THE BENEFITS OF READING NEWSPAPER Newspaper is the store-house of knowledge. A man can be benefited in many ways reading a newspaper. It provides us with different news and views of the current world. It is said that a good nation must have a handsome amount of newspaper readers. In my opinion, a newspaper can influence a person more effectively than other forms of information media. Newspaper benefits us in many different ways. People get current information, news and views of the country as well as of the world. There are different pages on different issues in a newspaper from which readers get different types of news. A man can know about what is happening in the country's political arena sitting at home. A student can also be benefited from a newspaper. There are pages on education from which students can learn many things about English, Bengali, Mathematics, Geography, Science and other subjects. We can also know about the international politics and affairsoing through the international page. Those who are the regular readers J the international page are very much aware of the geographical and political affairs of the world. By going through the editorial column, a reader can know about the analytical explanation of a thing or affair. We can learn about our country's economy, its business affairs and many other statistical things from the business page. Sports page is a popular one to the sports loving readers. This page provides them with the latest news of sports and games. Religion and religious analysis are also found in a newspaper. Newspaper reading can widen the mental horizon of an individual. We should cultivate the habit of reading newspaper to broaden our knowledge A man who develops the habit of reading newspaper becomes an enlightened person. IMPORTANCE OF READING NEWSPAPER Man is curious by nature. He wants to know what is happening around him in the world. The invention of the printing press satisfied this primitive appetite for news in a more systematic way. And with news went views. So, newspapers are not news carriers only, but creators of public opinion also. It has become a part and parcel of our daily life. The history of the newspaper dates back to the 16th century. China was the first country to introduce newspaper. In Europe, Venice was the first place to publish newspaper. During Mughal period, a kind of manuscript was in vogue in the Indo-Pak sub-continent. But its circulation was limited to a few high officials and courtiers. The “India Gazette’ published in 1744 was the first newspaper in this subcontinent. The “Samachar Darpan” brought out by missionaries of Srerampur was the first Bengali newspaper. Newspapers are of various types, such as dailies, bi-weeklies, monthlies and quarterlies. The daily newspapers are mainly read for news and views about daily affairs. Others are known as periodicals and magazines and they contain stories and articles largely. Longer literary works are printed in them in parts. Newspapers are one of the important factors in the life of a civilized nation. We can measure the importance of newspapers in the modern world if we realise the mechanical speed of newspaper production. The views of a newspaper are read, discussed and disseminated everyday by thousands of readers. And what they daily read, they naturally come to believe and accept. Thus opinions are formed and movements are created silently and imperceptibly. Modern newspapers have a wide range of subjects to meet different interests. A newspaper today plays a vital role in society. It contributes to the widening of interest in books, music and drama. It is the great educator of the people in all matters of public interest and teaches them to form opinions on the burning questions of the day. Equally important is the views-value of a newspaper. Its editorials and letter columns point out what is good or bad in society and government and thus promote the good of all. The newspaper has also a great educative value. It helps us to keep abreast of the current events all over the world. Modern newspapers also contain articles on various subjects and are thus very useful guides to all round knowledge. The newspaper is also the best medium of advertisement. This helps traders and the consumers too. Sportsmen find their favourite games regularly reported and commented on in newspapers. And it is, for many, the one medium that gives daily recreation. For a hard working man, after a day’s toil, it relieves his home of its dullness and monotony. It brings him in touch with a gayer and a livelier scene. Thus newspapers help us in various ways. So, reading newspaper daily is a good habit. Some newspapers have their bad side as well. Because they serve a not-too-educated people, it may develop a tendency to serve vulgar tastes. They stimulate in the average reader an unhealthy desire for startling and sensational information. A more serious defect is for some newspapers to suppress news or to flaunt tendentious headlines or to give exaggerated reports in the interests of either a policy or a party. So, we should be very careful of reading newspapers and controlling ourselves from emotions. The functions of newspapers are many. It has brought the world to the corner of the home. Time and distance have been won by newspapers. A prosperous newspaper should have competence to command a higher and broader treatment of social value. Its very reputation causes it to be impartial, dignified and selective. And the public are thereby benefited. IMPORTANCE OF READING NEWSPAPER Man is curious by nature. He wants to know what is happening around him in the world. The invention of the printing press satisfied this primitive appetite for news in a more systematic way. And with news went views. So, newspapers are not news carriers only, but creators of public opinion also. It has