Mahmudul Sumon
A rare observance of some security protocols by a construction company in Dhaka. As this is not a common case, my advice for the newcomers in the city still would be to walk the roads of the city while looking upward cause you never know what’s on offer from the sky: a hanging electric wire, someone’s spit (which you may not be able to handle even with your postmodern spirit!) or worse a flying brick (which in recent past killed people in Dhaka without any redress).
Also, newcomers in Dhaka must look both ways before crossing the city roads in Dhaka (and all other big cities of Bangladesh, I suppose). Why? Because you never know who/ what is coming from the “wrong” side: it could be a rickshaw, a police car, or even a VIP charade. There is no wrong side to the streets in Dhaka. If there is anything wrong it is you and your existence.
I think the traffic department can seriously consider this advice and circulate it for the city dwellers’s benefit. Especially, for the newcomers. There is no dearth of advertisement boards in Dhaka these days. So circulating this info must not be a difficulty.
Dhaka streets are full of tissues and “heshoes”. For those who wish to do ethnographic work using all their senses, Dhaka is not the best place to be. But for those who have no other alternative but to come, wearing a mask can work!
Random discussions with strangers are not advised! People are so apprehensive these days! Example: I asked a random guy if the road we used was newly built and widened. This was just a casual question while returning from my evening walk. The man said, “Yes”. Then I asked how long ago this was done. Answer: just a month ago.
My final question, feeling a bit confident now: How it was possible? The road looked very narrow in the past. Was it occupied by anyone? The man who seemed just chilling out in front of the house replied: I don’t know. The interview was shortened because the guy couldn’t trust me. Hence, the pains and perils of “field-walk” in the streets of Dhaka!
