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The week in re(ar)view Choice of degree for sale Due to a lack of specific rules, the caretaker government is not taking any stern action. This is your chance to become dubiously qualified. Budget showdown part 1 Customs duty on CNG-run bus may be increased to 15 percent from 5 percent to encourage assembling industry for CNG-run bus. What that translates to is fare hikes for the common people. Budget proposes 20 percent supplementary duty on metal-framed furniture so you will have to sit on the floor unless you opt to cut down forests which everyone does anyway. To further promote local production, it seeks to increase customs duty to 15 percent from 5 percent on auto disposable syringe. Hello AIDS as process of syringes soar and addicts feel the sudden itchy need to share. Volunteer or else! The 16-day time limit for accepting the offer ended yesterday. On June 5, Biman Bangladesh Airlines offered the VRS to its officials and employees in order to downsize its staff to 3,400 by axing about 1,500 current employees. The scheme is part of the government plan to turn Biman into a PLC and to make it a healthy and profitable commercial venture. Many Biman officials and staff said that they would wait till the last date for availing the scheme to decide whether they would respond to it or not. Even the staffs and employees, who have completed 25 years in service, are so far not willing to take the offer. It kind of makes sense. After all who in their right mind would want to leave a job where you really do not have to do anything? Big shots levelled vast terrain of Ctg hills Environmentalists believe that such destruction of hills--both complete and partial--is the main reason for massive landslides during torrential rain just like the latest tragedy on June 11 that claimed over 120 lives. One such project was to build a farm but the farm was never established, and instead the mill management further leased out the property to some influential people who soon razed the entire hill and built 12 brick kilns. By Gokhra and Mood Dude Vox pop This week's topic: “What's the big deal with Brand Names?”
“Some people use brand names to show that they have 'got it', while others just want to use things of good quality. It all depends on attitude.” Jasia Haider. Age: 17. Private A-Level Student. “Brands are like 'icons'. They give material a special standard, and that's why people prefer to buy them. But I don't think this is always necessary. T-shirts without brands, for example, may be made of equally good or better fabric. So you don't always have to wear something with a brand.” Faria Tasnim. Age: 17. AKS,D. “Well, it's just that brand names show that the product is of good quality. Most branded products are always of good quality so they are worth the price.” Mehboob Ashraf. Second year student at NSU. “Brand names for any product people buy are important, as they tend to rely on such products more. Such titles creates a trust of good quality and service. And it also sounds good when we 'boast' about it to others!” Adiba Shabnam. Age: 17. AKS,D. “Basically, I don't think there is anything right or wrong about brand names. It is just that, say, a bag will have more value because people tend to value the brand's reputation. Like in the case of LV (Louis Vuitton) or GUCCI bags. Their products have a good reputation as everyone knows their bags can last because of the usage of fine leather.” Sylvia Seakar. Age:15. CHIJ Saint Joseph's Covent, Singapore. “Rolex's campaign once said, 'because image is everything.' To a certain extent, it really is everything! Whether we want it or not, people quickly form opinions about us by the way we dress, walk, talk etc. I think brand clothes give you a certain flair in the way you carry yourself. It helps to make you look distinct and different from the crowd. Many people may think that valuing branded products is wrong, but that's a wrong perception. You compete to look the best and attract the most attention. Branding is just a technique of doing so. Also, branding doesn't only mean the expensive products. Anything that sets a product apart and can be clearly distinguishable from a set of other products by its name and quality can be called a successful brand.” S.S. Rishad. Age: 18. AKS By Iftikhar Azam & Nisma Elias RS Mailbox  The one-stop junction for love, hate and all that you have for RS. Send in you queries, praise, suggestions, complaints, grudges and even write-ups to risingstars@ thedailystar.net.
The colour of mud? While the illustration by Ronny was terrific and the article was 'fatafati' the dull colours of the logo ruined the first page. Thankfully the inside pages remain crisp looking but as they say “first impression is everything.” Samreen Sultana Missing in Action Asifur Rahman Rearview is back this week whether anybody else likes it or not. “Funny colour” unfortunately stays - RS Desk Harry Spotter Amit K Nath And some more of Harry Arka Shame on RS "Whenever you are taking someone else's stuff write down the author's name" - RS completely forgot that. I love game reviews by Niloy. It's frustrating to see that RS is taking stuff from internet. You should be publishing stuff written by 'desi' writers only. Even if you have to do that sort of thing for the sake of keeping the deadline, at least mention the source. BlooDemon RS Desk From the RS Desk Dear Readers We've been receiving a lot of mail about our new look. Much of it is positive, a few people have a few gripes. Here at RS, we're never satisfied, and are constantly on the look-out for something better, even when we're told we're the best…which of course we are…and you know why? It's because you guys out there, with your continued feedback, give us the inspiration to go that extra mile. We've also been enjoying a rainy respite from the hot summer sun this week, although, for those suffering the water-logging, and worse still, the mudslides, it's been a real curse. Life isn't perfect, after all. Keep your eyes peeled for next week's issue, though, as we explore what life would be like, in an ideal world. For now, chillax with a cup of coffee (Page 3), or check out some cool t-shirts (Page 6). Have a great weekend! Corn-sternation Why did the man put his money in the freezer? A. He wanted cold hard cash! Q. What did the porcupine say to the cactus? A. "Is that you, mommy?" Q. What do prisoners use to call each other? A. Cell phones. Q. Where do polar bears vote? A. The North Poll Q. Where do snowmen keep their money? A. In snow banks. Toptunes Check out what's hitting the charts this week Ungerground Overall By Shovon. |
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Buy your way to higher education as 60 branches of foreign universities are busy literally selling degrees. These branches are declared illegal by the University Grants Commission (UGC). However, around 20 to 25 thousand students of those institutions, who pay around Tk 75 crore annually in tuition fees, are now very uncertain about their academic future because of the UGC declaration.
I remember the time I purchased my first pair of Nike shoes. It attracted many looks and comments from the folks at my school, ranging from “Hey, nice shoes!” to “Aww! Ifti's trying to be a cool dude!” What was the big deal, I wondered. They were just shoes, right? Here's what some people had to say: