Feature

A pleasant afternoon at Sunshine Grammar School

Umer Aiman Khan
Golam Mustakim
Eshfaqullah

IT was fun all through. There was no class to attend. No homework to submit. We were there only to share experiences and exchange opinions in an informal setting. The ambience was perfect for such a tête-à-tête. The discussion ranged from debating technique to cruelty towards animals. Star Campus editor Mr. Shahnoor Wahid and Mrs. Safia Ghazi Rahman, Principal, Sunshine Grammar School & College, both have education in their hearts. Shahnoor Wahid explained how The Daily Star came up with the idea of publishing a campus based magazine and how Star Campus was born. He also discussed the importance of reading books, especially classics, both English and Bangla. Safia Gazi told him about her future plans about the educational institute that is soon going to celebrate 25 years of its existence. A number of events will take place in January and February. Soon our conversation turned to other lighter areas like being empathetic towards animals. We were delighted to discover that both of them were great animal lovers. Young debaters of Sunshine Grammar School & College thoroughly enjoyed the company of Mr. Wahid and their principal speaking of their commitment to living beings, heartily joining in the discussion.

He came to Sunshine Grammar School & College to have a chat with the young debaters of the school. Umer Aiman Khan, Golam Mustakim and Eshfaqullah were the three youngsters to get together in the state of the art computer lab of Sunshine Grammar School & College. Sunshine principal, Safia Ghazi Rahman, and teacher in charge of debate, Refayat Kabir, were also with them. Shahnoor Wahid, with his usual frank and informal style started the discussion, enquiring about the inspiration behind the students' interest in debating. Sunshiner Umer Aiman Khan, the most articulate debater in the team, was the one to speak first while smiling Eshfaqullah expressed his thoughts next. Calm and quiet Golam Mustakim spoke last with his slow yet steady manner. The Star Campus editor, with his experience and erudition, added to their thoughts and ideas, enlightening them with his wisdom on debating and how a debater should groom himself up. He also talked about writing for a newspaper the difference between report writing and feature writing.

The meeting then turned to a discussion on cruelty towards animals. Over a cup of tea, He described the sadness he feels to see the sorry plight of the stray dogs. Dogs are the best friends of human beings, and it is the only animal that attacks its own race to save humans. Sadly, in our country, they are not taken care of. He also shared some interesting experiences during his stay in Chittagong. He mentioned that during his last visit to Chittagong, he fed stray dogs around his hotel in the Jubilee Road area. He also shared the photos of his pet dogs that he treasures in his cell phone. Safia Rahman also spoke about her pets and how close they are to her.

She referred to the Quran and said that it is the duty of a Muslim to be kind to animals. Referring to her recent visit to Makkah for Umrah, she said that during the Hajj, a Muslim cannot harm even a tiny insect like an ant. Thus, those who claim that loving animals is anti-Islamic are wrong. Safia Rahman also spoke in details about her other philanthropic deeds. Everyone was delighted to learn that the Principal personally awards full studentships and financial support to a number of less fortunate yet gifted students in the school with a view to producing the future nation builders of the nation. The two hour long meeting was wrapped up with a treat of traditional Chittagonian sweets hosted by the Principal.

(Writers are students of Sunshine Grammar School, Chittagong)