Youth Story
Sheikh Iraj
For any society to thrive and live in peace, you need youths to act and take responsibility. Throughout history, it is evident that the young play an unprecedented role when it comes to a nations development and its prosperity. Today, in our country the 13-25 age group makes up the largest section of our population. They hold the key to building our nation. November 1 is observed as National Youth Day in Bangladesh. On the occasion, YI spoke with youths from different levels of society who are living up to their potentials and striving for the betterment of their communities. They laid out their future plans, their dreams for themselves and for the country.
Sameeha Atika, Student
I am studying BBA at North South University. National Youth Day reminds me of breaking the cocoon and discovering myself again as a young adult. Its a wonderful day to remember the youths of our country who had all the courage to lay down their lives and achieve freedom for us. Taking selfies all over Bangladesh and posting them on social sites are neither enough to prove ones love for the country nor will they take Bangladesh too far. I want to be a teacher. I want to bring some changes in our education system. I have a dream that one day we will ensure a safe environment for each and every child of our country.
Sadia Sharmeen, Working Youth
According to the National Youth Policy of Bangladesh, the 18 to 35 age group is considered as youths. National progress mostly rests on our shoulders. Youths have to know their rights and bring a positive change to the country. They have to show effort and take initiative for the wellbeing of our society. I believe that we, the youth, need to believe in ourselves and follow our passions. I dream one day that our country will no longer suffer from poverty, will have a good education system, justice for all citizens, clean roads, no traffic jams, and that people from different religions will live in harmony and peace.
Shaba Binte Amin, Social Worker
I am running a travel agency called Magical Bangladesh and an online shop Fashion Forward. I am also the founder and chairperson of a nonprofit called Poverty Fighter Foundation (PFF). National Youth Day aims to recognise the true potential of our youths, and motivate the proper development of their vigour and skills and also guide them to ensure long-lasting development of the nation. The youth can be the driving force to bring change in our society. They have the capacity to do the right thing in an efficient manner, provided that they are nurtured and guided properly. Through PFF, I am working to ensure the basic rights and a standard lifestyle for our impoverished populace through sustainable development, powered by education and awareness. I want to become a successful entrepreneur in the future. I also want to work for the development of womens rights.
Rosi Ranan, Student
I recently completed my studies and I am not doing any job at the moment. As a young citizen of the country, I feel that I have some duties to perform for the rights and privileges I enjoy. This realisation led me to volunteer in a number of social causes. I also motivated my friends and together, we organise educational programmes in different communities. I believe ensuring decent jobs and sustainable livelihood can change and develop our vulnerable communities. I hope to work to increase employment and employability, especially for the youths of my country, through entrepreneurship and different skill development programmes.
Rohan Kabir, Working Youth
I have been working since I was a university student. I came to know about National Youth Day from one of my university teachers. I believe just celebrating the day is not good enough, rather, we the youth need to take responsibilities. Youths are the key to our future, but nowadays I see many youths not reaching their full potential because they dont get the right support. The encouragement or support doesnt have to come from an elder or a leader, but friends can also help each other. I believe before improving the society, we must improve ourselves. One of my goals for the future is to be happy regardless of what I choose to do. Right now I want to continue my job and learn new things, take on additional responsibilities and contribute to our society as much as I can. I am no expert, but I think if we pay our taxes properly, that will certainly help us to improve our society. For our country, I dream that one day all the children will obtain the same standard of education. I also dream that there will be no discrimination among the people.
Fatema Akter Poly, Captain, National Womens Kabaddi Team
At first, I didnt know much about our National Youth Day. Then one of my friends explained it to me. As far I know, the Kabaddi Federation normally doesnt organise any events on the day, but we hope that in the future it will. I am a sportsperson and the best way I can contribute to our society is to encourage our youth to participate in sports. I am only one person but I truly believe in the power of youth and sports. If youths focus their time and attention towards sports, they wont get a chance to get into bad habits, like drugs, and hence will not lose their way. This is why athletes get followers from all around the world and become role models for many. In sports you are taught to share and for any society to grow you need people who have the heart to share. I believe sports give us a sense of unity; if a player scores the whole team celebrates. I believe its very important that you have those qualities in you to become a good person. I dream that I will represent Bangladesh in the World Kabaddi Tournament and Bangladesh will do well in all kinds of sports.
Mamun Sarwar, Poet
I believe only a handful of youth organisations organise events on National Youth Day. Now we need to motivate different educational institutes to celebrate the day, to make it more popular. I dont know why, but I feel some youths are too busy and only concerned about their own careers. Besides thinking about careers, we need to think about the betterment of others and the society. We should give more importance to words like kindness, non-judgmental, awareness, group work, grace, etc, only then we will develop more. I want to write stories like The Jungle Book and The Adventures of Tintin, and I will also like to see those made into movies. I am a poet, I think I can help our society to improve through writing on the positive aspects of life. I dream that the youth of our country will read more books.
Shafiul Alam Biplob, Entrepreneur
I truly believe that an entrepreneur is someone who creates something new. I didnt know much about National Youth Day, but since I know now, I will try to organise some event, to mark the day, from next year. I am an entrepreneur and the best thing I can do to improve our society is to create jobs. For that, I have to develop myself as well. I am associated with the tech industry, as CEO of Advance Apps Bangladesh, and a large portion of our youths are tech savvy. I hope I can provide the best and latest apps to our youth. Right now, we are trying to work in education, health and agriculture sectors. Today our youth are doing very well in the tech sector, but we can do even better. I dream and believe that one day Bangladesh will become the worlds tech leader.
Bitap Shavan Bachhar, Painter
This year I joined Agrani School and College as an assistant teacher. National Youth Day is dedicated to the youth. We have to remember that we all are equal in this society and no job is too small for anyone. That means if I clean the street in front of my house, one should not look at it negatively. I am a painter and I believe I have some responsibility towards my society. I work hard every day to create new art. I used to volunteer for different social work, but now I dont get much time. But I always encourage my students to take part in social work and to do something positive for the society. Let me share a secret _ if you do something good for anyone or for the society, it keeps your mind fresh. I love my country and I want to show the beauty of our country through my canvas. Today our youth are doing remarkably well in the art sector. I dream that in our country art will be more appreciated and we can represent our society through art.
Asma Turag, Player, National Womens Rugby Team
Youths are the driving force of any nation. National Youth Day reminds me about the responsibility I have for my country. Of course marking a single day is not enough, rather we should think about the bettement of our society every day. I dream that through womens rugby, we will bring glory for our country.
Noirit Mustapha contributed to this article.
Photos: Courtesy, Internet
