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

<%-- Volume Number --%> Vol 1 Num 155 <%-- End Volume Number --%>

May 21, 2004

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Accident-phobia

I was going towards Malibagh by bus when a group of passengers got on board near Jatrabari. Among them were two teenage girls who managed to get seats around the driver. As I was seated close to them in front of the bus, I saw one of them weeping. She was about 12 to 13 years of age. She was trying to cover her face with her orna while repeating the name of Allah. There were many others like me who were curious about her and we finally asked her what was wrong. Her friend replied for her and said that some time back, she was in a bus accident and since then, she had become a little abnormal and was always afraid of riding the bus. I was saddened to hear this because the bus is the only mode of transport for a poor girl like her. If the traffic rules and regulations were properly followed, I'm sure that little girls like her would not be traumatised for the rest of their lives.

Sagor


What are we Becoming

I was in a bus when this incident took place. A conductor had asked a young man for his bus fare twice, though the passenger had paid the first time. The young man, who was probably a college student, for reasons unknown burst out in anger and abused the conductor severely as if he (the conductor) had committed an unpardonable sin. To my surprise, the young man didn't leave off there. Finally, he slapped him. Though the old conductor repeatedly tried to convince the student that it was his job to ask for the fare and there were times when the same passenger was asked twice, he still became the victim. All the other passengers, some of whom seemed quite educated, were thoroughly enjoying the scene. When the young ruffian was done insulting the conductor, the other passengers championed him for his heroic deed. I can't comprehend how such a savage and relentless act can be praiseworthy. What are we becoming?

Russell, Mazidpur, Savar


Punishment

A few days ago, I was looking out of a vehicle when a shocking sight caught my attention. I saw a young man being beaten up by some local people. They were shoving, slapping, kicking and punching at each and every part of his body. It was inhuman. The mob was acting like a bunch of savages. The young man tried to escape and at one point, he pulled free and ran but his legs gave way because of all the merciless beating. Immediately, a man came towards him with a thick stick and smashed it on him. The stick shattered under the force. The mob soon caught up and went back to their thrashing. I turned away. I have no idea what the man had done but no action should be punished in a manner such as this. I guess 'mob beating' has become one of our characteristic traits. But the main question remains, who gets to do the beating and who gets to be beaten up?

Md. Sohrab Hossain, Dept. of Computer, University of Dhaka

 

 
         

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