The Younger Generation of the Nineties

THE other day. while going through a magazine, a news Item caught my eye. It was about this new organization called "Jojon" run by a group of young people. They hold art and photography exhibitions In the city tn their spare time. My uncle, away from home for many years, was quite amazed and Impressed to hear about tt. He. like many others, living abroad, assumed that summer or part time jobs were something reserved exclusively for American or European youth, but that is not the case anymore.

The truth is that during the last ten years or so a dramatic change has taken place in the outlook of the younger generation of our country. Today's youth are more ambitious, more Elmlstlc and career oriented n they ever were before. Full of idealism and bubbling with energy, they have the courage and Initiative to break the taboos and restrictions that have been imposed on them for so long The young, nowadays, are constantly coming up with bright ideas which are both constructive and Innovative.

Many young people, most of whom are students, are engaged in part-time jobs to keep themselves busy during their leisure. This gives them an opportunity to earn some money, and also provides them with some practical experience before they face the real world.

I have a friend, a student of Economics, who tutors several college students In her free time. Although her studies and tutoring job keeps her fairly busy, she still manages to have a social life. When asked about how she felt about her teaching job, she said "It's great it gives me a sense of responsibility, a feeling of importance and don’t

forget the money I get out of it T

Then, there Is this Individual in my class who finds his job as a computer programmer in a local computer school fascinating There are numerous coaching centres all over the city operated by the brilliant students of BUET. DMC. or DU. These students also play an important role in Increasing the literacy rate of our country, by teaching the slum kids the three "r"s. Their efforts and intentions are

the young. They are no longer satisfied with simply listening to music, but want to create music. and this is causing quite a riot, one might add. The popu larity of the band music Is proof of that. The new local bands perform both Bengali and English songs. The former often has a distinct western touch to it.

Then, there are others work ing at various organization firms. NGOs, radio and TV sia

definitely admirable and of course it doesn't affect their studies as they take up this job in their free lime.

Job opportunities for the yotlng arc not just limited to teaching, a variety of options being open to them. So they can choose according to their tastes. Usually, they don't plan to take their part time jobs as a profession. The experience nevertheless helps them In many ways later on.

Music is and has always been a source of enjoyment for

lion, advertising and modeling agencies. Others try their luck In fashion designing.

A first year Civil Engineering student of BUET, currently working as a DJ at the World Music of the Radio Bangladesh explained that her Job doesn't interfere with her studies as her classes haven't started yet.

"I think it's really wonderful to work here and I am bappy, because I am doing something I like", she said. She also expressed her desire to continueher IXJ job even after her clas-K* start, saying that she docsn t think she will face a problem keeping up with both ; Ik r studies and work, as most of the other DJs are students too.

The youth of today are not just keeping themselves busy with work, but they are also showing a great deal of enlhu- ' siasm to learn new and useful | skills and techniques which will come In handy tn the near fu ture. The "in" thing is the computer. Most of the young people are into "Computer Mania" Other courses, such as — pho tography, driving, swimming, language, art, martial arts, music etc. — arc- also available to the young.

Not only at home, the Bangladeshi youths have proved to do well abroad loo. Frequently we hear or read about the brilliant accomplish merits of Bangladeshis living abroad.

One of my close friends studying tn the US. is al present chairing the Entertainment Committee of the "International Student Organization". She thinks her job is very exciting . and challenging and ft also breaks the monotony of the strenuous daily routine.

The Bangladeshi youth are Introducing novelty and changes into our society. Gone are the days when a student had only three objectives in life, which were, a) study b) study and c) study. Now it is a totally different stoiy.

Today's youth should neither be discouraged nor termed as "loo wild" or "independent". Instead, they should be given the much needed moral support which they rightly deserve.

So. let's all say goodbye to old traditions and welcome the new era with open arms.