Chittagong Port - The Largest Sea Port of Bangladesh

The Port of Chittagong is the principal Port of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. It is situated on the right bank of the river Karnafuli at a distance of about 9 nautical miles from the shore line of the Bay of Bengal. River Karnafuli rising in the Lushai Hill falls in the Bay of Bengal after taking a winding course of 120 nautical miles through the districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts and Chittagong.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND      

Chittagong Port Office

The history of Chittagong Port can be traced back to the 4th century BC. During the 9th-15th century AD, Chittagong was known as ‘SHETGANG’ to earlyEuropean mariners. In the 16th century, Portuguese sailors took great interest in the locality around Chittagong which was then popularly known as ‘PORTE GRANDE’. The port was established at its present location in 1887. By 1910, four jetties were constructed to handle 0.5 million tons of cargo annually. Since then the port has grown gradually to its present shape.

SEAWARD LIMIT

With Patenga Beacon as centre if an arc is drawn seaward with a radius of 5.5 nautical miles till it intercepts the coast line at positions :-

Lat 220 18'45" N. Long. 91046'30"E in the North and Lat 22008'13"N.Long 91050'00"E in the South, the area enclosed within the extremities if the arc will from the Seaward limit of the Port of Chittagong.

SERVICE AND FACILITIES

Pilotage is compulsory for ocean going vessels. The entrance to the river is constantly changing and no vessel should attempt to enter without pilot. Pilot boards approximately 2 nautical miles seaward of the outer Bar Buoy.

In the moderate heavy weather a lee must be made for the Pilot Boat. The vessel receiving a Pilot is required to wait at the pilot ground near the entrance all clear of anchor taking into consideration the effect of tide and other conditions to facilitate boarding of the pilot in good time to be able to avail of the tide for entering and berthing etc. The propelling distance from the pilot ground to the main jetties is approximately 11 nautical miles and the distance has to be covered at variable speed in defferent sections of the river. Inward ships must present themselves at pilot ground at least 3 hours before the high water to enter on a particular day. This of course, is subject to the availability of berth and having permissible draft and length etc.

The ship movements generally commence about 5 to 5 hours before the day's high water and the tides have been termed Day or Night taking this factor into consideration.

During the spring tide/Freshet/Foul weather vessels under 7 knots will not be normally handled and such vessels will be classed grade 2 for operation purpose. Agents of such vessel are required to consult the Deputy conservator well in advance.

Masters are advised to manoeuvre with great care while receiving and disembarking pilots.

Vessels due for entering in the next 24 hours must anchor in Anchorage B. Keep R.T. Watch at least 3 hours before the pilot boarding time and also display her signal letters.

Incoming vessels normally enter with the flood time. The normal manoeuvre is to snub with the starboard anchor and proceed to berth/mooring after heaving up and finally go alongside using the port anchor.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - The Father Of Nation

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Some of the biographers of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have said that he was the most astonishing and much talked about leader in South East Asia. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman charismatic leader, President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Bangabandhu, the architect of Bangladesh, was a founding member of the East Pakistan Muslim Students League (est. 1948), one of the founding joint secretaries of the East Pakistan Awami Muslim League (est. 1949), general secretary of the awami league (1953-1966), president of the Awami League (1966-1974), president of Bangladesh (in absentia from 26 March 1971 to 11 January 1972), prime minister of Bangladesh (1972-24 January1975), president of Bangladesh (25 January 1975-15 August 1975).

Birth:

Born on 17 March 1920 in the village Tungipara under the gopalganj Sub-division (currently district) in the district of Faridpur. He was born in a middle class Bangalee family. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's father, Sheikh Lutfar Rahman, was a serestadar in the civil court of Gopalganj.

Education:

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman passed his matriculation from Gopalganj Missionary School in 1942, IA (Twelfth Grade) from Islamia College, Calcutta in 1944 and BA from the same College in 1947.

Early Political Life:

His political life began as an humble worker while he was still a student. He was fortunate to come in early contact with such towering personalities as Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy and A K Fazlul Huq, both charismatic Chief Ministers of undivided Bengal. Adolescent Mujib grew up under the gathering gloom of stormy politics as the aging British raj in India was falling apart and the Second World War was violently rocking the continents. He witnessed the ravages of the war and the stark realities of the great famine of 1943 in which about five million people lost their lives. The tragic plight of the people under colonial rule turned young Mujib into a rebel.

Sundarban Bangladesh - World Biggest Mangrove Forest

The Sundarbans are the largest littoral mangrove belt in the world. In Bangladesh tourism, Sundarban plays the most vital role. A large number of foreigners come to Bangladesh every year only to visit this unique mangrove forest. Besides, local tourists also go to visit Sundarban every year. The area of great Sundarban is approximately 6000 sq. km.

General Information about Sudarban:

Sundarban

AREA:

Nearly 2400 sq. miles or 6000 sq. km. FOREST LIMITS: North-Bagerhat, Khulna and Sathkira districts : South-Bay of Bengal; East-Baleswar (or Haringhata) river, Perojpur, Barisal district, and West-Raimangal and Hariabhanga rivers which partially form Bangladesh boundary with West Bengal in India.

The forests aren't just mangrove swamps though, they include some of the last remaining stands of the mighty jungles which once covered the Gangetic plain. The Sundarbans cover an area of 38,500 sq km, of which about one-third is covered in water. Since 1966 the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area.

CLIMATE:

Rainfall is heavy and humidity high (80%) due to the proximity of the Bay of Bengal. About 80% of the rain fall in the monsoon, which lasts from June to October. Mean annual rainfall varies from about 1,800mm at Khulna, north of the Sundarbans, to 2,790mm on the coast. There is a six-month dry season during which evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation. Conditions are most saline in February-April, the depletion of soil moisture being coupled with reduced freshwater flow from upstream. Temperatures rise from daily minima of 2-4°C in winter to a maximum of about 43°C in March and may exceed 32°C in the monsoon. Storms are common in May and October-November and may develop into cyclones, usually accompanied by tidal waves of up to 7.5m high (Seidensticker and Hai, 1983). Climatic data for Khulna are summarised by Christensen (1984).

Royal Bengal Tiger

MAIN ATTRACTIONS:

Wildlife photography including photography of the famous Royal Bengal Tiger, wildlife viewing, boating inside the forest will call recordings, nature study, meeting fishermen, wood-cutters and honey-collectors, peace and tranquility in the wilderness, seeing the world's largest mangrove forest and the riverine beauty.

FAMOUS SPOTS:

The main tourist spots in Sundarban are Karamjol, Katka, Kochikhali, Hiron point and Mandarbaria. Hiron Point (Nilkamal) for tiger, deer, monkey, crocodiles, birds and natural beauty. Katka for deer, tiger, crocodiles, varieties of birds and monkey, morning and evening symphony of wild fowls. Vast expanse of grassy meadows running from Katka to Kachikhali (Tiger Point) provides opportunities for wild tracking. Tin Kona Island for tiger and deer.

 CULTURAL HERITAGE:

There is archaeological evidence of earlier human occupation on the deltaic islands. The human settlements are indicative of the former presence of abundant freshwater, both from the Ganges and from non-saline ground water. Human occupation ceased in the 17th century, reportedly due to pirate attacks (Christensen, 1984).

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND FACILITIES:

Considerable research has been carried out on the Sundarbans ecosystem and its wildlife. Hendrichs (1975) undertook a three-month field study of tiger, concentrating on the problem of man-eating, and other vertebrates and invertebrates, in 1971. Other fauna1 surveys include those of Gittins (1981) and Khan (1986) for rhesus macaque, Khan (1986) for spotted deer, Sarker and Sarker (1986) for birds, and Sarker (1985a, 1985b) and Sarker and Sarker (1985) for birds of prey. About 500 foreign tourists visited the area in 1996 plus 5000 domestic tourists, the majority at the South Wildlife Sanctuary.

Mahasthangarh (City Of Pundravardhan) – One Of The Tourist Attraction In Bangladesh

Mahasthangarh (Physical setup) so far the oldest archaeological site of Bangladesh, lies on the western bank of river karatoya, about 12 km north of Bogra town, and is connected by a good metalled road.

This 3rd century archaeological site is still held to be of great sanctity by the Hindus.

Mahasthan, the present name of the ancient city known as "Pundurunagar (Pundranagar)". The word ‘Mahasthan’ means a place that has excellent sanctity and ‘garh’ means fort. The extensive ruins of Mahasthangarh presents a glorious past of about two thousand and five hundred years of Pundranagar, the capital city of ancient Pundra Vardhan Bhukti. About four thousand years ago Pundurunagar was an affluent and strong settlement.

The mighty Maurya, Gupta and other rulers had their provincial capital there. Even the initial capital of the Pal dynasty was Pundurunagar. The ruins of this great ancient city is situated on the western bank of river Korotoa, which is indeed a past glory not only of Bogra but also of whole Bangladesh.

From the archaeological evidence it is proven that the site was provincial capital of the Mauryans, the Guptas, the Palas, and the fudal Hindu kings of later period. Beyond the citadel, other ancient ruins found within a radius of 7/8 km in a semi-circle in the north, south, and west which testify the existence of extensive suburbs. It is worth quoted that Yuen Chwang, the famous chinese pilgrim visited the Pundra Vardhana in between 639-645 A.D. Sir Alexandar Cunningham rightly identified the current Mahasthangarh as Pundranagar at 1879 following the description left by Yuen Chwang.

The whole area is rich in Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim sites. The Buddhists were here until at least the 11th century. Their most glorious period was the 8th to the 11th centuries, when the Buddhist Pala emperors of North-Bengal ruled. It is from this period that most of the visible remains belong. The citadel was probably first constructed under the Mauryan empire in the 3rd century B.C. It fell into disuse around the time of Mughal invasions. Most of the visible brickwork dates from the 8th century, apart from that added during restoration. Outside the citadel, there is a remaining of a 6th-century Govinda Bhita Hindu Temple, which looks like a broken-down step pyramid.

