Introduction: The Fragility of Life and Its Realization
In our pursuit of success, wealth, and recognition, we often forget the simplest, yet most powerful truth: being alive is everything. I learned this lesson from a stranger whose life was miraculously spared after a near-fatal accident. Though I don’t remember his face or his name, his story stays etched in my mind forever. It was a moment that shaped how I live, how I view challenges, and how I prioritize what’s truly important. Sometimes, you don’t need a name to change your life; a single encounter, a shared story, a fleeting moment can leave a lasting imprint.
A Vacation Turned Tragic
It all began when a man, his wife, and two daughters were on vacation in the hilly terrains of Chattogram, Bangladesh. A simple family trip turned into a nightmare when their microbus veered off the road and plunged 200 meters down a cliff. Miraculously, the family survived, with everyone sustaining only minor injuries. Everyone except for the man I met.
His injuries were catastrophic. His neck was broken, multiple ribs fractured, and he suffered many internal injuries. His life hung by a thread, and doctors were pessimistic about his survival. His family and friends were prepared for the worst, and for days, he remained unconscious, caught between life and death.
But then, against all odds, he woke up.
The Man Who Survived
When I met him, he shared his incredible story with us. After spending months in a coma, after doctors had almost given up on him, he returned to life. But the man who woke up wasn’t the same man who had fallen into that coma. He had been face to face with death, and something inside him had shifted.
He told us that during his recovery, in those long, painful days of unconsciousness, he realized one simple truth: being alive is everything.
Before the accident, he had lived like most of us: pursuing career goals, accumulating wealth, and striving for recognition. He had been focused on things that, in the grand scheme of life, seemed vital. But when death loomed, all of it lost its meaning. No matter how much wealth or status he had, none of it mattered as much as his breath, his heart, his life. And when he came back to life, he couldn’t help but marvel at the preciousness of it all.
A Life Transformed by a Near-Death Experience
This man’s words resonated deeply within me. In our day-to-day struggles, it’s so easy to get caught up in the rat race: deadlines, societal expectations, ambitions. We chase after titles, degrees, promotions, and the approval of others, all while life itself slips by unnoticed. Yet, this man’s experience was a wake-up call. It made me realize that nothing—absolutely nothing—matters more than being alive.
I started applying this mindset to my own life. In moments of frustration, when things don’t go according to plan, or when I feel overwhelmed by the weight of expectations, I remind myself: being alive is everything.
The Tragedy of Lost Perspectives
I couldn’t help but reflect on the tragic stories that have become all too common in today’s world: a teenager who takes her life after failing to top her class, a young man who ends it all after failing to make the merit list for an engineering college, or a woman who can no longer bear the weight of a broken heart. These stories break my heart, and every time I hear one, I wonder: why don’t we value life as much as we value success or perfection?
People are so focused on external validation—grades, wealth, love—that they forget the value of their own existence. We measure our worth by achievements, by things that can be lost in an instant. But life itself, the very breath in our lungs, is irreplaceable. And no success, no possession, no love, or title should overshadow the profound gift of life.
A New Perspective as a Father
As a father of two beautiful daughters, this realization has transformed my approach to parenting. I want to teach them that life, in its rawest form, is precious. My goal is not only to equip them with the skills they need to navigate through life but also to root them in the philosophy that life itself is the ultimate gift. No matter what happens—whether they succeed or fail, whether they win or lose, whether they feel loved or rejected—being alive is everything.
In a world where academic scores, social media fame, and career achievements are often seen as the ultimate goals, I want them to understand the true essence of living. I want them to know that no matter what life throws at them, they can always keep moving forward as long as they are alive. Success is fleeting, but life—life is everything.
Spreading the Message of Life
This lesson has become the core of my worldview, and I want to spread this realization beyond my immediate family. Every chance I get, I want to remind people: life is precious. It’s not about chasing material wealth or external accolades; it’s about being grateful for each moment we have.
We live in a world where too many people are obsessed with success and status, with comparisons and competition. But if we can shift our focus, even a little bit, towards appreciating the gift of life itself, we might just start living more intentionally, more gratefully, and more compassionately.
Conclusion: Living, Not Merely Existing
In the end, the greatest lesson I learned from the man who survived is simple: life is the most valuable thing we have; not the life I had yesterday, not the life we will have tomorrow, the most valuable part of life is the life we’re living today. It is not something we should take for granted, nor should we allow it to be overshadowed by the pressures and expectations of society.
I hope this message reaches you, wherever you are in your journey. Whether you’re facing challenges, setbacks, or feeling lost in the pursuit of something that seems important, remember: being alive is everything. Nothing else compares. Life is a gift, and it should be lived—not merely existed through.
Let this realization sink in, and ask yourself: how can you value your life more today than yesterday? How can you begin to live fully, without letting external pressures steal your joy of simply being alive?
A Reunion of Souls: Rediscovering the Cadet College Bond
There are places that shape us, not just through the lessons taught in classrooms but through the bonds we form and the experiences we live. For me, that place was Sylhet Cadet College, a chapter of my life that still feels like a dream—intense, beautiful, and unforgettable. Recently, I had the privilege of returning to this sacred ground for a reunion, an event that wasn’t just about revisiting old buildings but about rekindling friendships and reliving the essence of who we once were.
