::: Star Campus :::

Feature

Bangladesh in our conscience

Fariha Shafi

THE nation has just commemorated its 38th year of independence with fervour and anticipation. The anticipation continues as we wait for the government to initiate the trial of the war criminals. Deep down our heart we as a nation are impatiently waiting for the deserving punishment of those who had violated all forms of human rights in 1971. The Pakistani military forces had carried out genocide in Bangladesh and till date the trial of the culprits hangs in uncertainty.

We, the modern and technologically ambitious young generation, sing our National Anthem like we are mocking a childhood rhyme that just does not fit our options. Whereas, many undereducated and innocent mukti joddhas sang it coherently and beautifully in their camps. There was courage standing neck to neck with fear both intertwined by a song - a song that unified fellow Bangladeshis . Some institutions in Bangladesh have decided that the youngsters should study Bangladesh Studies as a core subject. Books have been composed on the country's history, culture and heritage. Even then a large proportion cannot affirmatively label 16th December as Victory Day and March 26 as Independence Day.

We buy novels written by numerous writers but never find enough time to read documentaries and films on 1971 genocide. Some of us find it hard to speak Bangla and we don't want to give it a second try. Red and green is painted on our faces only during the eve of March but other than that we don't look back at our motherland, which is going through one turmoil after another. During elections we cast our votes, but when the time comes we don't protest for the right utilization of that particular vote. We are afraid that the tax we pay might not be used for public service, imposing a ban on economic developments.

It is not all of us, but a bunch of us who are not united for the cause of Bangladesh when it needs us the most. It is some of us, who are not realizing that it is this soil that gives us an identity, which gives us a place we call home.

Top 5 tricks to liven up a meeting

1. Stand up and act indignant. Demand that the boss tell you the 'real' reason for which the meeting has been called.

2. Spill some coffee on the conference table. Produce a little paper boat and sail it down the table.

3. Stay behind as everyone else, including the boss, leaves. Thank them for coming.

4. Arrange to have a poorly-dressed young woman with an infant quietly enter the meeting, stare directly at the (male) speaker for a while, burst into tears, then leave the room.

5. Bring a small mountain of computer printouts to the meeting. If possible, include some old-fashioned fanfold paper for dramatic effect. Every time the speaker makes a point, pretend to check it in one of the printouts. Pretend to find substantiating evidence there. Nod vigorously, and say "uh-huh, uh-huh!"

Source: Internet