December 16
Asif Iqbal Department of English, DU
Every year 16 December comes with a beckoning of hope to chase away poverty, crime and, above all, political imbroglio that has reared it's ugly head in every area of our national life. The day holds a profound significance for those who saw the liberation war; a generation with ideals and dreams. And to find their country being freed after nine months of intense battle on this day of 1971 was a day to remember for those who lived through traumas and exodus in those nightmarish days. They had hoped for a glorious Sonar Bangla but it was never going to be the case. From 1971 Bangladesh has surrendered to the diabolical hands only to find itself reeling on the brink of disaster. We now find ourselves usurped by a neo-oligarchy strong enough to subdue the dreams of the common people of Bangladesh.The post-Cold War era was always going to be difficult for the third world countries. Bangladesh is no exception. We have reluctantly given ourselves up in the hands of neo-capitalists ruling our country. They are the ardent supporters of the West directed policies. The growing spree of shopping complexes is a reflection of the western influence . Laissez-faire shopping has become a fashion for the people of Dhaka. Even the education sector has not been spared. Young students aspire to study something that would give them economic stability, but the goal of education is to turn someone into a better human being. People at the helm have become obsessed with the capitalist culture. The impact of this obsession is disastrous. We find ourselves in the comforts offered to us in a modern urban society. This slouching way of effacing our culture and values is paying rich dividends to the Americans who are out to establish new colonies by stripping "others" of their culture and language. The same theory was applied in the Spanish colonies of the Americas to destroy splendid Mayan, Aztec and Inca cultures that are still considered as grand by historians. The southeast Asian countries have a huge western influence on their mundane living style. In fact, half of the world has been tamed by the western culture that has proved to be an excellent power to rule the world imposingly with capitalist ideals. We the Bangladeshis have been fortunate enough to hold on to our culture and social values just because we have a greater respect for our past, especially our liberation struggle. But the cart soon could be turned upside down if the younger generation is not convinced to turn their attention to our ailing nation that has withstood many alien invasions. Another growing problem is people's interest in the English Medium schools.To many, this is a symbol of status. Worse still, the parents insist their toddlers to speak in English in public. The older students are far worse. They have no sense of valuing the Bengalee culture. These guys are busy imitating the west and most of the students studying in this class are encouraged by their parents to imitate the west and to use English as their language of communication .
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