First Smoking: Initiation of A ‘Bad Habit’ With Ominous Health Hazards

It was the year of 1989, when we were in Class VII, we arranged a picnic for the first time independently. This was such an exciting event that even I, spent a sleepless night due to inexpressible emotions. We were recognized as grown up enough for arranging a picnic all by ourselves- that was the reason behind such unbearable emotions.

But upon arrival to the school premises, we sensed something unusual. Nothing was arranged till then. Everybody was blaming each other for failure to arrange microphone, decorators etc., although specific persons were assigned for specific events. Silently observed their drama acted by Piul (our beloved late friend, a born leader, for whom all of us cherish a special corner), Topu (The notorious beloved Topu, still I feel his warm hugging), Apu (Over whom, I posses every right to claim anything else, even his wife), Pavel, Vaskor (My Childhood friend), Kalti Rony (who always feels superiority complex, but except that point, I know he has a nice mind) and others.

Finding no alternatives, I, Kalti, Vaskor went to Subodh Sir's residence to seek his help. He voluntarily agreed, arranged utensils from school store & picked up Rajab Ali (so far I can recall) as cook. He also contributed financially and with his support, we could start our picnic.

Microphone started to bang loudly in Chikli Bill (a water body in Rangpur).

Suddenly I noticed Piul, Topu & others to smoke in heroic manner. I got attracted, convinced Hamim & Molla Rasel to accompany me while purchasing the cigarette- 3 PCs of Gold Leaf from a shop just adjacent to the house of our Velta Shourav.

Then retuurned to our picnic spot, I, for the first time in my life, held a cigarette with the leaves, Molla & Hamim took 1 each. Molla lighted a match stick & both of us successfully puffed for the 1st time.

When I breathed out the puffed smoke, observed- I'm standing on fresh human excreeta. Hamim didn't light his cigarette & discouraged to puff further, since I faced bar in initial move. I ignored him as usual & now I smoke a pack of cigarettes per day. Bravo Hamim. U won the battle, but I couldn't. Congratz.