Teen Central
The dress code dilemmay

Ever since the British invaded our lands way back in the 18th century people of our nation, mostly men, started impersonating their choice of clothes. Hence we bade farewell to our traditional clothing, which has been a prominent part of our culture for many, many decades. From then till now we still don the westerners' attire. But the trends have changed and the choice of clothing is constantly altering in a fast-paced modern world. And here lies the common quandary most teenagers face these days, the dress-code dilemma. It has become a fact that parents nowadays are less open to new ideas and trends and the kids are just too fazed with the latest line of clothing. The choice of parents and their children differ so much that it seems that there is an enormous chasm in between and it's filled with millions of fissures, which are heavily ditched with deep perforations and has become virtually unbridgeable.

Teenagers now tend to try out every type of clothes that are appealing to them. It's okay when the practice is within the limits of decency. But when it gets out of hand and they start to mimic the likes of absurd and stylishly unethical rappers or r n b singers it gets on your nerves. Though you can't blame them really, because that's one more of cable TV's bounties for us. These teens are utterly confused with their style and have lost their identity. They have become “slaves” who are neither black nor do they know how to rap! And coming to the point of accessories, bracelet's, beads, chains are all acceptable as long as they suit your looks, but when it comes to piercing and tongue, lip and belly studs it's quite unforgivable. When you are living in a city called Dhaka with slums adjacent to your apartment building and your still eating rice for lunches it simply doesn't go with you.

Now if the parents budge in it is reasonable to a certain extent, although it was their fault in the first place that their son or daughter turned out to be like this. And once the seed of confusion is sowed it's tough to rip off. But filial conflicts and scolding sessions won't solve the case. If the child's choice is warranted to the common eye, with understanding and mutual respect from both sides this can be easily resolved. Parents, you have to respect your child's choice because after all you made him/her, right? And if s/he wants to be whatever h/she wants to be then you should just let him/her be. And for the parents who are still looking after their tiny toddlers make sure you supervise what they watch and learn from television and the Internet. The consequences can be disastrous if you don't.

By Knafice-Man

As in any other ceremony the event was marked by various motivational speeches from the various dignitaries present and the non-present Jimmy Carter(via video) not to mention the nostalgic speech by the valedictorian Nahleen Zahra. To quote Mr. Abed (the founder and the president of the Governing Board of BRAC) “Your degree represents more then knowledge. It represents courage, character, and your commitment to making a difference to the world.” Similarly, according to Dr. Osman Faruk, the degree “is not just a piece of paper” but their “passport to the future.” The President on the other hand expressed his hope that “the graduates will be able to meet Global needs through their talents and will come forward to serve mankind” while Professor Jamilur Reza(Vice-Chancellor of BRAC) expressed his belief that the graduates will help to solve the problems of our country by “leading the socio-economic development efforts of the country.” In other words, the students were encouraged to not only benefit themselves from the education received but also to serve the nation and even the world. The focus was also on BRAC as an organization, its achievements, its upcoming plans and its very innovative School of Public Health. Around 150 students received their degrees from bachelors to masters in various departments ranging from MGB, economics, C.S.E, C.S, Development Studies and Public Health. Overall the event lived up to its expectations as a very formal occasion, with no interruptions or disturbances in the form of mobiles ringing and cameras clicking thanks to the tough security.

The latter part of the event was more relaxing with the characteristic hat throwing, embracing and picture taking sessions (yes cameras were allowed in the end).

However it was also an inspiring occasion for the student audience sitting in the gallery not only in terms of motivation (to become valedictorian, receive a gold medal or at least a distinction when their turn comes) but also looking forward to oneself walking down the aisle in the long black dresses, receiving the fruit of all their hardship.

By Afrina Choudhury

Book Review
Nights in rodanthe

You're in the mood for romance, but sick and tired of those cheesy romances where the heroine is the most beautiful woman in the entire area, the guy the richest, and no matter how badly he treats her, after pages and pages of graphically portrayed lovemaking, they get together. Sit back and relax, 'cause boy, do I have a book for you!

Author of “A Walk to Remember” (yep, the one that got made into a movie starring Mandy Moore) has got another heartwarming tale of love and loss, and this one's called “Nights in Rodanthe”.

At sixty, Adrienne Willis has lived a life, which may not have been very easy, but she has few regrets. Abandoned by her husband at forty-five for a younger woman, she had to single-handedly raise her three children and care for her ailing father. Now, with the kids grown and settled into stable lives, she is planning to step back from the role of full-time mom when her daughter, Amanda is suddenly widowed.

With two young children to care for, Amanda cannot afford to lose her marbles, and yet, an anxious Adrienne watches her daughter slowly unravelling before her eyes, resisting all attempts at consolation with the claims that no one would understand what she's going through. So Adrienne decides to tell the girl a story she's not told anyone before, and so the actual plot really begins, in a touching and vivid flashback.

Adrienne was still bitter about her divorce and low on self-esteem when Paul Flanner walks in through the door and into her life. Another recent divorcee, Paul is trying to turn over a new leaf and make sense of a life he wasted while chasing some obscure dream. A storm on the coast leaves the pair conveniently holed up in an empty house, and romance blossoms.

As mentioned before, this isn't your run-of-the-mill romance, so the attraction is just as emotional and introspective as it is physical. Even the physical attraction is more realistic, because, face it…we're talking about a forty-five year old mother of three and a fifty-something doctor dude.

I'll leave it to you to read and find out what happens, but be prepared to be touched by the simple beauty of the story. With an easy, flowing style like Erich Segal's , and a kind of optimism reminiscent of Paolo Coelho, it's a very comfortable read. I bullied Tausif Salim into lending me this book, so I'm not sure of the prices, but I suppose you could place an order for it at Words n' Pages or Omni books if you don't find it on their shelves. With that, I wish you a happy Valentine's Day.

By Sabrina F Ahmad