become a part and parcel of our daily life. The history of the newspaper dates back to the 16th century. China was the first country to introduce newspaper. In Europe, Venice was the first place to publish newspaper. During Mughal period, a kind of manuscript was in vogue in the Indo-Pak sub-continent. But its circulation was limited to a few high officials and courtiers. The “India Gazette’ published in 1744 was the first newspaper in this subcontinent. The “Samachar Darpan” brought out by missionaries of Srerampur was the first Bengali newspaper. Newspapers are of various types, such as dailies, bi-weeklies, monthlies and quarterlies. The daily newspapers are mainly read for news and views about daily affairs. Others are known as periodicals and magazines and they contain stories and articles largely. Longer literary works are printed in them in parts. Newspapers are one of the important factors in the life of a civilized nation. We can measure the importance of newspapers in the modern world if we realise the mechanical speed of newspaper production. The views of a newspaper are read, discussed and disseminated everyday by thousands of readers. And what they daily read, they naturally come to believe and accept. Thus opinions are formed and movements are created silently and imperceptibly. Modern newspapers have a wide range of subjects to meet different interests. A newspaper today plays a vital role in society. It contributes to the widening of interest in books, music and drama. It is the great educator of the people in all matters of public interest and teaches them to form opinions on the burning questions of the day. Equally important is the views-value of a newspaper. Its editorials and letter columns point out what is good or bad in society and government and thus promote the good of all. The newspaper has also a great educative value. It helps us to keep abreast of the current events all over the world. Modern newspapers also contain articles on various subjects and are thus very useful guides to all round knowledge. The newspaper is also the best medium of advertisement. This helps traders and the consumers too. Sportsmen find their favourite games regularly reported and commented on in newspapers. And it is, for many, the one medium that gives daily recreation. For a hard working man, after a day’s toil, it relieves his home of its dullness and monotony. It brings him in touch with a gayer and a livelier scene. Thus newspapers help us in various ways. So, reading newspaper daily is a good habit. Some newspapers have their bad side as well. Because they serve a not-too-educated people, it may develop a tendency to serve vulgar tastes. They stimulate in the average reader an unhealthy desire for startling and sensational information. A more serious defect is for some newspapers to suppress news or to flaunt tendentious headlines or to give exaggerated reports in the interests of either a policy or a party. So, we should be very careful of reading newspapers and controlling ourselves from emotions. [This paragraph may be excluded.] The functions of newspapers are many. It has brought the world to the corner of the home. Time and distance have been won by newspapers. A prosperous newspaper should have competence to command a higher and broader treatment of social value. Its very reputation causes it to be impartial, dignified and selective. And the public are thereby benefited. IMPORTANCE OF READING NEWSPAPER Introduction: Man is curious by nature. He wants to know what is happening around him in the world. The invention of the printing press satisfied this primitive appetite for news in a more systematic way. And with news went views. So, newspapers are not news carrier’s only, but creators of public opinion also. It has become a part and parcel of our daily life. Its history: The history of the newspaper dates back to the 16thcentury. China was the first country to introduce newspaper. In Europe, Venice was the first place to publish newspaper. During Mughal period, a kind of manuscript was in vogue in the Indo-Pak sub-continent. But its circulation was limited to a few high officials and courtiers. The “India Gazette’ published in 1744 was the first newspaper in this sub-continent. The “Samachar Darpan” brought out by missionaries of Srerampur was the first Bengali newspaper. Kinds of newspaper: Newspapers are of various types, such as dailies, bi-weeklies, monthlies and quarterlies. The daily newspapers are mainly read for news and views about daily affairs. Others are known as periodicals and magazines and they contain stories and articles largely. Longer literary works are printed in them in parts. Its necessity: Newspapers are one of the important factors in the life of a civilized nation. We can measure the importance of newspapers in the modern world if we realise the mechanical speed of newspaper production. The views of a newspaper are read, discussed and disseminated everyday by thousands of readers. And what they daily read, they naturally come to believe and accept. Thus opinions are formed and movements are created silently and imperceptibly. Its usefulness: Modern newspapers have a wide range of subjects to meet different interests. A newspaper, today plays a vital role in society. It contributes to the widening of interest in books, music and drama. It is the great educator of the people in all matters of public interest and teaches them to form opinions on the burning questions of the day. Equally important is the views-value of a newspaper. Its editorials and letter columns point out what is good or bad in society and government and thus promote the good of all. The newspaper has also a great educative value. It helps us to keep abreast of the current events all over the world. Modern newspapers also contain articles on various subjects and