Vanishing canal

A detailed and informative write-up in the 28th September issue of the FE reflects the tragic facts behind the gradually disappearing 'gupta Khal'. In Bengali, the meaning of 'gupta khal' is 'hidden or secret canal'. It is now being gradually transformed into 'gayeb khal'. 'Gayeb' in Urdu  means disappeared or hidden. Combining Urdu and Bangla words, the name becomes 'hidden canal' or 'disappearing canal', which it has really become.
The result is that the whole urban area around 'gupta khal' during heavy showers becomes a vast shallow lake of dirty and muddy water. Illegal land grabbing of the canal's banks on either side and regular dumping of all urban refuse has turned the once flowing canal into a dirty drain and water logging is the result after every shower.
As reported by the writer, even during the very heavy storm with rains following the cyclone in 1991; the collected water drained off the 'Gupta Khal' after several hours. This is the result of regular thoughtless deeds of all those who dumped all their refuse over the years and the wilful and 'gentleman' criminal practice of progressive filling and grabbing the canal banks. These are those who get the more they want. Their thirst for land is endless, forgetting our ultimate destiny 'that in the dust be equal made' the final goal of all believers.

Honest Simpleton
Dhaka