As I stepped through the gates, the years melted away. The bricks, the corridors, the fields—they stood still in time, but we had journeyed far. Yet, despite the passage of decades, one truth resonated through the laughter and nostalgia that followed: “Adding numbers to our age is undeniable, but whether to get old or not is our choice.”
The Cadet College Experience: More Than Just a School
For those unfamiliar, Cadet Colleges in Bangladesh are akin to the public schools of the UK—elite, disciplined, and deeply transformative. Administered by the Bangladesh Army, these institutions are more than just schools; they are breeding grounds for resilience, leadership, and lifelong camaraderie.
Admission to a Cadet College is no easy feat. At just 12 years old, we competed with thousands of hopefuls, securing a place that would define our youth. From class 7 to class 12, we lived a life of structure—academics, military drills, sports, and values that would shape us forever. Many of us went on to universities, some abroad, and a good number joined the Armed Forces, carrying forward the legacy of discipline and honor.
But ask any cadet, and they will tell you: it wasn’t the education or the uniforms that made the experience extraordinary. It was the people—the friends who became brothers, the seniors who became mentors, the juniors who became younger brothers and followers, the teachers who became guardians.
A Reunion Unlike Any Other
Fast forward to the present—during this 9th OCAS Reunion, like all other batches, our batch of 1996-2002 came together for a grand reunion. It was the biggest gathering we had ever seen, a testament to the strength of our bond. Some of us flew in from the UK, the US, Japan, and beyond—executives, bankers, entrepreneurs, scientists—yet in those three magical days, titles and achievements became irrelevant.
We laughed like teenagers, cracking the same silly jokes. We shared beds, blankets, and even towels, just like the old days. We ate together, without a care for seating arrangements. And most importantly, we felt young again, untouched by the burdens of adulthood.
Upal, our dear friend and General Secretary of the Old Cadets’ Association of Sylhet, orchestrated the event with unmatched dedication. His efforts made it one of the most memorable reunions in years, bringing our families into this unique brotherhood.
A Reunion of Souls Rediscovering the Cadet College Bond – 9th OCAS Reunion
The Power of Friendship: A Timeless Connection
One of the most touching aspects of this reunion was how seamlessly our families blended into our world. Wives, children, and even parents witnessed the unbreakable connection we share.
Seeing Zahid, who now resides in Japan, after 25 years was a surreal moment. Would we meet again? Maybe. Maybe not. But for those three days, time bent to our will, allowing us to hold onto something pure, something untouched by the passage of years.
And as we parted ways, there was an unspoken understanding—we may not know where or when we will reunite again, but we know we will.
For the Young Dreamers and Their Parents
If you are a young reader wondering whether Cadet College is worth the challenge, let me assure you—it is. It will push you beyond your limits, test your resilience, and forge friendships that transcend time and distance.
And if you are a parent, considering this path for your child, know this—Cadet College doesn’t just prepare students for a career; it prepares them for life.
Aging is Inevitable, Growing Old is a Choice
As I walked away from the reunion, I carried with me an unshakable realization. We have added years to our lives, but we have not grown old. The spirit of those twelve-year-old cadets still lives within us, refusing to fade.
Because at the end of the day, we are not just alumni of a school—we are a family, bound not by blood, but by something far deeper.
Until the next reunion, my brothers. Let’s live, laugh, and carry the essence of those days with us—always.
This story is more than a personal reflection; it is a tribute to the institution that shaped us and the friendships that continue to define us. If you are a former cadet, share your experiences in the comments. And if you know someone considering Cadet College, let them know—they are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime.
We chase sunsets in Santorini, wander through ancient ruins in Rome, and get lost in the bustling markets of Marrakech. My own travel memories are painted with vibrant strokes of different countries and faces, each encounter a unique thread in the rich tapestry of my life. I’ve met souls from every corner of the globe, some fleeting, like ships passing in the night, others leaving an indelible mark, their memories as vivid as fresh strawberries in summertime.
Yet, amidst all the breathtaking landscapes and cultural immersions, there’s a confession I need to make. My heart, strangely, belongs to… airport terminals.
Yes, you read that right. Airport terminals. Those liminal spaces we often rush through, eager to reach our destinations or desperate to escape after a long flight. For me, though, these transit hubs are not just gateways, but gateways to understanding the world itself.
A World Under One Roof
There is something profoundly fascinating about airport terminals. They are more than just places of transit; they are microcosms of the world itself. Whenever I find myself in an airport, whether for a quick layover or an extended wait, I never feel bored. Instead, I am enthralled by the ceaseless movement of humanity, the silent stories unfolding before my eyes.
Here, people from every corner of the planet converge—men, women, and those in between; believers and non-believers; travelers draped in traditional attire and those dressed in the avant-garde of high fashion. Believers and non-believers, people of all faiths and none, coexisting in this shared, temporary realm. Straight, bisexual, LGBTQ+ individuals, each adding their unique color to the human rainbow. A woman in a niqab sits beside another in a sleeveless dress or fishnets, neither disturbing the other, their presence a quiet testament to coexistence.
