Star Diary

A KIND INITIATIVE 

The weather in Dhaka city has never been very pleasant as far as I can remember. At the onslaught of global climate change the summers are getting warmer every year. This year the heat is more than overwhelming. I usually take a stroll around my neighborhood in Dhanmondi during the afternoon. One day after walking for a few kilometers, dehydration was setting in. While walking along road no. 2, I saw this barrel of water outside a house. It was drinkable water; even a mug was strapped along with it. It was surely an act of kindness. In this city, while we grow more self-centered with more technology in our comfort zone, someone thought about the people who were simply passing by. It was a notable initiative indeed. As Dhaka dwellers, we rarely pay attention to other people or empathise with them. This makes things harder for all of us, eventually. We should be more kind and thoughtful to each other. Because being kind to others is being kind to yourself.
Farhan Zahin
Dhanmondi
Dhaka

LOOKING FOR THE SPIRIT

The other day, I was in one of the supershops in Gulshan, buying necessities for home – shampoos, soaps, deodorants etc. The place was swarming with people of all ages and sizes – toppling over one another buying fruits, oats and other iftar items. I almost kicked myself for not picking another time during the day to do my shopping. Ramadan seems to have made everyone crazy, always in a rush and worst of all, all the time angry. Growing up in the Middle East, we were taught that Ramadan was a month to ponder upon all our actions, to see the good in people and ignore the bad, to learn to forgive and encourage the good within us to be stronger. Of course, we did enjoy the new clothes, the food and interaction amongst family and friends – but what I see today is scary, not reassuring.
I hope one day the real spirit of Ramadan will be restored, as soon as we realise the actual meaning of course.
Lia Osman Khaled
Dhanmondi
Dhaka