The Invictus Show

Only thirty days left to graduate for ‘Invictus’, the Class of 2017. Presentations, assignments, labs, final exams or final paper due dates are knocking at the door- all in all, end of the semester is approaching soon with all its dark glory wrapped in pressure, frustration and stress. On top of it all, for the graduating batch, the bow on this dark gift box is the “thesis works”. However, even in this super demanding time, the seniors found a way to arrange a fabulous final show for the students!

Tonight the 20G rooftop was packed with students of all years as they laughed, cheered, and became emotional with the last stage performances by the seniors. From the very first to the last moment, ‘The Invictus Show’ successfully entertained the students, and once again reminded how much the AUW campus will miss their presence in future. The diverse and energetic performances proved that the high-spirit of AUW students will glow forever even in the most difficult times. 

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Bengali New Year

Pohela Boishakh or the Bengali New Year has been an integral part of Bangladesh heritage since the Mughal rule. It is celebrated with Mongol Shovajatra, Boishakhi Mela, opening new accounts in stores, cultural programs and much enthusiasm among people of all religion, age and class.

Pohela Boishakh is the first day of the first month in the Bengali calendar. This tradition was first introduced by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Usually in Boishakh, spring harvest and taxes were collected. Akbar wanted to combine the agricultural cycle with the tax collection. So he called on his royal astronomer to create a harvest calendar. This started the Bengali calendar that we use today.

It is observed as a public holiday throughout Bangladesh. Dhaka is noted specially because of the Mongol Shovajatra and the cultural program arranged by Chayanot in Ramna. Mongol Shovajatra means the procession for well being. Thousands of people take part in this procession carrying colorful masks and gigantic replicas of birds, animals and other motifs. It is organized by the students of the Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Arts. The first Mongol Shovajatra was observed in 1989. Students of the Faculty of Fine Arts used this procession to demonstrate against the military regime ruling Bangladesh in that time. It represents unity, peace and courage of the Bengalis to drive away all evils to welcome progress. In 2016, UNESCO recognized Mongol Shovajatra as cultural heritage of humanity.

The Ramna program features a variety of songs and dances arranged by Chayanot, a famous cultural organization in Bangladesh. This was first held in 1967 as a protest against the West Pakistani oppression. This is the biggest program in Pohela Boishakh. It starts with the traditional song of Boishakh, “Esho He Boishakh” meaning, “Come O Boishakh”. It is sang as people welcome the new year together.

Other festivities include “Halkhata” which means the opening of new ledger by businessmen and clearing out old debts. They share sweets with their clients and employees. They also decorate their stores. Women wear red and white Saree with flower crowns on their heads and men wear Punjabi. People eat traditional foods like Pitha, Payesh, Panta vat(watered rice) with fried Hilsha fish and green chilli. Circuses and fairs are held in all over the country. Friends and families come together to visit each other and celebrate. Alpona or designs are drawn in streets, walls and in front of houses with bright colors.

However, the original Pohela Boishakh was celebrated in a much simpler way. “Halkhata” or the opening of new accounts was done the same way. Landowners collected taxes from the tenants and distributed sweets. Everyone used to wear new clothes. People enjoyed Jatra Pala (plays), bull fights and Nouka Baich (boat race).

Pohela Boishakh brings the message to cleanse last year's remainings and to welcome the new. It unites all the Bengalis around the world despite their religion, gender, age, caste or creed. It reminds us of our roots and identity. It represents our unity and pride as a Bangladeshi. With a reflection of age-old tradition, Pohela Boishakh brings hope and promises for a new brighter year.

Shuvo Noboborsho!

Author: Jeba Anika Paula

Reference-

http://www.thedailystar.net/tradition-and-protest-20084

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An evening with Professor Kaykobad

On the evening of 25^th March, 2017, AUW community was delighted to welcome Professor Dr. Mohammad Kaykobad, a pioneer computer scientist in Bangladesh, for an interactive session on “Scientific Research in Younger Age and Research in CSE”.

