On the Eve of Pahela Baishakh

On the Eve of Pahela Baishakh

Ashim Kumar Paul

THE culture and heritage of Bangladesh have a long tradition in the social, economic and above all national context. They represent the bond that touches every heart of its people. Among the local and national festivities, Pahela Baishakh curves out its idiosyncratic sketch in the lives of the people of the country. In other words, Pahela Baishakh every year adds new colour, taste, fervour and inspiration to lead our life with renewed spirit.

However, it is noticeable that Pahela Baishakh is observed in Bangladesh with much more enthusiasm than any other national festival. Truly, it is a festival of the people from all walks of life. People of different religions, caste, culture, age, and political belief welcome the new day of the first month of Bangla year. Wearing new dresses and having Panta-Ilish, a traditional food of the country, are the age-old traditions of the day.

To make the day memorable as well as delightful, different social and cultural organisations feature various colourful events like Baishakhi Mela, cultural sessions and morning rallies. Of them, Baishakhi Mela is the embodiment of a social as well as cultural throng where different types of local and national traditional programmes like puppet show, nagordola etc are displayed.

Besides, Pahela Baishakh to the common people comes with a different kind of significance. The day epitomises the strong unity, warm brotherhood and above all a patriotic sense of love for their own culture and heritage. It is often argued that the young minds are now more inclined towards the western culture through the aggression of satellite culture, virtual web etc., and that they are showing a lack of interest in their own culture, tradition and heritage. But such notions do not often tell the whole truth. Those who raise these objections are perhaps not familiar with the festive mood of the national festivals, celebrated earnestly by the young generation.

Pahela Baishakh comes back to remove the debris of the past year, and to welcome all that is pure. As the day is a symbol of our national unity, amalgamation of our young minds and a display of our cultural heritage, the progress of our country cannot be far away from the desired goal. In fact, the appeal of Pahela Baishakh goes across the country with the renewed pledge to say goodbye to poverty, corruption and fundamentalism.

Please click the following link to view its internet edition: http://thedailystar.net/campus/2010/04/03/feature_baishakh.htm

Sports Competition at Edward College

Sports Competition at Edward College

Ashim Kumar Paul

ANNUAL Sports Competition 2009 was held at Govt. Edward College, Pabna on 22 December on the college premises. Prof. Md. Shahidur Rahman Principal of the College inaugurated the event as the Chief Guest while Vice-Principal Prof. Md. Bazlur Rahman was the special guest in the occasion. Prof. Shirin Akhter, Chairperson of the Department of Botany and Convener of the Sports Committee, presided over the whole session. The ceremony kicked off at 10:30 a.m. with the recitation from the Holy Quran. Department heads, academic teachers and students of the institution attended and enjoyed the carnival with great enthusiasm. Following the event, the chief guest distributed the prizes among the winners.

(A student of Department of English, Govt. Edward College, Pabna)

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Mother Language

Mother Language

Ashim Kumar Paul

THE mother language of the people is the real identity of a nation. It is mother language that mirrors the cultural and traditional heritage of a nation. Thus, to overlook the real value of our mother language means to repudiate your own identity in front of the world.

Needless to say, in the changing world, the progress of a nation entirely depends upon its development of science and technology. And it is the mother language through which one can easily access the world of science and technology. Most of the developed countries have attained their supremacy in the arena of technology through the use of their own mother language. Therefore, to make a revolution in the education of science, there is a necessity of more research to publish science books in Bangla and make them available to the common people.

If we consider the mass media a route to communicate from root level to higher ones, it can be best done through the use of mother language. The effective use of mother language is important to convey the messages, raise awareness and above all give the right-direction to the mass people.

It is our foremost duty to uplift our mother language to the highest level, which our gallant fighters dreamt of. In addition, values, cultural heritage, progress of the country and above all having patriotic views are related to showing respect to mother language.

