STAR DIARY

JUST A THOUGHT!

I had a realisation a couple of days ago while I was on a rickshaw. During the whole ride, the rickshaw puller pulled every trick, used every short cut, broke the law a million times, and worst of all, put my life at risk- just to get to the destination faster. I realised that very few times do the drivers actually care for the passengers. They drive recklessly, they break rules, use the wrong side of the road and do many things that could put all their passengers in grave danger. But they don't seem to care. Their only goal is to get to the destination fast. If drivers took more responsibility of their passengers, a lot of accidents on the roads wouldn't be happening. Just a thought!

Naimur Rahman
Poribagh, Dhaka

Questioning THE NORM

A few days ago I was travelling on a rickshaw and passing by Tejturi bazaar, I came across a number of hijras who were taking money from people on the road. When they approached me, I was a little apprehensive but I didn't show it so obviously. They asked me if I could donate some money, and contrary to what most people say- about them being very hostile and aggressive- I saw that they were actually quite nice and polite. I apologised and said that, unfortunately, I didn't have any money with me. And all they did was say thik ache (that's alright) and left. I was very surprised because they were not at all as terrifying as people make them out to be. I've been questioning people's judgement since that day. 

Samia Jahan
Dhanmondi, Dhaka