Dhaka still in festive mood

Even though Eid vacation is over, the festivity has not lost its charm yet in the capital.

Those who did not leave the city still got to enjoy a Dhaka free from traffic jams, noise and crowd yesterday.

This year, along with the three-day Eid holidays, most of the holidaymakers got additional two days off -- Friday and Saturday.

As a result, the capital remained relatively crowd and traffic-free. And Dhaka residents utilised the opportunity to the fullest by flocking to the available recreational spots, shopping malls, restaurants or just drove around the city with their near and dear ones.

Many also thronged movie theatres with their family members.

“My office resumes tomorrow [today]. So, we decided to watch a movie today [yesterday],” said Ferdousi Annie, a private job holder. She went to Jamuna Future Park with her husband Md Parvez, a businessman, in the afternoon.

“I wish there were more holidays like Eid,” said Annie smilingly.

Md Kamruzzaman, a ticket seller at the mall's multiplex, said, “The number of people started increasing from the third day of Eid.”

For many, yesterday was the perfect day to hang out with family and friends as they were busy with Eid activities for the last few days. In the evening, a large number of people were at Hatirjheel, enjoying its serenity. Many were seen boarding buses to travel the entire area while some took a ride on the water taxi.

Seven-year-old Kiran was elated as she took a ride on a water taxi with her parents.

“She does not want to go home,” said her father Mohammed Khalil. The Keraniganj resident said his office will start tomorrow [today] and that was why he visited the city with his wife and daughter yesterday.

Meanwhile, many residents just strolled around the city without being worried about traffic or crowd -- an otherwise rare phenomenon. Many also enjoyed rickshaw rides on almost empty roads.

Iqbal Hossain, a Mirpur resident, took his twin daughters -- Isha and Tisha -- to Dhaka University. “I wish Dhaka were always like this,” said the businessman. “This crowd and traffic-free Dhaka experience is one of a kind.”

“We too wish the same,” the twins chimed in cheerily.