I see business travelers immersed in their laptops, students setting off to chase dreams in foreign universities, and families reuniting after years apart. Some board first-class cabins, sipping champagne, while others clutch one-way tickets, leaving behind familiar lands for an uncertain future. There are joyful vacationers setting off to tropical beaches, and then there are those whose eyes are heavy with sorrow, returning home to bury a loved one.
In a corner, someone spends thousands on a Michelin-star meal, while a weary traveler refills a plastic bottle from the free water dispenser, making do with whatever they have. There are those filled with hope, those burdened with loss, those escaping, and those arriving—but in that shared space, they are all simply travelers.
A World Under one RoofThe World in Transit: Why Airport Terminals Fascinate Me
A Universal Language Beyond Words
One of the most beautiful sights I ever witnessed at an airport was my daughter, barely three years old, playing with a little Russian kid. They spoke no known common language—she knew barely any language other than a little bit of Bangla, while the Russian kid of course did not know anything about Bangla—but that didn’t matter. They ran, they laughed, they shared their little games, communicating in a language beyond words, a language perhaps from heaven itself.
That moment made me wonder—what if we all in the world could be like these two children? What if we could see, communicate and value beyond our habitual differences—our skin colors, beliefs, cultures, and fears—and simply coexist, just as they did? What if we could communicate with pure hearts rather than guarded minds?
Why Airports and Not Anywhere Else?
Markets, beaches, stadiums, train stations—many places offer a glimpse of cultural diversity, yet nothing rivals the sheer inclusivity of an airport terminal. It is the only place where people from every walk of life, every background, and every intention cross paths. Unlike cities divided by class and history, or gatherings shaped by shared interests, airports hold no such biases. Everyone, whether rich or poor, lost or found, hopeful or heartbroken, is here for the same reason—to move.
Of course, an airport does not represent a utopia. It is not a place of uninterrupted joy. There are delays, missed flights, immigration interrogations, and sometimes, the pain of saying goodbye forever. But perhaps that is what makes it even more profound. It is a world of mixed emotions—elation and despair, excitement and exhaustion, hope and heartbreak—all existing together under one roof, in a momentary truce.
A Manifestation of the World We Need
The world does not need to be an unblemished paradise; it only needs to be a place where differences do not lead to division. Airport terminals are proof that it is possible. They show us that despite our contrasts, we can exist in the same space, share fleeting moments, and move forward in our own ways without conflict.
And in witnessing this constant human drama, this miniature world in motion, I find a strange kind of peace, a renewed sense of hope, and a powerful reminder of our shared humanity. The next time you find yourself with a layover, resist the urge to bury your head in your phone. Look around. Observe. You might just discover, as I have, that the most fascinating destinations are sometimes found not at the end of a journey, but in the unexpected spaces in between. The airport terminal, my unexpected world, a world reflecting us all.
I wish, just once, the world could function like an airport terminal—where despite our individual paths, we understand that we are all in transit, all heading somewhere, all carrying our own reasons for the journey. Perhaps if we embraced that perspective, we would realize that no matter our departure points or destinations, we are all part of the same story.
And that, to me, is why I will always be in love with airports.
What if I told you that life, in all its complexity, could be summed up in a simple truth? Today is my birthday—a milestone that should be filled with joy and celebration. And while I am grateful for the life I have lived, an unshakable thought lingers: with each passing year, I move closer to the inevitable end. This realization, though unsettling, offers a profound perspective on what truly matters.
Looking Back at the Journey
The thought of death struck me suddenly. When we die, our body disengages from every earthly attachment. We feel no joy, no sadness, no pain, no obligations, no commitments. Everything we once did, every plan we meticulously crafted, every rush-hour haste, and every deep emotional connection—all dissolve into nothingness. For the one who departs, death often arrives as a silent blessing, a final relief from the burdens of suffering, disease, expectations, or the relentless demands of life.
No matter who we were in life—a giver, a taker, or someone in between—death erases all definitions. The relationships that once felt unbreakable begin to fade. The people who mattered most to us, and to whom we once mattered deeply, gradually replace our presence with fresh memories. Love that seemed eternal softens with time, and even the most meaningful connections lose their weight. We become, at best, a framed photograph—a name whispered occasionally in nostalgia.
And yet, those who depended on us the most—those for whom we were a provider, a protector, or a pillar of support—struggle the longest with our absence. Their pain is not just emotional but tangible. Some may lose financial security, a home, or a guiding force. The vacuum we leave behind is felt in ways beyond just memories.
Ironically, while our closest ones learn to live with our absence, there might be strangers—people we met once, perhaps in a distant land like Siberia, Japan, or Istanbul—who will remember us without even realizing we are no longer in this world. A fleeting encounter, a kind conversation, a shared moment at a restaurant, a train station, or a quiet roadside—those moments may live in their minds long after we are gone. In their reflections, our existence remains meaningful, even if just for a passing thought.
So many have sought the meaning of life—philosophers, scientists, thinkers, and seekers. But perhaps the simplest truth is this: Life is life, nothing more, nothing less.
