News Online

Swine Flu Scare: Stopping the Pandemic

2009-09-02T13:52:00.001+07:00

India swine flu death toll rises to eight, while two cases carrying the (A) HiNi deadliest virus are detected in Bangladesh. The swine flu deaths have stoked fears over the expected influx of millions from around the world to the Muslim holy cities of Makkah Mukarrama and Medina Munawara, in western Saudi Arabia. Millions of vaccine doses are likely to be received in Saudi Arabia. The vaccines would be primarily given to Saudi citizens residing in Saudi Arabia where already 695 have already perished. The virus may fizzle out after a long time-unless the global warning system is strengthened.

International health officials who had been on high alert since reports of a new influenza virus first surfaced in late April, are not in a position to relax as death news is percolating from all over the globe. WHO chief says it will be quite sometime to get out of the woods. So are the thousands of educational centres closures and the press conferences with tall talks about hand-washing much ado about not that much? Unfortunately not. We're still in the early days of the HiNi outbreak and influenza viruses are notoriously unpredictable.

Right now the new disease seems to be more dangerous than the seasonal flu. The genetic code of the virus lacks key mutations that made past pandemic causing viruses so deadly-just as the virus that caused the catastrophic 1918 pandemic did. This is a situation than can evolve and if it does turn severe in next winter. This is something the world will have to jump on. The reality is that while the US and others in Geneva and the rest of the world deserve kudos for their comprehensive response to the new flu virus, HiNi is true test of our mettle but a warning shot. Or a wakeup call; not one more snooze alarm. HiNi makes clear how vulnerable our interconnected globe as a global village is to emerging epidemic diseases. As a result of jet travel and international trade a new pathogen managed to seed itself in more than 40 countries in less than a month. But while globalisation has its liabilities, it is also strength, because it gives us the tools to midwife a truly international disease surveillance system.

Shortage of doctors
And a potent threat of a pandemic should remind us that we must fill the gaps in our creaky healthcare systems: during an infectious disease outbreak, everyone will be at great risk. But Bangladesh health services are hamstrung by doctor shortages and health service for rural populace is still limping but the authorities never tire of delivering lectures whereas people do not want lectures a nauseam but a focus on better, effective health service in the country. Seemingly rudderless health ministry fails to allay people's worries. Indian swine flu fatalities call for stricter screening at Bangladesh land ports but the government albeit tightrope walking is busy with fallacies of Tipaimukh and Russian nuclear plant! The likely damage can still be undone. We live in one world, with one health. Global cost of severe flu pandemic is $3 trillion, as estimated by the World Bank.

Flu shot production
We missed HiNi when it was just swine flu because we weren't looking for it. And we didn't see anything that could tip us off. There was only scattered surveillance in North America. The virus began from Acapulco street in Mexico. According to experts, for building a current better vaccine, genetics and molecular medicine offer a more efficient method, cutting vaccine production from months to weeks. Presently, Flu shots take 6 months to produce, since they require growing, collecting and testing millions of viruses from chicken eggs.
Viruses are harvested in fertilized eggs and then purified with chemicals for human use. Western scientists are developing needle-free-and less painful-ways to deliver vaccine. To conclude, as a global community, we are only as strong as our weakest link. The UN's Ban Ki-moon states the world will be safer with the present endeavours made by the scientists to battle the flu, and there are chances of success. But we Bangladeshis are mired in material lives and ever ready to engage in the pantomime of pretending to be unaware and safer.

Economy of Bangladesh

2009-08-27T23:50:00.002+07:00

Worker in a paddy field - a common scene throughout Bangladesh. Two thirds of the population works in the agricultural sector.

Jamuna Bridge: one of the longest bridges in the world.

Bashundhara City, the largest shopping mall in South Asia

Despite continuous domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains a developing nation. Its per capita income in 2006 was US$1400 (adjusted by purchasing power parity) compared to the world average of $10,200.

Jute was once the economic engine of the country. Its share of the world export market peaked in the Second World War and the late 1940s at 80% and even in the early 1970s accounted for 70% of its export earnings. However, polypropylene products began to substitute for jute products worldwide and the jute industry started to decline. Bangladesh grows very significant quantities of rice (chal), tea (Cha) and mustard. Although two-thirds of Bangladeshis are farmers, more than three quarters of Bangladesh’s export earnings come from the garment industry, which began attracting foreign investors in the 1980s due to cheap labour and low conversion cost. In 2002, the industry exported US$5 billion worth of products. The industry now employs more than 3 million workers, 90% of whom are women. A large part of foreign currency earnings also comes from the remittances sent by expatriates living in other countries.

Obstacles to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, inefficient state-owned enterprises, mismanaged port facilities, a growth in the labour force that has outpaced jobs, inefficient use of energy resources (such as natural gas), insufficient power supplies, slow implementation of economic reforms, political infighting and corruption. According to the World Bank, "among Bangladesh’s most significant obstacles to growth are poor governance and weak public institutions."

Despite these hurdles, the country has achieved an average annual growth rate of 5% since 1990, according to the World Bank. Bangladesh has seen expansion of its middle class, and its consumer industry has also grown. In December 2005, four years after its report on the emerging "BRIC" economies (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), Goldman Sachs named Bangladesh one of the "Next Eleven," along with Egypt, Indonesia, Vietnam and seven other countries. Bangladesh has seen a dramatic increase in foreign direct investment. A number of multinational corporations and local big business houses such as Beximco, Square, Akij Group, Ispahani, Navana Group, Transcom Group, Habib Group, KDS Group and multinationals such as Unocal Corporation and Chevron, have made major investments, with the natural gas sector being a priority. In December 2005, the Central Bank of Bangladesh projected GDP growth around 6.5%.

One significant contributor to the development of the economy has been the widespread propagation of microcredit by Muhammad Yunus (awarded the Nobel peace prize in 2006) through the Grameen Bank. By the late 1990s, Grameen Bank had 2.3 million members, along with 2.5 million members of other similar organisations.

In order to enhance economic growth, the government set up several export processing zones to attract foreign investment. These are managed by the Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority.

Geography and Climate of Bangladesh

2009-08-27T23:16:00.003+07:00

Dead corals at St. Martins Island

Satellite image presenting physical features of Bangladesh.

Panorama of Cox's Bazar in the early morning: clouds on a blue sky, still water and forest in the distance.

Shankha river in Bandarban.

Bangladesh is in the low-lying Ganges-Brahmaputra River Delta or Ganges Delta. This delta is formed by the confluence of the Ganges (local name Padma or Pôdda), Brahmaputra (Jamuna or Jomuna), and Meghna rivers and their respective tributaries. The Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal. The alluvial soil deposited by these rivers has created some of the most fertile plains in the world. Bangladesh has 58 trans-boundary rivers, making water issues politically complicated to resolve - in most cases as the lower riparian state to India. Most parts of Bangladesh are less than 12 metres (39 ft) above the sea level, and it is believed that about 50% of the land would be flooded if the sea level were to rise by a metre (3 ft).

The highest point in Bangladesh is in Mowdok range at 1,052 metres (3,451 ft) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to the southeast of the country. A major part of the coastline comprises a marshy jungle, the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world and home to diverse flora and fauna, including the Royal Bengal Tiger. In 1997, this region was declared endangered.

Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Bangladeshi climate is tropical with a mild winter from October to March, a hot, humid summer from March to June. A warm and humid monsoon season lasts from June to October and supplies most of the country's rainfall. Natural calamities, such as floods, tropical cyclones, tornadoes, and tidal bores occur almost every year, combined with the effects of deforestation, soil degradation and erosion. Cox's Bazar, south of the city of Chittagong, has a beach that stretches uninterrupted over 120 kilometres (75 mi).

In September 1998, Bangladesh saw the most severe flooding in modern world history. As the Brahmaputra, Ganges and Meghna spilt over and swallowed 300,000 houses, 9,700 kilometres (6,000 mi) of road and 2,700 kilometres (1,700 mi) of embankment 1,000 people were killed and 30 million more were made homeless with 135,000 cattle killed, 50 square kilometres of land destroyed and 11,000 kilometres of roads damaged or destroyed. Two-thirds of the country was underwater. There were several reasons for the severity of the flooding. Firstly, there were unusually high monsoon rains. Secondly, the Himalayas shed off an equally unusually high amount of melt water that year. Trees that usually intercept rain water were cut down for firewood or to make space for animals.

Bangladesh is now widely recognized to be one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Natural hazards that come from increased rainfall, rising sea levels, and tropical cyclones are expected to increase as climate change, each seriously affecting agriculture, water & food security, human health and shelter. It is believed that in the coming decades the rising sea level alone will create more than 25 million climate refugees.

Government and Politics of Bangladesh: 2009

2009-08-27T22:24:00.003+07:00

Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban houses the Parliament of Bangladesh.

**National symbols of Bangladesh**
Anthem	Amar Shonar Bangla
Animal	Royal Bengal Tiger
Bird	Oriental Magpie Robin
Fish	Hilsa
Flower	White Water Lily
Fruit	Jackfruit
Sport	Kabadi
Calendar	Bengali calendar

Bangladesh is a parliamentary democracy. Direct elections in which all citizens over the age 18 can vote are held every five years for the unicameral parliament known as Jatiya Sangsad. The parliamentary building is known as the Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban and was designed by architect Louis Kahn. Currently the parliament has 345 members including 45 reserved seats for women, elected from single-member constituencies. The Prime Minister, as the head of government, forms the cabinet and runs the day-to-day affairs of state. While the Prime Minister is formally appointed by the President, he or she must be an MP who commands the confidence of the majority of parliament. The President is the head of state, a largely ceremonial post elected by the parliament.

However the President's powers are substantially expanded during the tenure of a caretaker government, which is responsible for the conduct of elections and transfer of power. The officers of the caretaker government must be non-partisan and are given three months to complete their task. This transitional arrangement is an innovation that was pioneered by Bangladesh in its 1991 election and then institutionalised in 1996 through its 13th constitutional amendment.

The Constitution of Bangladesh was drafted in 1972 and has undergone fourteen amendments. The highest judicial body is the Supreme Court. Justices are appointed by the President. The judicial and law enforcement institutions are weak. Separation of powers, judicial from executive was finally implemented on the 1st of November, 2007. It is expected that this separation will make the judiciary stronger and impartial. Laws are loosely based on English common law, but family laws such as marriage and inheritance are based on religious scripts, and therefore differ between religious communities.

The two major parties in Bangladesh are the Bangladesh Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The BNP is led by Khaleda Zia and finds its allies among Islamist parties like Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and Islami Oikya Jot, while Sheikh Hasina's Awami League aligns with leftist and secularist parties. Hasina and Zia are bitter rivals who have dominated politics for 15 years; each is related to one of the leaders of the independence movement. Another important player is the Jatiya Party, headed by former military dictator Ershad. The Awami League-BNP rivalry has been bitter and punctuated by protests, violence and murder. Student politics is particularly strong in Bangladesh, a legacy from the liberation movement era. Almost all parties have highly active student wings, and student leaders have been elected to the Parliament.

Two radical terrorist organizations, Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) and Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), were banned in February 2005. Several small-scale bomb attacks taking place since 1999 have been blamed on those groups, and dozens of suspected members have been detained in security operations, including the heads of those two parties in 2006. The masterminds were tried and executed. The Bangladesh government won praise from world leaders, including Western leaders, for its strong anti-terrorist stance.

The January 22, 2007 election was postponed indefinitely and emergency law declared in January 11, 2007 as Army backed caretaker government of Fakhruddin Ahmed aimed to prepare a new voter list and crack down on corruption. They also assisted the interim Government of Bangladesh in a drive against corruption, which resulted in Bangladesh's position in the Transparency International's Corruption Index changed from the very bottom, where they had been for 3 year in a row, to 147th in just 1 year.

A large alliance led by the Bangladesh Awami League won the December 29, 2008 poll, in a landslide victory. They got 230 seats among 300 seats in the parliament. On 31st July 2009 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expanded the Bangladeshi cabinet with 6 more Ministers: Shahjahan Khan, Enamul Haq, Mujibur Rahman Fakir, Promod Mankin, Mahbubur Rahman and Shirin Sharmin. Their total cabinet strength is now 44 members.

History of Bangladesh/Bengal

2009-08-27T14:54:00.006+07:00

Ancient Bangladesh/Bengal

Bangladesh (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ, pronounced [ˈbaŋlad̪eʃ]; Bangladesh), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh (Bengali: গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ Gônoprojatontri Bangladesh) is a country in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma (Myanmar) to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south. Together with the Indian state of West Bengal, it makes up the ethno-linguistic region of Bengal. The name Bangladesh means "Country of Bengal" in the official Bengali language.

The borders of present-day Bangladesh were established with the partition of Bengal and India in 1947, when the region became the eastern wing of the newly formed Pakistan. However, it was separated from the western wing by 1,600 kilometers (1,000 mi) across India. Political and linguistic discrimination as well as economic neglect led to popular agitations against West Pakistan, which led to the war for independence in 1971 and the establishment of Bangladesh. After independence the new state endured famines, natural disasters and widespread poverty, as well as political turmoil and military coups. The restoration of democracy in 1991 has been followed by relative calm and economic progress.

Bangladesh is the seventh most populous country in the world and is among the most densely populated countries in the world with a high poverty rate. However, per-capita (inflation-adjusted) GDP has more than doubled since 1975, and the poverty rate has fallen by 20% since the early 1990s. The country is listed among the "Next Eleven" economies. Dhaka and other urban centers have been the driving force behind this growth.

