Star Diary

Photo: Star File

BE THE GAME CHANGERS

Who has the time to go through their textbooks, especially when a person can get hold of the next day's question paper? The other day I received a phone call saying that I could get the question papers for this year's HSC exams days in advance. My mom further informed me that some of my friends who are studying in renowned colleges were ready to “help” me get hold of the papers via the internet. In fact, these papers are openly sold in public areas like Farmgate. I was shocked by this suggestion and told my mother to not take such “suggestions” from these people. I can't put the entire blame on students, because honestly, if you place a cake in front a hungry person, they are bound to taste it. But what is the government doing about this predicament? Subjects like Physics and Biology are already difficult to begin with so when the question papers of these subjects are leaked, it becomes completely unfair for conscientious students. Students who take the help of such papers might get good results but will these results really help in the long run. I want to knock the conscience of all my classmates; please, don't fall into this trap! Be the game changers, rather than cheaters. I also want to draw the attention of the concerned ministry to hand out stricter punishments to those directly involved in such heinous activities.
Tafannum
Feni Girls Cadet College
Feni

An Indomitable Spirit

I used to go home to Feni every weekend from Dhaka. The Mohipal bus stand at Feni is a extremely busy area with people constantly crowding the station, scrambling to get on the bus. If you go there, you will hear a loud voice, harking to passengers, calling out to them to avail the services of a particular bus. The man was small in stature but his voice and spirit made up for his size. He helped passengers, placing the bags in the right places, directing them to their seats, asking them if they needed anything; and he did all that always with a smile on his face. During a conversation with him one day, I found out that he was appointed by the bus company for his loud voice and his entertaining personality. These caught the attention of prospective passengers and thus, the business of the company boomed. He carries out his duties diligently, and has always proven that size doesn't matter if one is determined to make a living. Last week when I was returning from Feni, I found the man standing calmly in a corner, instead of attracting passengers with his loud voice. I found out that he had some momentary problem with his throat and could not speak for some days. What amazed me was that he seemed frustrated with the lack of work. He still strived to get passengers to the bus by hitting the road and entertaining them with his antics. I was surprised by his never-say-die attitude. This guy is an example for all of us who have such a disappointing attitude towards our work despite being fit and healthy.
Md Azam Khan
Uttara Bank Limited
Dhaka