Conclusion
On this special day, I take a moment to express my gratitude—to everyone whose path has crossed mine. To my parents, who gave me life. To my friends, who walked beside me. To my wife and children, who shared their love with me. To my teachers, who shaped my mind. To every soul, in every fleeting moment, who became a part of my journey.
I hold no regrets. Every experience—what I did, what I failed to do, what I dreamed of—has made me who I am today. And for that, I am thankful.
Moving forward, I want to embrace happiness, to spread it where I can. I want to live meaningfully, to be a reason for someone’s joy rather than their sorrow. Because life, above all else, is a gift. And as long as I am here, I want to make it count.
Keywords: meaning of life, reflections on life and death, gratitude, purpose of life, philosophical thoughts, living meaningfully, embracing happiness, deep life insights, finding purpose, self-reflection on birthdays.
Flying from Los Angeles to Istanbul, I found myself captivated by the endless layers of clouds floating beneath me. They stretched across the sky like an artist’s masterpiece—soft, dreamy, and ever-changing. At one moment, they resembled billowing cotton candy; at another, a secret garden woven into the heavens. It was then that a thought took root in my mind: What if there truly could be a garden in the sky? Not one bound by soil and water, but one nurtured by vision, imagination, and the ability to see beyond the ordinary.
In that instant, I understood something profound—we see only what we see, but imagination has the power to transform reality.
The Art of Seeing: Beyond What Meets the Eye
Most travelers look out from an airplane window and see only clouds. But what if we trained our minds to see more? What if, instead of misty white formations, we saw vast celestial landscapes—gardens blooming with colors unseen, trees swaying in the invisible wind, birds flying not through air but through our thoughts?
This is the essence of imagination: the ability to perceive beyond reality, to find meaning in the abstract, and to create beauty where others see only the mundane. The sky is not just sky; it is an endless canvas, waiting for the mind to paint its wonders.
When we embrace this way of seeing, the world transforms. A street is no longer just a street—it’s a path leading to countless untold stories. A sunset is not merely a fading light—it’s the closing of a chapter in a book written by time itself. And a journey is never just a movement from one place to another—it’s an evolution of thought, a chance to witness the unseen.
The Sky’s Hidden Garden: A Metaphor for Life
Thinking of a garden in the sky is not about physically planting flowers among the clouds. It’s about cultivating beauty in our minds, tending to the landscapes of our thoughts, and nurturing the seeds of wonder that bloom into dreams. Life, after all, is not merely about what exists—it’s about what we choose to see and believe.
Like gardeners, we can plant ideas, water them with hope, and watch them grow into realities that once seemed impossible. Just as a single traveler can look out at the sky and see a garden where others see only mist, we can look at life’s uncertainties and see possibilities rather than limitations.
Conclusion: The Freedom of Imagination
We live in a world that often teaches us to accept things as they are, to conform to the boundaries of sight and reason. But what if we refused? What if we insisted on seeing beyond? The greatest adventures are not just about the places we visit but about the worlds we create within ourselves.
Never Reach Conclusion and (re)act without Understanding the context
Everyday meeting new and different people from all over the world is the most rewarding and interesting thing for me. While meeting different people, I come across new experiences, understanding, different perspectives, and unique perceptions. Some complains about something, which is very silly to some other people. Some appreciate something immensely, while others think that is silly. Some react to a situation to a great extent and become happy or sad, while others even do not notice that. Some are sensitive, some are emotional, some are hyper, some are numb, some are careless, some are fearless, and most importantly everyone is unique and nearly impossible to predict.
I am not a behavioral scientist who can study when and why individuals engage in specific behaviors examining the impact of factors such as conscious thoughts, motivation, social influences, contextual effects, and habits. Nor a psychologist who can help people learn to cope with stressful situations, overcome addictions, manage their chronic illnesses, and tests and assessments that can help diagnose a condition or talk more about the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. My expertise and knowledge have never crossed either of these specialists’ paths. But gracefully I can claim that I am a good listener as well as an observer. People come to me and talk both sense and non-sense and I carefully listen to them. If I have something to give, I give. If I have nothing to give, at least I listen to them and try to fit myself in their shoes to understand what they are going through, which is an impossible thing to try. But I try hoping that someday I will master the art of listening and understanding people.
In all these failed attempts, one thing very evidently, I notice in people that nearly everyone of us reach to a conclusion without understanding the context. Not sure why! But people do love to put a full-stop with whatever understanding they have (even without any understanding) blended with highest level of exaggerated imagination they can imagine. Off course, there are a good number of people around, who walks the path less traveled and do not carry any prejudice. Certainly, the number of such people is less, but they do exist.
But mostly those who reach to a conclusion and (re)act are more in number than those who usually follow the rule of Stop-Look-Go. Sadly, for most of the peoples’ grievances, unwellness, sadness, disputes, and many other disputing/ conflicting consequences the reason(s) are from within. Maybe for deducing some conclusion without understanding the context, maybe for reacting without foreseeing the consequences, maybe for thinking something which has no relevance with what happened, maybe for a perceived failure, which is not at all a failure, maybe for failing to apprehend/ understand a situation, or maybe for overthinking. Evidently, all these situations/ outcomes are the result of being short-sighted, lack of emotional intelligence, and lack of patience.