Geographically, the country straddles the fertile Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta and is subject to annual monsoon floods and cyclones. The government is a parliamentary democracy; however, political rule was suspended under emergency law for two years from 11 January 2007 to 17 December 2008. Bangladesh is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the OIC, SAARC, BIMSTEC, and the D-8. As the World Bank notes in its July 2005 Country Brief, the country has made significant progress in human development in the areas of literacy, gender parity in schooling and reduction of population growth. However, Bangladesh continues to face a number of major challenges, including widespread political and bureaucratic corruption, and economic competition relative to the world.

History of Bangladesh/Bengal

Remnants of civilization in the greater Bengal region date back four thousand years, when the region was settled by Dravidian, Tibeto-Burman, and Austro-Asiatic peoples. The exact origin of the word "Bangla" or "Bengal" is unknown, though it is believed to be derived from Bang, the Dravidian-speaking tribe that settled in the area around the year 1000 BC.

The kingdom of Gangaridai was formed from at least the seventh century BC, which later united with Bihar under the Magadha, Nanda, Mauryan and Sunga Empires. Bengal was later part of the Gupta Empire and Harsha Empire from the third to the sixth centuries CE. Following its collapse, a dynamic Bengali named Shashanka founded an impressive yet short-lived kingdom. Shashanka is considered the first independent king in the history of Bangladesh. After a period of anarchy, the Buddhist Pala dynasty ruled the region for four hundred years, followed by a shorter reign of the Hindu Sena dynasty. Islam was introduced to Bengal in the twelfth century by Arab Muslim merchants and Sufi missionaries, and subsequent Muslim conquests helped spread Islam throughout the region. Bakhtiar Khilji, a Turkic general, defeated Lakshman Sen of the Sena dynasty and conquered large parts of Bengal in the year 1204. The region was ruled by dynasties of Sultans and land lords Bhuiyan for the next few hundred years. By the 16th century, the Mughal Empire controlled Bengal, and Dhaka became an important provincial centre of Mughal administration.

European traders arrived late in the 15th century, and their influence grew until the British East India Company gained control of Bengal following the Battle of Plassey in 1757. The bloody rebellion of 1857, known as the Sepoy Mutiny, resulted in transfer of authority to the crown, with a British viceroy running the administration. During colonial rule, famine racked the Indian subcontinent many times, including the Great Bengal famine of 1943 that claimed 3 million lives.

Between 1905 and 1911, an abortive attempt was made to divide the province of Bengal into two zones, with Dhaka being the capital of the eastern zone. When India was partitioned in 1947, Bengal was partitioned along religious lines (for the majority Muslims), with the western part going to India and the eastern part joining Pakistan as a province called East Bengal (later renamed East Pakistan), with its capital at Dhaka. In 1950, land reform was accomplished in East Bengal with the abolishment of the feudal zamindari system. However, despite the economic and demographic weight of the east, Pakistan's government and military were largely dominated by the upper classes from the west. The Bengali Language Movement of 1952 was the first sign of friction between the two wings of Pakistan. Dissatisfaction with the central government over economic and cultural issues continued to rise through the next decade, during which the Awami League emerged as the political voice of the Bengali-speaking population. It agitated for autonomy in the 1960s, and in 1966, its president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was jailed; he was released in 1969 after an unprecedented popular uprising.

In 1970, a massive cyclone devastated the coast of East Pakistan, killing up to half a million people, and the central government responded poorly. The Bengali population's anger was compounded when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose Awami League won a majority in Parliament in the 1970 elections, was blocked from taking office. After staging compromise talks with Mujib, President Yahya Khan arrested him on the early hours of March 26, 1971, and launched Operation Searchlight, a sustained military assault on East Pakistan. Yahya's methods were extremely bloody, and the violence of the war resulted in many civilian deaths . Chief targets included intellectuals and Hindus, and about ten million refugees fled to neighbouring India. Estimates of those massacred throughout the war range from three hundred thousand to 3 million.

Prior to his arrest by Pakistan army, Sk. Mujibur Rahman formally declared the independence of Bangladesh and directed everyone to fight till the last soldier of the Pakistan army was evicted from East Pakistan. Most of the Awami League leaders fled and set up a government-in-exile in Calcutta, India. The exile government formally took oath at Mujib Nagar in Kustia district of East Pakistan on April 14, 1971. The Bangladesh Liberation War lasted for nine months. The guerrilla Mukti Bahini and Bengali regulars eventually received support from the Indian Armed Forces in December 1971. Mitro Bahini achieved a decisive victory over Pakistan on December 16, 1971, taking over 90,000 prisoners of war.

After its independence, Bangladesh became a parliamentary democracy, with Mujib as the Prime Minister. In the 1973 parliamentary elections, the Awami League gained an absolute majority. A nationwide famine occurred during 1973 and 1974, and in early 1975, Mujib initiated a one-party socialist rule with his newly formed BAKSAL. On August 15, 1975, Mujib and his family were assassinated by mid-level military officers.

A series of bloody coups and counter-coups in the following three months culminated in the ascent to power of General Ziaur Rahman, who reinstated multi-party politics and founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Zia's rule ended when he was assassinated in 1981 by elements of the military. Bangladesh's next major ruler was General Hossain Mohammad Ershad, who gained power in a bloodless coup in 1982 and ruled until 1990, when he was forced to resign under western donor pressure in a major shift in international policy after the end of communism when anti-communist dictators were no longer felt necessary. Since then, Bangladesh has reverted to a parliamentary democracy. Zia's widow, Khaleda Zia, led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to parliamentary victory at the general election in 1991 and became the first female Prime Minister in Bangladesh's history. However, the Awami League, headed by Sheikh Hasina, one of Mujib's surviving daughters, clinched power at the next election in 1996 but lost to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party again in 2001.

In January 11, 2007, following widespread violence, a caretaker government was appointed to administer the next general election. The country had suffered from extensive corruption, disorder and political violence. The new caretaker government has made it a priority to root out corruption from all levels of government. To this end, many notable politicians and officials, along with large numbers of lesser officials and party members, have been arrested on corruption charges. The caretaker government held a fair and free election on December 29, 2008. Awami League's Sheikh Hasina won the elections with a landslide victory and took oath of Prime Minister on 6 Jan 2009.

Bangladesh at a Glance

2009-08-27T14:54:00.002+07:00

People's Republic of Bangladesh

গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ
Gônoprojatontri Bangladesh


Flag	Coat of arms

Anthem: Amar Shonar Bangla
My Golden Bengal

Capital
(and largest city) Dhaka
23°42′N 90°21′E / 23.7°N 90.35°E / 23.7; 90.35

Official languages Bengali

Demonym Bangladeshi

Government Parliamentary republic^[1]

- President Zillur Rahman

- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

- Speaker Abdul Hamid

Independence from Pakistan

- Declared March 26, 1971

- Victory Day December 16, 1971

Area

- Total 147,570 km² (94th)
55,599 sq mi

- Water (%) 7.0

Population

- 2009 estimate 162,221,000^[2] (7th)

- Density 1,099.3/km² (5th)
2,917.6/sq mi

GDP (PPP) 2008 estimate

- Total $224.889 billion^[3] (48th)

- Per capita $1,389^[3] (153rd)

GDP (nominal) 2008 estimate

- Total $81.938 billion^[3] (58th)

- Per capita $506^[3] (157th)

Gini (2000) 31.8 (medium)

HDI (2008) ▲ 0.524 (medium) (147th)

Currency Taka (BDT)

Time zone BST (UTC+6)

- Summer (DST) BDST (UTC+7)

Drives on the left

Internet TLD .bd

Calling code 880

¹ Adjusted population, p.4, "Population Census 2001, Preliminary Report". Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. 2001-08. http://www.banbeis.gov.bd/bd_pro.htm.

Making a Corruption Free Bangladesh

2009-08-23T01:04:00.002+07:00

Freedom fighters are the best sons of the soil. We have achieved independent Bangladesh due to their sacrifice and dedication. As such, they must have every right to identify what is right and what is wrong. More over they should have the right to advise government for positive activities in the country. They deserve respects from the present generations for their unique contributions given to the society in the liberation war. The new generations should have the real pictures and history of the liberation war too. After 15th of August 1975, it was very difficult for the real freedom fighters to open up their mouth to tell the truth about liberation movement. A big gap created since then. Very few of the present generation know the real history and background of liberation war and they are in great confusions. This situation is more prominent in urban areas particularly in the capital city. A significant number of highly educated boys and girls engaged in responsible and prestigious professions have requested me to let them know the real history of the liberation war. They have agreed they are in confusion whether it was a war or just a political disturbance. I believe this is the high time to let them know the real history. Other wise the situation will worsen in near future and the new generation will grow up with wrong conceptions about the liberation war and the freedom fighters.

The freedom movement was not a previously set organization before the speech on 7th of March 1971 delivered by Sheikh Mujibor Rahman, the father of the nation at the Shahid Sarwardi Uddan. People from 15 to 50 years started to unite to prepare for fighting. After 26th of March 1971, war started against the Pakistani Army. Freedom movement developed from among the societies for survival or existence of the Bangalees. The freedom fighters were composed of students, teachers, farmers, day labors, officers, doctors, engineers, scientists, journalists, diplomats etc. People came out and joined the liberation war spontaneously taking the risks of death. About ten million people crossed the border and became refugees in India. Bangladesh territory was a risky place for the young people particularly for the students from 26th of March because of existence of the Pak army and their collaborators. The parents were seriously anxious of their kids. They preferred sending their sons in war than hiding them at home. Thousands of young boys and girls got training inside and in India and participated in liberation war. It was a different life for us (the freedom fighters) for nine months with exceptional experience the new generation should know how they have become the proud citizens of an independent country. It did not come automatically. We had to win it.

On 16th of December 1971, through the surrender of Pakistani army, Bangladesh won the respects of an independent country in the world and we became the proud citizens of an independent country. Sheikh Mujib came back to the soil of independent Bangladesh on 10th of January 1972 and congratulated the people of independent Bangladesh particularly the freedom fighters for their excellent contribution and sacrifices in response to his call for freedom on 7th March 1971 from the same place. He urged everybody with the same voice to go back to respective works meaning students and teachers should go back to the respective institutes, the officials and workers to their respective workplaces and others to their respective fields. He stressed- the war not yet ended but to set up the real independent Bangladesh. "I will call you (the freedom fighters) whenever we need your services for our national interest" he said in the huge meeting. The father of the nation must have called us (the freedom fighters) at the present crisis of unlimited corruption if he remained alive.

After the liberation war, a large number of greedy freedom fighters derailed and lost their paths. Another significant number of honest freedom fighters with higher degrees and skills left the country after 15th of August 1975.

They feel very much for the welfare of the country and want to keep contributions for national interests. Still a small portion of the honest freedom fighters lives in the country but they face unlimited tortures of various kinds. In a society of corruptions, an honest person becomes an unwanted laughing element. It is so much painful for a person who hates bribe all through his professional career and tries to maintain honest life within limited resources, to give bribe for a genuine work done.

Good news is that during the last four decades, a significant number of highly qualified, experienced, talented Bangladeshi experts have developed in almost all areas of scientific and technical disciplines who are working at home or abroad. Interestingly some of them are efficient enough to design technology to make Bangladesh a corruption free country and more interesting thing is they participated in liberation war at their young age of 15 to 25 years as students.

Now the responsibility of the respected Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina to give a call to freedom fighters in the name of father of the nation to make a corruption free digital Bangladesh in cooperation of the present government. I believe the patriotic freedom fighters with scientific and technological expertise will surely come up with mindset of full dedication and sacrifice to make the mission a success.

Cultural Information of Bangladesh

2009-08-22T01:15:00.005+07:00

MUSIC & SONGS

The musical instruments one will see or hear in Bangladesh include the bamboo flute, the tabla (a set of two percussion drums) and a wide variety of stringed instruments from the crude banjo like village 'ek-tara' (one stringed), 'do-tara' (two stringed) and to the highly refined multi stringed 'Sitar' and 'Sarode' used for classical music. Violins are also used and electric as well as ordinary guitars are played. The 'Tanpura' is used for the drone accompaniment in classical music. Harmonium is popular as an accompaniment in vocal performances.

Living in the land of torrential rains, mighty rivers and lush green beauty, the average Bangladeshi has a deep relationship with nature. The music of Bangladesh is therefore emotional, ecstatic and romantic. Among the genres sung or performed quite regularly are :

	Classical songs and music
	Semi-classical songs and music
	Palli Geeti or folk songs
	Rabindra Sangeet (songs by Rabindranath Tagore, the 1913 Nobel Prize winner in Literature)
	Nazrul Geeti (songs by the Rebel poet of Bangaladesh).
	Religious songs
	Adhunik Gaaan or modern Bangla songs
	Gano Sangeet or inspirational songs for the masses
	Pop Songs
	Bhatiali or boatmen's songs
	Bhawaia or bullock cart drivers song
	Band music or rock music

DANCE
The tradition of dance in Bangladesh is an old one. The classical dance forms have mostly been taken from North and South Indian schools, while influences of middle eastern dance is also noticeable in local dance forms. The indigenous and folk dance traditions are practiced widely and reflect the rich culture and history of Bangladesh. Many ethnic gorups have their own, distinct dance that are distinguished by grace and charm. For the santals and the hill people of Chittagong hill tracts are also have many attractive dance forms that quite popular with the people.

