Sunday, December 30, 2012

Democracy - Bangladesh Style

Democracy - Bangladesh Style The over-overdue council of one of the two large parties passed away. The president of the party was enthroned for the 7th time in the absence of any contestant. How could one dare to? Had there been any to venture for that, there was a certainty that he/she would've been expelled from the party. Dissent in the party has never been viewed positively as many of the veteran's fate showed. Besides, presidents, secretaries etc of the district, thana and union levels, as we've learned, will also be selected by the supremo of the party.This is how 'democracy' is being cultured here in Bangladesh. Of course, this party is not the only one. Another big party's history is also the same. No dissension is allowed. Was Hitler or Mussolini or Stalin more dictator? Who knows. But the dictatorship that is being practiced here in the name of democracy has almost strangulated us common people who have 'democracy' for only one day, and that's on the day of election. Thank God!

Friday, December 28, 2012

Alas Our Golden Bangla!

Alas,our Sonar Bangla (golden Bengal)!! This country is heading towards a very bleak but chaotic future for the two Amazons that are dictating things here. It seems there's no masculine figure who could hold the rein of these two warring ladies. Devoid of any vision for future and the future generation, they are playing with the destiny of the nation which could, had there been a leader such as Dr. Mahathir or Mr. Lee, make galloping development because there are immense potentialities here. Compared with Singapore, in spite of having a hundred times more tourist spots in the Chittagong Division alone, Bangladesh has, with her failed leaders, failed to build up a tourism network that could be a most vital foreign exchange earning sector. But rampant corruption i every sector has been eating into the core of life of the nation and despite numerous promises by both of them no sign of improvement is in sight. The nation including its mentors and well-wishers are foreseeing a dismal picture of the future should these two warring ladies persist in their mindless sojourn. And we people have become hostages and just dumb watchers. Alas!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

My Recent Most Memorable Moments

When we learnt my two sons were coming home almost at the same time - one on the 11th and the other on the 12th December last - we were overjoyed. We were more than overjoyed in the expectation of our little grandson Reehan's coming. When on the scheduled date they arrived our joy went on multiplying. We were ecstatic when we saw our 'heart' Reehan thru' the glass fencing at the airport. Our joys knew no bounds when I took Reehan in my lap. That was perhaps the happiest moment I had ever experienced.
My youngest son Arshad and our daughter-in-law Pamela left for Canada on the 1st January,'12 last leaving his sad parents behind. We had nothing to do to keep them back. But the saddest moment came when we had to bid farewell to my second son Sajjad and his wife along with our heart of hearts, our dearest grandson, Reehan. He was only eighteenth months' old and learnt to utter 'dada, dadu, baba, nanu' etc when the moment of his departure arrived. We all lost control over ourselves. We felt our hearts squeezed and torn away from us. I never felt so helpless and bereaved that words cannot describe. At the airport he came in his mother's lap to see us off on the other side of the glass fence. I put my palm on the glass and he too put his just on the opposite. He smiled all the while and I felt my heart being torn away. Oh, what a sad and tragic moment it was. After custms & immigration formalities he again came in his mother's lap and we had a chance to take him in our lap. He fondled me keeping his cheek against mine. How sweet and cute he was! Then leaving us in a flood of tears he left with his parents. But again he descended from his mother's lap and came a few steps towards us, gave us a smile and reluctantly taken up by his dad, proceeded towards the passengers lounge. Ah, what a heavenly pleasure did he plunge us in with his arrival and what an ocean of sadness he left us in! Pray, may Allah Almighty protect him and bestow on him all the virtues and wisdom so that he may grow up to be our pride and honour.
However, seeing them off at the airport we came back home. But all the while his call 'dadu, dadu' resonated in my ears and everywhere his tiny hands touching, slapping and moving, as if, started appearing before my eyes. His cuddly face and gaits inebriated me so much that words cannot describe. I felt as if I had lost every bit of joy of life. His departure tore my heart to pieces and as very unusual of me, I found my eyes in tears so frequently that even his grandma' - my wife - began to console me. I don't know why I felt so deeply for him. Is it because I was with him just after his birth in the Stoufeville Hospital, Markham where he was born and brought him home? Thereafter, we spent almost half a year with him. After he was a bit handy, I used to stroll across the drawing room taking him in my lap, fondled and played with him. Sometimes he smiled and chuckled making us even happier and contented. The attachment was so deep that we felt so sad to get back to Bangladesh leaving him behind. But this time the bereavement seemed much more painful and I don't know how long it will take to recompose myself. But I have to accept the reality after all. And this is the way of life. Nothing is permanent and neither are we. Some day I also shall disappear from the face of the earth; but all my blessings and best wishes will always be with him and my children. May Allah Almighty grant them a happy, contented and successful life. Amin.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Our visit of downtown Toronto and Reehan - my grandson

Yesterday we had a long program. We went to downtown Toronto to enjoy the central view of the city. We had a plan to go along with our two sons, Sajjad and Arshad, their wives, Sophya and Pamela, and our grandson Reehan. Actually it was a long drive from Markham to dowtown Toronto. However, Arshad and Pamela went ahead of us to join us at the City Hall. But unfortunately they could not catch up with us or we could not catch up with them. It was noon and we had a meal of sandwitches and coffee in Tim Horton. However, afterwards we walked along the Queen St on both sides of which there were Prince Margarett Cancer Hospital, Cardiac Hospital, Sick-Child hospital etc. At the far end of the street was Queen's Park and then the Ontario Parliament House. Since Arshad and Pamela were still not coming, we entered the Parliament House. It was really grand and spledid. Established in 1867 it stands as the silent witness of so many historical events of Ontario. The contributors to the building up of this charming and historical city stood stalwart in the frames hung on the wonderful, ponderous walls of the building. The marble columns and heavy stone and wood curvings of the the Parliament House, the Speaker's Chamber and his seat in the Parliament - etc all were so magnificently embelished and arranged that everything was just awe inspiring. It reminded us every moment what the English were worthy not only as conquerors but also as builders and makers of history.
Then while we began our return journey, my son Sajjad (Twinkle) took us around the Lake Ontario, winding thru' a thick crowd of both people and vehicles. Though we did not alight from our car - hoping to visit the place on another convenient occasion, we enjoyed a bird's eye view of the beauty of the place. It was really a very nice experience indeed. Thanks to my son. However, my grandson - only 15 days' old - accompanied us all the time with utmost patience and courage. We didn't have any difficulty handling him. Neither did he interrupt us to do or go about anything. He was so enduring. After all you must consider whose grandson he is! All our best wishes for Reehan. May Allah grant him a long, happy and successful life that he may bring immense and heavenly peace to his parents and his grandparents.
After we had reached home, Twinkle went out to bring Arshad (Tito) and Pamela (Niktee) from Mt. Joy station. They had a surprise for me. They gifted me a phone set. It was really a great joy for me that they cared for me so much but I was a bit reluctant to make them spend for me anyway. But I also pray to Allah Almighty that they enjoy His blessings all thru' their life. I'm so happy and so immeasurably grateful to Him for everything. After all the day was really very entertaining and we enjoyed much.