Star Diary

Laughable Efforts 

The long road from Banani to Uttara is invariably busy all the time. On a trip to Uttara from Banani, my car stopped at the signal in front of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. I noticed that two traffic policemen were standing at opposite sides of the road, holding on to a tightrope for smooth traffic movement. This method was invented to prevent people from jaywalking. However, a passer-by tripped over the rope when it was raised without caution and people behind me fell over as well, as in a stampede. This type of farcical method should be stopped and the authorities concerned should take necessary measures to this effect.   

Samiul Raijul

North South University, Dhaka

The Corrupt Squad

The CNG-run auto-rickshaw I had hired was stopped by a policeman at a check-post. He asked the driver for his license. I had thought that the driver had a driving license but to my surprise, I was proven wrong. The policeman asked the driver to accompany him. After a few minutes, the driver was released. I later came to know that the policeman had staged all this drama only to demand a bribe from the driver and nothing else. I can't understand what our society has turned into. If the police force – a squad responsible to ensure our safety – is contaminated by corruption, how can we hope to develop and improve our country? 

Elham Ali

Manarat Dhaka International College, Dhaka