Dhaka Diary

For Want of Clean(er) Air
I was going past an ice-cream shop in Gulshan when I was quite startled by a sight in front of me. It looked like a bicycle but there was some form of canister mounted behind it. At first, only the top of the rider was visible and I imagined that some Newton 'wannabe' had invented a bicycle that was powered by CNG. That would be rather nice; clean, efficient and when you got tired of peddling, simply switch to CNG power. "Go Planet!" I bet this little contraption would really help Lance Armstrong on his bike tour. Nonetheless, once I got a clear view of the rider's feet, my imagination bubble popped. It simple WAS a bicycle with a canister in the rear. Another perfectly good invention had just gone down the drain pipe!
IHK, Gulshan 2I was going past an ice-cream shop in Gulshan when I was quite startled by a sight in front of me. It looked like a bicycle but there was some form of canister mounted behind it. At first, only the top of the rider was visible and I imagined that some Newton 'wannabe' had invented a bicycle that was powered by CNG. That would be rather nice; clean, efficient and when you got tired of peddling, simply switch to CNG power. "Go Planet!" I bet this little contraption would really help Lance Armstrong on his bike tour. Nonetheless, once I got a clear view of the rider's feet, my imagination bubble popped. It simple WAS a bicycle with a canister in the rear. Another perfectly good invention had just gone down the drain pipe!
IHK, Gulshan 2

A New Matchmaker
A few days ago, a wedding ceremony was going on in the restaurant where I work. It seems that the groom and bride first met and fell in love online! The groom, working in the Middle East, met the girl on a chat site who was living and studying in Dhaka. Their relationship eventually got stronger. The boy came back to Dhaka where they both met and finally decided to tie the knot. The happy event proves as to how our lives were being influenced by the computer technology. I hope our famous ghotok (matchmaker) Kobutor bhai is not alarmed!
Sohel Hara Olympia Palace Restaurant

A father's Emotions
After getting my BA Honour's results, I was on my way home in a rickshaw, when I saw an old teacher of mine crossing the road. Immediately I stopped my rickshaw and got down to speak to him and let him know my examination results. He was clearly happy for me. I invited him home and got back on my rickshaw. The rickshaw walla then asked me about my results and even congratulated me. I was on the top of the world!
After reaching home, I brought out my wallet to pay the rickshaw walla, when he refused to take the fare. "Baba," he said. "I am very happy for you today. My son had appeared for the same exams as well, but irony of it all is that he failed. You are just like my son and I couldn't take money from you today." Saying this, he rushed away. His emotions touched me deep inside and somehow made my day all the more better than before.
Mahmudul Hassan Sirajganj

Copyright (R) thedailystar.net 2005