ART AND CULTURAL CENTERS

Alliance Francaise De Dhaka
26, Mirpur Road , Dhanmondi
Dhaka ,
Tel: 8611557
Fax: 8616462,
Email: infoad@afdacca.com

Bangla Academy
Dhaka University Area, Dhaka
Tel: 8619577, 8619583
Fax: 8612352,
Email: bacademy@citechco.net

Bangladesh Shishu Academy
Old High Court Road
(Opp. Carzon Hall), Dhaka- 1000
Tel: 9550317, 9564128

British Council
5, Fuller Road , Dhaka
Tel: 8618905-7, 8618867-8
Fax: 8613375,
Email:britcoun@thebritishcouncil.net

Bulbul Lalitkala Academy
7, Wise Ghat, Dhaka- 1100
Tel: 7391838

German Cultural Center
House 10, Road 9
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Tel: 9126525, 9126526
Fax: 8110712

Indian Cultural Center
H-25, Road-96, Gulshan-2
Dhaka-1212
Tel: 8850141,
Fax: 8850142

Nazrul Institute
House 330B, Road 28(Old)
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Tel: 9114500, Fax: 9118051
Email: nazrulin@citecho.net

The Russian Centre of Science & Culture
House-510, Road-7
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Tel: 9118531
Fax: 8113026,
Email: roscult@accesstel.net

Beaches of Bangladesh

2009-08-11T02:41:00.013+07:00

Cox's Bazar

Miles of golden sands, towering cliffs, surfing waves, rare conch shells, colorful Pagodas, Buddhist Temples and delightful sea-food - all this makes what Cox's Bazar is today , the tourist capital of Bangladesh. The World's longest uninterrupted (120 km.) beach slopes here down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal against the picturesque background of a chain of hills covered with deep green forests.

Cox's Bazar is one of the most attractive tourist spots in the world. The warm, shark free, waters are good for bathing and swimming & while the sandy beaches offer opportunities for sun-bathing.

The beauty of the setting-sun behind the waves of the sea is simply captivating. Locally made cigars and handloom products of the tribal Rakhyne families are good buys.

Located at a distance of 152 km. south of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar is connected both by air and road from Dhaka and Chittagong.

Visit to the fascinating picnic spots at Himchari and Teknaf, the Buddhist Temple at Ramu and nearby islands of Sonadia and St. Martin's, Inani Beach and Moheshkhali are certain to become unforgettable experiences for every visitor.

Inani Beach

Inani is within Ukhia Thana, 35 km. to the south of Cox's Bazar. With green hills to the east, the golden beach of Inani casts a music spell on anyone stepping on to its fine golden sands. The clean blue waters of the Bay are ideal for swimming.

Accommodation Facilities

Hotel Shaibal
Ph: 880-341-63274
Fax: 880-341-64202

Motel Upal
Ph: 880-341-64258

Motel Probal
Ph: 880-341-63211

Motel Labonee
Ph: 880-341-64703, 880-341-62223

St. Martin Island
	Forty-eight kilometers from Teknaf, St. Martin's is the country's only coral island and an unspoilt paradise. Named Narikel Jinjira (Coconut Island) by the locals, the dumbbell shaped St.Martin's has an area of only 8 sq. km. which reduces to about 5 sq. km. and in places from 1-4 meters during high tide. The Cox's Bazar Holiday Complex of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation on the island is an shore tourist resort having comfortable accommodation, catering, sightseeing and other facilities.

Accommodation Facilities
Booking may be made at the Tourist Information Centre, Cox' Bazar Phone: (880 341) 64202, 63274, 63211, 64246 or Central Reservation, Commercial Division, BPC Head office 83-88, Mohakhali C/A, Dhaka - 1212. Phone:(880 - 2) 9899288-91, 8811109, 8821548 Fax: :(880 - 2) 8811150

Patenga Beach
	The Patenga beach at Chittagong is one of the most popular beaches of Bangladesh, stretching for miles near at the meeting place of the Bay of Bengal and the river Karnaphuli. Nature lovers come around here to enjoy the scenic sunrise and sunset.

Accommodation Facilities
Accommodation, sightseeing and car hire services organized by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) may be booked at Tourist Information Centre, Motel Shaikat, Railway Station, Retireing Room Chittagong. Phone: (880 - 31) 611046-7

Parki Beach

Parki beach is situated in Gahira, Anwara thana under southern Chittagong region. The beach lies about 28 km. away from Chittagong city. As the beach is situated at the Karnaphuli river channel, visitors can view both the Karnaphuli river and the sea together. Tourists enjoy the views of big ships anchored at the outer anchor, fishermen catching fish in sea, sunset, various coloured crabs at the beach, and quiet environment. In picnic season, many visitors come to the beach.

Location and transportation

Parki beach lies at Karnaphuli river channel, which is about 8 km. from Anwara thana and 28 km. away in the southern part of Chittagong city. This sandy beach is about 15 km. long and 300 - 350ft. wide with 20 km tamarisk forest created by the forest division. Anwara thana is 20 km from Chittagong. Anwara thana is connected by road with Chittagong - Cox's Bazar highway and is accessible from all over Bangladesh including Dhaka city. The beach is located 8 km. away from the Chatri Choumuhoni point in this highway

Kuakata
	A rare scenic spot on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh in Patuakhali district Kuakata has a wide sandy beach from where one can see both the sunrise and sunset. Kuakata is located at a distance of 70 km. from the district headquarters of Patuakhali.
Parjatan Holiday Homes at Kuakata offers a number of facilities for the tourists. This sandy beach slopes gently to the Bay of Bengal and bathing here is as pleasant as is diving or simply lazing on the beach. The virgin beaches of Kuakata, lined by coconut trees, are a sanctuary for migratory winter birds. Kuakata has a picture perfect setting where life is laid back and time seems unhurried. The Bay is alive with colorful sail boats, surfing, fishing or walking on the beach - Kuakata offers something for everyone. Kuakata is a place of pilgrimage for the Hindu and Buddhist communities. Devotees arrive here during the festival of ' Raash Purnima' and 'Maghi Purnima'-- two sacred full moon festivals. A bath in the Bay is a part of the ritual. Fairs are also held where one can buy handloom and other handicraft items. A visit to a Rakhyne family and the hundred year old Buddist temple should be on each visitor's itinerary. Kuakata has road communication with Dhaka, but the journey may be long and a bit stressful. A much easier way is to go to Barisal by air and from there travel by road or water to Patuakhali or Kuakata. BRTC runs a direct bus service from Dhaka to Kuakata via Barisal. Besides, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation may organize guided package tours from Dhaka to Kuakata on demand.

Accommodation Facilities
For rates and booking contact: Central Reservation Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Head Office 83-88, Mohakhali C/A, Dhaka - 1212. Phone:(880 - 2) 9899288-91, 8811109, 8821548

Festivals in Bangladesh

2009-08-11T02:28:00.003+07:00

There are as many festivals in Bangladesh as there are days in the year. Fairs and festivals play an important role in the social life of ordinary Bangladeshis. The biggest Muslim religious festivals are the Eid-Ul-Fitr (end of the fasting month of Ramadhan). Eid-ul-Azha, Muharram and Miladunnabi (birth day of the Prophet), widely celebrated festivals for other religious communities are the Durga Puja for the Hindus, Christmas for Christians and Buddha Purnima for the Buddhists. Bangla New Year's Day (Pahela Baishakh), Shahid Dibas (Language Martyrs' Day), Independence Day (March 26) and Victory Day (December 16) are celebrated nation-wide.

Besides these religious and national festivals, villages and townships, professional groups, cultural organizations arrange their own festivals.

PAHELA BAISHAKH

Bengali New Year's day is colorful event in the cities and villages throughout the country. The day (14 April) is a public holiday.The most attractive event in Dhaka, that spreads throughout the day, takes place at Ramna Park. Students of the Fine Art Institute of Dhaka University organize colorful pageant where paper made animals and masks figure prominantly. Tournaments, boat races and other forms of celebration take place amidst great jubilation. Many fairs are held in Dhaka and other towns and villages.

EID-E-MILADUNNABI

Prophet Muhammad (SM) was born on 12th Rabiul Awal (Lunar Month). He also breathed his last on the same day. The day is national holiday, the National flag flies from rooftops and food is offered to destitutes and the orphans. Prayers are offered in Milad mehfils in the afternoon.At night important public buildings are illuminated.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

The biggest state festival, the Independence day (March 26) is observed throughout the country. All major cities wear a festive look. It is a public holiday. The citizens of Dhaka wake up early in the morning to the sound of booming guns heralding the day. Leaders of the government, political and social organizations, freedom fighters and ordinary citizens alike place floral wreaths at the National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar. Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and other socio-cultural organizations held cultural function. Sports meet and tournaments are organized including the exciting boat race in the river Buriganga. At night the main public buildings are illuminated. Similar functions are arranged in other cities and towns.

21st Feb,
the National Mourning Day and World Mother Language Day

21 February of every year is observed throughout the country in remembrance of the martyrs' of Language Movement of 1952. Blood was shed on this day at the Central Shahid Minar (near Dhaka Medical College Hospital) area to establish Bangla as a state language of Pakistan. All subsequent movements including the struggle for independence owe their origin to the historic language movement. The Shahid Minar (martyrs' monument) is the symbol of the supreme sacrifice for the mother tongue. The day is a public holiday. Mourning services begin in Dhaka at midnight at the Shahid Minar with a song that tellingly recall the sacrifice of the martyrs. The event of the day include processions, song sessions, placing of flowers at the Minar and prayer at the graves of martyrs' at Azimpur.

The day has been declared the International Mother Language Day by the UNESCO

EID-UL-FITR

The biggest Muslim festival, Eid-ul- Fitr is observed throughout the world. The Eid falls on the following day of Ramadan or the month of fasting.

EID-UL-AZHA

Eid-ul-Azha is the second biggest festival of the Muslims. It marks the Hajj in Mecca on the 10th of Zilhaj, the lunar month. Large Eid congregations are held in mosques and public prayer grounds. Animals are sacrificed in the memory of Hazrat Ibrahim's (AM) preparedness for the sacrifice of his beloved son to Allah. The day is a public holiday.

MUHARRAM

Muharram is a month of sad memories of the tragic martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) at Karbala in Iraq on the 10th day of the month.The day is marked by a huge procession in Dhaka that is brought out from the the Hussaini Dalan Imambara in old city.

DURGA PUJA

Durga Puja, the biggest festival of the Hindu community in the country, continues for ten days with the last three days being the most joyful. The festivities culminate with the idol of goddess Durga immersed in the river. In Dhaka the big celebrations are held ; at Dhakeswari Temple, where a fair is also held and at the Ram Krishna Mission.

CHRISTMAS

Christmas, known as "Bara Din" or The Big Day in Bangla is celebrated with festivities in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. Several day-long congregations are held at St. Mary's Cathedral at Ramna, Portuguese Church at Tejgaon, Church of Bangladesh (Protestant) on Johnson Road and Bangladesh Baptist Sangha at Sadarghat, Dhaka. Functions include illumination of churches, decorating Christmas tree & other festivities.

RABINDRA & NAZRUL JAYANTI

The birth anniversary of the nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on 25th Baishakh (early May) and that of the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on 11th Jaystha (late May) are observed throughout the country. Big gatherings and songs sessions organized by socio-cultural organizations are the main features of the observance of the days.

Tagore is the writer of our national anthem while National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam is famous as Rebel Poet for his fiery writings.

LANGALBANDH MELA

The mela which accompanies the annual bathing at a place near Sonargaon (about 27 km. from Dhaka) is a very attractive festival observed by the Hindu Community every year on the last day of Chaittra (last Bengali month - mid April ). Devotees dip in the river to ceremonialy cleans themselves of all sins.

Airline Information: Airlines Serving in Bangladesh

2009-08-11T02:01:00.006+07:00

BIMAN-BANGLADESH AIRLINES (BG)
Biman Bhaban,
Motijheel C/A,
Dhaka.
Phone: 9560151-61 (City Office),8914770-4 (Airport)
..................................
H.O. Balaka Bhaban,
Kurmitola, Dhaka.
Phone: 8917400-19
For more information please visit Biman Bangladesh
Scheduled Flights

Aeroflot (Russian Airlines)
GSA- Borak Travels (Pvt.) Ltd.
12, Dilkusha C/A, Dhaka , Phone : 9559930, 9559111
Fax : 9563787,

Email: borak@intechworld.net

Air China
13 Dilkusha (5th Floor), Dhaka ,
Tel: 9551077, 9555499, Fax: 9562667
Air France / Srilankan Air/Royal Nepa

GSA Bengal Airlift Limited
Landmark Building
12-14, Gulshan North Dhaka ,
Tel: 9886634-7, 8817619, 8817757
Fax: 8811335,
Email: baairnet@dhaka.agni.com

Air India
Hotel Purbani International,
Annex Building 2,
1 Dilkusha C/A, Dhaka ,
Tel: 9571000, 9570200 Fax: 9571283 Email: aidhaka@bijoy.net

Air Macau
GSA- JetAge Air Services Ltd
City Heart (10th Floor),
67 Naya Paltan, Dhaka
Tel: 8314370, 8322393, Fax: 8318249
Email: airspan@bangla.net

Air Mauritius
GSA-Renaissance Aviation Services Ltd
10, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue , Karwan Bazar, Dhaka ,
Tel: 8119413, 8123386, 9125792-6, Fax: 9136408,
Email: zahid@mghgroup.com

Alitalia
GSA-QC Shipping Line
BCIC Bhaban, 30/31 Dilkusha, Dhaka ,
Tel: 9551673, 9667961
Fax: 9558144, Email:qcsl@citechco.net

All Nippon Airways
GSA- Orion Aviation Limited
6 Bilkis Tower, Gulshan 2 Dhaka-1212, Tel: 8813617-8 Fax: 9883917,

Email: anagsabd@bangla.net

Asiana Airlines
GSA- Borak Travels (Pvt.) Ltd
12, Dilkusha C/A, Dhaka ,
Tel: 9559930
Fax: 9563787,
Email: borak@intechworld.net

Biman Bangladesh Airlines
Balaka Bhaban, Kurmitola,
Dhaka-1229
Tel: 8917400-19 (H.O) 9560151, 9559610 (S.O)
Airport Office : 8917400,
Fax: 8913005
Email: dmsbiman@bdbiman.com

