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In academia, a place known as the 'Cambridge of the East,' a title that Rajshahi University wears with a sense of irony, though with a slightly higher chance of witnessing a Bollywood brawl. Here, amidst the stunning greenery (courtesy of the students, not the outsiders littering the place), a vibrant ecosystem thrives – one fueled by gossip, political intrigue, and the ever-present fear of parental disapproval.
Love and war (Rajshahi Style)
The designated love lane, Paris Road, is a minefield of watchful eyes. Don't even think about holding hands – a stolen glance is enough to set the rumour mill ablaze.
True purveyors of wisdom and clandestine knowledge are the professors, administrators, or the tea stall mama. Romance in this university is a high-stakes game, where affiliations can turn a simple date into a campus-wide debate.
Armed with nothing but a chai kettle and a basket of bananas, they gather and dispense the juiciest tidbits of campus gossip with the finesse of seasoned detectives. So, if you ever lose your diary or class notes or need to locate that missing report, forget the campus security — ask the jhalmuri mama.
The devilish details:
Have you ever wondered why a playground is named 'Satan's Square'? Look no further than Iblish Chawttor, a famous patch of campus greenery where couples engage in activities that make even the devil blush.
Though the exact origin of the name remains a compelling mystery, it's a safe bet that the bushes have witnessed their fair share of 'Iblis-like' encounters, from stolen kisses to clandestine embraces.
Fueled by the sweet drink of revolt (possibly something more substantial), these courageous young people declared themselves the spiritual descendants of the ultimate rule-breaker, the misunderstood social justice warrior, Iblis! After all, just like Iblis, who bravely challenged authority by... refusing to bend down, these kids were once free of the chains of societal expectations (such as bedtime).
Fine art: The forgotten child
The Faculty of Fine Arts at Rajshahi University is more like the stepbrother faculty of forgotten dreams. It is located across a railway line and symbolizes the vast gap between artistic expression and everything else on campus.
Gates of RU:
Rajshahi University boasts three popular gates: Kazla Gate, Main Gate, and Binodpur Gate. The rest are gathering dust like yesterday's gossip.
Even campus residents struggle to remember the rest of us. Perhaps they're saving their resources for a "fourth gate lottery," where the grand prize is a ride on a rickshaw that doesn't charge exorbitant admission test fees.
The Supermarket struggle:
Here, students embark on epic journeys outside the campus for necessities. At least they can visit the 'slaughterhouse' (don't worry, it's just a historical marker… probably).
The 'Poribohon Market,' a misnomer of epic proportions, is a student hangout spot with everything but transport. It's a place where students chill and chatter, often under the pretext of photocopying or printing.
The small and round campus is a microcosm of society where everyone knows everyone.
The hierarchy of residential area
Ah, the residential area for teachers and staff is divided into West, East, and North. South took a permanent vacation. These areas represent an undeclared social hierarchy.
The residents of the West zone (Poshchim Para) could win an Olympic medal for name-dropping important people they barely know, especially those who own a duplex quarter.
In the serene East (Purbo para), inhabitants find peace a breeze, thanks to their remarkably comfortable quarters. Who needs conflict when your couch is this divinely plush?
Bless their hearts, northerners (Uttar Para) possess a unique navigational challenge. Their vast, sprawling abodes often lead to comical moments.
The art of gossip:
Rajshahi University operates on Rajshahi Time, where news travels faster than the speed of light, such as when it involves some lady wearing a sleeveless shirt or missing curfew. Here, even male students fear a stray puff of a cigarette reaching their parents' ears before they get home.
The hostel hustle:
Life in the female hostels is like living in a Victorian novel with a 7 p.m. curfew. They prove the real woman thing, considering sneaking in a forbidden electric heater a daring act of passion after completing class, shopping, and romance. Just be careful not to electrocute yourself in the process.
The dream job that may not exist
For many residents of Rajshahi, a university job is the holy grail. People dream of working here, even if it means leaving behind their careers and property. Don't ask about the number of openings—a secret guarded more fiercely than a student's exam score.
The campus conundrum:
Forget movie sets and Parisian boulevards—Rajshahi University is so drop-dead gorgeous that it practically begs to be the backdrop for your next wedding photoshoot (don't trip over a Nobel laureate on your way down the aisle).
And if your wedding video gets mistaken for a Dhallywood blockbuster trailer, well, that's just the Rajshahi magic working its charm!
University School:
There's a delightful delusion of royalty at Rajshahi University School, a magical kingdom where the children of teachers and employees reign supreme. These mini-monarchs strut around the schoolyard as heirs to a grand empire, convinced that anyone not affiliated with the university is a mere peasant from the Dark Ages.
A strict caste system prevails in this peculiar kingdom of Rajshahi University School. At the top, the children of teachers expect to be treated like upper caste, basking in their academic aristocracy. These young scholars glide through the halls, hoping to be worshipped for their divine pedigree.
Just a notch below, you have the offspring of officers. They demand respect and deference, albeit with slightly less fanfare than their upper-caste classmates.
And then, you have everyone else. The children of the non-teaching staff, the maintenance crew, and other mere mortals are relegated to the lower echelons, practically the untouchables in this scholastic hierarchy.
Art of fighting
Besides studying, these students are mastering the fine art of combat.
Sometimes, they clash with their classmates, a dramatic display of internal discord.
Other times, they take their talents off-campus, engaging in raucous battles with residents, turning the streets into a battleground worthy of a blockbuster. And let's not forget the inter-university skirmishes, where rival institutions face off like competing martial arts schools in a cheesy kung fu flick.
Instead of cutting a cake or throwing confetti, students prefer a good old-fashioned brawl to mark the occasion. And mourning? Well, a sad fight breaks out because why not?
But amidst all its quirks, the university, with its lush greenery and beautiful landscapes, remains a haven for students. It's a place where education meets eccentricities, creating a symphony uniquely Rajshahi University. So, come for the beauty, stay for the drama, and pray your parents don't find out about the electric heater (or the forbidden love affair, or the fact that you missed curfew… again). Welcome to Rajshahi University, where everyday life is as rare as a rickshaw driver who doesn't inflate admission test fare.