Feature
Westernization:
Where's the destination?
Khalid Mahmud Saad
NOWADAYS, Westernization is one of the most talked about topics in our country. It has become a craze for our people, especially for our teenagers. We are just trying to juxtapose Western and Eastern cultures. But there is a question here: Can it be done properly?
Let's look at our society. We think that Westernization is the sign of smartness. Hence we are trying to develop(!) ourselves by being westernized. In this regard, it is crucial to say that we are very much neglecting our own culture. But there are a lot of people among us who are extremely conscious of the Eastern culture. A clash is being created between our juveniles and these conservative people. The total environment of our society is falling into a topsy-turvy state. Ethical teaching by parents to the youth generation is being decreased. This is creating negative effects on our society. The people on whom our future generation is dependent are gradually taking many wrong elements from Western cultures such as drug addiction, lack of social bonding, free sex etc. But these unhealthy attitudes had always been discouraged by our culture from the very beginning of its history.
As our culture is so much related with old values, these sorts of actions are not expected from our people. Again, these are great hindrances to our social as well as national development. Our morality is also facing a great threat.
As a representative of the youth generation, I am not saying that we should totally neglect Western culture and be out of the global village. Of course we need it to cope up with other countries in this age of globalization. But when I see taking drugs is considered as smartness, when I see that a mother passes her lonely days remembering the sweet memories of her family in the old home, I cannot control myself from writing against it. We, the students, are the representatives of our country. We should not imitate other cultures. I will like to request our juveniles to not drift away with the flow of Westernization. Just take its positive sides and bear your own culture in your soul, as it is the root and identity of every individual.
(The writer is a student of Birshrestha Noor Mohammad Rifles Public College, Dhaka.)
Erratum
 The photographs of Prabarana Purnima published last week in Star Campus were taken by Shubasish Barua. His name was inadvertently dropped from the credit line. We regret the oversight.
Profile of Shubasish Barua
Shubasish Barua is a documentary photographer based in Chittagong, Bangladesh. He was born in 1978. Having completed Basic Photographic Course from Pathshala South Asian Institute of Photography, he started his photographic career as freelance photographer, Now a days he is working with DrikNEWS (International news photo agency) as a contributor. He is also serving as Senior Executive Officer of Green Delta Insurance Company.
His prime arena of interest revolves around socio-political documentaries. he feels that people need photography to help them understand what's going on in the world, and believes that pictures can have a great influence on shaping public opinion and mobilizing protest.
His photographs have ben published in many national dailies like Daily Manabjamin, Purbakon, Azadi, New Nation and DrikNews. I won "Honorable Mention" of the Mati Imaging Bangladesh Photography Contest In Dhaka which is the biggest photographic contest ever held in Bangladesh. His works were widely exhibited in many exhibitions around Bangladesh..
Email:shubasish78@gmail.com
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