বসন্তের জন্য অপেক্ষা

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  প্রিয় ঋতু কি কেউ জিজ্ঞেস করলে বিভ্রান্ত হয়ে পড়বো। কোনটা প্রিয় ঋতু? সবগুলোই যে প্রিয়! আমার বর্তমান ঠিকানা যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের দ্বিতীয় ক্ষুদ্রতম অঙ্গরাজ্য ডেলওয়্যার।এই ডেলওয়্যারে প্রতিটা মৌসুম ভিন্নতা নিয়ে আসে। যেহেতু এখানে প্রতিটা ঋতুর একটা   স্বতন্ত্র অস্তিত্ব  আছে তাই তাদের প্রতি আমার পৃথক পৃথক ভালোবাসা জন্মে গেছে। প্রতিটা ঋতুই নিয়ে আসে অনন্য আমেজ, প্রকৃতি সাজে অনুপম সাজে। সেই সাজ  যেন অন্য ঋতুগুলোর চেয়ে একেবারে ভিন্ন। এই যেমন এখন গুটিগুটি পায়ে এসেছে ঋতুরানী বসন্ত: আকাশে-বাতাসে ঝঙ্কৃত হচ্ছে তার আগমনী সুর, আমি সেই সুর শুনতে পাই।  সবগুলো ঋতু প্রিয় হলেও নিজেকে শীতকালের বড় ভক্ত বলে দাবী করতে পারিনা। গ্রীষ্মপ্রধান দেশে যার জন্ম এবং বেড়ে ওঠা, তার পক্ষে ঠান্ডা আবহাওয়াতে মানিয়ে নেওয়া কার্যত কষ্টকর, বিশেষত সেই শীতকাল যদি চার-পাঁচ মাস স্থায়ী হয়। তাই শীতকাল বিদায় নিয়ে যখন বসন্তকাল আবির্ভূত হয় তখন এক একদিন জানলা দিয়ে বাইরে তাকিয়ে ভাবি, "এত্ত সুন্দর একটা দিন দেখার সৌভাগ্য হলো আমার!" শোবার ঘরের জানলা দিয়ে প্রভাতের বাসন্তী রঙের রোদ এসে ভাসিয়ে দেয় কাঠে...

Garbage Gagging The City



Couldn't Garbage Galore just be the other name for Dhaka? This is a capital where rubbish piles up in every nook of major streets, lanes, front-yard of houses, schools, universities, parks, commercial buildings, industrial constructions, shopping malls, vegetable bazaars…where not? Today, we happily walk over the shell of an egg, or slip on a banana peel and we couldn't care less, so used are we to this lifestyle. This is not how modern hygiene-conscious people should live though, and a little effort on our part can surely change this scenario.

Many of us dump the whole burden of waste management to the Head of the State. However, the garbage problem is our problem, more than theirs. We ought to keep in mind that our country's leaders have too many times in the past failed to realise their citizens' dreams, so it all comes down to the fact that it's eventually you and your family who remain victims of this poor trash handling.

Take a look at your litter can. Is it a very grimy litter can with the handgrip almost broken, or maybe even a hollow on the body, and a putrid liquid oozing from the bottom of the container? Many of us don't even know that we must wash our garbage can everyday. The pungent smell that rises from the litter can mixes with the air inside your house, converting the entire abode into a scene from toxic hell. Your child is most likely to become a victim of this germ-infested environment. Our garbage can is often kept in our kitchen, and when you cook in this filthy air, your food is adulterated. So try and keep your garbage covered.

There are trash containers found in different shapes and sizes, they look nice and they are a quite affordable. With about Tk. 150 or even less, you can purchase a quality trash bucket or container for your home; they come in different colours and some even have a lid for convenience. Check out New Market or the supermarkets to choose a style meeting your needs.

In fact there are various kinds of garbage cans available in the market, some are good for domestic purpose, while others are suitable for shop and office settings. With a new litter can, start your mission of domestic waste management.

Most areas have large litter holders provided by the City Corporation to off-load the daily dump. Teach your housemaid to make proper use of these holders. These containers might be a few yards away from your house, but so what? Teach her to walk that extra distance; everyone around you will be benefited. It just takes one person to start a norm.

City Corporation vans collect garbage dump from different houses in many localities. If you have this facility existing in your area, then dispose of your daily litter through these people. You can also form a club in your area that would work towards keeping your neighbourhood clean. The sensible senior citizens of every vicinity can form an association and start campaigns that would work towards increasing and creating a sense of cleanliness among people, making them aware of the evil effects of poor trash management.

Today, the malls are equipped with trash cans with Use Me imprinted on them. Use them. If facilities exist then dump the wrappers inside the store. Shopkeepers especially those who are in charge of food stores should keep a garbage can at their store to contribute to waste management. They can further request the shoppers to utilise these containers.

Young people can do magic if they are guided properly. Schools and universities can do a lot to help in proper trash treatment. The volunteers can post banners and festoons in and outside their institution that would encourage people not to litter. Environment clubs can be built at high school and university level to ensure cleanliness of the educational establishments. Every school should place trashcans in each classroom, hall, cafeteria and even at one corner of the playground.

One can even put a garbage can at one's own garage. This would mean that the guests, drivers and gatekeepers could make use of it. Many apartment buildings now provide a garbage can in their ground floor. This is indeed praiseworthy.

Line your litter can with a newspaper or plastic bag. There are City Clean Garbage Bags marketed by Windy House, 3 DN Sen Road, Dhaka; these are available at Agora. You can place one inside the container and then throw out the junk. This would mean that when you empty the container you just tie a knot at the mouth of the bag and throw it in an appropriate place. There is no risk of litter.

Before you purchase an item, think about how many hours you had to work at your job to earn the money to buy the item. Sometimes, when you think about it that way, you're more likely to only purchase it if it's a necessity, or at least try harder to find a bargain. The less you buy unnecessary goods the less you create waste and save money as well.

How many more days would you want to cover your nose with a hankie? Free your hands and nose! Breathe in some fresh air. It's time we did something really worthwhile.

By Wara Karim

Date of publication: April 20, 2004

Web link Click here

Photo: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/stau0156/architecture/garbage%20can.jpg

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