are thus very useful guides to all round knowledge. The newspaper is also the best medium of advertisement. This helps traders and the consumers too. Sportsmen find their favourite games regularly reported and commented on in newspapers. And it is, for many, the one medium that gives daily recreation. For a hard working man, after a day’s toil, it relieves his home of its dullness and monotony. It brings him in touch with a gayer and a livelier scene. Thus newspapers help us in various ways. So, reading newspaper daily is a good habit. Its bad values: Some newspapers have their bad side as well. Because they serve a not-too-educated people, it may develop a tendency to serve vulgar tastes. They stimulate in the average reader an unhealthy desire for startling and sensational information. A more serious defect is for some newspapers to suppress news or to flaunt tendentious headlines or to give exaggerated reports in the interests of either a policy or a party. So, we should be very careful of reading newspapers and controlling ourselves from emotions. Conclusion: The functions of newspapers are many. It has brought the world to the corner of the home. Time and distance have been won by newspapers. A prosperous newspaper should have competence to command a higher and broader treatment of social value. Its very reputation causes it to be impartial, dignified and selective. And the public are thereby benefited. Value of Reading Newspaper The newspaper is a useful and important medium of knowledge. Newspaper reading has many other benefits. We come to know about everything happening in our country or the world through newspapers. Sitting in our drawing room, we can say what has happened, is happening in the remotest part of the country or of the world. The reading of newspapers gives us not only knowledge and information but also pleasure. It publishes jokes, stories, novels and other interesting writings which entertain us and enrich our imagination and thoughts. It focuses on politics, economics, business, games and sports, culture, literature and natural disasters and accidents. These help us improve our knowledge. We should therefore develop a habit of reading newspapers regularly. Newspapers, also serve as a teacher. The dailies teach us how to express our thoughts easily. It makes us build up ourselves as good and worthy citizens. This is why, children should be encouraged to read newspapers. A man who does not read newspaper regularly leads himself to a dark world. He can not develop his mental faculty. Being ignorant of current topics, he can not participate in the talks and discussions in an enlightened society. Moreover, none can keep contact with the world without reading newspaper. By writing for a newspaper we can also make our ideas expressed to the world. We can write also letters to the editor. This can be a training in journalism. All this shows the great educational importance of reading newspapers. We can enjoy these benefits if we form a habit ofl reading newspapers regularly. A society without newspapers must be considered primitive, that is uncivilized. Newspaper is a great support of modern civilization. NEWSPAPER READING Or, NEWSPAPERS – THEIR USES AND ABUSES A newspaper is a daily paper that gives us news of events as they happen every moment in different parts of the world. Carlyle called it the ‘Fourth Estate’. It is almost the first thing that greets us in the morning. In fact, we cannot think of modern life without newspaper. Man’s craving for news is eternal. So every educated man and woman in the modern world feels an urge to read newspaper everyday. Indeed a newspaper has become an almost indispensable adjunct to modern life. A newspaper reading has become a habit with many of us. It has become a passion with some of us as well. It is as important to some of us as our food and drink. There are people who must have the newspaper with their morning cup of tea, otherwise they get upset. There are persons who stand before a public library or at the crossing of a thoroughfare to steal a glance at a newspaper. There are again persons whose food remains undigested and whose temper gets frayed, if they do not go through the day’s newspaper. A modern newspaper is a chronicle and an encyclopaedia in miniature. It is, in fact, a caterer of all sorts of news and views. People read them for both pleasure and profit. Merchants read them to know the condition of the market. Sportsman find pleasures in reading the sports news. The film fans go through the cinema page to get the thrill of the ring. From the advertisement columns the employment seekers and traders get useful hints and information. Statesmen read the papers to know the political currents of the world. Besides, newspapers have corners for children and women. It also informs the people if the ration-shop will remain closed on a particular day, when pipe water will not be available, if there is any change in the examination schedule and so on. It is for all these reasons that the newspaper has become universal reading matter today. Newspapers play an important part in our social and national life. They educate public mind and help to form public opinion. They voice the grievances of the people and seek for redress. Indeed the press is so powerful that it can make or unmake governments. That is why whenever government becomes tyrannical, it tries to control the press and destroy its freedom. A democratic government, on the other hand, feels the pulse of the people through the honest criticism of the press. A newspaper not only gives us information, it also serves us in various other ways. It beguiles time when time hangs heavy on us. When a man finds himself alone in a railway compartment, it gives him the pleasure of silent companionship; when he is troubled by a thousand and one worries, it helps