Unfortunately, the most wondering thing is that people do suffer for their own failure of dealing/ facing a situation diligently and this happens mostly for drawing the conclusion too early. It’s understandable that at the start of the tunnel it’s going to be dark but certainly there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Well, the tunnel can be long, and not everyone is willing to walk that distance or maybe does not have the capacity.
Once someone reaches to a conclusion and embraces sadness, unfortunately starts transcending sadness because it’s contagious. Not only sadness, but both happiness and sadness are contagious. As such, we should always wait for a while, stop wherever we are, look around and try to understand the context, and decide our response, or let things go. Certainly, letting things go is probably the best virtue you can have to be happy. With that having the patience and capacity of understanding the context would make the best combination to be happy and continue living as the happiest one on earth.
At the end, I would humbly request all to not to judge anyone/ anything too quickly and to not to reach a conclusion too early. A momentary pause in reacting can be invaluable in protecting one’s wellbeing and happiness. Let’s try to understand the context and let things go if there’s possibility that it might be a reason for your sadness or for a situation beyond your control. Let’s try to understand the context and offer your hand to those who needs help. In every situation let’s STOP, LOOK AROUND, and DO whatever needed to be done. If what you do, does not add any value, do not do that. Sometime not doing anything is the best thing you can do.
We never had the power to alter the past. Till date we don’t have any hope that we will ever be capable of changing the past. We can always prepare for the future with the best of our ability but there’s no certainty. Because uncertainty is the only certain thing in the world. All our strength, capacity, energy, power, potential, and whatever you name are capable of altering the present only! As such it is imperative that we value ‘present’ as a true gift, without being chained with the burden of past and future. Well, needless to say that in life where we stand now is the result of where we have invested our resources like time, money, and energy. As such, evidently our past influences present and present influences future.
So, where to stand! Living the moment like a dream! Or to consciously invest resources! Well, balance is the key certainly. But my stance is fairly inclined to the living the moment because there’s no certainty that I will have the ability to benefit from my investment in this fragile world!
So, with all my heart and soul I want to give one and only one lesson to my children (all the children of the world) that live the moment. This is the only gift you ever had and this is the only gift will ever have. And while living the moment, never cause any harm to any living creature. Never leave your present for the past. Do not be afraid and over concerned about your future. If you do justice to the present you have, present will do the rest.
I remember that I was a kid and something very unusual happened in Dhaka (capital of Bangladesh) which caught everyone’s attention. A man was begging at a very busy point in the city till the day a noble man wanted to help him by taking him to a doctor for treatment. The man (beggar) resisted but the noble man insisted, and at the end the noble man succeeded only to discover that the poor helpless man was begging in disguise despite being physically an able man.
I do not remember all the details and findings of the incident so many years later except remembering he had kids, he had apartments in the capital, and a few more information, which reasonably prove that he was not begging because he was poor. He was begging because he chose to live his life and afloat his home through begging. He was a loving father, the best one in the world to his kids, probably the best man as husband to his wife, surely a good son to his parents who decided to beg but not robbing people or stealing, certainly a very good friend to his friends, and probably a very good brother to his siblings. But the world since then valued and labeled him with one identity only and that is a beggar in disguise.
Almost 25 years later that memory has resurfaced again in me, and I am thinking; like that man begging for living everyone of us around has so many lives to live. We all carefully make choices along with compartments to fit our choices in and live our lives. Some time we let our choices to spill over from one compartment to another thinking there will be a coexistence and it will be congenial just to find out we have made a wrong choice of spill-over/ crossing the boundaries. Certainly, it affects us because our choices are proved wrong and human minds are not designed to accept rejection and disregard. He who can manage all his compartments well, are mostly regarded as the happiest around living all his lives simultaneously.
Being here in a multinational environment, I find more affirmation of this idea of human’s compartmentalized lives or many lives we live. I assure you that the walls, streets, trees, leaves, security lights of this place have witness and know more stories of humans than any good sizeable public library. People coming and going frequently matching their one-year (or less or more) tour of duty from more than sixty countries makes really a very good number over a span of fifteen/ twenty years.
Often, I think I am a good listener though on the contrary I think I talk too much. It’s bizarre but its true that I prefer both to be correct. I listen when I need to and when I see sharing gives comfort to another person. I prefer talking when someone needs to hear something. Off-course often I fail to balance and that comes with a price. But that’s not the discussion here. The discussion is about our many lives. Should they be in compartments, or they should mingle with each other! I am neither certain about the fact nor your belief except knowing that in most of the cases relieving the boundaries of the compartments did not yield expected outcome like that man who was begging.
Though apparently it seems that a beggar lives a miserable life, which he was not. On top of everything it’s assumed that he had a fantastic life fooling everyone around till some noble man (a villain to him for sure) has shattered everything with a noble intention. The disguised poor man everyday used to walk out of his door leaving his wife and family with the idea that he is heading to the office, while he used to go to his secret cabin to prepare himself in disguise for begging. After earning throughout the day, he used to change his disguise and return to his family like a successful happy man. He must have had a happy family till someone relieved the boundaries of his compartments against his will. Everything he has built over the years just shattered like a sandcastle in an unwanted noble effort.
