Old
memories
I
was in Mohammadpur after a long while and was
looking for a means of transportation to go home.
I just happened to be near the bazaar area and
was looking about for a bus to go home. I had
had enough money for the cab, but unfortunately
my friends back here had missed me so much that
they had to be treated to soft drinks to compensate
for my absence. As a result I ended up being broke,
and I had to get back home. I remembered the old
bus route, which I frequently used to travel in.
I was looking about for a number-12 bus, which
would take me to Farmgate, and then I would have
to change bus again. Unfortunately, things have
changed and a new company had taken over. All
that I saw was ATCL buses. I also noticed that
the fare had been doubled and one had to 'queue'
to get into the bus. Even though I welcome this
change, maybe I feel a bit nostalgic about the
old fashioned 'bus chase' boarding scenes.
IHK,
Gulshan 2
Mugging
at a Jam
My mother and I were travelling
from Kafrul to Dhanmondi on Sunday. As fate had
it, we got stuck in a jam in Bijoy Sarani in front
of the 'the petrol Filling Station'. I saw five
young people encircling a CNG scooter right in
front of mine, where a middle-aged gentleman was
sitting. Two of the men quickly got inside the
scooter and sat beside the gentleman, while the
other two stayed on the lookout. The last person
sat beside the driver. In about 20 to 30 seconds,
it was all over. I understood that a mugging had
just taken place because one of them was putting
a big knife back in his pocket. The victim had
no choice but to sit helplessly with a frightened
look on his face. As the signal was given, the
vehicles started to move. Mugging is common in
the Bijoy Sarani, Karwan Bazar and Mouchak areas.
Although people know about it, nobody seems to
take the initiative to stop it.
Shahriar Rahman
North Kafrul
Courtesy
costs nothing
Haggling
between passenger and conductor for fare is a
very common scene for regular bus commuters. A
few days back, I was travelling by a city bus
and I saw that the bus conductor was asking a
shabbily dressed passenger to pay up his bus fare,
but the man for some reason, was being stubborn.
Finally, the bus conductor pleaded with him very
earnestly, " Sir, bharata diya den"
(sir, please pay the fare). After hearing this,
the passenger looked puzzled and said, "What!
You called me SIR! I like people who show such
respect!" Saying this, he handed over the
money to the conductor with a little extra for
the nice attitude on the conductor's part. After
the passenger's remark, the whole bus started
laughing. Whether the passenger was being sarcastic
or not, it made me realise that courtesy really
pays and it costs nothing.
Mohammed
Sohel Hara
Topkhana Road |