As the capital’s bustling New Market remains shuttered for six consecutive days due to the Eid-ul-Azha holidays and the weekly closure, an unusual silence has descended on one of Dhaka’s busiest commercial hubs.
Photo taken at New Market in Dhaka on Monday. Photo: Shamsul Hadi/UNB
While government offices have reopened, the market will remain closed until Wednesday as Tuesday is its regular weekly holiday.
The prolonged shutdown has left dozens of stray cats that inhabit the market struggling to find food, with the usual flow of shoppers, vendors and leftovers coming to a halt.
Photo taken at New Market in Dhaka on Monday. Photo: Shamsul Hadi/UNB
In the face of this crisis, a group of security guards has stepped forward with quiet acts of kindness.
Using their limited means, they have been providing food and care to the vulnerable animals, ensuring they do not go hungry during the extended closure.
Photo taken at New Market in Dhaka on Monday. Photo: Shamsul Hadi/UNB
The heartwarming gesture highlights a rare display of compassion amid the deserted market, where the feline residents now rely largely on the goodwill of those tasked with guarding the premises.