The world we live in is mostly an illusion. Off course there’s something call reality. The moments we live in, moments we share, thing we eat, time we pass, air we breathe are real. But everything which is subjective is an illusion. As our facts mostly overarched by our feelings, I would like to label everything as illusion. What we see (facts) are mostly depends on what our eyes are seeing and not everyone has the same intellect or insight. So, even what we see (facts) varies from one to another. But what we conceive, feel, and realize are mostly based on the perception we behold and the perspective we chose to look at. The man in disguise was a happy man living happily with all his stories carefully knitted in individual compartments till the time everything fell apart. The man who has forced everything to fall apart never wanted to cause any harm to the happy man in disguise. He only wanted to be a nice man and help a helpless man not knowing that he is just destroying a man’s whole life’s investment.
Most of the times we say ‘truth will prevail’ but what if the truth is not wanted. Why a truth should prevail if that harms peoples’ lives so bad! Well, we say that we must not live a life of lie but what if someone chose to live a life of a million lie but not harming anyone and be happy. Isn’t he a better human being than someone who keeps on surfacing the truths and keeps destroying peoples’ lives!
There’s no end to this discussion. My realization is that before offering someone help, we all should carefully ask whether he/ she needs that help or not! More importantly, we must be careful in rendering help because the price of the cure can be more than the pain someone is capable of bearing and living with.
The stories in the compartments are preserved better than allowing them to spill over or trying to put two lives in one compartment and likewise. The human being is an eternity away from being so noble with limitless acceptance of accepting everything. Sometimes, we are so driven by our possessiveness and ownership of relationship that we minds are clouded and we do not respect the person’s need rather we try to impose our choices, which always ends up in a toxic outcome. Accepting and letting things go to maintain the harmony are two virtue which people rarely have.
After all these years of my life, all I do care is people around me must be happy. I do not care what’s going on around, near, or beyond. I rarely care what happened, what is likely to happen, and what will happen. In doing so, only thing I care or consider is, if you have not caused any harm to anyone and you respect people for just being people, you are welcome. The most important thing for me is to transcend happiness to people around me and not letting anyone down.
গাছের সাথে মানুষের তুলনা করলে কি মানুষকে অপমান বা হেয় করা হয়? আমার সঠিক ধারনা নাই। তবে মনে হচ্ছে সমস্যা হবার কথা না, কারণ আমরাতো কথাবার্তার ছলে কতজনকেই কতভাবে গাছগাছালির সাথে তুলনা করি। যদিও কাউকে হেয় করার ইচ্ছা আমার নাই, এবং সেই চেষ্টাও আমি করব না। বরঞ্চ আমি ছোট্ট একটা মানুষের কথা বলবো যে কিনা গাছের থেকেও নির্লিপ্ত, অনুভূতি, এবং ভাবলেশহীন। ছেলেটার নাম ‘চান মিয়া’। গাছ এবং চান মিয়া এই দুই নিয়ে ভাবতে ভাবতে হটাৎই মনে পড়ল আহমদ ছফার ‘পুষ্প, বৃক্ষ, ও বিহঙ্গপুরাণ’ এর কথা। আহমদ ছফা পুষ্প এবং বৃক্ষের যেই বর্ণনা করেছেন, সেই পুষ্প বা বৃক্ষ কারো সাথে চান মিয়ার ভাবলেশহীনতার বিষয়টা তুলনা করলে অবশ্য ব্যাপারটা একেবারে বেশি গড়বড় হয়ে যাবে। যদিও আলমগিরের নির্লিপ্ততার সাথে ছেলেটার একটা মিল আছে।
