I have been on the move for quite some time now. Looking back, it seems like I've always been travelling Dhaka's overflowing streets. From enjoying vibrant rickshaw rides to hopping onto local buses, from availing CNGs to riding bikes, and even experiencing roller coaster rides to the legunas, and now, taking the metro, my life has been a symphony of movements.
Exploring the various modes of transportation made me realise a stark truth about this city: time waits for no one, and no one waits for time. It is as if the sun rises and sets in the blink of an eye while each individual is consumed by their purpose and destination. Little ones are hurrying off to schools with their backpacks slung over their shoulders. Others, dressed in formal attire are dead set to reach their places before the clock dictates otherwise. The more I observe, the more I realise everyone carries their own narratives and battles within.
In Dhaka's chaotic rhythm, I often feel disconnected despite the bustling energy that surrounds me. Sometimes I wonder: What if time stands still? Would we finally catch our breath and appreciate the little moments we often overlook? Like how the sky looks beautifully transparent after the spring rain, and how the trees adorn themselves with fresh, green leaves?
I think we often overlook how the little things in life hold so much significance. We are too obsessed with a career and academic success to cherish life's simple joys, like enjoying school, university, or community engagement. The joy of sharing a meal with family, the comfort of a cup of tea with your peers, or maybe how the Jhalmuri and Fuchka taste thousands of times better when you are with your cousins. Even the dullest movie becomes ten times funnier, thrilling, and enjoyable with friends around.
The more we grow up, the more it gets harder for us to balance in this fast-paced world where time and tides wait for none. The competitiveness of our society keeps us all extremely busy. So as we negotiate the challenges and yearn for triumphs of life, let's remember to pause, take a breath, and cherish the simple pleasures that make it all worthwhile!
Sanzida Alam Lisa
Research Assistant
The Center for Sustainable Development (CSD)
ULAB
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