Staff Reporter :
Though Wednesday was officially a working day, a holiday hangover still persists among city people on the second day after Eid-ul-Fitr, as attendance in government and private offices was quite thin while activities at markets and commercial centres were also negligible.
For those who joined work, much time was spent on exchanging Eid greetings and sharing experiences of their joys. The government and private offices opened yesterday as the three-day public holiday on the occasion of holy Eid-ul-Fitr ended Tuesday.
Meanwhile, people started returning to the city on Wednesday, although the number was very few. The train stations and bus terminals started becoming a bit lively again with the return of home-goers.
Most of the shopping malls and markets remained closed and traffic movement on the streets was far from the usual.
Since both public and private schools, college and university remained closed on Wednesday, families chose to head for the city’s recreation spots.
In contrast to the eerie calm witnessed at the city’s many commercial areas, crowds, encouraged by pleasant weather, thronged zoo, park, museum and other places.
Amusement sites and locations in the city, including Dhaka Zoo, Shishu Park, Hatirheel and Crescent Lake, were over-crowded.
Such rush persists since Eid day as people from different areas went there for giving their families a good treat.
Because of limited recreation spots in the city, the spots like Ramna Green, Suhrawardy Udyan, TSC of Dhaka University, Fantasy Kingdom, Nandan Park and Water Kingdom became overcrowded.
Thousands of people were found roaming in the Shishu Park with their kids. Almost each ride was fully packed and visitors were waiting to take ride for long.
Jahid Hossain, who came along with his family from Malibagh, said, “There is limited scope of entertainment in the city as the number of recreation spots are very few.”
Though some food outlets and grocery stores remained open, the vast majority of retailers kept their shutters down.
Not much traffic was seen on the main roads of the city, though traffic picked up pace slightly during the evening.
Members of different law enforcement agencies were posted at various intersections, keeping in mind the recent law and order problem the city witnessed.
The bus terminals and railway stations were not busy like usual days, with only a few people were seen coming back to capital while there were only a few outbound passengers.
The big malls and most shops in city markets remained closed while some vendors at different kitchen markets in the city were found awaiting customers with limited items on sales.
There were no vendors and customers at the makeshift shops in the city.
Many businessmen, especially the small traders, and garments workers are still leaving the capital for their village homes as the weekly holiday is around the corner.
The bus terminals, Kamalapur Railway Station and Sadarghat launch terminal are experiencing huge gatherings due to this.
