Dhaka Diary

VIP-Syndrome!

It was the second day of the second term of 'Oborodhs' when we were having an after dinner, light-hearted, casual discussion about the situation of the country at the very popular hang out, Dhaba on Banani Road-11. As we were enjoying our chat after the long day of 'Oborodh', a man came in and told my cousin to move his car from the parking spot in front of Dhaba. It seems Begum Zia would be passing the road. My cousin, frustrated with the interruption, went out to argue about why he had to move his car for someone who is not even in power. He went out only to see a whole police force and a tow truck. At that sight he decided otherwise and silently moved his car because he knew that even though they were doing something which is 'illegal', he could be harassed for no reason and thus he avoided the argument. Upon asking the restaurant guard about the situation, he said that she passed by this road everyday in the evening and again at around midnight. The road is then cleared, parked vehicles sent to the side and policemen placed on rooftops. I wonder what she does in the office in the evenings, observe the 'Oborodh'? Many other questions boggled my mind after facing the situations who are the police forces working for - the ex-prime minister? Who is ruling the country right now? Is it right to use our tax-money in this way? Why are the common people afraid to stand up against something that is not legal? Petty as the situation might be, it annoyed us quite a bit and ruined our peace.

Shazreh Ahmed
A-level student, Banani

Not trivial

The other day I was on my way home on a public bus to Banasree from University. After three stoppages, luckily I got to sit in front. At the next stoppage, the bus was totally jam-packed. People were perspiring even in that evening of early winter. Suddenly I heard a growing noise from the middle of the bus. To my utter surprise, I found two gentlemen in an argument, almost going for each other's throats. After a while, I discovered the reason. One of them had inadvertently hit the other's leg with his boot. I felt sad at how such a trivial matter could turn into something so serious. People nowadays get furious so easily. It takes no time to make a mountain of a molehill.

Amzad Hossain
Dept of English, University of Dhaka

My Nepalese Friend

I was hanging out with my friend and classmate who had come from Nepal to study in BUET. We were talking about how he was doing in Bangladesh. What he told me was frustrating. He said that he realised after coming here that he needed five years to complete a four-year course. Everything is costly here, he added. What is more frustrating was that he would not tell any of his natives to study in Bangladesh further. I couldn't help but wonder about the image our country reflects to the world.

Md. Niazul Islam Khan
Dept.of EEE,BUE

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