আজকে বৃহস্পতিবার। পরিবারের কাছে যাওয়ার কোন পরিকল্পনা ছিল না। কিন্তু একটা সুযোগ পেয়ে আর হাতছাড়া করলাম না। মা এবং তাহসিনরা আমাদের একজন ফুফাতো ভাইয়ের বাসায় বেড়াতে এসেছে, এবং জায়গাটা চর বাটা হতে কাছেই। সময়ের হিসেব করে তাহসিনরা মেঘনার অপর প্রান্তে আসলো, আর আমি নদী পার হয়ে কাঁটাখাল গেলাম। যদিও এক ঘণ্টা সময় কাটানোর সুযোগ ছিল, কিন্তু পরিস্থিতির কল্যাণে সময়টা দুই ঘণ্টা হয়ে গিয়েছিল।
দুই ঘণ্টা সময় কাটানোর পরও মনে হচ্ছিল আরেকটু থাকা গেলেতো ভালোই হত। যাই হোক, নৌকাতে উঠতে উঠতে সন্ধ্যে হয়ে গিয়েছিল। আমাদেরকে বিদায় দিয়ে তাহসিনরা নদীর পার থেকে দৃষ্টিসীমার বাইরে যাওয়ার আগেই অন্ধকারে মিলিয়ে গেলো। আমরা মেঘনা নদীর পানি আর কুয়াশা মিশ্রিত অন্ধকারকে হুহু করে কেটে ইঞ্জিনচালিত নৌকায় করে গন্তব্যে ছুটে যাচ্ছিলাম। নৌকায় আমি, সোহেল এবং হাবিব সাহেব। আর আমাদের নৌকা চালাচ্ছে রুবেলের ভাই আরেক সোহেল, এবং সোহেলের সহযোগী হচ্ছে চান মিয়া। এক সাক্ষাত বিস্ময় চান মিয়া। আবেগ, অনুভূতি, এবং কথাবার্তাহীন এক আশ্চর্য মানুষ এই চান মিয়া।
ঐ শীতের অন্ধকারে ঠাণ্ডা বাতাসের মাঝে জ্যাকেট পরেও আমরা যখন বাতাস এবং ঠাণ্ডায় কাঁপছিলাম, তখন চান মিয়া কিভাবে যেন শুধু একটা লুঙ্গি কাছা মেরে খালি গায়ে অবলীলায় নৌকায় বসে ছিল এবং একটু পর পর পানি সেচে নৌকার বাইরে ফেলছিল তা আমার চিন্তার বাইরে (নীচের ছবিগুলো আজকের নয়, অন্যদিনের)। গত চার সপ্তাহ যাবত প্রতি বৃহস্পতিবারেই আমাদের দেখা হয়, লুঙ্গি ব্যাতিত মাঝে মাঝে একটা ছেড়া জামা ছাড়া আমি ওর গায়ে আর কোন জামা দেখিনি, যদিও বেশির ভাগ সময়েই সে শুধু লুঙ্গি পরেই কাজে বেরিয়ে পড়ে। যতবারই আমাদের দেখা হয়েছে ওকে কোন না কোন ভাবে সহযোগিতা করার চেষ্টা করেছি। একবার জামা দিয়েছি, একবার একটা নতুন কম্বল দিয়েছি, মাঝে মাঝে টাকা দিয়েছি যেন কিছু কিনে নেয়। কিন্তু ওর খালি গায়ের উপর সে কিছুই জড়াতে চায় না। হয়ত ওর আরও বড় কোন প্রয়োজন আছে, কিংবা জামা না পরে থাকতে থাকতে হয়ত জামা পরতেই ওর অসহ্য লাগে!
আশ্চর্য এই ছেলেটার ব্যাপারগুলো। ওকে ডেকে নাম জিজ্ঞেস করলে ও দৌড়ে পালায়। নৌকার উপড়ে কিছু জিজ্ঞেশ করলে আরেক দিকে মুখ লুকায়। ডেকে কিছু দিতে চাইলে ভয় পায়। যতবার যা কিছু দিয়েছি, জোরজবরদস্তি করেই দিতে হয়েছে। আমার অবাক লাগে, পৃথিবীর পথে এই পথচলায় কত অল্প সময়েই সে কতবড় একজন যোদ্ধা হয়ে উঠেছে। সবচেয়ে অবাক লেগেছে স্নেহ, আদর, ভালবাসার প্রতিও ওর উদাসীনতা। হয়ত ও এই বৃত্তি গুলোর সাথে পরিচিত নয়, কিংবা হয়ত এই বৃত্তিগুলোর সাথে জড়িয়ে আছে কোন তীব্র তিক্ত স্মৃতি।
অন্ধকারের পথগলে কিভাবে যে আমাদের মাঝি সোহেল নৌকা চালাচ্ছিল আমি জানি না। আমার মনে হচ্ছিল গুগলও হয়ত এই অন্ধকারে দিক্বিদিক জ্ঞানশূন্য হয়ে যেত। সত্যি খুবই অবাক লাগে নদীপাড়ের এই মানুষদেরকে জীবন কত অসীম শিক্ষায় শিক্ষিত করে দিয়েছে এবং দিয়ে যাচ্ছে। প্রাতিষ্ঠানিক শিক্ষার কোন বিকল্প নাই। কিন্তু জীবন থেকে নেওয়া সোহেল আর চান মিয়াদের শিক্ষা কোন প্রতিষ্ঠান, গুগল, কিংবা ইউটিউব কেউই দিতে পারবে না। নীরবে ভাবছিলাম যে আমরা তো কত ফিউশন নিয়েই কাজ করি! কেমন হত যদি প্রাতিষ্ঠানিক শিক্ষার সাথে এই মানুষগুলোর জীবন থেকে নেওয়া শিক্ষার একটা ফিউশন করা যেত! এতসত ভাবতে ভাবতে হটাতই খেয়াল করলাম যে আমরা একেবারে মাঝ নদিতে অনেক ঢেউয়ের মাঝে। নৌকাটা দুলছে, আর নৌকার দলুনিতে আমরাও দুলছি। আমি নিজেকে একটু ঠেলে দিয়ে আকাশের পানে চেয়ে নিজেকে তারার মাঝে সমর্পণ করলাম। মনে হচ্ছিল অন্ধকার ছিঁড়ে তারাগুলো টুপটাপ আমার উপর পরবে। খুব ইচ্ছে হচ্ছিল, ইঞ্জিনটা বন্ধ করে কিছুক্ষণ ভাসতে থাকি। কিন্তু হাবিব সাহেব যেভাবে দোয়া ইউনুস পড়ছিল, আমি ভেবে দেখলাম এমন একটা কাজ করে আমার খায়েশ যতটুকুই মিটুক, হাবিব সাহেবের কিছু একটা হয়ে যেতে পারে। অগত্যা, কান ঝালাপালা করা ইঞ্জিন এর শব্দের মাঝেই প্রকিতিটাকে গিলে গিলে খাচ্ছিলাম।
প্রকৃতি গিলে খেতে খেতেই টিপ টিপ কিছু কিছু ছড়ানো ছিটানো মাছ ধরার নৌকার আলো দেখে বুঝলাম আমরা তীরের কাছাকাছি চলে এসেছি। এবং একটু পরেই এক চুলও ভুল না করে সোহেল যেখানে দিনের আলোতে আমাদেরকে নৌকায় তোলে এবং নামায় ঠিক সেখানেই আমাদেরকে নামানোর জন্য নৌকা ভেড়াল। সত্যি বিস্ময়কর। কিভাবে যে জীবন যুদ্ধের এই সৈনিকরা নিজেদের মধ্যে গুগল ম্যাপটা ইন্সটল করে নিয়েছে, সেটা নিয়ে বিশদ গবেষণা করা যেতে পারে।
