Biography 237: Blue-colored steel glass

I was lying on the bed at our grandparents' (paternal) house, feeling very thirsty. I saw someone bring a blue-coloured steel glass with chilled water. I could even see the bubbles on the outside layer of the glass. I saw a hand and fingers who was holding the glass. Then they took it away. I was still very thirsty.

I woke up and asked everyone (my older sister, aunts (paternal), and dad) around me, "Where is the glass?" But no one understood my words. They were asking me what glass. I looked around again and asked where the glass was. I desperately looked for my chilled water glass.

Later, my sister said I was sleeping deeply. Suddenly, I woke up and just said, "Glass?" "Where is the glass?" but didn't explain anything else.

I was about 3 years old. But I still remember this.

Giving myself enough rest.

Right now, I am following Chaity's (My friend's) mom's rule. Once, she told me I pray properly by standing up when I can. If I feel too weak, I pray sitting on a chair. I don't put too much pressure on myself.

I am following that now. When I can, I work, cook, and do other jobs. But if I am not feeling okay, I lie in bed. Don't put too much pressure on me because that gives me more pain. I hope things will be under control. I don't want to fall on the bed, so I can't stand up anymore.

Reflection on Decolonization & Indigenization

 I learned about UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples). And I am happy that the Canadian Government had signed it in the UN. I am also a bit disappointed that the Government still didn’t make any law to implement those rights. All human beings have rights by birth, and so do the Indigenous people.

 

1.      If decolonization is about dismantling colonial systems of oppression, why is this important in the Canadian context? 

 

Indigenous people are the owners of the land. The Settlers are not giving them their right and have been colonizing the area for a long time. Canadians are now becoming aware of decolonization. The new generation of Canadian society has stopped many wrongful laws and many more to correct them. Residential schools were closed gradually all over Canada. 

 

2.      If Indigenization is about building new systems of reciprocity or mutuality, why is this important in the Canadian system? 

 

As I mentioned earlier, Indigenous people are the original inhabitants of this land. They have expressed their desire to coexist and share this land with the Settlers. We are all Canadians now, each with our unique perspectives on how to address these issues. Living together, it is crucial that we strive for mutual understanding and respect, ensuring that everyone's rights are upheld and enjoyed.

  

3.      What personal steps can you take towards reconciliation? 

 

My first step would be to learn and understand the current situation of the Indigenous people and the Settlers. I have already started joining Indigenous programs and studying about them. The next step would be to share my knowledge with known people who will listen to me. I have already started this with my family. The next step would be to vote for a politician who can work with reconciliation. I will also share my knowledge with my classmates and colleagues when working so that people can gradually become aware of reconciliation.

Biography 236: Tour to the Jahangirnagar University

I heard there is a university near Dhaka. It's in Savar. In the past, Savar was a suburb of Dhaka. Nowadays, it might be considered part of the city. I also heard that this university is located in a Jungle. It's beautiful, like a park.

No, I never felt like joining there. The University of Dhaka is the best educational institution, and it is very near our home.

After joining the University of Dhaka, some of our classmates moved to Jahangirnagar University because they didn't get their chosen subjects in Dhaka.

One day, some of our classmates visited the Shriti Shoudho, a monument to our freedom fighters in Savar. Then Salam (our classmate) said, "Let's go to Jahangirnagar University." He assured us that he knew everything, how to get there, catch a bus to return, etc. We trusted him and accepted him as a guide.

For the first time, I visited Jahangirnagar University. It is a very beautiful university—like an educational institute in a jungle. We visited the big pond, surrounded by big trees. It was afternoon, so everything got close, so we couldn't eat anything.

Salam took us to the bus for the Jahangirnagar University students. The bus was much smaller than the number of students. Now, it had an additional 10/12 students as guests. You can imagine how difficult it was to stand inside. It was very crowded.

We 5/6 girls were standing close inside the bus. The boy sitting in front of me became merciful. He stood up and gave me his spot to me to sit down. I got the seat. But other girls were not that lucky. Because other boys didn't get up. The boy who gave me the seat tried to encourage others. He was saying, these are our guests; if we bring our guests, we will also expect that others will give them the seats., so stand up and let the girls sit. His friends replied, I was protesting whole day to take our exam later, now I am tired, I won't give up my seat. The merciful friend kept requesting, but no one else listened. My friend Neela, with her beautiful big eyes, looked at the stood-up friend and said, " Udhe na to"(they are not standing up). The boy again asked them, but no result.

Finally, we got down from the bus, and our tour to Jahangirnagar University ended.

Here, I just want to give a salute from the bottom of my heart to the student who gave up his seat for me. Thank you so much. It was a big support for me. All males should understand this. You never know what a woman is going through in a day, so always be kind to them.

Bicycle lane

Bicycle Lane, separated from the road.

 In Canada, I have seen them always make a bicycle lane on the roadside. Cyclists are not allowed to ride on the sidewalk, no matter how wide it is. I found it very risky. The speed of the cars and bicycles doesn't match. That's why if any kind of collision happens, the cyclist dies in most cases. It's very common over here.

What if a collision happens between pedestrians and cyclists? In most cases, both will survive.

That's why a bicycle lane should be developed beside the sidewalk. There could be a divider or small gap between the two lanes. In this bicycle lane, try cycles, scooters, and some chairs that can run like cars.

Roads should be only for the 4 wheelers. Here are some examples and some beneficial ideas. Like adding solar panels to the bicycle lanes.

In Portugal, the bicycle lane is with the sidewalk.

Separated bicycle lane in Turkey

Bicycle lane with solar panel.

Solar panel shades with the bicycle lane at the divider of the roads. In South Korea

Solar panel shades with the bicycle lane at the divider of the roads. In South Korea.

Separated from the road, bicycle lane with the sidewalk but separated too, in the UK.

“How I saved my kids from sugar”

 The writer Yoni Freedhoff shared his experience in the article “How I saved my kids from sugar” (November 2018), saying that kids consume too much sugar from their friendly environments like grandparents and teachers. He then discussed how the parents could prevent it. He called them “The pushers.” Who are the people encouraging or giving sugar to the kids? According to the writer, these “Pushers” are everywhere. Mr. Freedhoff is a parent and a doctor who knows very well how much sugar a child can have in a day and how much they take in real life. Sometimes, people are taking sugar unknowingly. Traditionally, kids have been treated with sugar or sugar-based products, like candy. However, people can get enough sugar naturally from different fruits and vegetables. After that, unknowingly, they might consume more sugar from processed food, like tomato juice, yogurt, etc. Too much sugar consumption may cause various diseases. So, the government has made a rule that on the package, the ingredients list must mention that the product has sugar. Parents can also stop preparing junk food or sugar-based items at home and parties. Freedhoff also said it is tough to stop taking these tons of sugar because of politicians and greedy businesspeople.

 

Source:

Freedhoff, Y. (2018, November). How I saved my kids from sugar. The Walrus

https://thewalrus.ca/think-you-can-limit-your-kids-sugar-intake-think-again/