(The writer is a student of Department of English)

Click the following link to view its internet edition: Mother Language

Health Campaign at Govt. Edward College

Health Campaign at Govt. Edward College

Ashim Kumar Paul

PROBAHO Human Development Society (PHDS), an organization for advocacy, alliance, research, training and action plan, conducted a health campaign entitled Gonoswasthya Ovijan (Public Health Expedition) with the help of Pabna District Administration at Govt. Edward College, Pabna from 21-23 December. The campaign was aimed at raising awareness about public health among the mass people, especially the students of the institution. The programme had been organized to test blood group and Hepatitis-B virus and offer prophylactic vaccination at a low cost.

Click the link to see its original look: Health Campaign at Govt. Edward College

Edward College English department welcomes Freshers

Edward College English department welcomes Freshers

 

Ashim Kumar Paul

THE ceremony for the freshmen of the English department at Govt. Edward College, Pabna was celebrated on June 24 amidst avid enthusiasm. It was held at the Abdus Sattar Auditorium of the college. Professor Mohammad Habibullah Miah, Principal of the college attended the occasion as the chief guest while Professor Mohammad Bozlur Rahman, Vice-Principal was present as the special guest. Professor Partha Sarathi Datta, Head of the department, chaired the function.

Earlier, a procession was brought out from the department attended by the teachers and the students. The ceremony comprised of two parts: speech session and cultural session. The speech session was hosted by Shoeb Ahmed, a fourth year student of the department. The occasion started off with the recitation from the Holy Quran. Following the recitation, Sujon, Setu, Ashim, Nitu who were from different semesters delivered their speeches on behalf of the freshers.

Professor Mohammad Habibullah Miah, Principal, Professor Mohammad Bozlur Rahman, Vice-Principal, ATM Faqrul Islam, Associate Professor, Golam Rabbani and Associate Professor and Convener of the function, Mr. Shajahan, Secretary of Teachers' Staff Council spoke on the occasion. In the presidential speech, Professor Partha Sarathi Dutta said that students of the department should engage themselves in the pursuit of knowledge.

(The writer is a 4th year student of Department of English, Govt. Edward College, Pabna.)

Please click the given web-address to view its internet edition: Edward College English department welcomes Freshers

Celebrating Pahela Falgun

Celebrating Pahela Falgun

 

Ashim Kumar Paul

Pahela Falgun has turned out to be one of the national festive days in Bangladesh. Like all other national cultural festivity, it has prominently proved its significance and interest to the common people especially to the young generation. It holds the traditional values as well as colourful image of our culture. It also comes with the message of changes- changes that would rekindle the spirit of youthful exuberance.

However, like the other parts in the country, the day was observed at Govt. Edward College, Pabna with ardent interest. The whole campus was ornamented with the colourful festive look. From morning students and teachers gathered on the campus to celebrate this day by wishing each other, visiting the premises and interacting with peers and associates.

To add more colour on the day, Pathfinder Computers, a local computer-training institute, organised a henna festival on the campus. The programme was inaugurated by Parvin Akhter Khanom, Lecturer, Department of Sociology.

(A student of Department of English, Govt. Edward College, Pabna)

Click the given link to view the internet edition: Celebrating Pahela Falgun

Spirit of Jonmashthomee

Spirit of Jonmashthomee

Ashim Kumar Paul

Celebrating Jonmashthomee, or the birthday of Lord Sri Krishna is one of the most prominent religious rituals for the Hindu community all over the world. Similar to other religious festivities of Hindu religion, the day is duly venerated conforming to the rules of the religion along with enkindled religious values and devoted love for the Almighty as well as the human race.

According to Hindu mythology, the Holy Spirit Sri Krishna descended on earth with a view to eliminating the tyranny of the then usurper king who was brutal to his own subjects, and establishes virtue and honesty. He, Lord Sri Krishna, took His birth on the lap of Debokee, the sister of the usurper king Kongsho. However, the holy prophecy that he would be slain by the eighth son of his sister enraged him and thus he imprisoned Debokee and her husband Bosudev and mercilessly killed their children in a series. But it is God's will that no one can evade. Hence, the eighth son, Lord Sri Krishna was born on a dark and stormy night. With the heavenly aid, the just born child had been saved from the cruelty of the vicious king. Ultimately, the fierce king Kongsho was killed by Sri Krishna and peace and happiness again returned in the country.

