October 18, 2009

I spoke with Rakib this morning. He is back in Dhaka, he returned from Rayenda on the Tuesday morning bus. Rakib informed me that he has been feeling ill and he has been studying quietly in the hostel. The results of the admission test he took in Khulna have not been published yet. Rakib’s teachers informed him that the new government has set new rules for medical college admission tests. Going forward the admission test will be administered by the government. Government and private colleges will have to use the test results for admission. Individual colleges will no longer be able to administer their own admission tests. The test Rakib took in Khulna may have been a waste of time and money. Rakib feels that the new rule is not good. If you are not feeling well and do not do well on the test you can not take it again. Rakib will collect the application form and take the government admission test when it is offered.
When we last talked I told Rakib that the Venture Scouts are currently working on planning and training for a High Adventure Trek to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National parks. Rakib asked his teachers if they knew about Yellowstone. One said he had read about it and told Rakib it is the largest national park in the world. He was told that there is a book about Yellowstone available in the library, but Rakib does not have a library card. He will look into how to obtain one. He is very interested in following the Venture Scouts with planning and execution of the Trek.
Rakib ended the call by wishing the scouts and their families “good health and a long life”