DHAKA: It’s a tale of two Royal Bengal Tigers in front of the SAARC Fountain, one of the busiest points of the capital city.

In January, 2010, during the 11th South Asian Games in Dhaka, a huge budget was spent in different areas. Among them a fat budget was allocated for the decoration of the city.

From the airport to Bahadur Shah Park in old city different installations were set up.

Two replicas of the Royal Bengal Tiger--one standing in a royal mood and another sitting in an idle gesture--were made under the supervision of 14 Engineering Brigade of Bangladesh Army.

An advertising firm was given the work order by the Engineering Brigade to build the replica in the city heart.

The advertising firm-- Bangladesh Publicity--set the tiger replica in January prior to the SA Games.

It was seen that the tigers were transfiguring into a mewing white cat losing colors within eight months of construction.

On August 6 in 2010, the then Output Editor of banglanews24.com Mahmood Menon, now Head of News, made a report titled- “Bengal Tiger transfigured into white cat!”

The Royal Bengal Tiger that has a graceful built with bright yellow coat and black stripes give it a royal look. Its ears are black on the outside and each of them has a prominent white spot on it.

When it came in the city, the tiger also had all these features. But, gradually, it started losing its colours--initially fading out and then totally getting erased.

Maybe, the monsoon rain is the culprit.

But, all will not agree. Should one only blame the rain? It could be the biggest question. When asked, Professor Mozaffar Ahmed told banglanews24.com, “Undoubtedly it has diminished the royal flavour of our national animal. But still it is a small issue to me, when we all have already diminished the prestige of the country in many other ways.”

The tigers looked like cat when those were built, but after publishing a news by banglanews24.com, they were given resize like tigers.

On August 20 in 2013, it was seen that the tigers lost their colors again and it was looking like someone had pulled out their leather from back and belly. Colors were faded and it was looking so ugly.

This time banglanews again published a news titled “Who pulled out leather of the tigers?” And the news managed to draw the attention of authority concerned.

In the latest development, on September 21, the tigers were given the prior shape after painting. They regain bright yellow coat and black stripes of royal look.

Enthusiastic people were seen posing before cameras with the tigers; some are saying those tigers have got their lives back.

BDST: 1126 HRS, SEP 22, 2013
AKA/ADB