him forget them. When he rolls in bed in a vain attempt to snatch a little sleep, it promptly brings down the goddess of sleep on his wakeful eyes. A busy professional man may not find time to a newspaper but still he buys it to keep his visitors’ engaged. There are perhaps also men, big men who buy newspaper not to read them, but to maintain an air of aristocracy. Sometimes a newspaper contains much that is useless or even harmful. It rouses popular passions against a country or a people or a community by giving exaggerated versions of minor incidents. In fact, a good deal is reported that is of passing interest. A good deal is often misreported that leads to dangerous consequence. The propaganda machinery of a newspaper is a menace when it prevents dispassionate judgement. Newspapers are vehicle of political parties and neutral readers find it difficult to arrive at a balanced judgement. Sometimes they excite people in a wrong cause and thus mislead them instead of giving them correct news and views. Newspaper reading is a good habit. But one should not pore over it for hours and hours. We should take care that newspaper reading does not develop into a passion with us. We should always be on the alert while reading a newspaper; otherwise we shall not be able to see things in their proper perspective. NEWSPAPER READING Or, NEWSPAPERS – THEIR USES AND ABUSES [Out line: Introduction – newspaper reading is a habit with many a chronicle; a caterer of all sorts of news – role of newspaper in social and national life – services a newspaper renders – its abuses – conclusion.] A newspaper is a daily paper that gives us news of events as they happen every moment in different parts of the world. Carlyle called it the ‘Fourth Estate’. It is almost the first thing that greets us in the morning. In fact, we cannot think of modern life without newspaper. Man’s craving for news is eternal. So every educated man and woman in the modern world feels an urge to read newspaper everyday. Indeed a newspaper has become an almost indispensable adjunct to modern life. A newspaper reading has become a habit with many of us. It has become a passion with some of us as well. It is as important to some of us as our food and drink. There are people who must have the newspaper with their morning cup of tea, otherwise they get upset. There are persons who stand before a public library or at the crossing of a thoroughfare to steal a glance at a newspaper. There are again persons whose food remains undigested and whose temper gets frayed, if they do not go through the day’s newspaper. A modern newspaper is a chronicle and an encyclopaedia in miniature. It is, in fact, a caterer of all sorts of news and views. People read them for both pleasure and profit. Merchants read them to know the condition of the market. Sportsman find pleasures in reading the sports news. The film fans go through the cinema page to get the thrill of the ring. From the advertisement columns the employment seekers and traders get useful hints and information. Statesmen read the papers to know the political currents of the world. Besides, newspapers have corners for children and women. It also informs the people if the ration-shop will remain closed on a particular day, when pipe water will not be available, if there is any change in the examination schedule and so on. It is for all these reasons that the newspaper has become universal reading matter today. Newspapers play an important part in our social and national life. They educate public mind and help to form public opinion. They voice the grievances of the people and seek for redress. Indeed the press is so powerful that it can make or unmake governments. That is why whenever government becomes tyrannical, it tries to control the press and destroy its freedom. A democratic government, on the other hand, feels the pulse of the people through the honest criticism of the press. A newspaper not only gives us information, it also serves us in various other ways. It beguiles time when time hangs heavy on us. When a man finds himself alone in a railway compartment, it gives him the pleasure of silent companionship; when he is troubled by a thousand and one worries, it helps him forget them. When he rolls in bed in a vain attempt to snatch a little sleep, it promptly brings down the goddess of sleep on his wakeful eyes. A busy professional man may not find time to a newspaper but still he buys it to keep his visitors’ engaged. There are perhaps also men, big men who buy newspaper not to read them, but to maintain an air of aristocracy. Sometimes a newspaper contains much that is useless or even harmful. It rouses popular passions against a country or a people or a community by giving exaggerated versions of minor incidents. In fact, a good deal is reported that is of passing interest. A good deal is often misreported that leads to dangerous consequence. The propaganda machinery of a newspaper is a menace when it prevents dispassionate judgement. Newspapers are vehicle of political parties and neutral readers find it difficult to arrive at a balanced judgement. Sometimes they excite people in a wrong cause and thus mislead them instead of giving them correct news and views. Newspaper reading is a good habit. But one should not pore over it for hours and hours. We should take care that newspaper reading does not develop into a passion with us. We should always be on the alert while reading a newspaper; otherwise we shall not be able to see things in their proper perspective. Advantage of Reading Newspaper The power of the press is really un-disputed. In this modern age, the press is so strong and effective that it is called the Fourth Estate. Newspapers live Times if India, States-man and magazines like outlook and India Today have wide circulation in India. They have the power to draw