Star Diary
Photo: Prabir Das
PRIDE IN RED AND GREEN
The other after completing my swimming lesson at the Sultana Kamal Women's Complex, I walked to the waiting room to offer my prayers. Huddled under the table, there were a few basketballs, some of them wrapped in what disturbingly looked like our national flag. On closer inspection, I was heart-broken to find that it was indeed our national flag in red and green; knotted, placed on the carpet and being used as a mere piece of cloth. I looked at it thinking that this is what we are doing with the flag, which countless brave persons had laid down their lives for. I immediately went over to the officials and inquired about it; one of them looked away and the other remained silent. I went back to that room and after my prayers, I untied the knot of the flag and placed the it in a square. I intended to check on it the next day and when I did, it wasn't there. That spelled a glimmer of hope for me that maybe it was then gracing some place befitting its demeanor. What remains to say is that we should pay a little attention to the rules of handling the national flag. As a rule, it should not be placed where it may get dirty, torn, soiled or damaged in any way. It should not be used as clothing as well. These are a few rules we often see being violated. There is no doubt that we all love our national flag. For the people of this land, the national flag is the symbol of pride. Let's start treating it like one.
Tasnim Jara
Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka
***
An Unpleasant Encounter
While going to my school a few days ago, I met a classmate on the way. He had already graduated from school and thus, had the annoying tendency of bossing the juniors he knew. Recently, I started wearing the hijab. Unaware of this development, my classmate acted unnecessarily shocked to see my new look. In his opinion, I was being concerned about certain things and so, had to 'resort' to the hijab; he even had the audacity to ask me whether I had a break-up or something! He pretended to be really sorry and claimed to be worried that I had been cast an evil spell by someone! He suggested to leave such ridiculous notions (according to him!) and get 'funky' and 'modern' like other girls of my age, as it was too early for me to start wearing the hijab! I just could not believe my ears! Why should women always be undermined when they want to try something different and positive? Is it just because we still live in a male dominated society where we are not even allowed to take our own decisions without being ridiculed for them?
Tasmiah Zaman
Bhuiyan Academy, Dhaka
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments