Chunk of scrap metal hauling people!

The caption above appropriately describes the self explanatory front page photograph, published by a local English daily on 27th October! The photograph showed a wheeled chunk of scrap metal without any distinct and visible number plate in front, which is mandatory by law and is a clear example of violation of Motor Vehicle Act on a number of counts! But this chunk of scrap metal on wheels, however, is a good source of income for both its owner, as well as concerned vehicle inspector of the registration authorities! It makes both the parties happy and contented, which is the main aim of this thriving game!

If this is the state of affairs on the streets of our metropolis, then it could well be a major flourishing activity in many of our district headquarters and other towns in Bangladesh too! If not so, then this photograph can possibly inspire prospective opportunists to make bundles of cash, flowing in from such illegal and irregular activities! Luckily for us, these people do not go through English language dailies. For those, who carry on with this illegal deal, they merrily "make hay while the sun shines"! Both the culprits, the performer of this crime  as well as the inspector who is supposed not to allow it to happen, merrily thrive on; as "what is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander" too! The 'sauce' in this case, is the openly plying of chunks of scrap metal for the safe (!) transportation of passengers on urban crowded city streets! This is a classical case of regular profit making from condemned scrap metal ploughing back regular handsome return on investment!

Engr. S.A.Mansoor

Dhaka.

 sam@dhakacom.com