– Rafid Khandaker
As the country reels from the aftermath of a revolution, there is no shortage of obstacles blocking our way. From vandalism and burning to devastating flash floods, Bangladesh has been experiencing an era of unprecedented uncertainty. However, it is also experiencing a resurgence of hope among a long-disillusioned population, who have all come together to stand by each other and engage in all the necessary community efforts and more in times of such dire need.
After the revolution concluded and the demands of the masses were met, a new threat loomed in the background – anarchy. With no law enforcement present to prevent criminal activity, many temples, homes, and businesses of religious minorities were vandalized, looted and destroyed. Not only that, but armed burglars were also on the offensive, attacking residential areas in the dead of night and further exacerbating the anarchy.
However, the Bangladeshi people, emboldened by their historic national unity, were not one to cower and hide. They organized and took to the streets in droves – some marched towards temples to stand guard against any attacks, while others patrolled the streets looking for potential burglars.
An Inspired Nation
Photo: Anisur Rahman/ The Daily Star
Pictures and videos of these acts of volunteer service were spread far and wide on social media, and local networks were created through which volunteers could be called anywhere help was needed. Such community solidarity and efforts played a massive role in ensuring the country didn’t collapse into ruin.
Even in the face of environmental disasters such as the flash floods that have been devastating the country, volunteers have been pouring in from all around the nation to aid in relief efforts. Grassroots donation activities starting from collecting funds to preparing supply packages to be sent to affected areas – the entire country has come together to participate in one way or another.
The braver souls among us have been traveling all the way to the flooded regions to deliver supplies and rescue the people in danger. While the situation is still far from ideal, such unity in the face of unimaginable adversity is a source of hope not only for the present but also for the future of the country.
More mundane yet necessary duties, such as traffic control, were also left to be handled by volunteers for a while, who were mostly students. After August 5th, police officers abandoned the streets out of fear, as much of their public image had been tarnished during the revolution.
Controlling The Traffic
Photo: Nayem Ali/ The Business Standard
The student initiative was mostly a success, echoing a similar situation from back in 2018 when students took control of the streets and demanded safer roads. There were hiccups, however, such as an excess of volunteers on the streets who didn’t have enough knowledge about traffic rules, thus creating more issues than solving them.
However, the great thing about these volunteers was how quickly they addressed and adapted to these errors. They announced that only university students, who are more likely to have the necessary maturity and knowledge, would now be controlling traffic, barring any school students from participating.
They also made use of QR codes and tickets to show that certain vehicles had already been checked for licenses, and do not need to be checked again. This solved one of the major complaints people had – that they were being stopped constantly on the streets by the volunteers.
Cleaning Up The Streets
Photo: New Age
The volunteering activities don’t just stop there. With pollution being a major issue in the country for a long time, communities wasted no time to seize the moment and got to cleaning their streets and neighborhoods.
The eyesore of posters for political campaigns and business advertisements was also a big problem, especially in urban areas. So volunteers got to work there as well, replacing them with revolution-themed graffiti and artwork, thus beautifying walls and streets all around the country.
What makes all these acts of community service so special is how widespread and varied they are. They have taken over Bangladeshi popular culture and mainstream discourse, and volunteering work is no longer seen as a mere addition to your CV, but as a way to genuinely serve your country.
Through this, many people, especially youngsters, are discovering their love for their country and what it means to truly be a patriot.
The road ahead is long and many obstacles await, but through unity and solidarity, through love for country and community, even the harshest tribulations can be overcome. A reformed Bangladesh is not only a possibility – it is a necessity.
