Julian Francis
I have lived in Banani for the last 16½ years and since Victory Day, 1971, for a total of 23½ years in Bangladesh. I have seen many changes and I should qualify this by saying that I first came to Bangladesh in January 1972, so I have seen a whole lot of changes!
However, my ‘jottings’ are my current feelings and observations.
I was impressed how peacefully and enjoyably the Hindu Durga Puja and Eid-ul-
Azha were celebrated this year in Banani and I found the same in other parts of Dhaka too. As a Muslim friend told me, “Julian Bhai, the Qur’an teaches us to respect all religions, so you should not be surprised at the communal harmony in Bangladesh.” I have been here long enough to know that when Hindu or Buddhist Temples are violated it is not so much religion related but land related because in land-scarce Bangladesh, gaining land by any means is a great attraction.
In Banani many things have deteriorated. The authorities have built lakeside pathways, which are great, but nobody cleans them. They are overloaded with litter and the beautiful lake is targeted with rubbish. Why is it allowed? Polystyrene packing materials are most visible among rubbish dumped in the lake. Why? All apartment block flat tenants pay at least Tk 150 per month for rubbish clearance, so what is the problem? Attitude is the problem. In my apartment block, and I am on the 1st floor, people from above throw rubbish out of their windows and balconies. There is absolutely no community responsibility and this is within a so-called “educated” class.
The roads in Banani are in a hopeless state as well as many in Gushan/Baridhara too.
• Water mains leaks are not dealt with for months. Sewage flows all over the roads on occasion and into the lake too
• Rubbish is not collected in time
• An NGO has set up litterbins in Kemal Attaturk Road but even these have been vandalised
• Traffic police at key intersections are usually missing (or two or three are seen chatting and ignoring their duties) and they do not keep the rickshaws from blocking the side-turning entrances to the major roads
• Pavements or walkways are always blocked with shops or temporary shacks, polythene covered
• In the Cantonment area, traffic rules/laws are strictly enforced. Why not in the rest of Dhaka? What is the problem? Seatbelts, helmets, number of people on rickshaws, lights including lamps on rickshaws etc.
In case you are wondering, I still love Bangladesh and Bangladeshis and regard Bangladesh as my home, but I wish that Bangladeshis would take more responsibility for their own environment.
In conclusion of this jotting, I express my deep sadness at the news of the passing of National Professor Salahuddin Ahmed who was a close-by neighbour of mine in Banani. I had shared with him my Liberation War history and my meeting with Bangabandhu in January 1972 and he was full of questions. I am very sad that he has passed away.
Source: Bd news24
