Feature

Sanctuary

Saushan Rahman

It was a Wednesday. I was not in a good mood. Bunked my class and went out. I did not have a plan, did not know where I was going. I was in search of some panacea. Who knew that this aimless wandering would take me to a beautiful place, a sanctuary? Strange, I have passes the place several times, wondering what it is. As I was in hurry every time, so I did not take a look at the signboard. I did think of loads of things but my assumptions were never correct.

That day when I was passing by the place, I looked at the wall. It was Banani Seminary Church. From outside through a small gate I could only see a statue of Christ before a building and lots of trees. Trees in Dhaka are a rare site. I walked through the small gate. There was a man at the gate. He asked me the purpose of my visit. At that point I did not know what to say. I did not have any answer to give him. I told him that I was curious and that I wanted to look around. The man hesitated a bit and then let me in. I walked through the path. There were trees on both sides. It seemed that I had entered a totally different world. It was calm and quiet. I had stepped into a world far from the madding crowd. Right before the church there is a big statue of Christ with his arms spread. It seems that Christ is there to welcome whoever comes to the church with a warm embrace. On the left there is a building. The path to the building was filled with sheuly flower. The site of the flowers brought back my childhood memory, I had long forgotten. In front of the hall there is a small garden. The presence of bright color butterflies have made the place even more beautiful. A man working in the garden asked if I wanted to pray. I nodded my head a bit and he led me to the prayer room. It is a small room with some chairs, and a bookshelf. There are pictures of Mother Mary and baby Christ on the wall. The place was serene. All I could hear was the birds' chirping. I sat in the room. Though I did not pray for anything, but I wanted to stay there for as long as I could.

I wanted to stay there for long, but I had to leave. Slowly I walked out and stepped into the madding crowd of the world. I was in search of panacea, instead I found a sanctuary. I have to admit, it was one of the most peaceful places I have ever been. I would want to visit that sanctuary again and again.

Saushan Rahman, Editorial Assistant, The daily Star

Blurry future!!

Samantha Saberin

What is going to happen? Are we losing the little place we built for ourselves in this world? What are we doing to ourselves? These are the questions people are asking…but to whom? Who is listening? Because I can't see anybody paying heed to anyone! Yet the so-called government of the people is “By the people, for the people”!! Is it true here, in our country?

We are facing a great economical, social, and political disaster; we are losing hope and watching the dream of a developed country breaking down into pieces. But what happened to those people who were expected to understand the situation much better and handle it more adroitly? Why can't we find a solution? Where is the problem?

Every single important institution of the country has collapsed! From the government to the Supreme Court! Where do we - the so-called source of power - go for help? We the normal people of this country are looking for a solution but it seems like we are always mere parts of a drama!!

The Nobel prize was a great source of inspiration! Why are we letting it fade out? The students the future hope of this country -are losing hope. Many bright minds that were strictly against the practice of "Brain Drain" are now thinking of doing exactly that! We are back again to that point that “Bangladesh is hopeless”.

I used to argue with people who compared Bangladesh with other countries and would conclude-“ Bangladesh is a dirty country with dirty politics”! Now I don't think I can answer them.

Just a few days ago we were happy, we were proud to be a part of this nation. Why would we be ashamed of it on account of a few people? We love our country and we can make it a perfect place to live in. I really hope and pray to God that the ones involved do find a solution and take fruitful decisions, not just gaze at a light on the other end of the tunnel!!

(Dept. of Economics ,83rd batch, DU)