Two school girls chatting as they head home in the rain yesterday at the capital’s Farmgate. There were intermittent rain and drizzle since midday and the weather forecast for today is similar. Photo:
Palash Khan
The Bangladesh Awami League decorates the roundabout on the eastern end of Manik Mia Avenue with photos of the party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday, marking her 73rd birth anniversary. Hasina is now in New York to attend the 74th session of the UN General Assembly. Photo: Palash Khan
As part of celebrating Mahalaya, the auspicious occasion heralding the advent of goddess Durga, a special event was held in front of Radha Gobinda Nibash temple in Barishal city yesterday. On the occasion, artists also enacted the incident of Durga slaying Asur (demon). This year’s Durga Puja will be held on October 4-8. Photo: Titu Das
Your left eye reflects the light of the gleaming moon;
The right, mirrors the glare of the blazing sun.
There is another,
that no one sees,
except for those who are awestruck by your beauty.
The third,
they say —
Sets the world on fire.
I am an admirer of the beautiful third-eye.
That perhaps,
dons your forehead as the flaming red-dot.
I saw you with my own eyes,
Mahishasuramardini.
I heard how fierce you were,
Devi.
Riding a lion,
killing the buffalo demon
with your own hands.
Your sword,
pierced the heart of the wicked.
But, it was only as if you tickled a leaf and bud,
till the merciless demon breathed his last.
I am astonished by your strength,
Durgatinashini.
Incarnation of Parvati;
You are the mother goddess of willpower and strength.
Ruffles of autumn leaves,
the lazy breeze,
chirping robins —
All bow to your beauty.
As you stand tall, my goddess.
Grownups dancing,
finery in abundance,
mouth-watering dishes,
fall short in front of your brilliance.
Deity of wisdom, power, and strength.
Burning essence,
decorative pandals,
steady beats of the ‘dhol’.
All in the name of your favour.
Protective mother of all.
Woman, your name is mystery.
You are the source of being,
adaptable and ever-changing.
You are poised, warm, and composed.
Yet, you hold all the ability,
to brew up a storm.
Woman, you are fearless.
You can fight demons without help.
You can conquer lands —
if need be.
And yet, in your heart,
you hold all the affection,
to calm a nation.
Woman you are complete,
A true gift of Mother Nature.
Draped in a sari,
tresses blowing in the wind,
I remind you of the magical queen.
My throbbing veins
and walk of pride,
lay the naysayers all to shame.
With a firm command,
and kohl for my raven eyes,
they are only left speechless.
The grace, the enchantment,
shows everyone,
that I can dare.
“Who am I” – you ask?
I am nothing and no one,
but the magical,
mysterious,
and the divine.
People wait for a train to go past, standing on rail lines at the level crossing near Airport Railway Station in the capital yesterday. They ignored the closed gate, the ringing bells and the flashing red lights to put themselves in harm’s way. Photo: Anisur Rahman
With iron rods poking out of concrete bases, this unfinished structure stands next to the historic Amtala site, where the Language Movement heroes defied Section 144 to demand Bangla as state language in 1952. Many of them embraced martyrdom in police firing. Work on this structure, near the emergency gate of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, started around a decade ago with an aim to construct a memorial in their honour. Now, not only does it remain forgotten, but is also surrounded by shrubs and garbage. The photo was taken yesterday. Photo: Rashed Shumon
Vehicles are forced to move at a snail’s pace on this part of a road in Sylhet city’s Zindabazar area since a wooden cable reel and other construction materials have taken up almost half of its width. The authorities concerned have been working on Zindabazar-Chowhatta road for a long time to expand it and improve utilities. But due to the disorderly work, vehicles and pedestrians continue to bear the brunt. The photo was taken yesterday. Photo: Sheikh Nasir
As an elderly man carries jute on his head in Aicha village of Barishal Sadar upazila, his grandson tries to help however he can, carrying his grandfather’s walking stick. Photo: titu Das
Roads and alleys getting waterlogged even after a brief spell of rain has become a common sight in the capital. Residents of many areas, like Tejturi Bazar where this photo was taken from yesterday, have to suffer as a result. Photo: Anisur Rahman