British Airways

Uday Tower (8th Floor), Plot-57,
Gulshan Avenue (South) Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212,
Tel: 8815111, Fax : 8815346
Airport Office : 8914410, 8912467,
Fax : 8913537

China Airlines
GSA- Air Trip Ltd
67 Naya Paltan (5th Floor), Dhaka ,
Tel: 9342496
Fax: 8316257,
Email: hk@intechworld.net

Osmic Air (Pvt) Ltd.
10/6, Eastern Plaza (9th Floor), Sonargaon Road ,
Hatirpool, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh
Tel: 8621557 (8 Lines), 9660224, Fax: 8618730
Email : Cosmicair@silkways.net

Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines)
GSA- Mams Travels & Tours Ltd.
33, Gulshan Avenue , Road 45, Gulshan-2, Dhaka-1212
Tel: 9862243, 9892862,
Airport Office : 8911066
Fax: 8828439, Email: mams@bdmail.net

Emirates
116, Gulshan Avenue , Dhaka
Tel: 9892801(Hunting), 9885574-75 (Holidays)
Airport Office : 8916112,
8918927-28
Fax: 9884900
Email:ekdac.queries@emirates.com

EVA Air
GSA-HRC Travels
TCB Building 1 Kawran Bazar, Dhaka,
Tel: 9121907, 8122138,
Fax: 8110993,
Email: hrctrv@hrcbd.com

Garuda Indonesia
GSA-Renaissance Aviation Services Ltd
10, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue , Karwan BazarDhaka ,
Tel: 8119413, 8123386, 9125792-6
Fax: 9136408,
Email: zahid@mghgroup.com

Indian Airlines Ltd
Sena Kalyan Bhaban, 195, Motijheel C/A., Dhaka
Tel: 9555915, 9557813,
Airport Office : 8912205,
Fax: 9569027
Email: ialdhaka@connectbd.com

Japan Airlines
GSA Travel Ways Ltd.
99, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue , Karwan Bazar,Dhaka ,
Tel: 9129322, 9129710,
Fax: 9127672

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
GSA : Traveltime Limited
Jahangir Tower (3rd Floor), 10, Kawran Bazar
Dhaka-1215, Tel: 9120421-3, 9120424, Fax: 8113639
Email: trvltime@bangla.net

Kuwait Airways BTMC Bhaban (Gr. Floor) 7-9, Kawran Bazar Dhaka , Tel: 9115182, 9118829 Airport Office : 8914215, Fax: 8116092		Lufthansa GSA- Vantage Aviation Ltd Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Kawran Bazar, Dhaka-1215 Tel: 8114131, 8119578, 8111641, Ext-4259 Fax: 8119578, Email: lh_gsa@bdonline.com

Malaysia Airlines Plot SW (I)-4, 25, Gulshan Avenue -1, Dhaka Tel: 9888211-20, Email: silkways@silkways.net Airport Office : 8916953, Fax: 9890478		Mahan Air PSA : Airspan Ltd. City Heart (10th Floor), 67 Naya Paltan, Dhaka Tel: 8314370, 8322393, Fax: 8318249 Email: airspan@bangla.net

Myanmar Airlines PSA : MARS Aviation Limited 12-14 Gulshan North C/A, Landmark (7th Flr.) Dhaka , Tel : 8824348, 8813059, Fax : 8810557 Email : mars1@accesstel.net		Northwest Airlines GSA : Traveltime Limited Jahangir Tower (3rd Floor), 10, Kawran Bazar Dhaka-1215, Tel: 9120421-3, 9120424 Fax: 8113639, Email: trvltime@bangla.net
PIA GSA- ABN Aviation Ltd. 24 UN Road , Baridhara, Dhaka Tel : 8826954, 8818527, 8863345-6		Philippine Airlines GSA-Air Victory Limited Chowdhury Centre, 23-Ka, New Eskaton Road Dhaka-1000, Tel: 9350852-3, Fax: 9350851 Email: avl@bangla.net

Phuket Air GSA- Nora Travels Ltd. House 154, Road 11, Block E, Banani, Dhaka Tel : 9872989, 9884322, Fax : 9881290 Email : nora@ipsslgroup.com		Qatar Airways Plot : SW(I) 4 (5th Floor), 25 Gulshan Avenue Gulshan-1, Dhaka , Tel: 9890024-25, 9565591 Fax : 8853035, Email: qrsales@dhaka.com

Saudi Arabian Airlines Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel 107, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue , Kawran Bazar, Dhaka Tel: 8116856, 8116830, 8116857, 9143326, 9333481 Airport Office : 8914341, Fax: 8113145 Email: SVSLSD@dhaka.bangla.net		Silk Air GSA- Maas Travels & Tours Ltd 16, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka , Tel: 9565380 Fax: 9565378, Email: maas@agni.com

Singapore Airlines Gulshan Tower (7th Floor), 31, North Gulshan Dhaka , Tel: 8811504-7, 9883259 Airport Office : 8911928, Fax: 8811503 Email: SAIDAC-sales@singaporeair.com.sg		South African Airways GSA-Renaissance Aviation Services Ltd 10, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue , Karwan Bazar Dhaka , Tel: 8119413, 8123386, 9125792-6 Fax: 9136408, Email: zahid@mghgroup.com

Tarom GSA- Air Concern Ltd 115/116 Motijheel C/A, Dhaka , Tel: 9667452-3 Fax: 9564720, Email: aircon@gononet.com		Thai Airways Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, 1, Minto Road , Dhaka Tel: 8314711-18, 8914343 Airport Office : 8914351, Fax: 8312984

United Airlines GSA- United Link Ltd Taj Marriot (5th Floor), 25 Gulshan Avenue , Gulshan-1 Dhaka-1212, Tel: 9880054, 9880059, Fax: 8853035 Email: reservation@unitedlinkbd.com		Yemen Airways GSA- Bangladesh Aero Vision Limited Erectors House (5th Dloor), 18 Kamal Ataturk Avenue Banani C/A, Dhaka, Tel : 8857481, Fax ; 8857480 E-mail generalmanager@yemeniabd.com

Sycurity Services in Bangladesh

2009-08-11T01:48:00.001+07:00

DHAKA
Armac Services Ltd. 392, New DOHS Lane # 29, Mohakhali, Dhaka- 1206, Bangladesh Tel: 9883500, 9881697, 8826783, Fax: 880-2-9885024, 8828962 E-mail: ag@agni.com, fanout@bdmail.net Web: www.armacservices.com	Confidence Security Service Ltd. 4748, Proba Housing Ring Road Mohammadpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh Tel: 9112711, 9008656 Fax: 880-2-8013844

Elite Force Housing # 14, (Gr. Floor), Road # 6, Gulshan-1, Dhaka- 1212, Bangladesh Tel: 98845-31-, 9887487 Fax: 8826476 E-mail: sseddl@bttb.net.bd	Falcon (R) Security Ltd. Housing # 155, Lane # 3, Eastern Road, New DOHS Mohakhali, Dhaka- 1206 Tel: 882782 Fax: 880-2-8829946 E-mail: fsl@bdonline.com

Group 4 Securities Bangladesh (P) Ltd. House # CES (G) 1, Road # 130, Gulshan-1, Dhaka- 1212 Tel: 8811589, 9887316-8 Fax: 880-2-8810859 E-mail: group4@bdmail.net	Integrated Security Service Ltd. House # 118, Road # 1, Block # F, Banani, Dhaka- 1213, Bangladesh Tel: 8810634, 9885902 Fax: 880-2-9882478 E-mail: issl@bdmail.net

Chittagong
General Security Service (Pvt) Ltd. 240, D.T. Road, Dewanhat, Chittagong, Bangladesh Tel: 031-711460	Integrated Security Services Ltd. 8, Momin Road, CDA Commercial Aira, Chittagong, Bangaldesh. Tel: 031-621660, 611940, 612340 Fax: 880-31-610093

Shield Limited House # 1219, Baizid Bostami Road, East Nasirabad, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Tel: 031-652059

Khulna
Khulna Security Services (Pvt) Ltd. Chamber Building (2nd Floor) 5, KDA Commercial Area, Khulna- 9100, Bangladesh Tel: 041-722612

Food of Bangladesh

2009-08-11T01:41:00.001+07:00

All major hotels and most of the resturant in the country have western food on their menu but local dishes are normally more exotic. Curries of many kinds abound, cooked with a range of spices and hot curry powders some of the more favourite dishes are Korma, Rezala, Bhoona and Masala Gosht, Chicken, Mutton, Beef, Fish and Prawns, Chicken Afgans, Boti Kabab, Shutil Kabab and a variety of fish curries should be tried. Rice and mutton or chicken and khichuri are available in any reasonable restaurant. Those who do not care for rice dishes can try mughlai parata, plain parata or naan, which go very well with curries. Sea-food and sweet water fish are available in most of the towns. Fish-lovers should not misss smoked hilsa (Hilsha or Ilish is, our national fish), fresh bhetki and chingri (lobster /king prawns) malaikari, prawn dopayaza. In Dhaka a number of good restaurants including those run by Parjatan provide local and western food. Vegetarians need not be frustrated. In each and every restaurant in Dhaka offer vegetable dishes .

DRINKS

The most widely used beverage and lemonade are favourite summer time drinks.Green coconut are also a good source of refreshing drinks and are available with street side vendors.Tea is available every nook and corner of the country. Soft drinks such as Royal Cola, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fanta, 7-up, Mirinda, Sun-crest and Sprite are available even in village. Hard drinks are sold in big hotels and selected restaurants including Parjatan. Drinking alcohol in public area is not recommended for foreigners.

DESSERT

Misthi Doi - sweetened youghurt and Halua - a common dessert made with eggs,sugar or carrots, sooji or wheat cream, almond and pistachio are the most common desserts. Sandesh- a milk based sweet meat. Zarda- sweetened rice with nuts, Firni- rice flour cooked in milk, sugar and flavouring, Rasgolla and Kalojam- two popular milk based dessert and made with sugar, flour and ghee, and Rosh Malai- round sweets floating in thick milk are almost a passion with Bangladeshis. Pithas - a blanket term for cakes or pastries of different varieties such as Chitoi, Dhupi, Takti, Andosha, Bhafa, Puli and Pua are popular winter time heats.

FRUITS

Bangladesh produes a wide variety of seasonal fruits but some grow throughout the year. These include mangoes, Lichies, Bananas, Papayas, Jackfruits, Watermelon, Pineapple, Coconut, Oranges, Guava, Star Apple, Black Berry, Barakul etc.

Travel Information of Bangladesh

2009-08-10T00:55:00.002+07:00

Tourist Facilities

The international airport in Dhaka is well-equipped with facilities to handle passenger and cargo flights. The national carrier Bangladesh Biman and a number of major airlines of the world run regular services to and from Dhaka. Biman and a private company fly smaller aircraft to transport passengers to different airports within the country. The Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, the Sonargaon Pan Pacific Hotel and Purbani Hotel run their own transfer services to and from the airport for convenience of their guests. The Parjatan Corporation also runs a similar transfer service with a fleet of comfortable cars and microbuses. The corporation operates a large number of hotels, motels, cottages, restaurants, duty-free shops and package tours in Dhaka and at different tourist spots outside.
In the Sunderbans the visitors can stay in comfortable rest houses, take boat trips along the creeks and from observation towers watch tigers, deer, monkeys, crocodiles and birds. In Dhaka and elsewhere various kinds of oriental and western food are served by the hotels, motels and restaurants. Bangladehi costumes and handicraft are attractive in design and quality and are good value for money. In 1995, foreign tourists numbering 156, 231 visited the country bringing for the national exchequer over Tk. 95 million in foreign exchange.

Climate:
Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon-type climate, with a hot and rainy summer and a dry winter. January is the coolest month with temperatures averaging near 26 deg C (78 d F) and April the warmest with temperatures from 33 to 36 deg C (91 to 96 deg F). The climate is one of the wettest in the world. Most places receive more than 1,525 mm of rain a year, and areas near the hills receive 5,080 mm ). Most rains occur during the monsoon (June-September) and little in winter (November-February).
Bangladesh is subject to devastating cyclones, originating over the Bay of Bengal, in the periods of April to May and September to November. Often accompanied by surging waves, these storms can cause great damage and loss of life. The cyclone of November 1970, in which about 500,000 lives were lost in Bangladesh, was one of the worst natural disasters of the country in the 20th century.
Bangladesh has warm temperatures throughout the year, with relatively little variation from month to month. January tends to be the coolest month and May the warmest. In Dhaka the average January temperature is about 19°C (about 66°F), and the average May temperature is about 29°C (about 84°F).

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the year. Warmer clothes are needed in the evenings during the cool season. Waterproofs are necessary during the monsoon season.

Passports and Visas

Restricted entry: The government of Bangladesh refuses admission and transit to nationals of Israel.

Passports: Passport valid for 3 months after departure required by all.

Visas: Required by all except the following:

(a) nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Bhutan, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Jamaica, Guyana, Honduras, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Montserrat, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Uruguay, Vatican City and Zambia for stays of up to 90 days.

(b) transit passengers continuing their journey the same for first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

(c) tourist and business travellers arriving at Zia international airport, Dhaka and Patenga international airport, provided holding return air tickets, who may be granted 'landing permission' by the Chief Immigration Officer for stays of up to 15 days.

Note: Visas are not required by Bangladesh nationals nor by former Bangladesh nationals holding British passports provided they have the statement' no visa required for travel to Bangladesh' stamped in their passport by the Bangladesh High Commission. Please also note any foreign visitor overstaying the allotted period may be charged a fine for each day of overstay.

Types of visa: Entry, Visit, Tourist and. Entry visas may be issued for short conference or journalistic trips (although not for business trips).

