Jahangirnagar University: The Beauty of Summer [May 2008]

01 May 2008

As Jahangirnagar University (JU) is one of my favourite places for a quick getaway, I always look for excuses to pay a visit there; even if thats during the scorching heat of summer. During my last visit to JU on 15 February, I put Sakran, my wife's cousin, on Krishnachura alert! I told him to call me the moment he find the red flowers in full bloom. That being the case, Sakran all on a sudden called me on 27 April. I knew that I had a long weekend coming, starting on Labour Day. But I needed to be sure of my time; so, I waited until the 30th before I gave Sakran my full go-ahead. Told him to stay there. As usual, I looked for partners. But people were busy for the day, I had to stick to my own individual plan.

Original plan was to jump into the bus before 10AM. But the heat seemed too rough; so decided to start during the afternoon, when the sun would become at least a little tired. I boarded the bus exactly at 4:00PM and reached JU by 4:45. Scorching summer heat didn't give me any respite during the whole journey. Saw a few Krishnachura in bloom right beside the main gate. Sakran told me to come to his hall. Once I reached there, I found Sakran in the middle of an inter-batch cricket match. So, we waited until the match was over (Sakran unfortunately lost) and he got freshened up a bit. I watched the Indian Premiere League match for the time being. Anyway, we were on our way to walk around the campus by 5:15. The sun became quite bearable by then. We took a northerly route from Sakran's hall (Al Beruni Extension Hall) and went past Transport and Munni Sarani. It wasn't long before we started to find some Krishnachura on fire. The road took us towards the Vice Chancellor's house and beyond. The last part of the road was particularly fascinating. Before the JU School and teachers' quarters, we could see the road decorated with beautiful colours. We took our time to take photos as well as enjoying the beauty of nature.

Before long the sun set in front of us. A scorching summer day went down with the sun. But this is a place where one can really see the beauty of nature. Most would like to hide themselves from the sun. But sun is the reason summer gets such magnificent colours. Our country is blessed with six seasons. And before we go near the nature and feel it, we do not realise what makes this blessing so unique.

I boarded a return bus to Dhaka in the evening. The weather was no pleasant even without the sun. But hey, what would I except during the summer? And we need summer if we want the nature to bloom. We have to accept what nature brings for us; because thats were the beauty lies. This is one beauty man cannot create; at least for now.