After the Muslim conquest of Bengal in the early 13th century, the city lost its role of capital. It was nevertheless occasionally occupied through the centuries, as attested by the mosque and the tomb of Shah Sultan Mahisawar (17th century).

Rickshaw Art - A beautiful Creativity

Rickshaw is not only moves with the passenger and other load, but it moves with a museum full of folk arts. Every inch of the Rickshaw is well decorated with paintings, tassels, tinsel and colourful plastic and hood works. Rickshaw hoods, foot holds, seats and in the back side, even in frame and in chassis there is a sign of art. A painted rectangular metal board at the backside, between the two wheels, leaves a trail of passion that the Rickshaw artist puts in his creations. In a word a Rickshaw of Bangladesh is a burn of colours

In eighties to nineties the elites of Bangladesh scorned rickshaw art as vulgar while at the same time many fine artists of the country took it seriously as an expression of the taste and interests of the masses. What sort of art is rickshaw art? I consider it “peoples’ art”. It is not necessary to force it into a unitary category as it combines folkloric, movie, political and commercial imagery and techniques. It serves the expression of heart’s desires of the man in the street for women, power, wealth, as well as for religious devotion. Rickshaw art also serves prestige and economic functions for the people who make use and enjoy it.

Rickshaw Painter

Rasid, a rickshaw painter, paints a tin plate fixed to the lower rear part of the rickshaw body at a garage in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009. Rickshaw painting is a unique art and the tricycle Rickshaw is one of the most popular modes of transport in Bangladesh.

Kaptai Dam - Karnafuli Hydro Power Station, Bangladesh

Kaptai dam is the one and only dam of Bangladesh that is used to generate hydro-electric power.  The only hydropower plant in the country is located at kaptai, about 50 km from the port city of chittagong. This plant was constructed in 1962 as part of the 'Karnafuli Multipurpose Project', and is one of the biggest water resources development project of Bangladesh. The water storage capacity of the Kaptai dam is 11000 km2.

Kaptai Dam

After being commissioned in 1962, the plant could feed the national grid with 80 MW of electricity. In later years, the generation capacity was increased in two phases to a total of 230 MW. The plant not only plays an important role in meeting the power demand of the country but is also vital as a flood management installation for the areas downstream.

Under the guidance of then Chief Engineer (Irrigation) Khwaja Azimuddin, the construction site was chosen at present location of the dam in 1951. The International Engineering Co. Inc. (IECO) was engaged for a study on the project. Utah International Inc. was selected as construction contractor.

The earth-filled dam Kaptai is an earth-fill dam. It is 45.7m (36m MSL or mean sea level) high and 670.6m long. The maximum width is 7.6m and width at the foot is 45.7m. The 16-gated spillways, each 12.2m by 11.3m, can together pass a flow of 625,000 cusec. The average annual flow in the reservoir is approximately 15,646 MCM. The flood absorption capacity is 8.25 million Ac-ft and the flooded area at 33m MSL is 777 sq km.

In 1962, the the dam, spillway, penstock and two units of powerhouses were built. Each of the powerhouses was capable of generating 40MW of electricity. In November 1981 another 50MW generating unit was completed. In October 1988 the 4th and 5th generating units were installed which raised the total generation capacity to 230MW. The total cost of Unit 1, Unit 2 and a part of Unit 3 was Rs. 503 million and the total cost of extension was Tk. 1,900 million. The spillways was constructed on the left side of the main dam. The 16 gated (each 12.2 m X 11.3 m) spillway have discharge capacity of 625000 cusec. The construction of these system (dam, spillways and others) required to excavate 113400 cubic m. The dead storage at 23.16m above MSL is 1.18 million ac-ft. Flood storage capacity is 0.83 million ac-ft. 

Fokir Lalon Shah - Lord Of Folk Song

Fokir Lalon Shah

Fakir Lalon Shah also known as Lalon Shah (c.1774–1890), was a Bengali philosopher poet. He lived in the village of Cheuria in the area known as Nodia in the Bengal Presidency of British India, corresponding to the district of Kushtia in present-day Bangladesh. Lalon composed numerous songs and poems which describe his philosophy.

Among his most popular songs are khachar bhitor auchin pakhi, jat gelo jat gelo bole, dekhna mon jhokmariay duniyadari, paare loye jao amay, milon hobe koto dine, aar amare marishne maa, tin pagoler holo  mela, etc.

Lalon Shah Fakir was a Baul guru , and singer and composer of Baul songs .According to tradition, he was born into a Kayastha family in the village of Bhandara in Kushtia .As a young boy, Lalon caught smallpox and was abandoned in a critical condition by his parents . Siraj Sain , a Muslim faqir , picked up the child and nursed him back to health . Lalon was later inducted as baul faqir . He set up his akhda at Chheuriya , where he lived with his wife and a few disciples .

As a humanist who completely rejected all distinction of caste and creed .He was also a fine poet and lyricist , whose songs are sung not only by his followers but also by non-Bauls .In 1963, a mausoleum and research centre were built at the site of his akhda. Thousands of Bauls come to the akhda twice a year, on Dol-purnima in the month of Falgun(February-March) and in October, on the occasion of his death anniversary .During these three-day song melas, Bauls pay rich tributes to their spiritual; leader.

Lalon Shaha left no written copies of his songs, which were transmitted orally and only transcribed later by his followers .Kangal Harinath Majumdar (1833-1896) was his direct disciple. Rabindrnath Thakur was also inspired by his songs and published some of them in the monthly Probashi magazine of Kolkata . Lalon died at Chheuriya at the age of 116 on 17th October 1890.

Hilsa – The Most Popular Bengali Fish

Bangladesh is known as to her citizens as the Sonar Bangla, Golden Bengal, because of the richness of her land that takes on golden hue when the rice crop is ready for harvesting. Bangladesh is also known as the Land of the Royal Bengal Tiger, for the mangrove forests of Bangladesh plays host to some of the most magnificent specimens of the big cat.

Hilsha

But, to me, her most cherished treasure is the ilish, or the Hilsa Shad fish. Hilsa shad, one of the most important tropical fish of the family clupeidae under the genus Tenualosa and species ilisha is anadromous in nature, not a common phenomenon in tropical water compared to temperate and arctic regions, lives in the sea for most of its life, but migrates at least 1,200 km up in some river system in Indian sub-continent for spawning behavior. Distances of 50-100 km are more typical in Bangladesh.

Bangladeshis and Bengalis are noted for their love of fish, and God could not have rewarded them better than providing her waters with this most exquisitely delicious fish to titillate the palates of Bangladeshis.

Hilsa shad contributing 30 % of total fish production of Bangladesh, and about 40 % fishermen or 2 % of total population of the country earn their livelihood depending on Hilsa fishery directly or indirectly. Therefore economic contribution from this single species of fish is very high, in an agricultural based country like Bangladesh.

Three separate species of Hilsa Shad are found in Bay of Bengal, they are Hilsa kelee, Hilsa toli and Hilsa ilisha now Tenualosa ilisha. Tenualosa ilisha is considered as anadromous species while the other two species are restricted to marine environment. And in this report we are dealing only with anadromous stock.

In the case of Bangladesh, even the fishermen enjoying the current glut of Hilsa (which has caused the government to lift the winter ban) realize that this may be too much of a good thing. However, the prospect of a winter without empty rice bowls and hungry children has largely overcome their concern.

Hilsa, a national favorite and related to chad, has a mild flavor like walleye, sunfish or trout. Last year, in season, these popular fish sold for about $6 per kilo. This year, in the off-season, but also largely because of the glut, the price is half that.

Ahsan Monzil - The Pink Palace

AHSAN MANZIL

Ahsan Manzil is known as majestic pink palace and one of the most finest and old structures in Dhaka and significant architectural monuments of Bangladesh. It occupies a prominent place in the history of Dhaka as well as East Bengal from the mid-nineteenth century to the first quarter of the twentieth century. Ahsan Manzil being the residence and official center of the East Bengal's most influential Zamindars (landowner) who were later conferred the title of Nawab by the British Government, was the nerve center in the political, communal, economical and civilizing life of East Bengal and the Nawab Family played a key role in the independence movement and politics of the Indian subcontinent

Once the home of the Nawab of Dhaka, to days renovated Ahsan Manzil a monument of enormous historical beauty with 23 galleries displaying portraits, furniture and other objects used by the Nawab located on the banks of the Buriganga River in Dhaka. It is best seen from the river Buriganga but can be approached from Islampur road.

This stately building offers the visitors a feeling of the life-style of the Nawabs of Dhaka. Basically, the edifice of the palace was begun in 1859 and completed in 1872. Abdul Ghani named it Ahsan Manzil after his son Nawab Khwaja Ahsanullah. The newly built palace first came to be known as the Rang Mahal. On April 7, 1888, a windstorm caused severe smash up to Ahsan Manzil, Andar Mahal, the older part of the palace, was completely devastated. During the reconstruction of the Andar Mahal a good part of the palace was overhauled and repaired, and the exquisite dome of the present Rang Mahal was added. Ahsan Manzil was again damaged by an earthquake in 12 June 1897 and again repaired by the Nawab Ahsanullah.

There is a wonderful auditorium inside the Ahsan Manzil . To construct the auditorium of Ahsan Manzil, the square room on the ground floor was given a encircling shape with brickwork in the corners. The room was then given an octagonal shape near the roof. This octagonal shape took the form of the drum of the auditorium.

Royal Bengal Tiger- National Animal of Bangladesh

Royal Bengal Tiger

 Royal Bengal Tiger is without question the most amazing wild animal these days. It is the national animal of Bangladesh. It has decided the roost of significant feild types for most part of the present millennium. Royal Bengal Tiger is crimson red with filter dark-colored, greyish or darkish lines, usually in a straight route. The bottom is rich and steamy or white; a unusual version has a chalky bright cover with deeper lines and icy red sight. The weight is, men 225 kg , women 135 kg. It is known as so because of its royal look and is available in Bengal or Bangladesh (Sundarbans). It for on method to large fodder such as hogs, deer, antelopes, and buffalo.

 Tiger is the biggest living member of the cat household. It has a elegant designed. The crimson yellow-colored cover with dark-colored lines gives it a elegant look. Ventrally it is bright. Its hearing are dark-colored on the outside and each of them has a popular bright spot on it. The scientific name of tiger is 'Panthera tigris'. The source of the cat household from what we know these days is Siberia. From there, they moved down southern region as the environment became chillier.

Tigers are discovered in Siberia, Manchuria and the Oriental place. In Japan, Native indian and Malaysia are the two popular nations where lions live. The Native indian lions, the Royal Bengal lions are the most elegant creatures discovered in Sundarban in Bengal.In Native indian we had over 40 million lions in the beginning of the Last millennium. Today it is very sad to observe that the research is much lower.

Land Of Rickshaw - Bangladesh

Rickshaw

One of the most typical types of transportation in Bangladesh is by rickshaw. These three rolling bike operated carriages transportation more than 80% of the inhabitants (my estimate). Vehicles that are motivated by taking once lifestyle psychological medical center escapees transportation the rest of the inhabitants.

In Bangla wallah is a individual who does, it is a individual used in a certain potential or linked with a certain factor or action. For example, a pc wallah is a pc professional. A rickshaw wallah pushes a rickshaw and these unsung men and young kids spend enough energy in one day to energy an planes service provider on a number of journeys returning and forth across the Hawaiian.
The cost of a rickshaw trip is determined by (1) the range, (2) the elements, (3) whether you appear to be wealthy or inadequate, (4) whether you are Bangladeshi or a foreigner. I ask Bangladeshis how much they pay and then I pay that plus about 10% more. People from other countries are required to pay more and many have no concept what the going amount is for a trip. Generally, a two range trip on a excellent day expenditures about 10 to 15 taka (.15 to .20 US cents).

Sylhet - One of the Source of Natural Beauty in Bangladesh

Sylhet has also a very interesting and rich history. Before the conquest by the Muslims, it was ruled by local chieftains. In 1303, the great Saint Hazrat Shah Jalal came to Sylhet from Delhi with a band of 360 disciples to preach Islam and defeated the then Raja Gour Gobinda, Sylhet thus became a district of saints, shrines and daring but virile people.

Tea Garden of Sylhet

The Sylhet valley has a good number of haors which are big natural depressions. During winter these haors are vast stretches of green land, but in the rainy season they turn into a turbulent sea. These haors provide a sanctuary to the millions of migratory birds who fly from across the Himalayas to escape the severe Siberian winters.

Greater Sylhet is virtually one broad valley, fringed by the Khasi and Jaintia hills to the north and the hills of Tripura to the south. Just to the north is Tamabil, the border outpost with Meghalaya of India. There exists a convenient route to make travel to this part of India through Tamabil border and we organise regular tours to Shillong and adjoining areas both for the local and foreign guests. Cherrapunjee, the wettest place on earth is in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. Jafflong, with picturesque surrounding, lies just adjacent to Tamabil and the area is also famous for stones and boulders. Every day hundreds of people are found collecting stones and boulders from this area, which are exported to other districts as quality construction materials. The Surma and the Kushiara rivers, which are fed by innumerable hill streams from the north and the south, form the Sylhet valley. There are good numbers of haors, which are big natural depressions. During the winter these haors are vast stretches of green land but in the rainy season they turn into turbulent seas. These haors provide a sanctuary to millions of migratory birds that fly from Siberia across the Himalayas to avoid severe cold there. This region is famous as tea growing area and the majority of the tea estates belong to Srimongol. For miles and miles around, visitors can see the tea gardens spread like green carpets over the plain land or on sloping hills. The region has very high precipitation and its rainforests are habitat of primates and other rare species of wild animals and birds. Added attraction is the high percentage of ethnic people, belonging to the colourful Monipuri, Khasia, Garo and Tripura living in this region. Near Lawacherra Forest in Srimongol, the movie 'Around the World in 80 Days' was shot.

Dying Bangladeshi Pride "Jamdani Saree"

Jamdani (Bengali: জামদানি)  - one of the most beautiful and practical textiles of Bengal. History, legend and tradition are woven into the fabric along with the unique patterns that make jamdani so sought after. Jamdani is a hand loom woven fabric made of cotton, which historically was referred to as muslin. The Jamdani weaving tradition is of Bengali origin. It is one of the most time and labor intensive forms of weaving hand loom weaving.Wearing Saree is an age old tradition among Bangladeshi women. Its an integral part of Bangladeshi culture and heritage. It’s a tradition of Bangladeshi women to wear gorgeous Saree in weeding ceremony It is also a habit of a woman to wear Saree in their daily life.

Jamdani Saree

Jamdani Saree is very favorite to a woman among the large varieties of Saree produced in Bangladesh. The word Jamdani is derived from Persia, where ‘Jam’ means flower and ‘Dani’ means a vase or a container. Jamdani is world famous for it’s eye catching artistic and expensive ornamental fabric. It’s made of high quality cotton muslin of Bengali origin, with colored stripes and patterns.

