Ramadan01

           It is Ramadan again and most Bangladeshis the fasters and the non fasters, Look forward to the festive atmosphere  that this month brings to our lives.It is also that wonderful sense of camaraderie amongst people when they pray  together and share their food, even with total strangers. It is also a time when culinary expertise reaches its zenith and innovative iftari options come to the fore. Have you tried the two-minute egg noodle boras and mushroom Jilapis yet?

 There are also things you wouldn’t look forward to during this month when one is supposed to abstain from all things unsavoury. Walking on the  streets for instance is filled with hidden dangers and we’re not talking about the sudden pothole or open manhole. During this holy month, many overzealous fasters make the streets unholy with oceams pf salva.  If you thought the usual spitting frenzy to be a disturbing part of city life, just wait till Ramadan when spitting is taken to the level of a national sport. It is here a spit,  there a spit, everywhere a spitspit.

                Why aren’t these people given a show cause notice asking why they should not be punished for soiling the already soiled streets during such a spiritual  month? There is little point in explaining to these  fanatical  spitters that the salivary glands are programmed ₍by the Almighty₎ to produce salva so as to ensure the health of the mouth and throat. Why every drop has to be eliminated before breaking the fast is really  a mystery , especially since it is humanly not possible to spit out every bit of saliva that we produce. The only possible solution is to fine people who randomly spit in the street, who seriously jeopardise  the pedestrain who may find it impossible to dodge  the shooting missiles and puddles on the road.