the attention of those who matter, to the shortcomings in their decisions and its results. With the spread of education, the influence of the Press has also grown in our country and in advanced countries, it is capable of making or breaking governments. In U.K. Japan or U.S.A. there is hardly a person who does not subscribe to a newspaper and consequently they are better informed and more updated with the affairs of their nation and the world. India with a comparatively lesser literacy populace, specially in rural areas of States live Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, etc. are at a disadvantage. Because of the lesser influence the Press has on the masses, the advantages of democracy and the power to elect their own representatives are lost on them. We achieved independence through the basics of mass movements, organised by the political parties, through the medium of newspapers. It was only when a few Indians learnt the English language and got to know of the revolutions in other countries, that they got the idea of freeing themselves from the shackles of slavery. This knowledge was largely contributed by newspapers of the foreign Press which were fearless in depicting the truth. The Press has the power thus to mould public opinion. It has become the medium of political agitations and movements in our country and the organ of political leaders and parties. It is also the voice of the public, forcing the Government to listen with respect, to its opinions and views.The elections, after the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, gave a negative vote against her, for suppression of the ‘Freedom of Press’. The downfall of President Richard Nixon of U.S.A. due to Watergate was actually fuelled by Press reports of the break-in.Thus, we find the Press placed as one of the ‘Goliaths’ of present age and if utilizes for the good of the people, it can wield tremendous power. However, there is the other side of the coin too. There are several owners and even Editors, controlling the Press, who try to take advantage of his extreme power. Power does corrupt if un-checked and those controlling the Press must be vigilant and always on guard lest they corrupt society and make it their imp to solely earn money. It cannot be denied that there are those who hold be acting as sentinels for society but are actually in the profession to arm-twist, black-mail and, literally take advantage of their own position for selfish material gains. A clean and independent Press, fearless as they should be, can be a blessing. It is the ‘great sentinel of the State’, ‘the ground detector of public imposture’. Benefit of Reading Newspaper Newspaper is a kind of printed media usually distributed weekly or daily in the form of a folded book of papers containing news of current events, informative articles, education, editorials, and advertising. The newspapers keep us in touch with the current world affairs. Without them we cannot know the important news even of the remotest part of the world. It acts as a mirror that reflects the views and opinions of the public and the Government. There are many advantages of reading the newspapers. In short newspaper plays a vital role in our life. With the spread of education, the popularity and importance of newspapers have increased by leaps and bounds. Everybody today wants to read a newspaper. They give us lots of information about various matters at various levels that are not available anywhere. People of all profession need newspapers. Engineers, doctors, scientists, professors and other professionals need them to know the day-to-day developments in their respective fields. Businessmen need newspapers to keep in touch with the economic and commercial trends in the country and see current share prices. Politicians need them to read recent political events in the country. Others read newspapers to know how changes around them affect their life. Newspapers have their educative value also. Newspapers are living textbooks. Newspapers develop reading, math, social studies and language skills. Students read newspapers to broaden their knowledge and keep abreast of the recent developments in various fields like politics, economics, science, sports or art and culture. It is undoubtedly an important tool of the learning process for students. Lovers of Radio and the Cinema can look up in them the daily programs of these entertainments. The advertisements help the people to buy things. The unemployed can look up the wanted columns for vacant job. Newspapers are also an important means of advertisement. They help trade and commerce. But the newspapers have some drawbacks also. They serve as a means of propaganda for the various political parties. Sometimes, news is even twisted and distorted. Often views and comments are expressed through them that confuse the people and misguide them. At other times, they stir up class hatred. They sow seeds of communal quarrels. Often they publish wrong advertisements which deceive and cheat the people. But these disadvantages are nothing in comparison with their manifold advantages. They are really of great use for the people. By reading them we come to know of the probable problems one can face while dealing with a particular organization. So people should be encouraged in every way. On the whole, the habit of reading newspapers is a good one. It is an aid to social reform and educational advancement. All novel efforts at social reforms can first discussed and debated in the press before any decision is arrived at and final action launched. It can also reach those who do not indulge in extensive reading because of lack of means and even those with limited leisure. Thus, it is a tool for the eradication of corruption of society depending on the persons manning it and because of this need to be in safe hands.