History

The earliest mention of Jamdani and its development as an industry is to be found in Kautilya's Arthashashtra (book of economics) wherein it is stated that this fine cloth used to be made in Bengal and Pundra (parts of modern Bangladesh). Jamdani is also mentioned in the book of Periplus of the Eritrean Sea and in the accounts of Arab, Chinese and Italian travelers and traders.

The base fabric for Jamdani is unbleached cotton yarn and the design is woven using bleached cotton yarns so that a light-and-dark effect is created. Alexander the Great in 327 B.C mentions "beautiful printed cottons" in India. It is believed that the erstwhile Roman emperors paid fabulous sums for the prized Indian cotton.

Bangabondhu Jamuna Memorial Bridge - One of our proud

Bangabandhu Bridge, also called the Jamuna Multi-purpose Bridge (Bengali: যমুনা বহুমুখী সেতু Jomuna Bohumukhi Shetu), is a bridge opened in Bangladesh in June 1998. It connects Bhuapur on the Jamuna River's east bank to Sirajganj on its west bank. It was the 11th longest bridge in the world when constructed in 1998[1] and currently the 6th longest bridge in South Asia. It was constructed over the Jamuna River, one of the three major rivers of Bangladesh, and fifth largest in the world in terms of volumetric discharge.

The bridge established a strategic link between the eastern and western parts of Bangladesh. It generates multifarious benefits for the people and especially, promotes inter-regional trade in the country. Apart from quick movement of goods and passenger traffic by road and rail, it facilitated transmission of electricity and natural gas, and integration of telecommunication links. The bridge is located on the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway which, when fully developed, will provide uninterrupted international road and railway links from South-east Asia through Central Asia to North-west Europe.

The Historic Shat Gambuj Mosque

The Shat Gambuj Mosque is one of the greatest tourist attractions and best architectural beauties of Bangladesh. It is one of the oldest mosques of Bangladesh. It is situated in city of Bagerhat under the Khulna division. Bagerhat district is located in the south west of Bangladesh which is about 200 miles away from the Capital of Bangladesh (Dhaka). Here “Shat” means “Sixty” and “Gambuj” means “Pillar”. “Shat” is a Bengali word and “Gambuj” is an Arabic or Urdu word. The mosque has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO under criteria (IV), "as an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble which illustrates a significant stage in human history" in 1983. This is a great tourist attraction of Bangladesh and also the South Asia.
 

Bagerhat city was founded a Muslim colony near the seacoast in the District of Bagerhat in mid 15th century by the saint Ulugh Khan Jahan. He was a warrior, Turkish general and saint. He was well known for his unique capability in the administration and a builder, but also as a Pir (a saintly person). In the reign, he was one of the earliest torchbearers of Islam. In the 15th century this Bagerhat town known as Khalifatabad and nicknamed the "Mint Town of the Bengal Sultanate".

This historic city is spread over an area of 50 square kilometers on the banks of the Bhairab River. It is one of the 15 lost cities in the world. More than 50 Islamic monuments have been found after many centuries. This district was a part of the Sundarbans mangrove forest.

Buddha Purnima & Buddhism

 One of the biggest religious instructors of human creatures which Bharat has created is certainly, Buddha. Edwin Arnold has fittingly known as him the "Light of Asia". Buddha's concept has visited far and large and taken the thoughts and hearts and thoughts of immeasureable individuals outside Bharat also.

   Siddhartha, the only son of Shuddhodana, the Master of Kapilavastu located at the feet of Himalayas, was prophesied by the elegant astrologer to become either a well-known emperor or a world-renowned ascetic. The dad, troubled that his son should not take to the thorny direction of a recluse, took outstanding safety measures to prevent every scenario which would trigger such ideas in his daughters thoughts.

   Siddhartha matured of age without ever understanding what agony or sadness was. One day the elegant prince preferred to see the town. The Master requested that the town should be all gay and huge, so that everywhere his son would fulfill with only attractive attractions. However, an old and reduced man by the curbside occurred to get Siddhartha's eye.

Mainamati - A Sign of Our History

It is known as the Chair of Missing Dynasties. About 8 km to the western of Comilla city, located 114 km south of Dhaka, can be found a variety of low mountains known as the Mainamati-Lalmai variety, which was an comprehensive hub of Buddhist lifestyle. On the runs or these mountains lie spread a value of details about the beginning Buddhist world (7th-12th Millennium AD)

Mainamati is an separated low, lumpy variety of mountains. filled with more than 50 historical Buddhist negotiations of the 8th to Twelfth millennium AD known as Mainamati-Lalmai variety are prolonged through the hub of the section of Comilla.

Salban Vihara, almost in the center of the Mainamati-Lalmai mountain variety includes 115 tissues. designed around a huge courtyard with cruciform forehead in the hub experiencing its only entrance complicated to the northern similar to that of the Paharpur Monastery.