Validity: Single- and Double-entry: 6 months from date of issue. Multiple-entry: 6-12 months from date of issue. Stays are for a maximum of 90 days each.

Application to: Consular Section at Embassy or High Commission.

Application requirements:
(a) Valid passport.
(b) 2 completed application forms.
(c) 2 passport-size photos.
(d) Fee.
(e) Letter from employer or other relevant letters for business and conference trips.

Working days required: 24 hours for a single-entry visa; 48 hours for other types of visa. 7-10 days for postal applications.

Money and Currency

Currency: Bangladeshi Taka (Tk) = 100 poisha. Notes are in denominations of Tk 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 poisha.

Currency exchange: All foreign currency exchanged must be entered on a currency declaration form. Hotel bills must be paid in a major convertible currency or with travellers cheques. Many shops in the cities will offer better rates of exchange than the banks.

Credit cards: Limited acceptance of MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Can be exchanged on arrival at Dhaka Airport. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Exchange rate indicators against Sterling and the US Dollar: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Taka against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Currency restrictions: The import of foreign currency is unlimited (subject to declaration at time of arrival for sums in excess of US$5000). The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival. The import and export of local currency is limited to Tk100.

Banking hours: 0900-1500 Sunday to Thursday

Duty Free and Customs
The following goods may be imported into Bangladesh without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco; 1 bottle of alcoholic beverages (non-Muslims only); a reasonable amount of perfume; gifts up to the value of Tk500.

Note: Duty-free items may be bought at the duty-free shop at Dhaka Airport on arrival.

Prohibited items: Firearms and some animals.

Customs Regulations: There are restrictions on importing currency and weapons. Contact the Embassy of Bangladesh for specific information

Baggage Rule

Baggage rule of Government of Bangladesh

List of Taxable Baggage Items

(a) Imported goods, other than personal and household items are taxable.
(b) Each person is allowed two suitcases not exceeding 65 kg total as personal and household luggage. However, if the 3rd suitcase is of Magazines which are used for education purpose are not taxable.
(c) Imported items which are used for commercial purposes are taxable
(d) Bangladesh citizens are not allowed to import Alcohol/Alcoholic beverages.

The following items which may be imported as personal/Household items, are taxable as per the tax mentioned in brackets.

1. Television:

(a) up to 21" Tk. 5000/-
(b) up to 25" Tk. 7500/-
(c) up to 29" Tk. 10,000/-

2. VCR/VCP/ Satellite receiver Tk. 3000/-

3. VCD/DVD/LD/MD Player Tk. 4000/-

4. Music center:

(a) with general CD and detached Speaker Tk. 2000/-
(b) Component system (CD/VCD/DVD/LD/MD set) Tk.8000/-
(c) Detachable ` (CD/VCD/DVD/LD/MD Set) Tk.15,000/0-

5. Refrigerator /Deep Freezer Tk. 5000/-

6. Dish Washer/Washing /Knitting Machine Tk.3000/-

7. Electric Sewing Machine/Knitting Machine Tk.1000/-

8. General Photocopier/ Photo Enlarger Tk. 10,000/-

9. Aircooler/AirConditioner:

(a) Window type Tk. 10,000/-
(b) Split type Tk. 25,000/-

10. Fax Machine Tk. 5000/-

11. Oven:

(a) Microwave oven Tk. 2000/-
(b) Gas oven with burner Tk. 5000/-

12. Dish Antena Tk. 7000/-

13. Gold bar or bullion (Maximum 5 kg) Tk. 300 (per 11.664 gm)

14. Silver bar or bullion (Maximum 20 kg) Tk. 6/ (per 11.664gm)

15. Mobile/Cellular Telephone tk. 5000/-

16. Airgun/Air rifle Tk. 2000/-

17. Candelabrum Tk. 300/- per point

18. Carpet up to 15 square metere Tk. 500sq. meter.

Schedule-2
Duty & Tax free goods

1. Cassette Player/Two-in-one

2. Disk man/Walkman (Audio)

3. Portable Audio CD player

4. Desktop / Laptop Computer (with Printer & UPS)

5. Video Camera

6. Still Camera

7. General/Push button/Cordless telephone Set

8. General/Electric Oven

9. Rice Cooker /Pressure Cooker

10. Blender/Juicer/Cofee Maker

11. General and Electric Type writer

12. Sewing Machine (manual)

13. Table/Pedestal Fan

14. Sports materials (for personal use)

15. 200gms gold/silver ornaments (Not more than 12 pcs of each item)

16. One Cartoon Cigarette (200 stick).

Distance City to City

Dhaka

Barisal

Bogra

Chittagong

Comilla

Dinajpur

Faridpur

Jessore

Khulna

Kushtia

Mymensing

Noakhali

Pabna

Rajshahi

Rangpur

Rangamati

Sylhet

Dhaka

277

229

264

414

145

274

335

277

193

192

161

270

335

340

346

Barisal

277

438

541

373

673

132

261

322

264

470

468

280

401

594

616

623

Bogra

229

438

492

325

185

356

320

381

224

422

420

158

264

106

568

575

Chittagong

264

541

492

167

678

409

538

599

541

457

151

425

534

599

425

Comilla

373

325

167

510

241

370

431

373

290

257

367

431

243

275

Dinajpur

414

673

185

678

510

541

549

566

409

607

605

343

449

753

760

Faridpur

145

132

356

409

241

541

129

190

132

338

336

198

269

462

484

491

Jessore

274

261

320

538

370

549

129

467

465

163

233

426

626

632

Khulna

335

322

381

599

431

566

190

158

528

526

224

295

488

687

694

Kushtia

277

264

224

541

373

409

132

158

470

468

137

330

616

623

Mymensing

193

470

422

457

290

607

338

467

528

470

385

354

464

528

533

539

Noakhali

192

468

420

151

605

336

465

526

468

385

352

462

526

235

352

Pabna

161

280

158

425

257

343

198

163

224

354

352

109

264

500

507

Rajshahi

270

401

264

534

367

449

269

233

295

137

464

462

109

370

610

616

Rangpur

335

594

106

599

431

462

426

488

330

528

526

264

370

675

681

Rangamati

340

616

568

243

753

484

626

687

616

533

235

500

610

675

500

Sylhet

346

623

575

425

257

760

491

632

694

623

539

352

507

616

681

500

Foods & Drinks

Western food is available in all major hotels and most of the big restaurants in import cities. But local dishes are normally far better and more exotic. Curries of many kinds around, cooked with proper spices and hot curry powders, including Korma, Rezala, Bhoona and Masala Gosht, Chicken, mutton, beef, fish and prawns, Chicken Afghani, Chicken Baghdadi, Chicken Kashmiri, Chicken Tikka, boti kabab, shutli kabab and a variety of fish curries should be tried. Rice in the form of pulao, biriani-with rice and mutton or chicken and khichuri are available in any reasonable restaurant. Those who do not care for rice dishes can try mughlai parata, plain parata or naan, which go very well with curries. Seafood and sweet-water fish are available in most of the towns. Fish-lovers should not miss smoked hilsa, fresh bhetki and chingri (lobster/king prawns) malaikari, Prawn dopyaza.

DRINKS
Chai - the milky sweet tea available almost everywhere.
Lassi - the refreshing yogurt drink. Green coconut water is a fine, safe and refreshing drink. International soft drinks, such as Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Fanta, 7-up, Mirinda, Sun Crest and Sprite are readily available. Hard drinks are available in big hotels and selected restaurants. On Fridays drinking in public areas is not recommended for foreigners.

DESSERTS
Misti Dhohi, sweetened yogurt, Halua: a common dessert ranging from egg halua to carrot, sooji or wheat cream, almond, pistachio, nuts and so on, Sandesh: milk based dessert, one of the best available, Zorda: sweetened rice with nuts, Firni: rice flour cooked in milk, sugar and flavoring, Rasgolla & Kalojam: Two popular milk based desserts and made with sugar, flour and ghee, Ros Malai: round sweets floating in thick milk, Pitha: a blanket term for cakes or pastries including specific varieties such as chitoi, dhupi, takti, andosha, pufi, bhafa and pua,

FRUITS
Mangoes, Lichees, Bananas, Papayas, Jackfruit, Watermelon, Pineapple, Coconut and Oranges.

Recommended Fast Food Restaurants:
Waterfront Restaurant, Zia International Airport, Ph: (880-2) 8915407
Coopers, Airport Road. Ph: (880-2) 8119993
Yummy Yummy etc.
The White Castle Ltd. 20, Kemal Ataturk Avenue. Ph: (880-2) 606268,605914
Seven Eleven, Mirpur Road, Dhanmondi. Ph: (880-2) 8117263
Big Bite, 22/B Sonargaon Road,Hatirpul. Ph: (880-2) 9664140
Sajna, 10 South Avenue, Gulshan-1,Dhaka-1212.Ph: (880-2) 603507,603243
China Town, 53 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue. Ph: (880-2) 8111329,8118425

Recommended Restaurants in Dhaka:
A number of good restaurants provide local and western food. These include:-
Parjatan Restaurant, Hotel Abakash, Mohakhali, Ph: 607085-89, 8811548, 8811109
Santoor, House-2, Road-11(New), Dhanmondi. Ph: (880-2) 9128737, 8213336
Goffers' Inn, Kurmitola Golf Club, Ph: 604592
Sakura Restaurant, near Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, Ph: 509296
Ruchita Restaurant, Bangabandhu Avenue, Ph: 9555693
Mary Anderson, Floating Restaurant, Paglaghat, Ph: 067171288
La Diplomat, Gulshan, Ph: 602282
Red Button, Farm Gate, Ph: 9117717
Balaka, Zia International Airport, Ph: 8914008
Kawran Saraj, Sonargaon Hotel, Ph: 8111005
Bithika, Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, Ph: 8611191, 8613391, 8614065

Recommended Chinese Restaurants include:-
Parjatan Restaurant, Hotel Abakash, Mohakhali, Ph: 607085-89, 8811548, 8811109
Royal Orchid, Gulshan Avenue, Ph: 603573
Panda Garden, near Mohakhali Rail Gate, Ph: 608469
La Diplomat, Gulshan, Ph: 602282
Hwwang Ho, Banani, Ph: 602932
Chung Wah, North-South Road, Ph: 9553263
Kawloon, Ph: 9111353; Goffers' Inn,
Kurmitola Golf Club, Ph: 604592;
Shangri-La, Ph: 8824015 at Banani Bazar and the Cathey Dhaka, Road 133
Gulshan, Ph: 608476

Besides there are some specialized restaurants which included,
Doice vita (Mexican & Italian), 54 Kamal Ataturk Avenue,
Banani, Ph: 500589, 607980;
Sea Food Centre, 78/A Gulshan Avenue, Ph: 606175
Sawasdee (Thai), 65 Kamal Ataturk Avenue,
Banani, Ph: 60607571, 8824476
Lemon Grass (Thai & Vietnarness),
Road 131, Gulshan-2, Ph: 8822376;
The White Castle, 20, Kamal Ataturk Avenue,
Banani, Ph: 605914, 606268, 8812658
Angan Restaurant, SWC(3), Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka-1212 Ph: 8810448.

Shopping in Bangladesh

2009-08-10T00:36:00.002+07:00

Bangladesh is indeed a shoppers' paradise with a rich tradition in handicrafts at throw away prices. While muslin of ancient Dhaka has gone into history, other products such as contemporary paintings, wood works, shital pati (mattress having cooling effect), bamboo decoration pieces, cane and conch shell products, gold and silver ornament, cotton, silk, gold, silver, jute, reed, brassware, traditional dolls and leather goods also receive deep appreciation of the lovers of arts and crafts now and over the past centuries. In addition, Bangladesh is famous for pink pearl.

Pink Pearl : Pink pearls are the best buy in Dhaka. These natural products are unparallel in luster.

Gold & Silver : A wide range of gold and silver ornaments, silver filigree work etc. are considered by many travelers to be unparalleled.

Brass & Copperware : Among the best buys here are brass and copperware trays, wall decorations, vases etc. all are hand made with fine engravings and filigree work. Products made from the hides and skins of animals and reptiles, intricate wood carvings, cane and bamboo products, conch shell, bangles, embroidered quilts, jamdani and silk fabrics can also be bought. These are available in DIT market and a number of exclusive shop in New Elephant Road, Dhaka.

Duty- free Shopping: Duty free sales and display centers run by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (NTO) are located in Dhaka, Zia International Airport, Mohakhaii and Sylhet Airport.
These shops enjoy the reputation of being well established with a wide range of goods at unbeatable prices. Goods available include wines and spirits, perfumes, cigarettes, hi-fi stereo and audio-visual equipment, Cameras, Watches and a range of household appliances. All purchases must be paid for in foreign currency.

