IF there's one thing that the Bangladeshi's have in plenty, it Is undoubtedly time, and we while away this leisure. Just by gossiping and idle talk. Idle brain is the devil's workshop' everybody knows that. But all work and no play and gossip, that's no life to lead either. In such a situation, our only selfpleasuring timepass is ‘Adda'. the Bengali for gossiping. Who knows what constructive matters may cOme out of these adda *

Adda has no age limits or class bars; people from different age group or profession have individual (comfortable) places and set time for gossiping. The young generation of our country mainly like to chat in specific tea-stalls and restaurants at their mohallas (areas). (In Calcutta, young people gossiping in ■ the corners of the streets in । groups were called 'RockBaaz'). There are also some 'Street-Romeo's' who's main target is to chat in front of a local (Mohalla's) beauty queen's house and whistle at her whenever she would be seen at the door.or window, an interesting way to kill time. Nowadays the young generation have unlimited areas for gossiping. You name it, they will be there, be it a park, be it a restaurant or even a library. There Is also the TSC, the Hakeenr Chatthar and the library of the Dhaka University and also the Public library. Group-wise gossiping can be frequently seen around the Public library premises. The interesting fact Is that there is. an unofficial time limit for every kind of adda. From 11:00 am to 4:00 pm the love-birds can pick up a suitable gossiping place and exchange their feelings towards each other (but is It three' a crowd). During this time you may see a lot of pairs either under trees or on the steps in front of the library in cozy, positions unaware of everything around let alone the world. God knows what they talk about for such a long period. May be it's true afterall — 'love knows no ■ bounds'. From the evening upto 10 tn the night a different kind of inert and indifferent gossip goes on between the "addict groups they are both drugs and adda addict. There Is basically no specific subject in their chitchat as they are always in an euphoric state. Storing themselves with good amounts of phensedyle and ganja (Bengali for marijuana) they sit like sick chickens and blabber within themselves about who knows what.

Another type of adda is the intellectual adda (trying their best to do something constructive). The participants of this gossip are those who think themselves as a part of the intelligentsia. There are young

poets, novelists, authors and band members who are having-a bit of bad luck in achieving fame, those poor things. This grOup-gossip turns out to be a bore, though our young intelligentsia think it a high-thought productive adda. Anyone participating in such adda s. which start around 9 am upto 2pm (1. e. until these so called intellects feel they should have lunch now) are sure to lose whatever sense they have left.

The common fact about these adda s Is that, no newcomer or outsider is warmly welcome in their circles. You can't just amalgamate into any adda-circle except if you are previously known to them, otherwise Adios Amigos . The teastalls outside the library premises are also perfect

adda-places. you may just while away time with your friends by chatting, sipping on tea and , smoking cigars or cigarettes.

Just beside the Public library there is the Art-College premises. This also is an Ideal place for Intellectual gossip, and adjacent to the Art-College there is the gossipers heaven, the Dhaka University area. A big notebook is needed to describe the adda's of this area. Rather let's see what s the case in the Shahbag area. Just some steps away from the Public library passing the Museum and crossing the road you may find some restaurants situated in the market In front of the I PG MA hospital. Such restaurants are also places for adda s of a different dimension. In the afternoon around 2pm upto

8pm these restaurants bustle with customers who are mainly young doctors, up-coming businessmen, officers and even Just-passed University graduates (inevitably unemployed). Young business-men try and make business-deals and tenders over a cup of tea with clients. The doctors of the IPGMA fill • them up In the afternoon finishing their duty or class and spend some time together While having lunch or snacks. The most pleasing fact to notice among this group is that never any gather ing or gossiping of addicts are allowed in these stalls. But you may sometimes find nutcases giving Intellectual lectures to one of the gossiping groups. Definitely trying his best to talk (non) sense into their

brain.

E^very University student knows what- a ‘Varsity adda' means. Any student without adda as a common subject in his or her daily routine is definitely out of their minds. Among all the universities the Jahanglrnagar University premises. 32 kilometers away from, the bustling capital city, is renown for its scenic beauty, which definitely spice a good--adda. it’s even better for the Romeos and Juliets, (with trees, green fields and red bricked buildings). The most common meeting place during class hour is the central cafeteria where students gossip in groups, class-wise or year-wise in between^ gaps. Around 10 am you may not even .find seats because that's the peak hour for rush. Then there'S the renown , entrance called 'Pranttk'. situated in the middle of the campus premises combining some restaurants and grocery shops. From 5 pm to 8 pm this gate area becomes like TSC of Dhaka University.

There's another adda spot near the Kainaludciin Hall premises known as the 'Coffee-House' where you may get original coffee- Love birds here generally date in the jungles situated between the Social-science faculty and the new women's hall.'The outer pillars of the central library are also ideal dating places. Then there Is the adda of the campus , boys (sons of teachers and officers) who gossip in a place called the 'Nanar Dokan'. The most pleasing fact is that different political leaders in the campus gossip together sometimes, a very good relation prevails between them. When asked . the famous adda-baaz's of the campus to comment on the coming new year, they all said the same thing,'' Oh great! A full year for moregossip and a chance .to get to. know new faces''. Another “adda-baaz commented, "Whatever you iio. when you see a bunch of girls gossiping or chatting together. Just turn around and walk away as far as you can. Keep a good distance from them.' He also quoted a humorous dialogue, "The gossip of women is more powerful than the nuclear, bomb.'' . ' '

The truth is adda, gossip or table-talk whatever you call if it is the most harmless way of whiling away leisure time. It is a part of Bangladeshi's life. Whether It's outcome is good or evil, one things for sure, it atleast gives us pleasure, keeps us happy and lets us forget for a while the curses like economic insolvency, political instability and many other subjects. Well, you gqys out there, don't worry, be happy, keep on smiling, carry on gossiping and have a very happy new year.