Phaka Dhaka: When Dhaka people go mad finding their city empty

As the sun timidly rises on the morning of Eid in Dhaka, the city undergoes a metamorphosis that would leave even the most seasoned magician in awe. The chaotic traffic and blaring horns, the essence of Dhaka, vanish as if by magic, replaced by an eerie silence that is both bewildering and serene. 

For the natives of Dhaka, who are accustomed to dodging rickshaws and weaving through crowds like seasoned acrobats, this sudden emptiness is nothing short of a miracle. You will know it's Eid when the Rickshaw puller mama charged 100 tk for a ride that used to be 50 tk on usual days. But for Eid, it's 100, but you might get lucky to pay him even more; thanks for going out with your girlfriend.

The streets of Dhaka have a peculiar look. Teenagers wearing Punjabis with long golden-coloured hair are caught taking pictures, standing slightly profiled, with a hand in their pocket, and not looking at the cameras with their friends. Yes, from Virat Kohli to college-going boys pose in that way. 
When the streets are filled with Punjabi-worn men, the highways become a playground for bikers. The high-speed bikers will keep increasing speed, performing unnecessary stunts until someone shouts from behind, 'That's why they die.'

With relief and disbelief, they step out onto the deserted sidewalks, marvelling at the absence of chaos and confusion. In this regard, sophomore student Zubair Naim commented: "I understand Dhaka-people don't find North End in other cities, but why should that be a problem?" When asked whether he is a native of Dhaka, he hastily replied: "We bought a flat at Uttara last year, of course, we're natives."

However, it's a rare moment of tranquillity in a city known for its cacophony of noise and chaos—a fleeting glimpse of what life could be like if only Dhaka could catch a break from its frantic pace. Amidst the joyous celebrations over Dhaka's sudden tranquillity, one can't help but be struck by the city's penchant for irony. While the streets revel in their newfound peace, it's almost laughable how the residents conveniently ignore the city's problems. The living conditions resemble a poorly scripted sitcom, with unsafe and dirty infrastructure that could pass for a B-grade disaster movie set.

It's a privilege for the local Dhaka people to be the sole recipients of pollution in this city of hope and peace. Dhaka: the capital of irony, where the air is heavy with sarcasm and the streets are paved with misplaced hope. It's like watching a tragicomedy unfold in slow motion, with each passing moment adding another layer of absurdity to the plot.

In Dhaka, however, the elite class has their unique way of marking Eid, which involves a humble display of wealth. Gone are the days of extravagant Bengali delicacies like Polao, Chicken Roast, and Korma- now, it's all about indulging in budget-friendly continental cuisine served in cheap settings. The rich posh kids of Dhaka, with their designer outfits and legally imported cars, flock to upscale restaurants like Ruen Busaba in Gulshan, where they can be seen sipping on perfectly priced mocktails and nibbling on artisanal 'hors d'oeuvres' (we know you skipped the name), oblivious to the absurdity of their indulgence.

While it's a joy for the city dwellers of Dhaka, the less fortunate are left to grapple with their circumstances as their wealthier friends depart for their hometowns. Their Eid is not as joyous as the other 1% of the population, and their celebrations are marred by the stark contrast in their living conditions.

It's a spectacle that would make even the most seasoned comedian do a double take- a caricature of the gaping class divide plagues Dhaka's society. Spotting us in the capital's Times Square vicinity, social science freshman Saqi Hamid Tamim commented without being asked: "While the elite indulge in their gastronomic extravagance, the majority of Dhaka's residents struggle to make ends meet. The broiler chicken touched 250, so why not buy BBQ chicken breast pieces at 150? Of course, it is the best deal."

As Eid Day unfolds in Dhaka, the city transforms into a sidesplitting circus of contradictions- a place where emptiness and excess collide in a whirlwind of hilarity and hijinks. But amidst the laughter and the ludicrousness, one cannot help but wonder about the underlying truths that lurk beneath Dhaka's facade of prosperity. Until then, the city will continue to dance to the tune of its absurdity, leaving its inhabitants laughing all the way to the bank.

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