Star Diary

HOARDINGS AND CSR

Everyday, on my way to work, I catch a glimpse of a hoarding advertising a well-known fairness cream at the intersection in Rokeya Sarani. The hoarding shows the image of an expectant mother wishing that her child should have a fair complexion instead of her dark skin. I don't understand what message the company seeks to give with this kind of ad, which is highly insulting to people who are not of fair skin. Roadside hoardings displaying commercial advertisements are mushrooming all around the city. Huge billboards, for example, have been set up at the Mirpur 10 circle, blocking the entrance to the footbridge in that area. Obviously, the companies and the authorities concerned have not followed proper rules and regulation while setting up the billboard. Hoardings should be constructed in a way that the mobility of the public is not hampered. The contents presented on the billboards must be of standard quality and not hurt any person or group in any way. Moreover, corporate organisations can make use of billboards to promote their CSR activities, raising awareness on road accidents, medical ailments, etc. At least in this manner the billboards and hoardings will be put to good use.  
Md Farooque Hossain
Mirpur, Dhaka

TOUGH LOVE

When I saw a little boy throwing stones at a helpless puppy and laughing at his pain, I couldn't stop myself from getting down from the rickshaw. I wanted to stop him from hitting the puppy and was even ready to deliver a speech about the cruelty of his actions when I saw a woman come out of a small room of the roadside slum that the child lived in. She took one look at the injured dog, picked it up and started to nurse its wounds. The small kid, who was probably around four years old, slowly inched towards the woman, who paid him no attention. After around five minutes of being ignored, I could see the boy's eyes well up. The woman, I realised, was his mother. When he asked her why she wasn't speaking to him, the mother replied that she disliked talking to cruel and insensitive people who hurt small animals. At this the boy burst into a wail and started to apologise to his mother, telling her that he'd never repeat his mistake. After a while, she softened and took him in her arms, explaining why he should never use violence against beings that are weaker than him. I was moved by this scene where an impoverished mother was imparting lessons of humanity and kindness to her son. If every household had a parent like her, the world would  truly be a better place to live in.
Samira Hossain
On Email

Photo: Prabir Das