The city-dwellers have been increasingly suffering from want of adequate recreational facilities in the metropolis, poised to become a megaclty in the 21st century. The big question that confronts a citizen after the day's work is how to pass his leisure hours or how to spend his holidays.
The limitations in availability of recreational outlets tend to create feeling of a groovy life among many citizens. In the context of our social ethos, the recreational needs of the majority of the city dwellers are simple in nature. Yet in the frenzy of rapid urbanisation, we seem to be deprived of such simple recreational imperatives.
Leaving aside the city’s parks and open spaces which, more or less, seem to have lost their appeal as recreational outlets because of the increasing presence of anti-social elements at such places, there are other recreational aspects, such as the movies and the theatres. The movie world does not much attract the middle-class viewers to the city cinema houses because of the poor environmental conditions owing to black-marketing of tickets and other attendant evils. Besides, it has lost much of its appeal on account of the use of videos and television with cable-operated programing <
As regm.l't theatres, there is a lot of interest and enthusiasm for them. But the existing show houses are few in number. The Mahil.i Sainiti and the Girl Guides auditoriums are unable to meet tli<- heavy demands made by a large number of theatre groups winch have < ome into existence. The city’s cultural activities, however, find some scope In the auditoriums of the German Cultural Centre. British Council, Public Library.
Engineers' Institution, Shil-pakala Academy, etc. The auditorium within the precincts of the Osmani Udyan is reserved for select functions not open to the public.
The art galleries, museum and public libraries that provide an outlet for Intellectual recreation, exist on a limited scale in the city, but they are not developed enough to exercise notable pull with those having intellectual interests.
In the city's entertainment world, a major place is taken by sports and games. Those who are interested in such things find entertainment in the existing two stadiums. At these places and the playgrounds nearby, games of one kind or another are played frequently.
Nowadays the affluent section of society and people of the upper middle class find entertainment in cultural programmes organised by big hotels and select clubs. Lately a large number of people both of the higher and lower middle classes are seen to spend their free time in the mushrooming fast food joints and gossiping in the absence of suitable opportunities for entertainment.
A new element has been lately added to the world of entertainment in the form of concerts on western pattern. Band music is now the neart throb of many young men and women. There are some band groups which have won the hearts of many. These groups hold their concerts at many places, including the posh areas of the city. Attendance of large num-l>ers of people at such concerts is a pointer to their increasing popularity.
The Dhaka Zoo at Mirpur occupies an important place in providing recreation to a large number of people, mainly comprising children. Some people
like to spend their free time in a manner marked by a typically Bengali phenomenon called "adda" (gossip session). It can take place at venues such as drawing rooms, open terrace of houses, park benches, neighbourhood clubs and even vacant spaces beside busy roads. Some claim that such means of social intercourse exert a strong recreational impact.
Scope also exists for introducing boating on a regular basis in the lake meandering through the Ramna Park. At the Parjatan Corporation restaurant situated on the bank of the lake near Zia International Airport, boating facilities are reportedly available. Boating facility is also available on a rather small scale at certain other places, such as Mirpur Zoo. Botanical Garden and the lake near Sangsad Bhaban. Such facilities can be suitably developed by charging small fees from persons interested in boating as a recreational sport.
The city dwellers seek the excitement and joy of river cruise which Is arranged from time to time by the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. Such river cruise is made lively and entertaining by arrangement of programmes of songs and dances and other variety shows by well-known artistes on board the launch.
The above outline of recreational facilities presently available can hardly be rated as adequate for the teeming millions of the city. In order to create a healthy environment in the life of the citizens of the city, there is need, as we stand on the threshold of the 21 st century. for adopting appropriate planning and modern ideas in shaping up recreation-oriented infrastructure to meet the demands of the fast growing population of the city.