One common sight in most shopping centres of the city these days is a man in decorous uniform awaiting the shoppers at the very en trance to the mall This man attired in a very ceremonious outfit fit for defence personnel has become almost like a permanent and Indispensable part of any shopping complex worth its glamour. Yet these security guards were unheard of only a couple of years back. People of yqre went to shop in such establishments like they do now. they also needed to park their

cars before disembarking for the long and tiresome shopping experience then as they do today. However something has changed somewhere and given birth to a neyy profession in town.

Dressed in a kha ki outfit the parking attendant is an important looking person of mediun.1 height and wanting built is ever ready with his baton upheld like that of a conductor and ‘ his whittle forever pressed between his Ups. At the slightest sign of a car he jumps Io al ten Lion and immediately starts clearing a space for the ap proaching car in the rush hour traffic — an otherwise impossible task for any

mortal in any street of Dhaka where rules are as fickle as pie crusts and are meant to be broken. In most cases removing any obstacles in the way is a frustratingly tedious process since nobody is prepared, to listen or wait In’ this busy metropolis. There it's easy to understand the inhuman mental effort that he has to endure all day and every day. His physical exhaustion at the end of the day may not equal that of. say. the day labourer but his work is not devoid of all physical hardships since standing

around all day Is not exactly an easy Job.

Previously only a handful of the big complexes had the need lor a parking attendant/Now they are employed by the shopowners regardless of the size of the shopping area Itself. What has changed so drastically In the past couple of years to make them so indispensable? Our growing sense of insecurity or the . need for the spectacular in the minds of all concerned? Maybe, now th,y ifre more of a statement of pomp and pelf than anything else. Whatever the

reason one shopper says that they are probably the best thing since the invention of the wheel. She adds that without their assistance It would be quite impossible to squeeze a car into a parking area and get back onto the street afterwards. Another explains their increased" need today because of the amazing rise in the number of reckless rickshaws on the streets and also the pressure of the city traffic. Some others suggest that these people look out for i heir cars and hence they can shop without extra worry. All these reasons are I rue and certainly everyone can appreciate the good fortune on the parts of

the men themselves since they were the lucky ones to bag the Jobs in this city of broken dreams and empty promises. When thousands around you are walking the streets, you cannot be choosy so far as employment is concerned. With or without the logic behind the creation of this new Job. shopping in town certainly won't be the same without the helpful hand of the parking attendant with, his shrieking whistle and flying arms.