Kotila Mura located on a compressed hillock. about 5 km. northern of Salban Vihara in the Comilla Cantonment place is stunning Buddhist organization. Here three stupas are discovered part by part comprising the Buddhist "Trinity" or three jewelry i.e. the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

Charpatra Mura is an separated little rectangular shrine located about 2.5 km. north-west of Kotila Mura stupas. The only strategy to the shrine is from the Eastern through a entrance which causes a huge lounge.

Tribal Of Bangladesh - Chakma

Chakma is the name of the largest tribe present in the hilly area of eastern Bangladesh known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Their name was first used by British census-takers to portray sure hill people.

LOCATION

The Chakma population is estimated to be around 550,000. It is spread over different countries. The majority (about 300,000 people) can be present in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. There's also about 80,000 Chakmas in Mizoram State in India, and twenty,000 in Burma (Myanmar).

The Chakmas are a Mongoloid people related to people of southwestern Burma. The Chittagong Hills form part of the western fringe of the mountain regions of Burma and eastern India. The region has warm temperatures, monsoon rains, and high humidity.

 LANGUAGE

The Chakmas speak a dialect of Bengali (Bangla) and use the standard Bengali alphabet.

 RELIGION

The Chakmas are Buddhists. Chakmas officially follow the Southern, or Theravada, kind of the Buddhism. But, their kind of Buddhism has aspects of Hinduism & traditional religions as well.

 Every Chakma village has a Buddhist temple (kaang). Buddhist priests or monks are called Bhikhus. They preside at religious festivals & ceremonies. The villagers support their monks with food, gifts, & offerings to Buddha.

The Chakmas also worship Hindu deities. Lakshmi, for example, is worshipped as the Goddess of the Harvest. Chakmas offer the sacrifice of goats, chickens, or ducks to calm the spirits that are believed to bring fevers & disease. Although animal sacrifice is against Buddhist beliefs, the Chakma Buddhist priests ignore the practice.

Cox's Bazar - A largest resource of natural beauty in the world

Cox's Bazar, the world's longest natural sandy sea beach with its wonderful 125 km length, & most visited tourist destinations in Bangladesh. It is as well as a contemporary town; widely known fishing port as well as a district headquarter in Bangladesh.It is a district in the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh near the border of Myanmar. The town is located 150 kilometer south of Chittagong. Due to lack of development, publicity & mismanagement; the spot has so far to become a most desirable international tourist location in Asia.


Alternative Name: "Panowa" means "yellow flower".
Elderly Name: "Palongkee".


Modern Cox's Bazar: The modern Cox's Bazar gained its name from British-Indian Captain Hiram Cox in the 18th century. They was an officer of British East India Company. They did several social works here as the Superintendent of Palongkee outpost before they died in 1799. The works they had done made him a place in the hearts of the locals. As a result, to commemorate Cox's role in social work a market was established here & named after him as "Cox's Bazar" ("Cox's Market") with time it turn as Cox's Bazar.

Celebrating Pohela Boishakh In Bangladesh

Bangladeshi people are well-known for their custom, culture, hospitality & for their divine power of adaptation through adversities. Well, their celebration in different festivals is a part of their custom & they know well how to celebrate.

The first day of the new year is celebrated in a befitting manner all over the world. Bangladeshi people are no exception in this respect.

This time it is 1419 on Bangla calender; but ought to it suggests & indicate that life did start 1418 year ago? If fact it was a non-Bengali Mughol king, Emperor Akbar - who introduced Bangla calender based on Gregorian calender , Boishakh being the first month of the year- coinciding his antecedence to the Mughol throne. So each year, knowingly or unknowingly, when they celebrate Pohela Boishakh, we're also celebrating the coronation day of the Emperor Akbar.

Akbar's idea of introducing Boishakh as the first month of the year gained immense popularity because for a long time it was already the month of new harvests & celebration among Bangali people.

People from all walks of life celebrate this great occasion with enthusiasm & funfair. On major religious celebrations, like- Eid, X-mas & so on; people from a specific religion celebrates the event with great spirit & joy. But Pohela Boishakh is the day which is celebrated by the people of all religions, ethnicity, languages, think, race & age. The harmony of this celebration is brilliant & inspiring. Pohela Boishakh opens a new year on Bangla calender & inspires all of us to start a new fresh life with hopes, aspiration & prosperity.Pohela Boishakh lasts for a day but it remains in our mind for a long period. This is the day to access our past, draw new hopes & aspiration for the future.

The whole Bangladesh celebrates the day in every way feasible and definitely they celebrate the day in Bangali culture and custom. Housewives cook appetizing dishes including 'Panta-Vat' and 'Pitha-Payesh' and everybody tries to wear new dresses. The costume reflects our traditions ans nationality as females wear sharee & males wear Lungi/Pagama -pungabi. The occasion is immense. Even for day we're Bangali in every way feasible. kids & teenagers use tattoos of different types- mostly the welcoming verses of Pohala Boishakh or NoboBorsho to show the importance of their celebration mood. Pohala Boishakh is celebrated all over the Bangladesh & west Bengal in India as well as different countries including USA & UK among Banglai community.The celebration is immense both in towns & country sides as well.

