The Golden Child

Young Achiever
Tasneem Tayeb Kabir
Talks to
Sumaiya Ahsan Bushra

	Courtesy: Barru Tahsin

I started off at Maple Leaf International School, and then, when my family moved to India, I went to Loreto Day School. Loreto was one of those schools with a lot of history, dating back to 1800s. It was a catholic convent and sisters who ran it had it on a very strict regime. It was definitely one of the more challenging experiences I have been through, but now, in the comforts of retrospect, I can say that it also one of the most rewarding experiences, in that the habits and discipline that were instilled in me at Loreto has always helped me throughout my academic and professional career.

As a student, I have always been focused, but then, I was also invariably one of the more talkative students of my class. My parents would have to deal with regular complaints from my teachers about my alleged 'hyperactivity'. I have always enjoyed being involved with extracurricular activities, be it singing, dancing, debate or social service.

After finishing school, university life was more or less the same. I did my MA in English from North South University. The programme was in itself quite challenging, and added to that I had to balance my work – I was an English news presenter at Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, along with teaching assistantship at NSU – with my studies. It was difficult, and really the only way of going about it was to take things one step at a time. So, I would certainly agree that achieving my goals was difficult. And I guess that's perhaps what made them worth achieving.

The criteria for the award 'Chancellor's Gold Medal' is quite a tough one to get. I think it is unfair to assume that the Business School graduates have it easy when it comes to the Chancellor's Gold Medal. I was overjoyed, and surprised, when I found out that I had been selected for the award. Achieving it was difficult, but I have been fortunate enough to have studied with some of the best English teachers in the country, who have guided me every step of the way, and believed in me. I feel this award was not just for me, but also for my teachers and the department.

My role model has always been my father. He has faced many challenges throughout his life, but he has never let them overwhelm him. He has shown me the value of perseverance, and this has been the most valuable lesson in my life.

Now that I am a teacher myself, I always look up to Dr Selim Sarwar, and try to follow his footsteps. He is not just one of the leading English scholars of our country, but also one of the best teachers we have. I have been fortunate enough to have studied under him and have him as my MA thesis supervisor. He is not necessarily the most generous with his grades, but with his knowledge, and that's a different matter entirely. In addition, I am also very thankful to my husband, my constant inspiration.

As for those who want to accomplish something in life, you must make sure that you really do want to achieve whatever it is you are trying to achieve, and then, persevere.