Nafiz Fuad Pritom will turn ten on the 26th. His parents Kroinised him a computer on is birthday. He and his father have come all the way from Thakurgaon to choose one from the BCS Trade Show.

Nafiz comes from a typical middle-class family. His father knows career in information technology (IT) is the ultimate challenge of the 21st century and has decided to buy his son a computer. His wife works for an NGO. Their income is limited, yet they don't mind. He has come to the show in the hope of buying a personal computer in reduced price.

The five-day computer extravaganza. which began in the city's IDB Bhaban at Agargaon. has drawn quite an attractive number of visitors, from all walks of life, on the very first day. The organisers have ar-

ranged tree bus services to bring the visitors in. Seventy-seven hardware and 37 software companies, 18 training institutes, seven internet service providers and 12 computer-related publication houses are displaying their products and sendees in 151 stalls. Finance Minister SAMS Kibria inaugurated the fair in the morning.

The visitors in the early session were mostly students, many accompanied by their parents. Some came to see new hi-tech IT accessories while others, like Nafiz. came to buy.

"My wife has agreed to pay 50 per cent of the price. Our budget is 50.000 taka." Nafiz's father Mosharraf Hossain said.

"My son can operate Windows 95 and 98." said the proud father. "He learned them from his uncle. My son will be a next generation programmer."