Chittagong still in holiday mood
Although the vacation of Eid-ul-Fitr is over, the people of Chittagong city remain in a holiday mood.
With two thirds of the people still in their villages with dear ones, the city gives a desolate look with its roads bare of pedestrians and traffic.
With the five-day long Eid vacation being over on Wednesday, government offices, many private banks and other organisations re-opened on the day.
However, till yesterday, the people on vacation have not yet returned to their everyday lives to enjoy a couple more days with their kith and kin. The re-opened shops and other organisations were almost empty of both customers and staff.
On the other hand, those who rejoined their workplace on Wednesday had to suffer during lunch time as almost all restaurants and eateries remained closed.
Mohammed Jamal, a private bank employee, had to bear with biscuits for lunch as all nearby eateries were closed.
“The Eid vacation is over but still people are holidaying,” said a frustrated Jamal.
Most of the garment factories, however, remained closed.
According to Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, BGMEA first vice president, almost all of the 700 garments factories of the city would remain closed till Saturday.
The kitchen markets of the city also faced a similar scenario of very few customers.
Abdul Aziz, a vegetable vendor at Steel Mill Kitchen market, said, “Eid is over but it seems the Eid dishes have not yet been exhausted.”
“Still eating Eid food, the people are not buying any vegetables,” the vendor said indicating his stall devoid of customers.
While the commercial areas were deserted, huge crowds, however, thronged different recreational spots of the city including the Patenga sea beach, children's parks, zoo and Foy's Lake amusement park.
With the festive mood, transport fares have gone up to the dismay of people who depend on public transport.
Mohammed Nezam, who has to travel to his office on public transport, said, “Even three days after Eid, rickshaw pullers and CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers are charging extra money as Eid tips.”
Authorities of recreational spots expect the continuous rush of crowd till Saturday as garments and other business concerns would not start in full swing till then.
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