Professor Kaykobad started the session with the stories of successful scientists and mathematicians throughout history whose potential wasn’t initially recognized by the people around them. By showing examples of prodigies who struggled in their education life but later went on to shine in their respective fields, Professor Kaykobad told the participants that the initial struggle doesn’t define the journey. Telling the students not to feel disheartened by obstacles such as low grades, unsupportive environment etc., Professor inspired the participants to continue to pursue their objective with determination and commitment.

In his speech, Professor addressed creativity as an advantage of young age. Sharing stories about his students who achieved great success early in their career, he expressed that whereas older people tend to think in a complex manner, young people can look at a problem creatively and bring out the solution in the simplest way. Instead of being disappointed by lack of facilities, he encouraged the students to make the best use of the opportunities that are available to them. He also advised them to participate in different events not only around the country but also around the world, where they will have plenty of opportunities to learn. Emphasizing the role of teachers in enhancing students’ learning, he opined that teachers in a classroom should create an environment where the students can grow aptitude for the subject being taught, and he praised AUW for its success in creating such an environment. At the end of the session, Professor Kaykobad concluded his speech with a piece of motivational advice. “Regardless of what other people think, you must have the confidence and determination. If you’re determined, you can do absolutely anything.”

Written by: Aurona Sarker

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International Mother Language Day Celebration at AUW

History of International Mother Language Day

On February 21, 1952, several Bangladeshi students were killed since they campaigned to officially use their mother language, Bengali. Since then 21st February then has long been observed as national martyrs’ day in Bangladesh. In 1999, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the day as the International Mother Language Day.

While observing the day this year, UNESCO reaffirmed the importance of local languages, especially those of minority and indigenous, as a means for celebrating and maintaining cultures, values and traditional knowledge, which in turn plays a role in promoting sustainable futures (UNESCO, 2017).

This year Asian University for Women (AUW) Community celebrated the International Mother Language Day with multiple meaningful activities among students, professors and staffs.

Games and activities organized by Writing Center

On 20th February, to promote linguistic diversity, Writing Center has organized varied language activities for AUW students. Students were immersed in four games – Tongue Twisters, Word Search Game, Learning Words in New Languages, Language Quiz - to learn new words and phrases with their friends. If Tongue Twisters Game requires players with fluency in pronunciation, Learning Words in New Languages gives players a chance to memorize words in different languages in short time, Word Search Game requires high focus in searching words in through a list of provided letters. In contrast, Language Quiz is a quick test about language knowledge for players. These meaningful games gave students opportunity to learn their friend’s Mother Languages and cultures.

Cultural Show organized by AUW students

On February 21st, AUW students organized a Cultural show from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm. Many AUW professors, students and staffs from different countries have taken part in the celebration of International Mother Language Day. They were dressed in black and white for showing respecting to Martyrs, who sacrificed lives and made history on this day.

Cultural Show was organized as a drama combining with performance from many countries. Audiences engrossed in the program as a journalist tried to explore the meaning and experience of people about celebrate International Mother Language Day. She has conservations with different group of people (from a young and dating couple to boys, a politician, an old woman). Finally, he realizes that some make this day a chance of dating, some consider speaking English make us more educated , some do not know about Martyrs and only an old woman ,who is a wife a Martyr, shows how much sacrifice was made for the Bangla language. Drama went to an end with an emotional and heart-touching question of journalist after her trip: “Is there only this old woman who respects the martyrs? Isn’t it our responsibility to respect Martyrs?”

Along with drama, there are many performances contributed by students from students and professor such as traditional dances (Indian students, Myanmar students, Bangladesh students ), singing , and poetry reading.

“Respecting Martyrs who sacrifice for our language is my inspiration for writing this drama. I would like to remind people that should not forget our history”, said Sonia Gomes , an AA student and story writer of this drama.