Village people mostly take the day of from their works & enjoy the day with relatives members. They take their kids to fairs & bazaars & buy them different toys, dolls, dresses, sweet-meats & flutes. Flute is of the most favourite items among kids & the sound is in every single place. Halkhata- which is a widely known party for rural people based on the day, Pohela Baishakh. The businessmen of all kinds close the debit-credit that day & open new note-books/ debit-credit khata & as to make the event more fascinating & acceptable there is a party thrown by them. Sweetmeat & Luchi is the main food offered in the party of the Halkhata. In the fairs people watches different shows , play on nagordolas & enjoys with great enthusiasm. People sometimes walk having their kids on top of their shoulders- mile after mile- to take their kids to the fairs & bazaar. Ladies prepare foods for the relatives members, wears new sharee (specially Red & White) & visit neighbors. Parents give their kids money to visit the fairs & to buy toys & foods. The rural & sub-urban dwellers celebrate the day as a outstanding day of the year.


In towns and giant cities, various social-cultural organizations arrange cultural and other programs including country songs , traditional dance, discussion, poem reciting etc. In Dhaka the first program of the day takes place at Ramana Batamul organized by leading cultural organizations. Baishakhi Mela at the Dhaka University is of the main attractions and people from all part of the city collect there. People also organize cultural programs in various places of the city. Girls and boys wear traditional costumes including sharee, Pungabee, gamsa and sandals. City people eat traditional 'Panta-Ilish' in the morning and other expensive foods and dishes at lunch and dinner.This is a national holiday and people enjoy the day every way feasible. The city dwellers have limited time to enjoy and refrain from works and this is of the days they live a full life.

There is in fact no New year or Pohela Boishak , because time flowing perpetually is eternal in indivisible. Yet people around the globe divide and picture time in to years, months, weeks, days, so on and forth. Bangali are no exception and they have the New Year of their own and it's Pohela Boishakh. Bangali celebrate the Pohela Boishakh to access their past, draw new hopes and aspiration for the future with great enthusiasm and excitement. Pohela Boishakh thus the day day they cherish, the day they celebrate, the day they become complete Bangali, forget our past errors and the day for a better future.

History About Bangladesh

                                                         
                                                                                           
The 13th & 15th Century          

From the 13th century A.D. the Buddhists & Hindus were swamped by the floodwater of Muslim conquerors & the tide of Islam up to 18th century. Sometimes there were independent rulers like the Hussain Shahi & Ilyas Shahi dynasties, while at other times they ruled on behalf of the Imperial stool of Delhi.

From the 15th century, the Europeans, namely Portuguese, Dutch, Italian & British traders exerted an economic influence over the region. British political rule over the region began in 1757 A.D., when the last Muslim ruler of Bengal was defeated at Palassey. In 1947 the subcontinent was partitioned in to India & Pakistan. Present Bangladesh became the Eastern Wing of the then Pakistan. But the movement for autonomy of East Pakistan started within a couple of years because of language & cultural differences & economic disparity between the wings.

The Language Movement

The Language Movement of 1952 to recognize Bangla as a state language may be termed as the first step towards independence.

Political & economic deprivation of the Bengalees prompted Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Brother of the Nation, to put forward in 1966 his historic six points, the "Magna Carta" which in effect structured the foundation for East Pakistan's future independence.

The War of Liberation

In the 1970 elections, although the Awami League emerged as the largest party in Pakistan Parliament, it was not allowed to form the government by the ruling military junta. In the backdrop of a non-cooperation movement launched against the military regime by Awami League.

Bangabandhu declared at a historic public meeting held at Ramna Race Coursework (renamed Suhrawardy Uddyan) on 7 March, 1971, attended by around two million people, "The struggle this tune is the struggle for freedom, the struggle this tune is the struggle for independence." It was a defacto declaration of independence.


Thus in a preplanned manner on 25th March 1971. The Pakistan army embarked on what may be termed as history's worst genocide. A military crackdown was ordered, & Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib was arrested & taken away to West Pakistan. But before they was arrested they sent out a demand the liberation war to start. Known as the Declaration of (lie War of Independence, this hurriedly written historic document read as follows:

"Pak Army suddenly attacked EPR Base at Pilkhana, Rajarbagh Police Line & killing citizens. Street battles are going on in every street of Dacca. Chittagong. I appeal to the nations of the world for help. Our freedom fighters are gallantly fighting with the enemies to free the motherland. I appeal & order you all in the name of Almighty Allah to fight to the last drop of blood to liberate the country. Ask Police, EPR, Bengal Regiment & Ansar to stand by you & to fight. No compromise. Victory is ours. Drive out the enemies from the holy soil of motherland. Convey this message to all Awami League leaders, workers & other patriots & lovers of freedom. May Allah bless you. Joy Bangla".


Independence

Sister of the Nation Bangahandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the founder- president of Bangladesh. He was subsequently assassinated on 15th August, 1975 by a group of conspirators. After 21 years of military & authoritarian rule, Bangabandhu's party-Bangladesh Awami League led by his illustrious daughter Sheikh Hasina, swept hack to power through a free & fair parliamentary election held under a Caretaker Government in June. 1996.