Dhaka Diary

Patriotism
Last week, I had gone to Star Cineplex along with my family to watch 'Rani Kuthir Baki Itihash'. Before starting off with the movie, several advertisements and trailers of other movies were being shown. Right before the actual movie began, the national flag of Bangladesh was shown fluttering on screen. The audience stood up in respect to the flag, which made me very happy indeed. It is very refreshing to find signs of Bangali nationalism amongst our people sometimes. We might be the most corrupt country in the world, but we still love our country. This leads me to believe that we can hope for a better future for the people and the country as well.
Jafrin Jahed Jiti
Siddeshwari

'River gypsies'
This happened to one of my friends, Mahinur, while he was on his way to Kalabagan Bus stand via Dhanmondi Lake. He was walking to his destination when some sari-clad women, who had baskets on their heads, suddenly stopped him. The women came to him and told him that they were arranging a wedding party for their daughter Rani. They said that they would be grateful to him if he made some contributions. When my friend passed a 10 taka note, they became angry and said they were not beggars. Saying this, they opened one of the baskets and produced a wriggling, squirming snake!! My friend was naturally dumbfounded, but he managed to bring out a 50 taka note. The women after getting the money, left the spot with satisfied looks, while my friend was left all shocked! This is a common occurrence in Dhaka City, and everyday, citizens are forced to pay these women, so that they don't get bitten by these snakes, which are used by snake-charmers.
Redwan Islam Orittro
Maple Leaf Int. School

Dhaka's Traffic
Everybody knows what the traffic situation is like in Dhaka. But this real-life incident, which a friend of mine told me, sheds interesting light on the traffic gridlock, the chagrin and distress of the commuters. A girl going to Nepal was seen off at the airport by her boyfriend. When she reached Nepal she called him to find out how things were. She was stunned when her boyfriend informed her that he had still not reached his home. He was sweating it out, stuck in the traffic jam at Mohakhali. It's hard to imagine as to how she reached her destination several hundred miles away from Dhaka while her boyfriend was still struggling to get home. They started the journey almost at the same time or rather she boarded the plane when he was already on the road making his way home. The incorrigible traffic of Dhaka saps the energy and sends the blood pressure skyrocketing. The commuters have to live through this ordeal everyday and everywhere in this metropolis.
Ali Hamid Khan
Uttara

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