#Title

Here is food for thought: does Dhaka deserve so much blame? Just imagine the burden this one city has on its shoulders. Think of the population alone! And yet, Dhaka does not say no to anyone. Dhaka welcomes. Dhaka accommodates. Dhaka endures.
ILLUSTRATION: BIPLOB CHAKROBORTY
Making sense of the
‘impossible city’ that is Dhaka
MH HAIDER
So, you live in Dhaka? Must be so awful with the traffic! You are from Dhaka? It is so costly! Is it even safe? The air pollution, sound pollution, crowd, so much crime...
These are among the common complaints and concerns a lot of people who do not live in Dhaka raise about this city. Not that they are wrong, but they cannot look beyond these issues. “Why would anyone want to live in such a miserable city?” they ponder.
I listen to them with a smug smile, because, you see, if you are from outside the capital, you will never understand the love we have for it. You can never fathom the power this seemingly ugly city has over us.
In other words, you will never be able to make any sense of Dhaka if you have never lived here.
One may say that this city has a bad PR; a terrible reputation. Just turn on the news, and Dhaka is often portrayed as a horrible, impossible place.
Even Dhakaiites rant on Dhaka; but when we are outside for a few days, we get homesick and also get bored soon enough.
Since you do not live here, all you can make of it is traffic congestion, politics, and high-rise buildings. But there is so much more!
Granted, our city has its problems but Dhaka is not without charms: diverse people from all over the country with so many ideas, thoughts, and tastes, and preferences; the old part of the city bearing history; the vibrancy; the pace, even the hustle and bustle.
At first impression, Dhaka has a hardened character -- somewhat rude, at times cruel as well. It is like that cranky fellow nobody likes in their first meetup, but eventually, like an old soul, it grows on you, slowly starts to show generosity, and guides you with its wisdom.
Here is food for thought: does Dhaka deserve so much blame? Just imagine the burden this one city has on its shoulders. Think of the population alone! And yet, Dhaka does not say no to anyone. Dhaka welcomes. Dhaka accommodates. Dhaka endures.
Perhaps, ironically the biggest challenge of Dhaka is not related to Dhaka itself: one may claim that what our country needs is extensive decentralisation. It is unjust that so much pressure is put on just one region.
I personally see Dhaka as a city still under construction, a project that bears the label or status of work-in-progress. The optimist in me can visualise a dream city but the sceptic in me gets frustrated. There are myriad problems to solve. It is far from perfect, but it is our home and we should not give up on it.
And as for the naysayers who reside anywhere in our country albeit Dhaka, stop bickering about our city. Dhaka has a pulse of its own, and only those who live here can resonate with it!