Dhaka wears desolate look

Dhaka has worn a desolate look, barring a few places where markets and shopping malls are located, as majority of homebound people left the city before Monday morning. The remaining holidaymakers are moving out from Dhaka today to celebrate the Holy Eid-ul-Fitr, likely to be observed in the country on Tuesday, in their village homes. Although 80 per cent of the homebound people have left Dhaka, the remaining 20pc Eid holidaymakers are going to their native homes through all its outlets – aboard buses, trains and launches – to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their families and relations. The outflow began on Wednesday afternoon and continued till early morning Monday. Most of the streets in Dhaka were almost empty on Monday afternoon. The roads were almost free of traffic, barring only a few places where markets, supermarkets and large shopping malls are located. Friday and Saturday were weekly holidays. The only working day before Eid was Sunday. Eid holidays have started from Monday and will last till Wednesday, or if Ramadan lasts 30 days, till Thursday. Most jobholders therefore have taken a leave on Thursday to enjoy a 9-day-long leave. However, garment factories and small traders are leaving the city since Sunday by launch, train and buses to celebrate Eid with their kith and kin, according to a news agency.