::: Star Weekend Magazine :::

Dhaka Diary

Smoking
in front of Children

I am a regular smoker. Despite all the warnings against this habit, it had never occurred to me to quit smoking. Actually, I never cared about all the warnings I read in newspapers or watch on television. Things changed, however, after an encounter with my little nephew. The other day, while smoking in front of my little nephew, I cuddled up to him and kissed him on his cheek. Instead of being the cuddle toddler that he usually is, my nephew gave me a very stern look. "Chachu (Uncle)," he asked, "Why do you smoke? I don't like the smell. Father smokes as well and I don't like it at all. Can't you ever quit the habit?" I was flabbergasted. A lot of people, including my friends and family members have tried their best to get me to quit smoking, but I was hardly ever bothered. However, after this incident, I think I will try to kick the bad habit. To those who smoke, I would ask you to quit as well. If you can't, at least try not to smoke in front of children.
Tofayel Ahmed
Tongi, Gazipur

Women Liberty

On Thursday morning, while going home from school, I took the local bus as always. The bus was overcrowded with mostly men. Fortunately, I managed to get a seat for myself. Just then I noticed a woman with a small baby in her arms, trying her best not to fall. She found it very difficult to hold the baby and at the same time to hold on to something so that she would not fall. I immediately got up to offer her my seat. Surprisingly, as I got up, the man beside me started complaining. He argued that there was no space to move and hence he would not let me pass. I told him that the woman needed the seat and I had to move, but he would not listen to me or quit arguing. After a long argument, I finally managed to give my seat to the helpless woman. Above all, I was simply stunned by the way the man behaved. Let alone helping, the man was shouting relentlessly. I realised that sometimes, it is very difficult for women to ride on local buses, if this is what they have to go through all the time.
Shifat Nazmee
Maple-Leaf International School

A Helpful 'Helper'

The other night at 9.30 pm, I was heading back from the Fazle Rabbi Hall of DMC. Seeing no rickshaw I got onto the route-7 bus. Near Chankharpul, when I was going to pay the fare I noticed that I had left my moneybag in my friend's room at the hall. It was an awkward situation and I was feeling nervous. I confessed to the conductor that I forgot to bring my moneybag and was preparing myself to digest some harsh words from a typical conductor. But something else happened -- the conductor, with a smiling face, calmly said that it did not matter and that I did not have to pay the fare. In fact he even asked if I needed fare for the rickshaw. With a happy heart I replied no and thanked him.
Md. Nasir Uddin Laskar
Amar Ekushey Hall, DU