Some best buys in Dhaka

:: Antique Shops ::

Antics
93, New Elephant Road (1st Floor), Dhaka
Tel: 8618187

Bangladesh Pink Pearl
Shop-1, DMC Market, Gulshan-1
Dhaka-1212, Tel: 602160

Old Furniture & Metal Craft
219-20, Gulshan Shopping Center
Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212

Shoukhin Emporium
F-42, DCC Super Market (1st Floor)
Gulshan-2 (North), Tel: 9880389

:: Apparels ::

Aarong
1/1, Block A, Lalmatia, Mirpur Road Dhaka
Tel: 8111607, 8111791

Gulshan-Tejgaon Link Road
Tel: 8821052, 8825986, Fax: 8828576
Email: aarongex@bdmail.net

Artisti Collection Ltd.
NWJ 2 Kemal Ataturk Avenue
Gulshan, Dhaka-1212, Tel: 9883422
Fax: 8826234, Email: artisti@citechco.net

Benarashi Emporium
Sector 10, Block A, Lane 8, House, 1 Mirpur Dhaka, Tel: 8023191

Bichitra
Shop 5, Holding 1, Road # 27 (old)
Rapa Plaza, Dhanmondi, Dhaka

1/1 Laltamia, Adel Plaza, Dhaka, Tel: 9122034
Shop 113 (1st Floor), Rifles Square, Dhanmondi Dhaka, Tel: 0171-440487

Dash Fashion
Hotel Razmoni Ishakha Hotel Complex
89/3, VIP Road, Kakrail, Dhaka,
Tel: 8311904

Grameen Shamogree
Grameen Bank Bhaban
Mirpur 2, Dhaka, Tel: 9006139

318, Free School Street, Sonargaon Road
Hatirpool, Dhaka, Tel: 9664876

House 79, Road 12A, Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Tel: 0171-696217

House 2, Raod 1B, Sector 9, Uttara, Dhaka
Tel: 0171-538826

Grameen Udyog
Sony Cinema Hall Bhaban
Mirpur 2, Dhaka-1216, Tel: 9012083

Ambala Complex
Road 2, Dhanmondi, Dhaka,
Tel: 0171-520657

Handibazar
20/4 Panthapath, Rashid Plaza, Dhaka
Tel: 017224809

55/3 Karnaphulli Garden City
Kakril, Dhaka, Tel: 018224809

Kumudini
74, Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka
Tel: 8822493, 9892373

Nipun Crafts Limited
Husain Plaza
House # 1. Road # 15, Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Tel: 9115116, 8120374, 9661569
Fax: 8614184, Email: nipunltd@citechco.net

Plaza Central
Plot 22 (2nd Fl), Gulshan 2, Dhaka
Tel: 8821135, 8815390

Momotaz Plaza, House 7, Road 4
Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Tel: 8622340

Sopura Silk Mills Ltd.
Mamtaz Plaza (2nd Fl), House 7, Road4
Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Tel: 9669886

Shoriotullah Bhaban (1st Fl)
121/C Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan 2
Dhaka, Tel: 861008, 9885462

Concord Twin tower (2nd Fl), Shop 358-359
Chamellibagh, Dhaka, Tel: 8610068

Tangail Sharee Kutir
143/1, Baily Road, Dhaka
Tel: 8314567, Fax: 8312928

TexMart
House 81, Road 6, Block C, Tel: 8827260

House 362/1, Road 27, Tel: 8120850

House 6, Road 2, Sector 3, Tel: 8911229

41, Kemal Ataturk Avenue (2nd Fl)
Tel: 9893510

Concord Arcadia Shopping Mall
Plot 1&2, Road 4, Dhanmondi

Westecs
5, Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan-1, Dhaka
Tel: 8818678

:: Departmental Stores ::

Agora
80, Riles Square, Road-2
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Tel: 9665143, Fax : 9886143
Email: agora@dominox.com

Al-Amin
G-12, DCC Market (Ground floor)
Dhaka-1205, Tel: 8810556

Almas General Stores
Road # 5, Dhanmondi, Mirpur Road
Dhaka-1205, Tel: 8617085

BAFWA Complex
Shaheen College Gate, Dhaka,
Tel: 8821151

Dash Department
2, Ishakha Shopping Complex, Kakrail
Dhaka-1000, Tel: 8311904

H.N.P. Family Mart
55, South Avenue, Gulshan-1
Dhaka-1212, Tel: 9883635

Jonaki
Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, Dhaka-1000
Tel: 8611191, 863391 Ext-8565

Mina Bazar
719/A, Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Nahar Departmental Store
26, Sonargaon Road, Hatirpool,
Nahar Plaza
Dhaka, Tel: 8611828, 8612146

Nandan Mega Shop
NWJ (4), Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Gulshan
Dhaka, Tel: 9862637, 9861603

Pick & Pay Supermarket
A.R. Tower, 24, Kemal Ataturk Avenue
Banani, Dhaka, Tel: 8815783

Plaza central
Plot # 22 (2nd Floor), Gulshan Circle-2
Dhaka-1212, Tel: 8815390, 8812391
Fax: 8815390, Email: youngst@bangla.net

Stop N Shop
House # 23, Road # 27 (Old)
Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka-1205,
Tel: 9112738

:: Jewellery Showrooms ::

Amin Jewellers
Gulshan-2, Tel: 8820698,8820696,8812347

Govt. New Market, Tel: 8614137,8619732

73, Baitul Market, Tel: 9555873-4, 9551390

77,Baitul Mularram, Tel: 9555871, 9559302

Apan Jewellers
B-2, Market, New Circular Road
Dhaka, Tel: 9333698, 418157

Aupurba Jewellers
D7, Mouchak Market, Dhaka, Tel: 9331592

Chadni Jewellers
18, Baitul Mokrram (1st Floor) , Dhaka
Tel: 9550987

Chandrima Jewellers
59/A , Baitul Mokarram (1st Floor), Dhaka
Tel: 9552978

Gem World
Iqbal Center, 42, Kemal Ataturk Avenue
Dhaka, Tel: 8819280, Fax: 8119824

Grameen Jewellers
79, Baitul Mukarram, Dhaka- 1000
Tel: 9556796, 9556658

Mona Jewellers
13, Baitul Mukarram, Dhaka, Tel: 9550282

Sananda Jewellers
47, Baitul Mukerram (1st Floor), Dhaka
Tel: 9555847

Sriti Jewellers
41, Baitul Mukerram, Dhaka, Tel: 9555861

:: Jute Goods ::

Aarong
1/1, Block A, Lalmatia, Mirpur Road
Dhaka, Tel: 8111607, 8111791

Gulshan- Tejgaon Link Road
Tel: 8821052,8825986, Fax: 8828576
E-mail: aarongex@bdmail.net

Kumudini
74, Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka
Tel: 8824284, Fax: 9715318

Mayfair International
277, Elephant Road, Dhaka, Tel: 9331962

Nipun
House 1, ROAD 15 , Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Tel: 9115116,8120374, 9661569
Fax: 8614184,
E- mail: nipunltd@citechco.net

:: Leather Goods ::

Absolute Leather Products
14, Rajuk Avenue (4th Fl.), Motijheel, Dhaka
Tel: 9557788, Fax: 9568347,9560089
Email: oriental@ncll.com

Craft Line
Sylhet house 12, Abhoy Das Road
Tikatuly, Dhaka- 1203
Tel: 9553787, 9550322,Fax: 9550322

Haroon Leather
18, Kemal Ataturk Avenue (6th Floor) Dhaka
Tel: 8824976, 8821024, Fax: 8826114

Leather Boutuque
F-31, DCC, North Super Market
Gulshan, Dhaka, Tel: 603972

Leather Center
G-9, DCC North Super Market
Gulshan-2, Dhaka, Tel: 602878, 8829624

Leather Craft
130, Govt, New Market, Azimpur. Dhaka
Tel: 509207

Leather Emporium
G-5, Dmc North Super Market (ground Floor)
Gulshan, Dhaka, Tel: 8810916, 600942

Victor Leather Mart
297, Govt, New Mrket, Dhada, Tel: 504963

:: Gift and Handicrafts ::

Aarong
1/1, Block-A, Lalmatia, Mirpur Road Dhaka
Tel: 9111607, 8111791

Gulshan-Tejgaon Link Road
Tel: 8821052, 8825986, Fax: 8828576
Email: aarongex@bdmail.net

Archie's Gallery
Concord Tower, Suite 14-2 (13th Floor)
113, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue , Dhaka
Tel: 9345924, 9335462, Fax: 9352367
Email: cross-time@email:com

Asia Gift Corner
B/201, Gulshan Shopping Center
Gulshan-1, Dhaka, Tel: 8822997

Kanak, Vogue, Champak, Joya
Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, Dhaka, Tel: 9115660

Grameen Samogree
318 Free School Dtreet, Hatirpool
Sonargaon Road, Dhaka, Tel: 9664876

Islam Handicrafts
F- 26, DMC North Super Market
Gulshan-2, Dhaka, Tel: 9889147

Karupalli
5, Kawran Bazar, Dhaka- 1215
Tel: 323070-4 Email: karu @ citechco. net

Kumudini Handicraft
74, Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka
Tel: 8824284, Fax:9715318

Needle Craft
House- 27 , Road- 16 Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Tel: 8112622, Fax: 8116812

Nipun Craft Limited
House-1, Road- 15 Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Tel: 9115116, 8120374, 9661569
Fax: 8614184,
Email: nipunltd@citechco.net

Nakshi Katha Kandra
UAE Maitry Complex, Banani, Tel: 602604

Shohag Handicrafts
F-29, Gulshan-2, Dhaka, Tel: 608978

:: Shopping Centers ::

Aarong
1/1, Block A, Lalmatia, Mirpur Road, Dhaka
Tel: 8111607, 8111791

Gulshan- Tejgaon Link Road
Tel: 8821052, 8825986, Fax: 8828576
E- mail: aarongezx@bdmail.net

Alpona Plaza
New Elephant Road, Dhaka
Closed on Fridays

Baitul Mokkaram Market
Baitul Mokkaram, Dhaka, Closed on Friday

Chadni Chawk Market
Elephant Road, Dhaka, Closed on Fridays

City Heart Shopping Center
67, Naya Paltan, Dhaka, Closed on Mondays

Dhaka Stadium Market
Dhaka National Stadium, Dhaka
Closed on Fridays

Eastern Plaza
Hatirpool, Sonargaon Road, Dhaka
Closed on Mondays

Gausia
Mirpur Road, Dhaka, Closed on Tuesdays

Govt. New Market
Azimpur, Dhaka, Closed on Fridays

Navana Shoopping Center
Gulshan-1, Dhaka, Closed on Mondays

Karnophuli Garden City
Shantinagar, Dhaka, Closed on Mondays

Mouchak Market
Mmlibagh, Dhaka, Closed on Saturday

Riffles Square
BDR Gate, Zigatola, Dhaka

Rapa Plaza
Mirpur Road, Dhaka., Closed on Mondays

Ramna Bhadan
Ramna, Dhaka. Closed on Fridays

Rajluxmi Complex
Uttara Model Town, Uttara, Dhaka
Closed on Fridays

Stop N Shop
House 23, Road 27,
Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Tel: 9112738

UAE Moitri Complex
Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani, Dhaka

Vishal Centre
Moghbazar, Dhaka, Closed on Fridays

:: Super Markets ::

Banani Supermarket
Banani, Dhaka

DCC Market Gulshan-1
Gulshan, Dhaka

Govt. New Market
Azimpur, Dhaka

Gulshan Shopping Center
Gulshan, Dhaka

Gulshan-2 Municipal Market
Gulshan, Dhaka

Mohakhali Municipal Market
Mohakhali, Dhaka

Shahin Super Market
Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka

Transportation of Bangladesh

2009-08-10T00:31:00.000+07:00

The transport sector of Bangladesh consists of a variety of modes. The country being a flat plain, all three modes of surface transport, i.e. road, railway and water are widely used in carrying both passengers and cargo.

More than half of Bangladesh have access to an all-weather hard surface road within 3 miles distance. There has been a dramatic expansion of road network in recent years. In 1947 there were only 461.8 kilometers of metalled roads. In 1997, the total length of paved road under the Roads and Highways Department stood at more than 20,000 kilometers. It is estimated that mechanized road transport carry about 70% of the country's total passenger and cargo volume.

In recent years. construction of a number of bridges such as the Bangabandhu Jamuna Bridge, Meghna Bridge. Meghna-Gumti Bridge, Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, Shambhuganj Bridge and Mahananda Bridge have been completed. The 4.8 km long Bangabandhu Bridge which has been opened to traffic in June, 1998, is the eleventh longest in the world. It has established a strategic link between the East and the West of Bangladesh has integrated the country, is generating multifaceted benefits to the people and promoting inter-regional trade. Apart from quick movement of goods and passenger traffic, it is faci1itating transmission of electricity and natural gas and has integrated the telecommunication links.

About 32% of the total area of Bangladesh is effectively covered by the railways. State-owned Bangladesh Railway operates a track of 2706 kilometer, employs about 60,000 people, owns a fleet of 307 locomotives, 1240 coaching vehicles and I L643 freight wagons, and provides passenger and cargo services through 502 stations.

About two-thirds of Bangladesh is a wetland laced with a dense network of rivers, canals and creeks. Water transport is the only means available in nearly 10% of' the total area. The navigable waterways vary between 8372 kilometer during the monsoon to 5200 kilometer during the dry season. Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority has been established by the government for maintenance of navigability of ports and channels while the state-owned BIWTC provide passenger and cargo services in inland waterways and coastal areas of the country.

The entire coast along the Bay of Bengal is 710 kilometer long. There are two major ports in the country. Chittagong, the oldest port, has been an entry-port for at least 1000 years. The Mongla port in Khulna region serves the western part of Bangladesh.

There are now 11 operational airports in Bangladesh. These are Dhaka, Barisal. Chittagomig. Comilla, Cox' s Bazar, Ishurdi, Jessore, Rajshahi, Syedpur, Sylhet and Thakurgaon. Of these, the airports at Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet serve international routes. Air careo and Short Take-oft and Landing (STOL) services have been opened to the private sector by the government.

The Civil Aviation Authority is a public sector entity entrusted to construct, maintain and supervise airports and regulate air traffic. The national flag carrier Biman flies to 26 international and 8 domestic destinations.

Air:
Bangladesh can be reached by air from any part of the world. Biman Bangladesh airlines connects Dhaka with 27 major cities of the world.

Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Athens, Bangkok, Bombay, Calcutta, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Karachi, Kathmandu, Kualalumpur, London, Muscat, Dhahran, Baghdad, Kuwait, Yangoon, Rome, Tripoli, Tokyo, Singapore, Baharin, Frankfurt, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Sarjah, Seoul, Riyadh and Delhi.

Besides Biman, several other (international) carriers also fly to and from Dhaka.

