Dhaka yet to get over Eid hangover despite end of holidays

The capital is yet to return to its normal mode as it continues to reel under Eid hangover despite the end of three-day vacation.

The attendance in offices at the Secretariat and Motijheel was thin on Monday, the first working day after the vacation.

The officials were seen passing time exchanging Eid greetings with each other.

A large number of city dwellers have gone to their village and town homes for Eid celebrations.

One of the largest festivals of Muslims, Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated in Bangladesh on Saturday.

The country had a general holiday from Friday to Sunday on the occasion.

Officials at the Secretariat said the first day after Eid vacation usually drew less attendance.

Non-stop rains for the last couple of days further affected the attendance, they said.

Public administration ministry officials said the attendance at the Secretariat was less than 50 percent.

Officials present at the first working day said many officials took an additional three to four days leave this year as two days of the three-day vacation coincided with the weekly holiday.

They said the number of leave applications was more this year.

Most of the ministers celebrated this Eid in their constituencies, officials of different ministries said.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Home Affairs Minister Asaduzzman Khan Kaman exchanged Eid greetings with officials and employees of the ministries in the morning.

Education ministry’s Senior Information Officer Abdul Jalil said most of the officials of the ministry, including the secretary and the additional secretary, had joined the office after the vacation.

Meanwhile, more than half of the chairs were found empty in government and private banks, insurance companies, and brokerage houses, among others, after 10am.

An executive officer at Sonali Bank’s head office said many of its officials took three-day leave after the vacation.

SIBL Bank’s Vice President Abdul Karim said the transaction was low after the vacation.

The international transaction was however moderate, he said.

Bangladesh Bank General Manager AFM Asaduzzaman told bdnews24.com, “Some officials took leave on the occasion of Eid. But the workforce required to run the services of Bangladesh Bank was present.”

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) official Fazle Rabbi said the officials who had went homes for Eid did not return.

Most of those who stayed back in the city joined office on Monday, he said.

He said around 70 percent of the employees was present on the first day as they were given an extra holiday on Thursday, extending the vacation to straight five days including the Shab-e-Qadr holiday on Wednesday.

Roads in the city remained almost empty with only few people and vehicles were seen moving around.

People concerned said the normal buzz in the city might return by next Sunday.