Despite the exodus during Eid-ul-Fitr, a sizable section of residents remained rooted in the restless rhythm of Dhaka. Bound by busy schedules and personal pressures, many could not journey to their village homes.
Consequently, these stayback city dwellers streamed steadily into the capital's serene and scenic recreation centres, seeking solace, sharing smiles, and savoring the spirit of Eid with family and friends. The result was a delightful yet dense drift of delighted crowds.
Amid the concrete chaos, citizens sought spaces of stillness-open parks, lakeside lanes, and breezy boulevards-where the mechanical monotony of metropolitan life momentarily melted into moments of mirth. By the water's edge, laughter lingered and light-hearted leisure prevailed.
At Bangladesh National Zoo, a perennial paradise for playful young minds, the presence of people was particularly pronounced. However, the path to pleasure proved punctuated by persistent traffic congestion from Mirpur No. 1, forcing many families to forsake vehicles and wander on foot.
With traffic temporarily terminated from the Rainkhola intersection to tame the tide of vehicles, visitors were compelled to cover close to a kilometre on foot. The return route was no less laborious, as many marched back to Mirpur No. 1 before finding transport.
Yet, despite the strain, the spirit of celebration stayed strong. Iftekhar Ayub, arriving from Mugda with his family, shared that his purpose was simple yet special-to show his children the majestic tiger. His daughter, Tahiya, beamed with bliss, saying she was thrilled to witness in reality the animals she had only seen in books. Similar scenes of wonder and wide-eyed joy were shared by nearly every child.
According to zoo director Rafiqul Islam Talukder, approximately 450,000 visitors poured in over three days-surpassing last year's figures and setting a new festive flow.
