Nasir Muzahid

Capital city, Dhaka is still in a holiday mood though the government, semi-government and private offices including banks and financial institutions reopened yesterday after the three-day Eid holiday and the weekend.

Both the public and private offices yesterday saw very low attendants and those who joined the first day of work after the Eid were found in relaxed mood.

In the secretariat too few officials attended the office taking the advantage of the absence of many ministers who are yet to return from their constituencies.

"About 30 to 40 percent staff members joined offices yesterday and many of them were late-comers," said an employee at the Ministry of Establishment.

The transaction in the banks was much lower than usual, said Abdullah Al Amin, an official of Shahjalal Islami Bank's Dhanmondi branch.

Although the insurance companies, semi-government offices, autonomous bodies, multinational companies and the offices of local business complexes in Motijheel commercial area resumed work yesterday, the business hub of the capital witnessed a rather dull workday due to absence of staff in offices.

Sohel Mahmud, an employee of a renowned housing company, said he took two days extra leave to spend some more time with his family in Dinajpur. Though some of the shopping malls and markets reopened, there was fewer customers than usual.

Irin Sultana, a resident of Uttara, said, "It was a great experience. I went to Mirpur Zoo from Uttara with my daughter but we faced no traffic congestion."