Moral
Downfall
Around 15
or 20 days ago. I went to the JU campus with my sister and while
we were rambling through quite a forlorn place, we came across
four young guys smoking. At first, we didn't pay any attention
to them but as we moved ahead, we clearly noticed them taking
dyl (phensidyle) along with some other unknown drugs. I was
indifferent to the scene as it is quite common among youths
in our country but my sister came to a standstill and gazed
at them with wonder. It was surprisingly daring for these youngsters
to be doing such an act in a public place. The gang noticed
my sister staring at them and started to make dirty comments.
Though I tried to let it go, their comments got nastier and
I totally lost my temper. I picked up a brick and threw it at
the group. It hit one of them and a conflict was soon to follow.
I was injured too. However, my sister quickly called my uncle,
who lived on the JU campus and he came and managed to sort out
the situation. Obviously, such immoral acts in public are not
a good example for our future generation.
M
Anwarul Bari Mazidpur, Savar
The
Wrong Arm Of the Law
Some
days ago at around 1 p.m., I was on my way to class. The sun
was scorching hot. Near New Market, I pictured two handsome
police sergeants riding on two giant motor bikes. They were
on a mission: to capture illegal rickshaws and load them on
a truck. They seemed to be totally enjoying their power. At
one stage, they stopped a rickshaw whose passenger was an old
lady. Before even checking whether that rickshaw was illegal
or not, they compelled the woman to get down. At that moment,
the shocked lady had nothing to do but to comply. She got down
and looked helpless under the burning noon sun, as she found
no other rickshaw in sight or any other forms of transportation,
for that matter. Though the officers were performing their divine
duty of beautifying Dhaka city by making it 'rickshaw free',
the least that they could do was hail another form of transportation
for her. Still, the old lady had to suffer. It was ironic because
it is this old lady's tax money that pays these policemen. Though
they are supposed to protect and serve, they are simply making
life a little harder for the people of this beautiful country.
Md.
Mahmudul Hasan CSEDU
In
The Loo
Dhaka
City Corporation (DCC) deserves praise for its initiatives to
set up more than 70 modernised public toilets in different places
of the city. No one can deny the necessity and importance of
public toilets in such a densely populated metropolitan area
where millions of people have to spend their time outdoors.
Given the terrible condition of existing public toilets that
have become the nuisance for passers-by rather than their relief,
most people consider it better not to use those toilets even
if they are in critical condition. People have no choice but
to make use of footpaths, drains and other open places beside
the road when nature calls. I hope people start to rid themselves
of such unhealthy habits and make full use of the new facilities
that will be completed very soon. However, I am doubtful as
to how long these new toilets remain worthy of use without proper
care and maintenance because in such cases, regular monitoring
is crucial to ensure the intended service to the public. Another
important factor is the security in these public toilets both
for male and female passers-by. The area has to be free of social
nuisance, outlaws and any other disturbing elements that may
harass the people. Moreover, it should also be cleaned regularly
and be properly equipped with water and electric supply. To
make the project a success, the concerned officials should constantly
be kept updated about these and other public facilities.
Md.
Arif Sadeq Department of English, DU
