Dhaka Diary

Frustration!
It was once my dream to get into Dhaka University. I used to be a very average student, but I worked very hard to get into this reputed institution. I did very well in my HSC exams, and finally got accepted to DU, much to my excitement. But now, I am fed up, tired and frustrated over the frequent calls of student strikes, which stop all classes and normal functioning of DU. Both the government and the opposition party do not seem to take this problem seriously which actually hamper a student's future career plans, not to mention education. If this situation cotinues like this, students will forced to go abroad or be content in a private university. I have lost all my zeal of being a student now.

Sharmin, Dept. of Finance & Banking, University of Dhaka

A meal worth talking about
A few days ago on my way to my coaching classes, I thought of having a plate of "chatpati", since I had some time to spare. While I was enjoying the food, two hostile policemen came to the spot and asked the "chatpatiwala" to prepare two plates of "chatpati' for them. As the "chatpatiwala" made the meal, I could see the grim and unpleasant look on his face. After the man served the food, the policemen gobbled up the food and prepared to leave. When the "chatpatiwala" asked for his money, the policemen grumbled and swore at him. One of them even hit him on the head and left the spot. I was shocked at this barbaric behaviour of the two rogues and wondered how these so-called "lawmakers" actually protect our country from extortionists and hoodlums, when they are the ones involved in committing the crime.

Azmi Syed, Mohammadpur

School Diary
A few years back when I was in high school, an inspector from the education board came to inspect our school. But he came without any prior notice and was walking around the school just like a guardian. When I got out of the classroom to go the wash room, I noticed him walking in the halls and mistook him for a parent. I started talking to him and told him about every day school woes. I told him about the pathetic conditions the school is going through. I told him about the unhygienic sanitation system and that we did not get the clean drinking water. The school canteen was charging high for low quality food. The teachers were not serious in classes and would discuss only about beauty salons and fashion tips. They would not give us marks in the examinations if we failed to write according to their given notes. Peons and cleaners did not perform their duty properly. As he was listening to my list of grievances, he was keeping his identity a secret all throughout. He also got hold of my name, class and roll number. The next day, all the teachers seemed rather irritated with me and kept asking me why I had complained to the school inspector. That's when I realised who I had been talking to. The next term I almost failed my Bangla exam. So an advice to all students, think before you speak!

Sanzia, Department of Women Studies, DU