talk about the past. We want direction for the future. It is not that we do not respect them or we do not acknowledge their sacrifices. We do. It is neither that we are not pro-71. We are. In fact, our generation made war crime justice a reality. The fact is, we're just not in the same wave length.

Same applies to those who have become parliamentary representatives to continue their father's legacy. There's visible evidence that they are not credible enough to receive our attention. Even to be criticized. No one ever talks about Nahid razzak or Rasel in the social media. It is a fact. Anisul Haque receives far greater attention than Sayed Khokon. Nazmul Hasan Papon can never compete with Junaed Ahmed Palak or Tarana Halim in social media attention and expectations.

The leadership revolution of advanced democracies cancels the age-old idea of Ministers must have life long experience. It is an illusion created by the power hungry politicians to continue the rules which has been rejected by the advanced democracies. The lame idea of experience is also conflicts with one of the fundamental of modern democracy- pluralism. Rules of many. Unlike the past, Civil Rights groups, policy experts, researchers, think-tanks, media and thanks to social media the citizens play a greater role in policy making these days. In addition to that a minister is also aided by the experienced bureaucrats and cabinet colleagues. All he or she needs is professional achievements, smartness, intelligence, sense of responsibility, ability to lead and communicate.

The whole world is turning to the young politicians for open leadership and radical new ideas. The Bangladeshi youth expects the same. We have every right to expect. We're the 60 percent. We carry the economy. We're the one to lead the nation towards prosperity. Therefore, The ministers must echo our voices. Communicate with us. It is a very reasonable expectation. Something this cabinet is incapable of delivering. Just look at them. It is like a pensioners club. No offence. Unable to embrace new ideas. Incapable of dictating new policy directions. They look for traditional solution in a world facing unique challenges. Because of their health complications which is normal at this stage of life neither they can engage nor can energize the young workforce. They simply just can not communicate with us.

The biggest problem we have with these elders is, they come with a baggage which can not be unloaded. Under their leadership Bangladesh was the champion of corruption for many years. We're still one of the most corrupt countries in the world. It all happened under their watch.

In my 35 years of life, I have never seen a politician in Bangladesh had chosen voluntary retirement with respect and dignity. They go on and on with the same agendas and ideas until death claims them. And after death their children claims them. Their hunger for power and greed have become so extreme that the younger generation of politicians are, in fact, at their mercy. The youngsters can not ask for responsibility. Can not present their ideas strongly. Always fearing the elders might corner them. Snatch everything they have achieved.

I'm not asking for radical changes. I know that would be impossible, unrealistic and unreasonable. Though, I'm certain that the 70+ years old politicians would not be able to deliver the radical new direction the nation desires. All I'm asking is a balance. More representation of youth in the cabinet. More responsibility. Perhaps, full ministry. Balance between tradition and new ideas. Then maybe at some point we might ask the most important questions of all. Why on earth the younger generation should carry the baggage of the failures of the elders? Will we ever be able to forget that we were the champion of corruption under their leadership? Will we ever be able to have a corruption free nation if they remain in the cabinet?