Home
+
By midnight, the world’s most densely populated city shook with the thunderous sounds of explosions and skies were ablaze with fireworks and lanterns
Published : 01 Jan 2025, 01:24 AM
Just a few months ago, Dhaka trembled with deafening sounds—then, the city’s hospitals were crowded with bloodied, bullet-riddled people, echoing with cries of anguish. Dhaka shook once again on Tuesday night, but this time with the explosive sounds of celebration.
The earlier tremors were from gunfire, sound grenades, and tear gas, filling hearts with fear. This time, however, it’s the vibrations of celebration.
Despite bans and requests from police and the environment ministry, as well as campaigns by animal lovers and sensitive citizens, Dhaka celebrated the first hours of the New Year 2025 by bursting firecrackers and fireworks in a cacophony of sound.
In addition to the firecrackers, the skies of Dhaka filled with floating lanterns—despite repeated warnings against their use from authorities like the Dhaka Metro Rail and Fire Service, citing potential accidents.
Hours before midnight, isolated firecrackers exploded and fireworks began in parts of Dhaka. By midnight, the world’s most densely populated city shook with the thunderous sounds of explosions.
Imtiaz Alam Prapon, a resident of Orbit Alley in East Shewrapara, posted on Facebook: “9:22pm. Right now, an announcement is being made on a microphone in East Shewrapara—'A newborn baby has died from the sound of fireworks. And fireworks are still being set off. Ah, how cheap life is.’”
When contacted later, Imtiaz told bdnews24.com that he heard the announcement while returning home in a rickshaw. However, he was unsure about the location of the incident or whether it referred to a recent case or was citing the example of Umair, a child who died two years ago during New Year’s celebrations due to the sound of fireworks. The microphone announcement did not clarify.
Later, Mirpur Police Station chief Gias Uddin Mia told bdnews24.com that they had no information about a newborn dying from firecracker sounds. He said he would investigate the matter.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police had issued a ban on fireworks days earlier. Several individuals were even arrested for selling firecrackers and fireworks. Senior DMP officials had declared in a press conference their intent to strictly enforce the ban.
Yet, the reality in neighbourhoods and alleyways across Dhaka was starkly different.
Md Shakil, a resident of West Agargaon, said while police banned fireworks, local grocery stores in his neighbourhood had been selling them for days. Youngsters had set up temporary stalls at street corners to sell firecrackers.
Shakil, a driver by profession, added: “My 10-year-old keeps going outside and bringing back a firecracker worth Tk 10. I’m tired of giving him money. Neighbours are complaining, but I can’t seem to stop the children.”
FROM BLOODIED SCARS TO THE CELEBRATION OF RENEWAL
After the bloodshed, killings, and destruction of last August, Bangladesh embarked on a new path, leaving people to spend recent months in fear and anxiety.
With streets disrupted by protests, robber scares, political instability, and general distress, people welcomed the New Year with heavy hearts but attempted to forget their past scars.
Gathered in homes or neighbourhoods, they sang, played music, and shared good food in an effort to embrace the new while forgetting the old.
Ishrat Soheli, an officer at a private bank, said: “Many like me haven’t yet recovered from the trauma of July and August. Back then, gunfire and explosions echoed across areas of Mohammadpur for days. Newspapers reported children dying even while staying indoors. We spent days barricaded behind locked doors and windows. The firecracker noise tonight feels unbearable. Though there’s widespread music in the alleys, the fear isn’t gone.”
As in previous years, bans on fireworks, firecrackers, and floating lanterns proved ineffective. Dhaka’s skies were ablaze with fireworks and lanterns. Young people celebrated the new year by playing loud music and partying in the streets and alleys.
Sulaiman Ali, a businessman from the Shyamoli, said: “Our neighbourhood has been blasting music since the afternoon. They’ve been collecting money from nearby shops to fund their dance and music events.”
An annoyed Sulaiman added, “These boys and girls bash India so much on Facebook, yet all they play are Hindi and Punjabi Bhangra songs.”
Restrictions on movement were also reported in areas like Gulshan and Banani.