Like all other regions of the world, the people of Bangladesh celebrate the day by organising various religious as well as cultural activities. Colourful processions come out from different temples, many educational institutions and their residential halls where people from all classes take part. In the procession, ornamental and colourful costumes and masks dazzle the eyes of the spectacles. Following the procession, authorities distribute prasad (foods dedicated for the god) among the followers and remember the glory and grace of Lord Sri Krishna. Many devotees fast the whole day with a view to present their ardent love for the Holy Spirit.

However, the day in which Lord Sri Krishna descended on earth has a greater significance in the lives of the devoted followers of Hindu religion. It embodies the rebellious as well as virtuous spirit against all kinds of brutality, inhumanity and usurpation. The day also epitomises the universal truth that 'evil does not prevail in the long run'. Those who turn out to be the foes of humanity and brotherhood must meet their fatal doom. It is God who always showers His mercy upon the dedicated worshippers. It is the established truth that evil and tyranny must be tried and virtue and humanity rewarded by the Almighty. And the most significant lesson for the young minds is to meet their duties to voice out against evil forces and ensure the need for piety in their lives.

(The writer is a final year student of Department of English, Govt. Edward College, Pabna)

PHOTO: STAR ARCHIVE

Please click the following link to see its original publication: Spirit of Jonmashthomee

Dare to Dream

Dare to Dream

Ashim Kumar Paul

Illustration: Waseka Nahar

NO nation can make its dream come true unless its education system is free from corruption and is scientific and rightly guided. But in Bangladesh, corruption has been the inseparable part of our education system. Every year, we witness the failure of the NCTB to provide textbooks to students even after five or six months into an academic. As a result, students, especially those in the rural areas, are the ones who suffer most. The situation is even worse in the arena of higher education.

However, I often dare to dream that a day will come when the anomalies of our education system will be wiped away, and our next generation will receive an international standard education thus enabling them to contribute to the development and progress of the country. If we act together on this wonderful vision, the dream will come true one day.


(The writer is a student of the Department of English, Govt. Edward College, Pabna)

Click the given link to view its first appearance: Dare to Dream

Experience of being an Editor

Experience of being an Editor

Ashim Kumar Paul

TODAY I shall share with you one of my unforgettable experiences that linger on even now. It is of being an editor. I often dream of editing a literary magazine that will be a mirror of contemporary literary activities. It will hopefully act as a platform of expression for those who can contribute significantly to our literature. It will work to create a link between the well-famed and new writers. 

Editing, to me, is always a challenging task. It contains an assortment of responsibilities, reverences and sincerity. With this purpose, when I began to make a plan of publishing a magazine, I had to first think how the people could be informed about this periodical that they might send their write-ups. I came up with an idea of giving an advertisement in some popular daily newspapers. To raise funds for my magazine, I along with my few local-mates went to some local Shop-owners to give advertisements in my magazine. Fortunately, we got a hopeful number of advertisements.

After a few days of publishing the notice, the readers as well as the writers began to send theirs writings from different regions to me. It was, truly, a big event in my life. I was overjoyed when I found the writings of some well-known writers. I could see the path of success.

I have forgotten to tell you the name of my little effort. It is 'Moitree' (Friendship). It was published on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day. It was full of various types of articles, for example poems, short stories, essays etc. Most of them were about our language as well as its glorious heritage. I first chose the good write-ups. Unfortunately many writings had been discarded due to the fact that they were not riveting enough. In addition, there was limitation of space in the magazine. However, I made up the rough copy of the periodical and finally prepared it for publishing.

Finally my efforts paid off, as it was the day my magazine Moitree was published. Though my mates and I had to face some unexpected situations and work hard, we forgot our misery as our efforts attained the praiseworthy remarks from the readers as well as the writers. I would like to dedicate all the success of my Moitree to almighty God who always stands by us.

Student, Department of English
Govt. Edward College, Pabna.

Click the link to see the first appearance:Experience of being an Editor