She had no answers.

This is now a commonplace scenario that city dwellers are receiving leaflets from veiled women and men at particular spots, especially at different traffic signal points, busy intersections, bus, train and launch terminals and shopping malls, in the Mohakhali, Gulistan, Farmgate, Mouchak, Azimpur, Sayedabad, Motijheel, Nilkhet, Mirpur.

The leaflets, full of indecent language to allure people include advertisements of different "herbal treatment centres" or so-called "astrology Institutes."

The leaflets highlight ways of leading a happy conjugal life, how to remain full of vitality in old age, how to resolve any complicated disease with guaranty. It also includes narrating sensual organ problems and solutions to them to attract customers to these centres.

The leaflets are distributed to anyone, immaterial of age or the nature of the person.

"My job is to supply the leaflets; it is not my responsibility to consider to whom I will deliver," said Amzad, a leaflet supplier.

Previously the job of distribution was confined to only men, but with the passing of time women too, are engaged in this profession.

A middleman from different organisations instructs these people to distribute leaflets to passengers of different transports, while the distributors are paid on the number of leaflets each distributes.

"I get Tk seven on every hundred leaflets, said," Nazma Begum. "If I distribute 2,000 leaflets a day I earn Tk140," she added.

However Taslima, another distributor is on a monthly contract and receives Tk 2,000 each month. There is no restriction on the number she distributes, but continues distributing as many bundles as she can a day.

Most of these people are not aware of what is written on the pieces of paper. They said that their job was to deliver them to passengers and to earn a living. Some did not even know which organisation they are promoting.

"I was a garment factory worker but for some reasons I had to quit. My family need financial support, and one day when an acquaintance of mine gave me the job, I took it and have been doing so for the last six months," said Zobeda.

"These leaflets are delivered to let people know that remedies to several diseases that they endure are available. These organisations provides the remedy and the leaflets are a kind of advertisement," Amzad said.

When asked about the obscene language printed, Amzad replied that there was nothing wrong with the language used. The leaflets comprehensively narrate the problem and the centres explain the solution.

Organisations like Bangladesh Herbal medical, Al-Shefa Herbal Centre, Unani Herbal Centre, American Herbal Complex, Homeo Therapy and Health Care, Asia Herbal Medical, and Kolkat Herbal Medical distribute the leaflets.

Some passengers also complained about certain advertisements on mass awareness of AIDS.

"Sometimes pictures and languages used on some buses, usually double-deckers, are embarrassing for parents and guardians using those transports or waiting for them," said M Aliur Rahman Oli, researcher and senior trainer of Press Institute of Bangladesh.

"I feel embarrassed when such leaflets come across my way, especially when I am with my school-going son," said Aminul Haq.

"Public awareness can be made using decent language and pictures," he added.

According to an amended advertisement policy of Ministry of Information there is no bar regarding the use of indecent language in advertisements.