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Feature

Adda at UIU

Marzia Sharmin

UIU- United International University. And if we look at the name from a different perspective it stands for you, me, and you- perfect ingredients for a delicious “adda”. It's right there in the name of this University, the unity, the thrill, the joy of friendship… and lots of excitement. For us every day is a 'Friendship Day.

Let me talk about one adda day. It was a Sunday and the whole campus glowed with the brightness of the students, spreading the messages of unity of people from different religion, ages, locations, culture… a true definition of friendship. At the entrance of the campus, the cultural club UIUCC set up a booth to welcome everyone. To remind them of our culture, the booth had a souvenir for each of the visitors: a “Dhol” (a musical instrument). With the souvenir I entered UIU cafeteria and needless to mention there was a buzz of excitement inside. It is a regular welcome inside our cafeteria but of course this Sunday was different and so was the intensity of our friends' hugs. The most pleasant surprise was when a friend who never really dared to step inside the cafeteria just in case we made him treat us to lunch, offered us tea and “so sweet biscuit” as we call it! Wow! That was great!

Well, the entire atmosphere became different. It was nice to talk to our friends, nothing special though but the thought of being together with them after class was so refreshing. This lasted for about 5 minutes at the most and with the entrance of the 'supermodel' of our “zzz” group, the guys suddenly had to answer nature's call or fix the blower of the air cooler or change the channel on the television. All the excuses led to reserving the seat beside the “supermodel” and giving her friendship day rose. How she achieved the supermodel crown is a different story altogether. That Sunday, in the evening we had a concert organized by the talented musicians of UIU. It rocked and swayed till night making us realize how vital and special the bonding of togetherness and friendship is.

The next day was even more special; with some girls still blushing from the moment the campus heartthrob gave her a “white rosé” the previous day, guys waiting impatiently for their girls at the gate to blow them off for being “way too friendly” with the hot shots of the rival group. A mixture of satisfaction and disappointment scattered here and there. Once again I stepped inside the cafeteria. From the door I could see my friends' hands raised, I went to the table to join in for the adda… endless topics, not so funny jokes but yet roaring with laughter and songs and the foot tapping with the beat, tireless discussions of how the class went and which lecturer said what, who dozed off and who was caught sending text message to his girlfriend from inside the class room, who asked out whom and who broke off the three day old relationship and other very important news is what we take in with a cup of tea and “so sweet biscuit”. How the biscuit got its name… it's another story altogether and I'll tell you guys another day!

It says 1 for sorrow, 2 for joy... I'd say “I” for sorrow, U and I for joy, UIU for Adda and a life full of fun and love which none of us can ever forget. Long live UIU!!!

(Marzia Sharmin, BBA student, UIU)