INDEPENDENCE DAY /A NATIONAL FESTIVAL Introduction: The 26th March is a red-letter day of Bangladesh. This day is regarded as one of the National Festivals. It is observed throughout the country as a day of thanks-giving, rejoicing and merrymaking. The day is so great to us because on this day in 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence. So the anniversary of the Independence Day is memorable. Background: In 1947, Pakistan emerged as a Muslim state with its two wings-East and West Pakistan. During the twenty three years of West Pakistani rule, the rulers dominated, suppressed and oppressed the people of Bangladesh. Bangabandhu revolted against the dictatorial rule of Ayub Khan, the then President of Pakistan. In 1969, a large-scale mass revolution started. But the West Pakistani rulers tried to stop the voice of the people by bullets. On the 25th March, 1971 they started mass killing in Bangladesh. On that night Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence of Bangladesh though he was arrested on that very night. From that night struggle and fighting between Bangladeshi freedom fighters and West Pakistani soldiers started. This resulted in the victory of Bangladesh through the supreme sacrifice of thirty lac patriots. Observance of the Day: The 26th March is celebrated as Independence Day of Bangladesh. This day is observed in a befitting manner throughout the country every year. The day starts with ‘Pravat Ferry’ which means awakening the people in the early morning by national songs. This is followed by the hoisting of the national flags in all private and public buildings. In educational institutions, teachers and students gather together and hoist the national flags solemnly. In towns and cities the national flag is hoisted ceremonially in the midst of jubilation of innumerable people with crackers, bombs and drums. This is followed by the parade of ‘Army Jawans’, ‘Ansars’, ‘Boy-Scouts’ and ‘Mukulfouj’. Thereafter the beggars are given alms and fed. Little children are entertained with the various types of amusements. Inspiration for the citizens: After mid-day, seminars are held in most of the educational institutions. Prayers for the well-being of Bangladesh are arranged in mosques, churches and temples. The afternoon passes in various sports and games. In the evening all the house and buildings are illuminated. Thereafter the people attend cultural functions and theatrical performances arranged for the occasion. Conclusion: This day reminds the people of their hard-won Independence which cost three million lives and makes them resolve to retain this freedom at all costs. It inspires us with hopes and makes us united and instills into our heart the firm belief that Bangladesh has come to stay. INFLUENCE OF WESTERN CULTURE Culture involves the total way of living and is the result of progress. Our culture is our sense of life. In the deeper sense, culture is the refinement of taste and attitudes. Culture develops in the light of education and civilisation. But in the hours of satellite cultures we are facing two phases of cultures known as the eastern and the western cultures. The eastern culture is old, ancient, obsolete and outdated but the western culture is modern upto date and fashionable. So great differences remain or exist between the two cultures. Western culture is in many ways different from Eastern culture. Eastern culture is based on religious beliefs like Islam, Hinduism, Jainism and the Buddhism. The followers of these religions are quite reluctant to do anything or to follow any other dictate, culture and instruction neglecting the dictates of the above religions. But western cultures is an individually oriented culture. We can never deny the impact of western culture at the present time. We must adopt what is logical, rational, reasonable and truthful in western culture. Our sacred scriptures have emphasised on the values of truth and work. We must, therefore, adopt meticulous behaviour, technical aptitude and swiftness from the western culture. We should not accept decline of moral values. But, unfortunately our young generation are fond of western culture for they watch and enjoy violence, fighting, wrestling, boxing and naked/blue films on T. V. through the satellite channels. They neglect, hate and ignore our culture but welcome the western culture. They intend to live a western life avoiding eastern culture. People of eastern culture are not accustomed to western culture
but the influence of western culture cannot be denied. We should rather pick all the gems of western culture like a swan. Our young generation can thrive on our own culture if they assimilate the picked pearlsfrom western culture in our social and cultural environment for the sake of building up a better society and nation.
International Mother Language Day
The 21s' February is a red letter day in our national history. Since 1952 we have been observing the 21st February as Martyrs Day upholding the supreme sacrifice of the valiant sons of this soil for our beloved mother tongue. But it was the 17th November, 1999 when this glorious event of our history gained international recognition. On the 17th November, 1999 the UNESCO at its headquarters in Paris proclaimed the 21st February as the International Mother Language Day. It is such a prestigious thing that we can not find the appropriate words to express our immense pleasure.
With an ulterior motive to destroy our distinctive culture, identity, the then Pakistani ruler declared, "Urdu and Urdu shall be the state language of Pakistan." Hearing this statement, the Bangalees became very much excited. On the 21st February 1952, hundreds of students brought out a procession defying section 144 in Dhaka. They raised a slogan demanding Bangla as one of the state languages of Pakistan. Then the police force opened fire on this procession. Consequently, Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar, Shafiq and many unknown students were killed on the spot. Afterwards, a nine-monthlong war we achieved our freedom on the 16th December, 1971.
Considering the achievement of language, the international body UNESCO has taken it up as a matter of pride to declare the 21st February as the 'International Mother Language Day. This will not only encourage the different nations and their languages but also inspire 'solidarity among the nations. The future generation will feel proud among the independent nations of the world.
