Feature

Shirley C. Momen

Let's go where our minds can be free
Let's go where our hearts can roam
Let's go where our eyes can wander
Let's go where our songs can be heard

That's how I felt when we went to the Pubail Resort on the 17th of February. The ELT students of the English Department led by our esteemed chairman, Dr. Rubina Khan, eagerly participated in a picnic arranged, by our new co-coordinator, Mushfiqa.

My fellow students who had arrived at the resort, were treated to hot Chitai Pitha (hot pies) and yummy duck curry for breakfast.

Though, I had a late start, I was determined to be a part of my ELT family. In the last three semesters, I have been extremely fortunate to be a part of the ELT team. A close bond had developed between the faculty and the students. As I said Earlier, they had become my family.

Pubail Resort is located twenty five kilometers northeast of Zia International Airport. Though the roads were bumpy, Rozana apa, Hosne-ara and myself had a pleasant journey. Albeit we got lost a bit, but our very own motorcycle guide escorted us. The moment we stepped out of the car, I felt as if I had stepped into a slice of heaven. This was absolute Serendipity. My fellow students greeted us with loud cheers. Rubina Madam, Arifa Madam, our two international guests, Steve and Patrick, seemed to have left their stress and tension back in Dhaka. They had broad smiles and a happy gait in their steps. We sat under the big banyan tree and had 'barai bhorta', which was delightfully refreshing.

Mr. Humayun, from the first batch, seemed to have returned to his childhood faster than we could. He was running here and there just like a little boy. One moment he was in the lake trying his hand being a fisherman, in the next he was off to the cucumber patch to pick a few for us.

The scene was a sight for sore eyes. I could feel my mind soaring, heart singing and body relaxing. By the look of it, that was the case for everybody. The Pubail Resort gave us an opportunity to be one with nature. The famous Tagore song comes to mind, “Gram Chara, Oi Ranga Matir Poth, Amar Mon Bhulai Re.”

Seeing the way, the fishermen catching fish, with the large fishing net, in the lake, was quite an experience. Ashish of the third batch could not resist the opportunity to be in the lake and be a part of the fishing activity. There must have been thousands of fish caught in the net. The teachers and students stood near by to see the exciting activity. In the end all the fish but two were freed.

When it was time for lunch, the staff of the resort served us with a scrumptious meal. Chicken, Beef, Fish, Vegetable, all cooked to perfection and in so many different ways.

And did we eat! I believe there was no sound for the first twenty minutes of the lunch except the occasional oohs and ahhs . It was a 'gastronomical delight'! Patrick and Steve enjoyed the local food so much that Steve ventured out to eat with his hand with the rest of us.

After lunch, we sat under the banyan tree, well fed and content. Some of the students went off for a walk to the nearby village to digest the big meal. I preferred to sit and soak up the beautiful atmosphere. When the students came back, Rubina madam suggested that somebody should sing. So, Tauheed and Shamsi, our beautiful faculty members, started to sing duets. Of course everybody joined in whenever they could. Some of the wives of the staff of the Pubail resort, demonstrated how Moori, (puffed rice) was to be made.

Soon it was time to leave. Arifa Madame refused to go back early. Who could blame her?! To go back meant going back to the burdens of everyday life. With a heavy heart, we left the peace of the Pubail Resort and headed back home.

It was a memorable picnic for many reasons. There is no doubt that it brought us closer to nature, it also made us aware once again, how very beautiful Bangladesh is! It also showed us that once removed from the artificiality of society, we can all be part of a big happy family, sharing, and bonding, with no barriers.

(MA in ELT, 2nd batch, Presidency University)