Star Diary

Photo: Anurup Kanti Das

Fear of Politics

The political turmoil of recent times is very worrisome for the general public. From the very beginning, we've seen the country come to a standstill whenever a hartal's called by the opposition party. The roads are blocked, crude bombs are thrown and even the law enforcers are brutally beaten up by the picketers. The people of this country as well as foreign residents live in constant danger. All the people of this country will be suffering from the violence. If strike or any violence takes place, students, the future of this country, have to suffer incredible loss. Schools, colleges and universities will be closed and students will find it difficult to cope with their studies. Every business will be affected, including the businesses owned by supporters of BNP and Awami League. Small shops as well as ATM booths will be looted. Nothing is safe here. So I humbly urge the politicians of both the leading parties as well as politicians of the rest parties, to please stop this violence and work together for a better Bangladesh. Respect this country to get respect from the citizens of the country as well as the international world.
Saddam Haque
Independent University
Dhaka

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PASSENGER WOES

I take a bus from the Gabtoli bus stand every time I go back to my hometown Jhenidah from Dhaka. On one such visit I asked the person selling tickets at one of the counters about the departure time of the bus. He replied, “Our bus will leave within a couple of minutes. You must hurry. I bought a bus ticket immediately and rushed to the bus in case I missed it. I was surprised to see that the bus was standing still with no intention of leaving anytime soon. I got to know from other passengers that the bus had been in such a state for quite sometime. I went to the counter in hopes of an explanation but was shocked to see that the ticket sellers had no sense of remorse. This incident taught me to go straight to the terminal to buy my tickets and understand the correct schedule instead of buying tickets from the counter salesman, who will do absolutely anything to make a sale.
Shamim Ansary Sumon
H S S Road, Jhenidah