Biman, Bangladesh Airlines also connects Dhaka with Chittagong, Jessore, Cox's Bazar, Rajshahi Saidpur and Sylhet in its 7 domestic routes. (Biman, Bangladesh Airlines,
Ph: 9560151-9; Enquiry & Reservations).

Foreign Airlines:
Trans World Airlines Inc.: Ph:880-2-9552491, 9552208
Air France: Ph: 880-2-9568277, 9563050, 9551338,
Japan Airlines: Ph: 880-2-9129322, 9129710
Indian Airlines: Ph: 880-2-9555915, 9557813, 8912205(Airport)
Kuwait Airways: Ph: 880-2-9110238, 9118829(City) 8914215(Airport)
British Airways: Ph: 880-2-9564869-72, 8914410, 8912467(Airport)
Lufthansa: Ph: 880-2-8618995, 8611191
Myanmar Airlines International: Ph: 880-2-8810579-80
United Airlines: Ph: 880-2-9556538-9, 9556505, 9567379
Cathay Pacific: Ph: 880-2-9559390, 9559721, 9557117
Pan Am: Ph: 880-2-9554369
Gulf Air: Ph: 880-2-8113237-40
PIA: Ph: 880-2-8312985, 8823023
Singapore Airlines: Ph: 880-2-8828769, 8828774, 8811504-8
Emirates: Ph: 880-2-9563825-29, 9563830
Swiss Air: Ph: 880-2-8821908, 8822376
Korean Air: Ph: 880-2-9563817-9
Saudia Ph: 880-2-8116859-60,(City) 8914436, 8914341(Airport)
Malayasian Airlines: Ph:880-2-9885479, 9885480
Thai International: Ph: 880-2-8314711-9, 8914351(Airport)
Qatar Airways, Ph: 880-2-9563050, 9564945
Royal Nepal Airlines: Ph:880-2-9550423, 9559353
Qantas: Ph: 880-2-9886634-7
KLM: Ph: 880-2-8113005, 9116519
Philippines Airlines: Ph:880-2-411488
Air litalia: Ph: 880-2-9551673
Continental Airlines: Ph:880-2-9565386-1,

Rail:
The Bangladesh Railway provides an efficient service to places of interest such as Chittagong, Sylhet, Khulna, Mymensingh, Bogra, Rajshahi, Dinajpur starting from Dhaka. The inter-city Express Service is available to and from important cities at cheap fares.

Waterways :
Country-Made boats are the most widely used carrier one can see in the river and rivulets. These carry passengers and merchandise on a large scale. The landscape of Bangladesh is dominated by about 250 rivers which flow essentially north-sourth. The alluvial flood plain formed by these rivers covers most of the country. Wherever there is a river and a village, a launch or steamer will ply for trade. A journey by Rocket Steamer service from Dhaka (Sadarghat) to Khulna, the gateway to Sundarbans is a rewarding experience.

Bus/Coach Services -
Road transport in Bangladesh is a private sector affair operating predominantly in domestic routes. Rates are among the cheapest in the world. Express and non stop services are available to principal towns from Gabtoli, Saidabad and Mohakhai bus terminals in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) also maintains a countrywide network of bus services. Recently they have introduced Dhaka - Calcutta - Dhaka direct daily bus services via Benapole, Jessore.

Railway -
Nationally operated Bangladesh Railway provides an efficient service throughout Bangladesh. The inter city Express Service is available to and from important cities if in all. Local trains serve in cheaper rates.

Car Rental -
Private car hire service is available in Dhaka and some other major cities. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), a government organization, has a fleet of air-conditioned and non air-conditioned cars, microbuses and jeeps. Besides they offer transfer service for tourists between Dhaka airport and main city points or hotels.

Travel Bangladesh

2009-08-09T00:20:00.002+07:00

Bangladesh - A south asian country which is Lying north of the Bay of Bengal. iT has a total area of 147570 sq .km and population is about 124 million. On land it borders India in the north and west & Myanmar in the southeast.

Bangladesh is subdivided into 6 divisions, all named after their respective capitals. These are:

* Dhaka Division * Chittagong Division * Khulna Division
* Sylhet Division * Rajshahi Division & * Barishal Division

DHAKA DIVISION

Dhaka division is located at center of the country has an area of 31119 sq. km and a population of 38.678 million. It has 17 districts and 64 municipalities. Main rivers of this division are padma, jamuna, meghna, old brahmaputra, dhaleshwari, shitalakshya, brahmaputra, buriganga, arial khan. Madhupur and Bhawal Garhs are located to the northern parts of Dhaka, in Gazipur, southern part of Mymensingh and eastern part of Tangail districts; Garo hills are located in Mymensingh district. Dhaka (Capital City) stands on the bank of the river Buriganga.

DHAKA CITY

Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh. The city is known as the city of mosque, muslin and rickshaws. It has attracted travellers from far and near through ages. Dhaka as the capital of Bangladesh has grown into a busy city of about ten million people with an area of about 1353 sq. km. Having a happy blending of old and new architectural trends, Dhaka has been developing fast as a modern city and is throbbing with activities in all spheres of life. It is the center of industrial, commercial, cultural, educational and political activities for Bangladesh.

Main Tourist Spots In Dhaka Division:

Inside Dhaka City: Ahsan Manjil - Lalbag Fort - National Museum - Bangabandhu Memorial - Mukti Juddha Museum - Science Museum - Shadhinota Stambha - National Poet's Graveyard - Suhrawardy Uddyan - National Leader Mausoleum - Banga-Bhaban - Ramna Park - Parliament House - Arts & Crafts Institute - Curzon Hall - Old High Court - 1857 Memorial - National Zoo - Botanical Garden - Baldha Garden - Star Mosque - Baitul Mukarram Mosque - Mosques - Hindu Temples - Churches

Outside Dhaka City: Mosque Of Baba Adam - Sonargaon - National Martyrs Memorial - Bhawal National Park - Jamuna Bridge - Tungipara - Modhupur Picnic Spot - Susang Durgapur - Gajni Parjatan Center

CHITTAGONG DIVISION

Chittagong Division is located at southern part of the country has an area of 33771 sq. km and a population of 23.99. It has 11 districts and 38 municipalities.

Chittagong is the biggest seaport and second largest town in Bangladesh situated near the Bay of Bengal. It is 264 km away east of Dhaka, famous for hill areas, natural beauty and for the seashore. Chittagong is also known of the town of Aulias (Muslim saints).

[Fay's lake at Chittagong]

Its green hills and forests, its broad sandy beaches and its fine cool climate always attract the holiday-markers. Described by the Chinese traveler poet, Huen Tsang (7th century A.D) as "a sleeping beauty emerging from mists and water" and given the title of "Porto Grande" by the 16th century Portuguese seafarers.

Chittagong combines remains true to both the descriptions even today. It combines the busy hum of an active seaport with the shooting quiet of a charming hill town.

The Shahi Jama-e-Masjid and Qadam Mubarak Mosque are two of the most impressive buildings in the city. It is also worth visiting the Ethnological Museum in the Modern City, which has interesting displays on Bangladesh's tribal peoples. There are good views and cooling breezes from Fairy Hill in the British City in the northwestern sector of the city.
Chittagong is the country's chief port and is the main site for the establishment of heavy, medium and light industries. Bangladesh's only steel mill and oil refinery are also located in Chittagong.

Main Tourist Spots in Chittagong Division :

Inside Chittagong City: War Cemetery - Zia memorial Museum - Ethnological Museum - Court Building Museum - Shrine's - Fays Lake - Patenga & Fouzdarhat - Port Area

Outside Chittagong City: Sitakundu - Parki Beach - Chandraghona - Cox's Bazar - Himchori & Inani Beach - Moheshkhali Island - Sonadia Island - St. Martins Island - Nijhum Island - Aggameda Khyang - Ramu - Teknaf - Comilla - BARD - Lalmai & Moinamoti - Hill tracks >> Rangamati - Khagrachari - Bandarban

KHULNA DIVISION

Khulna division is in the southwest part of Bangladesh has an area of 22274 sq. km and a population of 14.47 million. There are 10 districts and 28 municipalities under Khulna. It has the world’s biggest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans. In Khulna town you can visit Khulna Museum and Zoo.

Main tourist spots in Khulna division:

:: Sundarban

Sundarban is the world biggest mangrove forest. 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:

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.

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 revering beauty.

[Dears at Sundarban]

The Sundarbans are the largest littoral mangrove belt in the world, stretching 80km (50mi) into the Bangladeshi hinterland from the coast. 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.

Sundarbans is home to many different species of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and fishes. Over 120 species of fish and over 260 species of birds

[Sundarban - Royal Bengal Tigar ]

have been recorded in the Sundarbans. The Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus) is common in the rivers. No less than 50 species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians are known to occur. The Sundarbans now support the only population of the Estuarine, or Salt-Water Crocodile (Crocodiles paresis) in Bangladesh, and that population is estimated at less than two hundred individuals

Here land and water meet in many novel fashions, Wildlife presents many a spectacle. No wonder, you may come across a Royal Bengal Tiger swimming across the streams or the crocodiles basking on the riverbanks.

[Wild Monkyes at Sundarban]

With the approach of the evening herds of deer make for the darking glades where boisterous monkeys shower Keora leaves from above for sumptuous meal for the former. For the botanist, the lover of nature, the poet and the painter this land provides a variety of wonder for which they all crave.

It's beauty lies in its unique natural surrounding. Thousands of meandering streams, creeks, rivers and estuaries have enhanced its charm. Sundarbans meaning beautiful forest is the natural habitat of the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer, crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, lizards, theses monkey and an innumerable variety of beautiful birds. Migratory flock of Siberian ducks flying over thousands of sail boats loaded with timber, golpatta (round-leaf), fuel wood, honey, shell and fish further add to the serene natural beauty of the Sundarbans.

This is indeed a land for the sportsmen, the anglers and the photographers with its abundance of game, big and small, crocodile, wild boar, deer, pythons, wild-birds and above all the Royal Bengal Tiger, cunning, ruthless and yet majestic and graceful, For the less adventurously inclined, there are ducks and snipes,

[Wild Orchid Garden at Kotka, Sundarban]

herons and coots, yellow-lags and sandpipers. It is also the land for the ordinary holiday makers who desire to rest or wander around at will to refresh their mind and feast their eyes with the rich treasure that nature has so fondly bestowed.

Means of Communication: Water transport is the only means of communication for visiting the Sundarbans from Khulna or Mongla Port. Private motor launch, speedboats, country boats as well as mechanized vessel of Mongla Port Authority might be hired for the purpose. From Dhaka visitors may travel by air, road or rocket steamer to Khulna - the gateway to the Sundarbans. Most pleasant journey from Dhaka to Khulna is by Paddle Steamer, Rocket presenting a picturesque panorama of rural Bangladesh. Day and nightlong coach services by road are also available. The quickest mode is by air from Dhaka to Jessore and then to Khulna by road.

Journey time: It varies depending on tides against or in favor in the river. Usually it takes 6 to 10 hours journey by motor vessel from Mongla to Hiron Point or Katka.

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.

:: Dublar Char (Island) for fishermen. It is a beautiful island where herds of spotted deer are often seen to graze.

:: Katka

Katka is one of Heritage sites in Sunderban. In Katka there is a wooden watching tower of 40 ft. high from where you can enjoy the scenic beauty of Sunderban. A beautiful sea beach is there is Katka; you will enjoy while you are walking to go the beach from the watching tower. Verities birds are visible in Katka.

[Sunset at Sundarban]

:: Hiran point

This is another tourist spot in Sunderban. It is called the world heritage state. You can enjoy the beauty of wild nature and dotted dears walking and running in Hiron point.

There are also two other Heritage side in Sunderban; one is Kochikhali and the other is Mandarbaria where you will find dears and birds. If you are lucky you can see the Great Royal Bengal Tiger, but for sure you can at least see the stepping of Great Royal Bengal Tiger here and there in these spots.

:: Karamjol

Karamjol is a forest station for the Rangers. Here you can see a dear breeding center. To visit Sunderban you need to go there with a guide and it is even better if you go there with a group. You can stay two/three days in Sunderban depending on your desire and requirements. One-day tour is not enough for Sundarban as you will not be able to see the nature in haste. For one-day tour you can go up to Karamjol and at a glance visit the outer portion of Sunderban forest areas.

[Fishing at Sundarban]

In your Sunderban tour you will be able to see a lots of verities birds (a heaven for the bird watchers), can watch the fishing in the river by the fishermen, if you wish you can ask your tour operator to give a stopover in the fishermen villages to watch their lifestyle, see lots of animals like monkeys, various types Dears, foxes,

Crocodiles, Snakes and if you are lucky person you will be able to see the greatest mystery of Sunderban –The Royal Bengal Tiger. Sunderban is one of main sources to collect pure honey. You should not forget to buy some pure honey. Another inexpressible and unforgettable beauty you can enjoy if you can match your timing of tour in full moon. In the full moon the nights in Sunderban could be one of the most memorable nights for your whole life.

Other necessary Information about Sundarban Tour:

Entry Permission: Prior permission must be obtained through written application from the Divisional Forest Office, Circuit House Road, Khulna (Phone 20665, 211731) to visit the Sundarbans. Required entrance fees for visitors, vessel or boat payable at the relevant forest station/range office.

