CHANDPUR, Apr 15: During the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, vacationers from far and near gathered largely at the parks and recreation spots in Chandpur Sadar and Shahrasti upazilas in quest of merriment.
In Chandpur town, braving hot, humid and sultry weather, travel-lovers, especially youths and children, in their thousands thronged Bangabandhu Park and the newly-emerged sandy shore widely known as Mini Cox's Bazar, about three kilometres west off Molehead on the Meghna River.
Consequently, there was created serious traffic jam in Boro Station area on the way to Molehead and Bangabandhu Park. It was observed children were enjoying various types of rides to their full satisfaction.
People can move freely here and there under the tall trees and can enjoy river cruise by engine- run country boats in the confluence of the three rivers -Meghna,Padma and Dakatia on the bank of which the Molehead and Bangabandhu Park are located.
According to Habibul Ahsan, who collects money all day long for the development of the adjacent mosque, sitting just beside the main gate of Bangabandhu Park and Molehead, every day since after Eid, on an average, about 10,000 to 15,000 men, women and children visit these attractive spots.
Sitting on the concrete benches, the visitors, courting couples, boyfriends and girlfriends enjoy movement of launches and ships along the turbulent river besides having fresh air.
They can also go across the Meghna River to Mini Cox's Bazar-about three kms west from the town by trawlers.
Each person has to pay Tk100 for a trip. The trawlers can reach this Mini Cox's Bazar in just 15 to 20 minutes.
According to trawler driver Mohammad Ali, he can carry 60 people per trip. Each trawler has life bouyas and life-jackets for emergency.
Talking to the FE, a woman named Moriom Begum, 34, a housewife of Hatila village under Hajiganj upazila, said, she has come to Mini Cox's Bazar for the first time. With much pleasure, she took bath on the river bank here.
Rakib, a teenage boy, told the FE he along with his five friends has come to Chandpur from Shahrasti upazila.
They spent the whole day amid joys and ecstasies, enjoying boat ride, travelling in BB Park, Molehead and visiting in Mini Cox's Bazar and playing football with playmates on the sandy beach there.
Hafez Rubel Hossain, a madrasa teacher in Modinatul Monawwara Hefjo Madrasa at Bordia in Matlab Dakshin upazila, has also come to Mini Cox's Bazar and Molehead areas together with his five small students for merrymaking during the Eid vacation.
Resident of Dasadi village in Chandpur Sadar, Ismail Hossain Khan, 45, a trader, has also come along with his wife and daughters to Mini Cox's bazar , Bangabandhu Park and Molehead.
Amid much joys and pleasures they spent half day till before dusk.
The so-called Mini Cox's Bazar is a newly emerged shoal (char land) on the Meghna riverbed, about half a kilometer in length. It is a sandy beach.
Since the Eid day, approximately 15,000 people have converged on Mini Cox's Bazar every day.
In Shahrasti upazila, hundreds of men women and children are also visiting the newly-built walkway beside the Dakatia River in Suchipara area to get refreshment and mirth.
Local lawmaker Major (Retd) Rafiqul Islam has built the walkway to cater to the needs of the morning walkers and holidaymakers. About six months ago, the walkway was inaugurated amid much enthusiasm.
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