Bengali has been ranked to the position of International Languages. Ithas now, like all other languages assumed its true status. In fact, we can say that it is the great achievement for the people of Bangladesh.
The Bangalees have played a very important role in protecting their mother language from serious crisis of its existence.
THE SHAHEED DAY
The 21st February is a red letter day in the history of Bangladesh. It has been observed as the Shaheed Day in our country. When a country called Pakistan was strangely created in 1947, it had two parts the West Pakistan and the East Pakistan. The latter became Bangladesh in 1971. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, founding father of Pakistan, came over to Dhaka in 1948, and announced in public that ‘Urdu’ shall be the state language spoken here. So the movement started to establish Bengali as one of the two official languages in Pakistan.
As the Language Movement gained speed, a time came when circumstances reached an explosive point. On the day (21st February, 1952) which would later on became known as Shaheed Day, thousands of people, mostly students from Dhaka University, took out a peaceful procession to violate the Section 144 a rule which prohibits gathering of people in the streets. Police opened fire on the procession in front of Dhaka Medical College, and four students were instantly killed, while another one on the following day.
The students who got killed were Barkat, Salam, Rafique and Jabbar. They died for a great cause which was to establish their mother tongue as the state language. They are, therefore, the heroes of our country.
History now shows that in the very spirit of the Language Movement lay the seed for the demand of a separate state for ourselves. If we had not asserted our right for the recognition of our mother tongue as a state language, we would never have been able to organise and conduct the glorious Liberation War. So in 1971 when we realised our dream of an independent country, we merely finished which we had started a long time ago in 1952.
After a long period of 47 years the fight of the Bengalees for the language has been ratified by the UNESCO of the U.N.O. On the 17th November 1999, the International Mother Language Day was declared and throughout the world it has been first observed on the 21st February, 2000. It is an important day for the Bengalees as it dignifies the national ego and status of both the country as well as the nation. It discloses the heroic history of our nation before the world people. It is matter of such a prestige that we cannot express our sense of immense joy in mere words.
On the Shaheed Day we bring out a procession known as Prabhat Feri at dawn and march towards the Shaheed Minar to offer wreaths as a token of our love for the great martyrs. Young poets and writers bring out excellent kind of little magazines. Newspapers publish special issues. TV and the radio run special programmes. In short, on that day all of us remain in a mood to feel proud about the very fact that Bengal is our mother tongue and Bangladesh our country.
The Shaheed Day is a public holiday. It is officially known as the National Mourning Day. The national flag remains half-mast to observe the sanctity of the day.
International Women’s Day
Internationa women’s day is observed (March 8) honouring the achievements of women and promoting women's rights. A national holiday in numerous countries, it has been sponsored by the United Nations (UN) since 1975.
International Women's Day (IWD) grew out of efforts in the early 20th century to promote women's rights, especially suffrage. In its campaign for female enfranchisement, the Socialist Party of America in 1909 held the first National Woman's Day, which was highlighted by mass meetings across the United States; the day was observed until 1913. Encouraged by German activist Clara Zetkin, the International Socialist Congress agreed in 1910 to create an international version of the U.S. holiday, and on March 19, 1911, the first IWD was held in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. More than one million people attended rallies marking the day. In the ensuing years the IWD was celebrated in additional countries and on varying dates. On March 8 (February 24, Old Style), 1917, women in Petrograd (St. Petersburg), Russia, marked the day by staging a strike to protest food shortages, poor living conditions, and World War I. This strike for “bread and peace” helped give rise to the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to the abdication of Nicholas II on March 15 (March 2). In 1921 the date of the IWD was officially changed to March 8.
In the following decades, the success of the suffrage movement contributed to a decline in the popularity of the IWD. However, aided by the growth of feminism in the 1960s and UN sponsorship (1975), the IWD experienced a revitalization in the late 20th century. Today, it is an important occasion for promoting women's issues and rights, especially in developing countries.
INTERNET
Total combination of numerous tiny networks is called the Internet. It is the main media of telecommunication system that spread out all over the world. Receiving and sending various types of information is the main function of the Internet.
During the early 1980, public agency National Science Foundation (N.S.F) of U.S.A. added all super computers of the country for the convenience of the scientists, research fellows and students. Consequently, the exchange of data of the computers becomes easy. This network of N.S.F. is the foundation of Internet or is working as the backbone of it. Various powerful telephone lines, laser, satellite, optical fibres etc. are combined with all sorts of tiny networks and thus have created internet.
The consumers spread all over the world are the owners of Internet. Those who bear the expense of Internet that is N.S.F. can be called the real owner, of Internet.
