T20 beautification extravaganza and a few questions

The capital city is dazzling with decorative lights, beautified cleaner roads and colourful hoardings -- all for the T20 World Cup Cricket.  The roads, road islands and important intersections have also been decorated. Not only cricket fans, people in general are coming from all corners of the city with their family members to watch the hype and have a fresh look at the city they live in. Enthusiastic people are seen watching the sparkling evening beauty of the city till midnight.  

The beautification extravaganza has not gone past the eyes of the critics, and to some extent, the criticisms deserve attention. It looks there has been a kind of excess in the beautification process, particularly the illumination part, which few people will agree reflect a good taste. It looks the illumination has been done without any planning, and it simply gives the look of a wedding house. The entire concept of art and beauty miserably lacks aesthetic sense and an appropriate theme.      

It is learnt that the government sanctioned Tk 1.15 billion to give the capital a facelift ahead of the T20 World Cup Cricket extravaganza. The money was spent for improvement of road infrastructure and beautification work. Different government agencies as well as private entrepreneurs also gave a hand to the beautification work. Critics further observe that the infrastructure work has been done without any coordination among different implementing agencies. Tile-covered concrete walls erected on road dividers and road islands as part of the beautification has been termed by many a reckless wastage.

The big amount of money spent in the beautification process, could have been better used had a careful planning been made earlier. For example, some permanent structures, say a tower or statues could have been erected bearing the history of Bangladesh.

Despite all criticisms and shortcomings, we have reasons to be proud of being able to host such a global sports event in our country.

Kulsum Ara Murtoja

Mirpur, Dhaka