Government and non-government offices, including banks, financial institutions and courts, resumed their activities with limited presence of staff on Monday after a five-day vacation of Eid-ul-Fitr and Bangla New Year.
However, a festive mood was still prevailing in the capital as a big portion of holidaymakers were yet to come back.
The officials and employees returning to work were seen busy exchanging Eid greetings in a festive mood.
Besides, many thronged to entertainment spots with their loved ones, leaving most parts of the city with a deserted look.
It was expected that such a holiday mood would continue to prevail for the rest of the weekdays since many were yet to return from their holiday trip from different destinations.
The FE correspondents' visits to different areas, including Gabtoli, Shyamoli, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Paltan, Shantinagar, Rampura and Gulistan areas in Dhaka, revealed that there were a limited number of transports and people comparing to usual working days.
Many shops were found shut, whereas those were open were almost devoid of buyers.
Fazlul Haque Mridha, a private jobholder, said he reached his destination within 15-20 minutes on Monday as traffic jam has yet not started in the capital.
Whereas, he added, he usually needs at least 50 minutes to 1 hour to reach the Jatiya Press Club area from Rayerbagh in the morning due to traffic jam during normal working days.
Ashraful Islam, head of the National Sales, Midland Bank Ltd, told the FE that while officers and employees returned to offices after the Eid, customer footfall remained sparse.
Amidst the quiet, they engaged in skill-sharing and exchanged pleasantries with the few customers who did visit, he said.
Sources said a big portion of the mid-level officials of the Secretariat were still on leave although offices resumed on Monday.
Bangladesh Supreme Court operated only one High Court division bench and Chamber Court at the Appellate Division.
Sources said this situation would continue for a few couple of days. The offices and courts will get back their old looks within the next few days.
However, some people were seen rushing to their respective offices to dispose of their urgent pending work on the opening day.
Meanwhile, many holidaymakers were seen enjoying their pastime in different entertainment spots, including theme parks, movie theatres, open spaces and resorts around the capital city.
A huge crowd was seen in the Ramna Park area in the evening.
A holidaymaker, Jasmine Jahan, came to the park, comprising lush green and walkways across a lake, along with her families.
She said her daughter's school was yet to resume creating scope for an extended holiday.
"We're now making the best use of our time enjoying some time with the nature," she said.
However, sultry weather was a challenge for daytime outing, she added.
Hailing the congestion-free look of Dhaka city, she said she will continue to visit different entertainment spots to capitalise the hassle-free movement for several more days.
Sources said many government and private employees, who have travelled home for the Eid, took additional leave, delaying their return to full official activities.
According to them, most of the educational institutions in the capital will open on next Sunday and garment factories on Saturday.
The capital is expected to get its usual look after the resumption of all official activities.
Meanwhile report from Chattogram adds, the streets of the port city of Chattogram have a deserted look as most city-dwellers who left for their village homes to observe Eid ul Fitr have yet to return to the city.
Many people left for their village homes before Eid, resulting in very low foot traffic in the city streets. Only a few vehicles can be seen moving around the city today.
Government, semi-government, and private offices, including banks and financial institutions, reopened today, but there was a low presence of employees.
Officials and staff were seen exchanging Eid greetings with colleagues by embracing each other.
Despite the closure of all government institutions, banks, and other financial institutions, only Chittagong Port, the prime seaport of the country, has continued its operations under special management during the Eid holidays.
Omar Faruk, Secretary of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), said, "Chittagong seaport remained open during the Eid holidays. Operational activities at the Chittagong seaport were only closed from 8 am to 4 pm on Eid day.
On other days, the port remained operational under special management. After the end of the government holidays, Chittagong Port is fully operational."
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