অবশেষে আমরা নামলাম, এবং সোহেলের পাওনা টাকা বুঝিয়ে দিলাম। চান মিয়াকে ডাকলাম ওর বকশিশ দেওয়ার জন্য। কিন্তু চান মিয়াতো সহজ মানুষ না। অগত্যা জোর করেই যা দেবার দিতে হল। সব মিটমাট করে আমরা আমাদের গন্তব্যস্থানে ফিরার জন্য প্রস্তুত হলাম আর চান মিয়ারাও আবার নৌকায় উঠে পরল। ভাবতেই অবাক লাগছে আবার সেই গুট-গুটে অন্ধকারের মাঝে নৌকা চালিয়ে ওরা ওদের বাড়িতে ফিরবে। অন্ধকারকে ভয় পায়না এমন কোন মানুষ নাই, কিন্তু জীবন যুদ্ধে হার না মানা এই সৈনিকরা ভয়কে জয় করেছে অনেক অনেকদিন আগেই। মনে মনে ওদের জন্য দোয়া করলাম যেন ওরা নিরাপদে ফিরে যেতে পারে ওদের গন্তব্যস্থলে। নিশ্চয় ওদের প্রিয়জনরা ওদের পথচেয়ে বসে থাকবে। দোয়ার পাশাপাশি আরেকটা বিষয়ে মনস্থির করলাম যে এরপর যখনই ঐ পাড়ে যাব রুবেল-সোহেল এবং চান মিয়ার বাড়ি যাব। ওদের জীবন যুদ্ধের বিদ্যাপীঠের প্রথম শ্রেণীর শ্রেণীকক্ষটা দেখতে চাই।
একজন অনুভূতিহীন গাছমানব – সুবর্ণচরের বিস্ময় ‘চান মিয়া’
The journey from the island to our home is not an easy one. Still every weekday I pass with a hope that on Thursday a miracle will happen though it will last for a few hours. I am enjoying these repeated miracles for the last few weeks.
On this Thursday (17 February 2022) we have crossed the river by Rubel’s boat. Like almost all other instances Rubel’s brother did not maintain the time, and we had to wait almost for an hour at the bank of the river. Losing an hour standing at the bank of the river is not an easy thing because for me every minute is precious during the miracle session. Every time he misses time, part of me wants to become angry with him, but after seeing him and his associate I cannot.
However, at last, he showed up with one more man, two full-size cows (maybe sick), and a calf. After showing up one hour late from the time he gave, they have spent more than thirty minutes struggling to get the cows, calf, and a van on the boat. Once everyone was on board I have boarded on the boat with Sohel though there was hardly any space for us to sit. I managed to sit on the opposite end of the boatman.
After almost a hectic hour we have reached the other side of the river where our car was waiting. Without wasting any time we have started our journey home and reached safely at around 7 PM. As usual, Arwaa was waiting at the door with all her excitement getting outright from her eyes. Aliyah was excited too, and she expressed her excitement by calling me ‘Abbu’ loudly. I was not feeling well as I was suffering from fever and headache. But in minutes I was relieved from all fever and headache, and soon Arwaa started impressing me with her accumulated stories and complaints of the past week.
The night passed too quickly so as the morning, and at around 12 PM our car arrived. Arwaa has started understanding. She now knows that her father needs to leave, and she must not be unhappy. Aliyah is yet to understand anything, but probably she also feels that her father needs to go. And unlike Arwaa at the age of 2/3, Aliyah does not cry. I am not sure, what she thinks or what she feels!
Well, despite all our feelings either revealed or not revealed we respect and follow rules. And therefore I had to return to my place after an eventful and joyous seventeen hours long miracle. Since our first miracle, every time I had returned to my workplace, I felt the same as the mouse. However, happy to know that our days are going to be over soon in this rugged place. Soon we all will return to our home and these miracles will not be required anymore.
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This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
