Star Diary
Unwanted Extravagance
Ramadan is the month of self control and offering charity but it is sad to see that many people hardly adhere to the spirit of Ramadan. We end up filling our stomachs to the full during iftar. Even restaurants are providing special offers that result in the wastage of food. Money and food, both are being wasted in this way. I am not asking people not to enjoy time out with parent or friends but I do think that one must avoid extravagance as stated in the Holy Quran, “. . . and eat and drink and be not extravagant; surely He does not love the extravagant.” (Surah al-Ar’ãf7:31). The excess money that we spend on food could be spent on charity to help our brothers and sisters in need.
Anika Nawal Ahmed
Dhanmondi
Dhaka
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CHILDREN ON TV
Watching reality television shows are a favourite way to pass the time, and TV channels here have introduced all sorts of programmes to cater to viewers' tastes. What's unsettling, however, are the ways that children are sometimes shown in these shows. Often, they are coated in heavy of make-up, clad in jewellery, made to wear glitzy dresses and act almost coquettish or 'grown up' just so that ratings can be increased. Even in reality talent shows, one child's talent is overshadowed by some other child who has a more tragic story, is more vocal and has a dramatic streak. Interestingly, viewers seem to find this precociousness quite adorable, thus contributing to this 'adultifying' of children. It would be much more invigorating and real to watch children being themselves and getting recognised for their talent alone, instead of having to resort to drama or depend on their 'cute' factor to be noticed.
Samiha Matin
Uttara, Dhaka
CHILDREN ON TV
Watching reality television shows are a favourite way to pass the time, and TV channels here have introduced all sorts of programmes to cater to viewers' tastes. What's unsettling, however, are the ways that children are sometimes shown in these shows. Often, they are coated in heavy of make-up, clad in jewellery, made to wear glitzy dresses and act almost coquettish or 'grown up' just so that ratings can be increased. Even in reality talent shows, one child's talent is overshadowed by some other child who has a more tragic story, is more vocal and has a dramatic streak. Interestingly, viewers seem to find this precociousness quite adorable, thus contributing to this 'adultifying' of children. It would be much more invigorating and real to watch children being themselves and getting recognised for their talent alone, instead of having to resort to drama or depend on their 'cute' factor to be noticed.
Samiha Matin
Uttara, Dhaka
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