Language Game has marked an end of Cultural Show with 5 language identification and meaning question. Many audience excitedly join game, prof. Riaz Khan , Mr. Nasir ( staff of OSA), and three students were winners of the game.

Audiences have been brought heart-touching moments as well as fun through the creative and lovely acting.

Reference:

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/international-mother-language-day/

Author:Nhung Bui

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The Valentine’s Day at AUW

This year on Valentine’s Day, the Student Government (SG) has organized a Valentine party for the AUW community. During the party, held from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, students spent time in dancing with upbeat music as well as singing along with their friends and classmates. The party was successful in giving students opportunity to refresh themselves at the middle of week and enjoying Valentine’s Day with their friends. Students also enjoyed the chocolate cakes and popcorns arranged for them by Student Government along with the drinks from the Food Stalls. At 8:30 pm, result of the Heart Game was announced with the prize for only one who earned much hearts from other players. Tonight’s party marked a series of celebration throughout the week arranged by the Auw SG, which included celebrating Rose Day, Promise Day, Chocolate Day and Hug Day!

Along with the fun activities arranged by Student Government, The Office of Student Affairs at AUW (OSA) creatively decorated a pretty Art Corner named ‘Paper, Heart, Locks’. It has been designed as a place for students to share their stories on Valentine’s Day. With heart papers prepared by OSA, students wrote down their letters to their beloved ones without signing their names on them and hung on the love tree.

Written by: Nhung Bui

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AUW National Model United Nations 2017

“Endorsing multiculturalism to counter extremism”- with this as main agenda, the three day long AUW National Model United Nations 2017 (AUWNMUN) has started today. The first day of the conference included the opening ceremony where Dr. Rosie Bateson, Dean of Faculty of AUW and Dr. Herman Salton, Adviser of AUWMUN Club addressed the delegates. 208 delegates from different institutions around the country has joined 6 different committees for this conference. With the inspiration from the success of last two MUN conferences, AUWMUN Club members has been working hard since the end of last November to organize the third conference. Shamael Ahmed, the PR Director, repeated this conviction saying “Despite the hectic schedules and many challenges, we are trying our best to make this conference as successful as possible.”

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Annual Inter-House Sports Competition of Last week

First position on volleyball competition that was held on 3^rd February in M.A. Aziz Stadium was secured by mixed players from Justice and Wisdom houses. Truth house became second. In football, Service house became first and mixed group from Truth and Imagination house became second. Mahreen Mustafa from Joy house and Bedana Rai from Justice became first and second respectively in chess, whereas in carom, Palanisamy Mangaleshwary from truth and Tshering became first and second respectively.

While in Kata, which was held in AUW gym, Yulita Muspitasari from Imagination house and Aditi Manandhar from Wisdom house became first and second respectively. Choney Dema and Tshering Tsencho Zam became third. In Kumite under 39-49kg, Choney Dema from Imagination house became first, Samjhana Raut became second. Third position was secured by Khatima Afzali and Tram Duong. Likewise, under 50-55kg Neha Gauchan became first and Chit Cu second. Wasundaraand Samira Panahi became third. Under 56-65kg Tshering Tsencho Zam and Fawzia Yosufi became first and second respectively. Nan Saw Mon and Bedana Rai became third.

On the last day of the competition, 4^th February, dancers from dance club performed an opening flashmob dance. In basketball competition, Service house became first. Second position was secured by Imagination house. On the other side, in cheer-leading competition, Wisdom house became first, second service house and third imagination. Kranti Joshi and Choney Dema became first and second respectively in table tennis.

In badminton single, Warna Dilshika Fonseka from Truth house and Samjhana from Wisdom house became first and second respectively. In badminton double, Warna Dilshika Fonseka and Palanisamy Mangaleshwary from Truth house became first, and Kranti Joshi and Alisha Bohora from Service house became second.

Author:  Alisha Bohora

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