"Bangladeshi youth change trends overnight"

New and international trends appeal to Bangladesh’s new generation, writes Abdullah Al Hasan, 23, a Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh, and the impact is being felt in society and the marketplace.

Bangladesh’s very large number of young people is a dynamic and trendy generation.

To keep pace with the current world they try to transfigure themselves and set their lifestyle to modernize their approach. From time to time they update themselves. Their education, dreams, lifestyle, language and even hobbies- everything is a sign to acknowledge their high ambitions and exertions.

Let’s start with the education sector. Not so long ago, young people used to study some specific subjects favoured by their parents and family members. Now they are passionate about following their careers and keen on learning new things. They love to study what they are truly inquisitive about. They follow the current wind and pursue engaging sectors. That’s why, for the time being, Fashion Designing, Media and Journalism, and Environmental Studies among others are becoming very popular subjects.

Language is at the heart of their entertainment. Browsing many channels arouses a deep enticement towards foreign languages. English was the only language that the young people used to practice and give much importance. It has been changed lately, and the current trend is to acquire more than one foreign language. Hindi, French, Spanish are also being learnt along with English. This is, for sure, helping them set up a better communication platform.

Young people are not bound to typical jobs anymore. They now dream of doing something on their own. That emboldens them to become an entrepreneur and start up something new. They are launching various online shops, small businesses and many other innovative platforms to bring their long cherished dreams into reality. Any creative sector attracts them, while money and prestige both get the highest priority.

If we focus on their hobbies, we see that learning guitar or any other musical instruments was like a craze to young people once. The current trend  is an obsession that has many young people now into writing, photography, cycling and media related activities such as theatre, drama, and advertisements. And it changes very frequently as young people grasp and try the latest excitement.

They are very conversant with the current fashion and style, too. They try to choose dresses according to the programs and events they are going to partake of, adapting themselves to the needs of time. And to show themselves more impressively, they follow seasonal outfits and fashion. They are also procuring the international trends and modifying them in conformity with their own culture and customs.

The young generation is the future of this country. Whatever they do reflects their caliber, whereabouts and dreams. So they play a big role in every sector. But there are many antithetical sides that should be brought forward as well. This generation depends on the internet, technology and social media too much. A new trend does not make up for being smart. Moreover, it shakes the cornerstone of the country. As their trends change overnight and consumers switch from one to another very rapidly, it impinges on their everyday life. It all proves their transiency. It was never an easy task to be successful without forbearance. That is surely a desideratum now-a-days.

In the education sector, sometimes the new generation gets indecisive and chooses the wrong subjects to study, only to undergo much suffering later because they have set aside many exigent things. For example it seems like the young generation is giving much priority to English and other languages over Bangla. They are sprouting up without knowing and using proper Bangla. If it continues, one day the glorious history regarding our mother tongue will be denied wholly.

Besides, being so exotic does not always suit the environment and the people around. Their own country, its people and products get ignored sometimes. It even has an extensive effect on the Bangladeshi market. Domestic companies are suffering, not because they compromise quality but because the new generation loves foreign products more.  It should be sorted out in no time.

The youth have problems regarding Bangladeshi politics too.  When they take part in politics, they cannot bring any remarkable change. All they become is opinionated and party oriented. Most of them are not even sure about their views and history.

If the young people use their mettle to follow all the good trends, and if they remain active in the positive things, Bangladesh will be a stronger country very soon. The vogues of the present age are to be adapted, not adopted. Only the young people have the strength to build a country. They are the potential leaders; they are the assets that can be used to ensure a bright future.

photo credit: ambulation flight via photopin (license)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

About me:

Hi I’m from Bangladesh; the green land. Currently I’m studying marketing at North South University, Dhaka. I love to explore human minds. Writing is my favourite pastime. I always try to do research about people, politics, metaphysics, English and marketing.

I’m just an ordinary guy with some extra-ordinary dreams to be fulfilled. I believe a moment staying with family is just worth living. Friends are my oxygen.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?

To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………