Of Truthfulness, Naivety and Coeval Ethos

Of Truthfulness, Naivety and Coeval Ethos

Ashim Kumar Paul

One of the biggest lessons in life has recently been learned by me although that lesson leaves me in the lurch to choose the coeval meaning of what is right and what is wrong. That honesty is not always the best policy turns me aside from my hoary principles. Rather, it teaches me that grabbing the relic of being honest hardly provides you the gift you really dream of. Trust me, I am not luring you to be bamboozled but my untoward experience may derail you from the path of your long-nourished moral values.

I was invited to take part in an interview assessment of a renowned institution for its online section. As I always rear a dream to work for that particular institution, I was much enthusiastic hoping that I would be a part of the organisation; it is simply because I had managed to surmount a written exam for the very post. However, on the day I appeared for the interview session, I was really in a cosy mood and had a conversation with other applicants in the office. I could hardly believe my presence in my dream place.

In the meantime, after some of the candidates, I was called upon for the interview. With a sense of excitement and trepidation, I entered the room and in the very beginning, I encountered a question: What are you doing now? To that, I was preparing for MBA admission test was my instant answer. But my naive answer did not suit best. I found the concerned official disappointed, as he over and over again pointed out that their efforts and time would get emaciated if I got admitted into MBA program and consequently, I would run after lucrative jobs after the completion of my MBA degree. Though I tried to shield my admitted words by saying that I was attending the MBA admission coaching just to make use of my spare time until my academic result got published and I was fervently yearning to work for the institution, I sensed my plea might lose its might.

After my interview session, I came back to the cubicle where the rest were seated. As I had already acquainted with them and grown a warm relationship, I admitted to them of my fledgling words in the appraisal. They, however, tried to comfort me that the assertion would not create any hindrance in the way of selection if my words were rightly reckoned. When the last candidate rushed back, one of the officials in the interview board informed us that they would confirm us over phone. Despite my naivety at the interview session, in truth, I was optimistic about their call.  But my expectation had not been paid off. Couple of days ago, while I was preparing myself to leave my house for Dhaka, I found a call from one of the candidates in the assessment. What I assumed seeing his number on my phone screen did truly go off. He informed that he was asked to be present at the office on the following day and he solaced me to wait. Another aspirant who also got the green signal contacted me on that very day. I was convinced that it was my ineligibility that barred my dream from being materialised. But when I came to know that all but me were appointed, I was flabbergasted at the news. My perception got tottered: Was I wrong by preserving honesty and naivety in my speech?

In the dim childhood memory, if I am not mistaken, we were taught the proverbial speech: Always speak the truth. We were further educated by our mentors that only speaking the truth can act for the welfare of us as our mighty saviour. But today’s hectic modern city life orbited by the intriguingly corporate world draws a strong contrast with the longstanding axiom and leaves for us a seemingly opposite message. Those who can manage to survive, by fair means or foul, in this crafty world are the ultimate champions and the rest are deemed as the losers. 

Dear readers, you might also be overwhelmed with my naive effort to prop up my naivety that may cost your valuable time and the space of this magazine. If so, I apologise for my delinquency. But a question is left up to you to weigh up: Is honesty always not the superlative weapon to guard you best?

Experiences on roads

Experiences on roads

Ashim Kumar Paul

Getting out of home and on the way to your next destination means gaining an assortment of experiences; these are hardly experiences that enrich your memorial fund with sweet recollections, on the contrary, you have to endure some bitter and nauseating memories especially if you are on the move via public transport. (However, if you are lucky, you may successfully draw out your forthcoming path, a path exclusive of acrimonious confrontation which I often encounter on my way.

With a plan to visit my cousin who’s studying and living in a resident college in Dhaka, me along with my masi (aunty) set off to our journey from our hometown Ishwardi to Dhaka, via railway. Following a long-drawn-out ride, we reached and got down at the Airport Railway Station in order to change our route to find another means of transport. While looking for a CNG-run auto-rickshaw at the premises, I congratulated myself on being fortunate enough to find one. But the happiness behind my privileged situation did not take too long to evaporate once we reached our destination. I paid the fare displayed on the fare meter but the driver still insisted on receiving another twenty taka from me! The more I reminded him of the rules and regulations ordained by the government, the more adamant he was in demanding additional pennies. He did not just stop at that, but he jeered and cursed at the government! He went on to state that no other public transport would give us their services unless we agreed to pay the extra amount of money the drivers charged us. Compelled and embarrassed, I had to pay the amount he demanded. While our legislators seem to constantly try to abate the sufferings and harassment of the city dwellers by setting new rules and regulations, several mischievous CNG-run cab and auto-rickshaw drivers are busy innovating new ways of bullying to compel passengers to meet their unlawful demands - blocking our rightful transportation privileges.

One Friday, amidst the cheerful company of my aunty, her son, and one of my friends, when I sought out a taxicab to visit one of our relatives, again I was caught in the same net– in hushed tones, the driver stated that I must pay an extra charge alongside the fare displayed on the fare meter. As we left, our merriment and joy evaporated since I had to concede with the wished-for wage the driver demanded.

During the ride, I dared to question the driver and enquired why they continued to charge extra amounts from the passengers a move which is strongly opposed by the government. I was lucky that the driver was not as rough as others I had acquainted with. He silently smiled and gave an answer that took us by surprise. According to his words, most CNG auto rickshaw owners have reduced the amount of hours a driver can drive to 12 hours, as a result of which drivers are compelled to demand extra payment from commuters to make up for the lost profit they used to make when they drove for longer hours. Alongside this malpractice, many drivers also manipulate the fare meter behind the backs of commuters in an effort to make some extra cash.

I know that these scenarios are familiar episodes to those city-dwellers who do not have the privilege of owning a private motor vehicle and usually travel using private cabs and auto-rickshaws. All in all, it is depressing how easily dwellers have, readily accepted the nuisances as one of the endemic truths that is a part of their daily experiences. However, immediate measures should be taken to ensure the right and privileges of the civilians and to help implement the laws and orders set by the government to create an improved transportation environment.

To view its internet edition, click: Experiences on roads

Too Easy To Manipulate

Too Easy To Manipulate

Two of my friends from Dhaka went to their village during the local government polls to cast their votes and support a friend who was one of the five aspirants in his own ward. Maintaining the rules and regulations ordained by the Election Commission, they joined the election campaign and tried their best to convince the people about the competency of his candidature. Following the expiry date of the campaign when they had nothing but to reckon the possible number of votes cast for their friend, they were quite hopeful about his triumph.

The election process was strictly maintained, the Election Commission and local administration's dedication to hold a fair and credible poll was really laudable. No fake vote was attempted to be cast and no violation of laws was seen. However, the moment of announcement of the winner gave my friends a real thrill, as they were convinced that their friend would win. But to their utter disappointment, he failed to win the race and received a severe defeat. Nothing but words of commiseration could be said to him.

A few days after the election, while my friends were roaming around their village and talking about the unexpected defeat of their friend, a man who was passing by, intervened in their discussion. He informed them that it was the grand feast for the villagers arranged by the winner during the campaign that played a key role in the defeat of their friend. How can we dream of good governance that will work for the welfare of the country and its citizens when the people are easily convinced to trade their votes in exchange of a grand feast?

Ashim Kumar Paul
Government Edward College
Pabna

To view its internet edition: Too Easy To Manipulate

Game of Gambling?

Game or Gambling?

Ashim Kumar Paul

Modern city life is often deemed synonymous to an epicentre of stress, arising from work-place to family hub that often leaves its dwellers shattered, depressed, drab and sluggish. Boredom, frustration and lethargy, in the wake of extreme working pressure and stress, swallow their mettle and mental composure. Besides, the children hardly find any play ground to exercise their physical potentiality and to relieve themselves of the heavy study load and mental strains generated from their education institutions, private tuitions, their guardian’s close watch and unremitting expectations. In this regard, a park, specially
arranged so that people can walk there for pleasure or children can play, bags a lot of significance. However, most of the parks have unfortunately become a heaven for gamblers, dodging the eyes of law enforcement agencies even in broad daylight!

A few months ago, two of my friends and I had gone to the Suhrawardy Udyan in a declining afternoon to enjoy our spare time. While strolling in the park, we saw some people flocking around beside a narrow path in the park. Being curious, when we approached there, we found that a game was going on. Three cans of energy drinks had been arranged in a row and for TK 10 a person could take part in the round once. The person who could hit the cans from a fixed distance with a tennis ball would be given the cans. Being enticed, many people were found much enthusiastic to participate. However,
what struck me most was that some teenagers and children had been induced into the gamble. I wonder how our young people are enticed and led to the drain of such vile game but exasperatingly enough, no one cares about the despicable bustle.

A park is a public place, where safety must be ensured. The exquisiteness and charm of a park should not be polluted. Besides, such activity will encourage other illegal ventures and this type of immoral going-on in the name of game should be forbidden. Otherwise, our children might get caught in the web of gambling.

Internet Edition:Game or Gambling?

Costly Gifts

Costly Gifts

A couple of days ago, I received a message on my mobile phone from my telecom operator. I was informed that since I was an elite subscriber of that operator, some special gifts – MMS, SMS, talk time and free internet data – were being offered. To receive their gifts, I had to activate the offer by 31st of December and I would have to utilise all those items within seven days of the activation date.

I followed their instructions to activate and pick up their gifts before the 31st of December. Among the gifts, what I needed the most was internet data as I frequently use internet on my mobile phone. To my utter disappointment, I could not get access to the free internet data. I dialed their customer care hotline to get help. After a long conversation, the hotline administrator assured me that within 24 hours, I could browse the internet with the free offer. I got a text message saying I can now use the free amount of internet data, but I was let down again when I tried to use it.

Two days before the expiry of the offer, I again made a call to the helpline to submit my complaint. The internet expert team manager made me wait for a very long time to verify the information, and later, confirmed that the technical hitch had been fixed. However, I was disappointed again. Exasperated, I rang them up again. This time, another executive performed a time-consuming inspection and comforted me with empty promises. But my problem was yet to be resolved and finally, I gave up all hopes of using the free offers.

Even though I couldn't enjoy the free offers, I had to pay surplus money for calling their indelible customer service. Should mobile operators exploit their much valued customers in this way?

Ashim Kumar Paul
Government Edward College
Pabna

Internet Edition:Costly Gifts