STAR Diary
Photo: Star File
HELP US!
I was shell-shocked after watching the news on television of picketers setting a moving bus, filled with passengers on fire. Nine passengers were grievously injured while three were in critical condition. After watching this brutality, I couldn't hold back my tears. I can't understand why such things are happening in our country. Why murder innocent people? Can't the two leaders just sit down for a conversation? Don't they have any empathy? Don't they have any love for their country? I believe that our leaders do love their motherland and they do care for it. They can solve all problems by working together. We cannot be a developed country unless and until we get rid of our political problems. I'm just a child and don't know much about politics, but I know for sure that such continuous hartals and warnings from the government won't benefit us. It is a humble request from a little daughter of Bangladesh to our two leaders. Madams, I beg both of you to help us, to take a decision, and to work together to make sure that the citizens have a bright and safe future in this country. Please help us!
Oishee Fatima
Class 7
Maple Leaf International School
Dhaka
***
The Begging Elephants
Men have trained animals for various purposes such as companionship, circus or other recreation businesses from ancient times. Of late, elephants are being trained in novel ways in Dhaka. In a city where street beggars have become a usual sight, seeing elephants on a busy street is no longer considered to be a rarity. Some clever instructors are using their elephants to seek alms from motorists, shopkeepers and pedestrians. The other day I was in a rickshaw heading towards Gulshan 2. Suddenly, I saw an elephant blocking a car coming from the opposite direction. The elephant was so well-trained that even the sound of a car horn didn't seem to intimidate him. I later came to know that these elephants refuse to take two or five taka notes. If a bigger amount is offered, the elephant takes it, raises its trunk in salutation and lets the vehicles pass. In recent years, Thailand banned the use of elephants for begging by issuing a fine and punishment for the mammoth found to be conning people with their elephants. This is still not a huge problem in our country, but now would be the right time to prevent these people from exploiting their animals for monetary gain.
Zubair Hossain
Gulshan 2
Dhaka
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments