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Once Upon a Time in Dhaka
The article titled 'Once upon a time in Dacca' (published on January 22, 2016) was an exquisite piece depicting the custom of arranged marriage of Muslims in the old Dhaka. While reading the article, I felt like I went back to my young age at the village where I enjoyed such marriage ceremony several times. The writer craftily depicted the whole marriage procedures and customs. These customs are still being followed in the rural areas of Bangladesh and in some areas of old Dhaka city. In fact, wedding in our country takes several days and is quite elaborate. It takes typically three days from engagement to post wedding rituals. Thanks to the writer as well as editor of the Star Weekend for providing us with such a good article which reflected the heritage of our marriage systems and culture in such a charming way.
Md Sayedur Rahman
Banani, Dhaka

Our Backs are up against the Wall
 The well documented write- up on the above title that appeared in the Star Weekend on January 29, 2016 of the spotlight page was full of sad realities that told us about our police's sporadic crimes and activities that bear discouraging messages for our progenies; who in turn would take up the steering of this impoverished country. What lessons and messages the predecessors are leaving behind for would be successors? A nation just cannot run like that on individuals' whims.
I believe it is just a few of the dreadful incidents of police crimes that happened to get published in the media. While there might be many more of such crimes and dreadful incidents being carried out by the police that don't see the light of media or remain suppressed. Thanks to the Star Weekend Team for revealing these incidents.
Mashudul Haque
Central Road, Dhaka

The Never-ending Ordeal
Mogbazar-malibagh flyover construction work has been running at snail's pace resulting mountains of woes for city commuters. The earlier deadlines have elapsed but no progress has so far been observed. However, in the meantime cost and time of the projects has been increased several times without any considerable progress. Massive piles of constructions materials and this half built gigantic structure in the middle of the road cause incessant traffic jam in the adjacent areas. The most sufferers are the office bound people and students who have to spend a large part of the day sitting idly in the gridlock. There may be some real grounds for the construction delay but why it happened and after so many irregularities why our government further extended the project is not quite clear. Government should explain and clarify these things to people. It is our appeal to the concerned authority to take initiative to speed up the flyover construction and give us relief from excruciating traffic gridlock.
Md Zonaed Emran
Banasree, Dhaka

Photo: Prabir Das