Star Diary
Shocking Behaviour
Photo: Star File
Afew days ago I was walking towards Lalmatia from Dhanmondi when I noticed a blind beggar asking a woman on a rickshaw for some money. She ignored him at first and held on tightly to her little son as though he might catch a disease from looking at the beggar. When he wasn't discouraged, she suddenly slapped him so hard he almost fell to the ground. I stood there stunned because I have never seen a woman act like this before. Women tend to be more sympathetic than men when it comes to beggars and street vendors and this was so uncalled for it was hard to believe it had happened. The poor man composed himself slowly and won my respect by apologising to her for bothering her and walking away. The woman showed no sign of remorse and continued to glower at his retreating back. The incident left me feeling sorry for her son, as this was a poor example his mother was setting for him at such a young age, I shudder to think what else is in store for him.
Sayeeda Hossain
Lalmatia, Dhaka
***
“COVER YOURSELF!”
About a week ago, I had gone over to a friend's place in Banani wearing what I thought was a pretty conservative shalwar kameez. When I walked into the elevator, two women, perhaps in their thirties wearing hijab were standing there talking quietly to each other. When they saw me, they both stared at me with what I thought was disapproval. Telling myself I was imagining things I looked away and waited for the elevator to get to my friend's floor as quickly as possible. When I was about to step out, one of the women called out to me to wait. Surprised, I turned around and saw that she had stepped out behind me and before I could say a word or react, she reached for my dupatta and covered my head and shoulders saying: “This is how you should wear it, dear. We must all learn to cover ourselves properly.” With that, she turned around and walked back into the elevator leaving me dumfounded, confused and furious, all at the same time. With the current situation in the country, this incident left me more worried that ever. Are we women soon going to be asked to wear burkhas and stay at home looking after the men sometime in the near future?
Anami Shameem
Baridhara
Dhaka
***
UNCOMFORTABLE EPISODE
I went to take a photo for a visa I am applying for at a shop on Saat Masjid Road. I am usually accompanied by my mother for such errands, but she happened to be busy that day so I went alone. When I walked into the store, they instructed me to go to the back room where photos are taken and asked me to freshen up. When I walked in, I was surprised to see a young man sitting there already. I asked him if he was the photographer, but he shook his head and continued to watch me. Feeling uncomfortable, I sat there waiting for the photographer. When he arrived, he asked me to fix my hair etc which I did, while the other man watched. Annoyed, I asked the photographer if it was necessary for him to be there after which he gestured to the man to leave. As I settled down to take my photo, to my surprise and dismay, the man returned with two others who were just standing there leering at me! I was so upset I stopped the photographer and walked out of the store. As I made my way to another place it made me sad to think how hard it is to be a woman in this country, to have to worry about safety and being made to feel uncomfortable and unsafe all the time. I wish the attitude of our people toward women in general would change.
Shomi Khan
Via email
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments