Logo  

<%-- Page Title--%> Dhaka Diary <%-- End Page Title--%>

<%-- Volume Number --%> Vol 1 Num 131 <%-- End Volume Number --%>

November 21, 2003

<%-- Navigation Bar--%>
<%-- Navigation Bar--%>
   

The Black Taxi

A few days ago I was travelling by a rickshaw from Mirpur Road to Dhanmondi. As usual there was never--ending traffic on the road. All the drivers, including my rickshaw puller, were moving along the left side of the road obeying the traffic rule. Suddenly from nowhere, a black taxi travelling at a dangerous speed started and zipping past all of us from the wrong side of the road. It was as if there was nothing on the driver's mind except to get ahead. On his frenzy he almost hit an elderly lady. Everyone looked on with horror and loudly cursed at the taxi driver. I think God heard all our prayers because suddenly the car's engine stopped and the taxi screeched to halt. The driver used countless techniques to start the car but that 'black pile of junk' refused to start. The driver's predicament made everyone smile; even the traffic policemen were amused. No one bothered to give a helping hand to the cab driver. As I was going past the taxi on my rickshaw the only thought that crossed my mind was the story about “The quick rabbit and the slow tortoise”.
Ameer

'A' Levels , Maple Leaf International


Better Safe than Sorry

Some sights never cease to amaze me. Whenever I see a father carrying his child on a motorbike, I am astonished to see that the father is wearing a helmet but not the child. Has the father forgotten why one wears a helmet in the first place? Surely small-sized helmets are available in this city? I also see children in front seats in cars without their seatbelts fastened. Their parents sit in the back chatting away without a care in the world. Sometimes, the child may stick his hand or head out of the window but very few parents forbid their children to do so. I know that people may think that I am being overly concerned, but when it comes to safety, one can never be too careful.

Nausheen Rahman, Dhaka


Rajshahi Diary

An Everyday Tale

One day, I was chatting at an assembly of idle people at the foot of RU Shaheed Minar. A nine-year-old peanut seller came towards us and asked us earnestly to buy some nuts. The boy looked smart and possessed a poignant face. He had an excellent expression that finally convinced us to grope for our wallets. He was also using some English words, which really impressed us. I could not help asking him about his income. He told me that he earned about Tk.50 to Tk.100 every day, selling peanuts. He used to go to school before and he had completed class three. The awe-inspiring fact was that he, for three consecutive years, had stood first in his class. His father who used to drive a hand-barrow was now unable to provide the expenses for his education. He had an elder brother who does not look after their parents after he got married. Therefore, the boy had to take up this profession, leaving his bright future far behind him. All his dream have been compensated to simply earn a living to manage each day.

Juad, Mader Bux Hall, University of Rajshahi

 
         

(C) Copyright The Daily Star. The Daily Star Internet Edition, is published by The Daily Star