Communication of data and storage of data are the foremost facilities in internet. It is cheaper than any other media, so it is popular to all. It is not time consuming and in some cases its utilization is very easy and attractive. It may be called the greatest encyclopedia of the world because of its vast storage of data. A person can see anything according to his wish such as the book list of American Library of Congress, the present and the future activities of NASA or can collect new software game of computer through internet. E-mail and IRC (Internet Relay Chat) are the two most significant subjects of Internet.
A person can communicate through E-mail and IRC. Thus the utilization and popularity of Internet is increasing day by day.Data move through Internet in packet form. The destination and address is involved with these packets, and accordingly, these packets reach the destination. By this time, these packets pass through mid level or regional network. E-mail is used to send information to any other computer. E-mail is a function based on servers. To operate the Internet at first an operator has to connect the local server. This is done by his telephone adjusted to the computer. Then his news is transmitted to another server in any part of the world. Thus the link is set-up.
Internet has opened a new dimension in our communicating system. Our T.N.T Board has already introduced VSAT in our country. Though Internet has been introduced in our country, it is still costly. So, they government should take necessary measures to improve the Internet system within a short period for the benefit of the consumers. The learning of the Internet system will positively bring good result in the fields of our education and business. We hope that all will enjoy this wonderful fruit of modern science in future.
Internet
Total combination of numerous tiny networks is called the internet. It is the main media of tele-communication system that spread out all over the world. Receiving And sending various types of information are the main function of the Internet.
During the early 1980, public agency National Science Foundation (N.S.F) of U.S.A. added all super computers of the country for the convenience of the scientists, research fellows and students. Consequently, the exchange of data of the computers becomes easy. This network of N.S.F is the foundation of internet or is working as the backbone of it. Various powerful telephone lines, laser, satellite, optical fibres etc. are combined with all sorts of tiny networks and thus have created internet.
The consumers spread all over the world are the owners of internet. Those who bear the expenses of internet that is N.S.F can be called the real owner of internet.
Communication of data and storage of data are the foremost facilities in internet. It is cheaper than any other media, so it is popular to all. It is not time consuming and in some cases its utilization is very easy and attractive. It may be called the greatest encyclopedia of the world because of its vast storage of data. A person can see anything according to his wish such as the book list of American Library of Congress, the present and the future activities of NASA or can collect new software game of computer through internet. Email and IRC (Internet Relay Chat) are the two most significant subjects of internet. A person can communicate through E-mail and IRC. Thus the utilization and popularity of internet are increasing day by day.
Data move through internet in packet form. The destination and address is involved with these packets and accordingly, these packets reach the destination. By this time, these packets pass through mid level or regional network. E-mail is used to send information to any other computer. E-mail is a function based on servers. To operate the internet at first an operator has to connect the local server. This is done by his telephone adjusted to the computer. Then his news is transmitted to another server in any part of the world. Thus the link is set-up. Internet has opened a new dimension in our communicating system. Our T.N.T. Board has already introduced VSAT in our country.
Though internet has been introduced in our country, it is still costly. So, the Govt. should take necessary measures to improve the internet system within a short period for the benefit of the consumers. The learning of the internet system will positively bring good result in the fields of our education and business. We hope all will enjoy this wonderful fruit of modern science in future.
THE UTILITY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The modern age is an age of science and technology. Many of us say that it is the age of Information Technology. It is a very recent development. In the context of globalization, Information Technology is rapidly expanding and is being used by the common people. In the modern civilization, this technology is so important that we cannot ignore its utilisation. Now what is IT? It means the use of scientific knowledge, theory and information. Telephone is one of the most popular technologies which is widely used to send messages or information from one corner of the globe to another part.
The exchange of information by using technology is called communicating information technology. To use a telephone two persons are there. One is the sender of the information and the other is the receiver. Nowadays various kinds of technology are being used in the field of communication of information through signals. In ancient days, there were no such improved technology. They exchanged their information and messages through messengers, striking drum and whistling. The messengers of the message sometimes rode on a horse back to hand over the news to a far-off place. The Red Indians in America made fire and created smoke to send news. This is now quite unbelievable. Just before the invention of Information Technology, we sent information or news by sending letters to the desired person or persons.
With the rapid improvement of science, roads, waterways and of airways, communication has been widely improved and developed. In exchanging views and news, people have used different ways at different times.
Information Technology has made it easy to send urgent information in the twinkling of an eye. Telegraph, telephone, mobile phone, fax, internet— all these are the glorious means of sending and receiving information from any corner of the %vorld within a second or two.