Fee for Commercial Photography:

Movie Tk. 5,000.00 per role exposed
Video Tk. 4,000.00 per Cassette
Still Tk. 1,000.00 per role exposed

Guided Tours: To feel the beauty of Sunderban you will have to go inside Sunderban & visit at least the most common tourist spots of Sunderban, specially the four-heritage side of Katka, Hiron point, Mandarbaria & Kachikhali. It will require minimum two nights stay in Sunderban to visit these spots and if you are in a group you can ask your tour operator to make it three, four or five night tour package as per your desire ness to invent the real beauty of Sunderban in your Package tour program. In Sunderban visit, all the way you will have to go by tourist launch and spend your night also in the launch as no hotel or motel facilities are available there inside of Sunderban. In this tour your foods and water will be supplied from the tourist launch only. So to visit the great Sundarban you will have to decide in advance how many days you want to spent in Sunderban – accordingly your tour operator will arrange and preserve year foods and water. Tour operators offers all-inclusive guided package fours from Dhaka to Sundarbans and return during the tourist season (October to March).

Climate: Climate in the Sundarbans is moderate. Air is humid. Full monsoon is from June to September. The annual rainfall average between 65" and 70". During ebb tide the forest becomes bare by 6-7 feet and at high tide (30 miles and hour) the entire territory of the forest floats on water.

Life in Forest: Only means of transportation inside the forest is boat. There is no road, no trail of a path anywhere. The woodcutters make temporary dwellings at the edge of the forest at a height of 8-10 feet for fear of wild animals others live on boats. In the chandpai region it is fascinating to see the nomadic fishermen (living with families on boats) catching fish with the help of trained offers. Exciting activities take place in Dublar Char in the forest where fishermen from Chittagong gather for four months (mid Oct. to mid Feb.) to catch and dry fish. But the most daring and exciting of all activities is presented by the honey-collectors who work in groups for just two months (April-May) and it is interesting to see how they locate a hive and then collect honey.

Flora and Fauna: The Sundarbans is endowed by nature with rich flora and fauna. It is a wonderful place to see or to shoot a Royal Bengal Tiger with Camera if one has the time to wait in the forest. There are a good number of tigers in the Sundarbans. Lovely spotted deer are easy to find. Besides there are a wide variety of wildlife for which the Sundarbans is so famous.

Visit to the Forest: Permission from the Division Forest Officer, Khulna is required to visit to the forest. Cholera vaccine is to be taken well in advance. Anti-malarial, anti-diarrhoeal, insect repellent cream, drinking water, green coconuts, medical kit, light tropical dress, thick rubber soled boots etc. are to be carried with the tourist. It will be wise to take the help of an experienced guide to make the journey fruitful.

Tourist season & Shooting: Best time to visit the Sundarbans is from November to March. Exciting honey collection season is during April-May. Hunting is prohibited by law in the country for the preservation of wildlife. Certain species of birds, however, can be shot with prior permission of the Divisional Forest Officer, Khulna.

N.B: Special notes to the tourist to remember again - do not go in side of the forest without your guide and proper securities while your are in Sunderban.

SYLHET DIVISION

Sylhet division occupies the north east part of Bangladesh, has an area of 12596 sq. km and a population of 7.899 million. There are 4 districts and 14 municipalities under Barisal. It is a natural hilly, forest area with ox bow lakes and famous shrines.

Sylhet City:

Nestled in the picturesque Surma Valley amidst scenic tea plantations and lush green tropical forests, greater Sylhet is a prime attraction for all tourists visiting Bangladesh. Laying between the Khasia and the Jaintia hills on the north, and the Tripura hills on the south, Sylhet breaks the monotony of the flatness of this land by a multitude of terraced tea gardens, rolling countryside and the exotic flora and fauna. Here the thick tropical forests abound with many species of wildlife, spread their aroma around the typical hearth and homes of the Mainpuri Tribal maidens famous for their dance.

The Sylhet valley is formed by a beautiful, winding pair of rivers named the Surma and the Kushiara both of which are fed by innumerable hill streams from the north and the south. The valley has 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 turbulent seas.

These haors provide a sanctuary to the millions of migratory birds who fly from Siberia across the Himalayas to avoid the severe cold there. Sylhet has also a very interesting and rich hilstory, 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. Its rich potentialities became easily attractive and the 18th century Englishmen made their fortune in tea plantation. About 80 km. from Sylhet town connected by road and rail, Srimangal, which is known as the tea capital of Bangladesh, is the actual tea center of the area.

For miles and miles around, the visitor can see the teagardens spread like a green carpet over the plain land or on the sloping hills. A visit to the tea plantation in Sylhet is a memorable experience. Sylhet, the tea granary of Bangladesh, not only has over 150 tea gardens but also proudly possesses three largest tea gardens in the world in both area and production.

[Sylhet - Tea Garden]

Sylhet is the land of Shrine’s, natural Hills, forests, beautiful tree plantations and lots of Haors. It is an old city with full of natural beauties. A large number of tourists come every year to visit Sylhet. The main attraction of Sylhet city is the Shrine of Hajrat Shahjalal(R) and Hajrat Shah Poran (R). Shrine of Hajrat Shahjalal (R) is on the top of a hillock (tilla) in Sylhet city. Thousands of visitors are coming everyday in this Shrine. Shrine of Hajrat Shah Paran (R) is eight km far from Sylhet town on the Sylhet-Jaflong road where also thousands of visitors visits this Shrine everyday. Road journey to Sylhet is an wonderful experience through roads running ups and down the hills and green lush tea gardens of nature at its best.

Main Tourist Spots in Sylhet Division :

The Shrine of Hazrat ShahJalal - Sri Chaitannya Dev Temple - Shahi Eidgah - Gour Gobinda Fort - Jaflong - Tamabil - Sripur - Jointapur’s Rajbari - Srimongol - Madhabkunda Waterfall - Lawacherra Rain Forest - Handicrafts of Sylhet - Manipuri Dance

RAJSHAHI DIVISION

Rajshahi division is in the northern part of Bangladesh has an area of 34513 sq. km and a population of 29.99 million. There are 16 districts and 57 municipalities under Rajshahi. It is famous for archeological and historical sites.

Rajshahi City:

Rajshahi town is situated besides the river Padma. In monsoon the great Padma is in full spate with its tides and waves whereas in winter it dwindles and you will feel the desert by the side of river. Rajshahi Division is famous for archeological and historical places like Mohastnangor, Paharpur Buddhist Monastery, Kantajee’s Temple, Ramshagar Dighi, Choto Sona Masjid, and Shopnopuri etc. You can visit Rajshahi University. It’s a very well planed University and you can visit The Shahid Smriti Sangraha Shala in the University, you can see the documents and photography’s from the language movement of 1952 to the liberation was 1972. You can also visit Borendra Research Museum. There you will find the ancient elements of Paharpur, Mohasthangar and Mohenjodaro.

Main Tourist Spots in Rajshahi Division:

Mahasthangarh - Paharpur Buddhist Monastery - Kantajee’s Temple - Ramshagor Dighi - Shopnopuri - Choto Sona Mosque - Varendra Research Museum - Puthia

BARISHAL DIVISION

Barisal division is in the south west part of Bangladesh, has an area of 13297 sq. km and a population of 8.11 million. There are 6 districts and 22 municipalities under Barisal. It is a revering area. Barishal is a Division of rivers and canals. It is also famous for gardens of coconut trees. You will find thousands of coconut trees throughout Barishal Division. Kuakata is the main tourist spot in the division. In Barishal town you can visit Durga Sagor - a beautiful Dighi where lot of guest birds comes every winter season. This is also a beautiful park where you can spend your leisure time by roaming around the park and watching the birds.

Main Tourist Spots in Barishal Division :

:: Kuakata

Kuakata, locally known as Sagar Kannya (Daughter of the Sea) is a rare scenic beauty spot on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh. Kuakata in Latachapli union under Kalapara Police Station of Patuakhali district is about 30 km in length and 6 km in breadth. It is 70 km from Patuakhali district headquarters and 320 km from Dhaka.

[Kuakata Seabeach]

At Kuakata excellent combination of the picturesque natural beauty, sandy beach, blue sky, huge expanse of water of the Bay and evergreen forest in really eye-catching. From its seashore you can watch both sunrise and sunset. The coconut trees increase the scenic beauty of this seashore.

The main tourist season is in winter but all over the year tourists visit this place. In Kuaka you can visit the life style of tribe Rakhains, who are very friendly to the tourist and visitors.

You can visit Buddhist Temple where you can see the statue of Goutom Buddha and two wells of 200 years old. Local name of the well is Kua and Kata is a local name of digging a well; so was the name Kuakata. Fisherman village is another place where you can visit and watch the lifestyle of the Fisherman.

[Rakhain Girl at Kuakata]

If you are adventurous you may also go for fishing on the fishing boat if you can manage the local fishermen. That will give you pleasure and experience, which you won’t be able to gather from anywhere else. In the fishermen village you will find the fishermen coming back from the fishing and you can purchase some fresh Hilsha fish from them, and by the side of village there are some local restaurants from where you can get the Hilshas cooked and ready for eating. You will remember the wonderful taste of the fresh Hilshas of Kuakata for a long time. From Kuakata you can visit to a part of the great Sundarban forest, which is called Gangamoti Reserve Forest. Don’t forget to visit Fatra’s Chor another tourist place nearby Kuakata.

Kuakata is one of the rarest places, which has the unique beauty of offering the full view of the rising and setting of crimson sun in the water of the Bay of Bengal in a calm environment. That perhaps makes Kuakata one of the world's unique beaches. The long and wide beach at Kuakata has a typical natural setting. This sandy beach has gentle slopes into the Bay of Bengal and bathing there is as pleasant as is walking or diving.

[Sunrise at Kuakata]

Kuakata is truly a virgin beach-a sanctuary for migratory winter birds, a series of coconut trees, sandy beach of blue Bay, a feast for the eye. Forest, boats plying in the Bay of Bengal with colorful sails, fishing, towering cliffs, surfing waves everything here touches every visitor's heart. The unique customs and costumes of the 'Rakhyne' tribal families and Buddhist Temple of about hundred years old indicate the ancient tradition and cultural heritage, which are objects of great pleasure Kuakata is the place of pilgrimage of the Hindus and Buddhist communities. Innumerable devotees arrive here at the festival of 'Rush Purnima' and 'Maghi Purnima'.

On these two days they take holy bath and traditional fairs are held here. All these additional offers to panoramic beauty make the beach more attractive to the visitors. One should visit Kuakata and discover the lovely grace of Bangladesh.

Means of Communication: There exists road communication between Dhaka and Patuakhali district headquarters. Accessible by road, water or air transport up to Barisal. Then one may travel by road or water to Kuakata or Patuakhali. From Dhaka you can go to Patuakhali by bus & from there by microbus to Kuakata. It is advisable to go Patuakhali by launch, which is an overnight journey, and you can enjoy the unique beauty of Bangladesh Rivers at nighttime during this journey. Instead of Potuakhali you can go to Khepupara by launch, which is also an overnight journey and from Khepupara you can go to Kuakata by microbus. A direct BRTC bus service is also available from Dhaka to Kuakata that leaves from Sayedabad Bus terminal at night takes 12 hours to reach Kuakata. But it might be a hectic bus journey as a number of ferries are there on the way to Kuakata by road. BRTC has introduced direct bus service from Dhaka to Kuakata via Barisal.

Where to stay: There are some hotel and motels in Kuakata where you can stay, but Holiday Homes is the best place to stay in Kuakata. It is a motel of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation and its better if you confirm your booking from Dhaka in advance.

:: Horinghata

Horinghata is a place where you can see deer roaming around. In Horinghata forest sometimes the Royal Bengal Tiger is seen. Horin is a Bengali word for deer. So name itself express why it’s called Horinghata. You can go to Horinghata from Borguna District.

Seasons of Bangladesh

2009-08-08T23:56:00.000+07:00

Traditionally Bangladeshis subdivide the year into six seasons:

	Grismo (summer)
	Barsha (rainy)
	Sharat (autumn)
	Hemanto (cool)
	Sheet (winter)
	Bashonto (spring)

For practical purposes, however, three seasons are distinguishable:
summer , rainy, and winter.

Bangladesh : Rainfall & Weather

2009-08-08T23:49:00.000+07:00

The average annual rainfall varies from a maximum of 5,690 mm in the northeast of the country to minimum of 1,110 mm in the west. The groundwater, however, provides adequate storage to compensate for annual variations in rainfall and stream flow. The average annual discharge from the three major rivers - a total of 35,000 cusec- is second only to the Amazon. The carry billions of tons of sediment load every year.

As it is situated in the tropic, the country is prone to cyclones associated with tidal surges, especially in the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon months. Because of high density of population in the flat deltaic coastal region, the loss of human lives in such cyclones has at time been very heavy.

The country experiences a hot summer of high humidity from late March to late June, a somewhat cooler but still a hot and humid monsoon from late June through October and a cool dry winter from November to the end of February. Day temperature ranges from 7 to 12 degree centigrade in the cool months and in the other months it varies between 23 to 30 degree centigrade.

Bangladesh : Geographic Features

2009-08-08T23:45:00.000+07:00

Bangladesh is situated in South Asia between India and Myanmar. With an area of 148,393 sq. km and a population of approx. 130 million, it occupies the apex of the arch formed by the Bay of Bengal into which drain a large number of rivers and their tributaries crisscrossing the country and making it a very fertile delta.

However, a dominant feature of life is the annual cycle of overabundance of water in the monsoon and its scarcity in winter. But the phenomenon changes dramatically during the winter months of November to May when the flows in the three major rivers- Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna - decrease considerably and most of the streams and channels almost dry up leading to shortage of fresh water for use in agriculture, fishery, navigation and industries as well as for domestic use.

Normal floods are regarded as highly beneficial for revitalizing the cropland. The people have also learnt the coping strategies to minimize their adverse effects. Various measures have been taken in the past to cope with the effects of catastrophic floods but not always effectively. Comprehensive multi-national studies have been made during the recent years under the World Bank coordinated Flood Action Plan to find more effective ways to mitigating such floods without causing environmental hazards.

Bangladesh : Environmental Issues

2009-08-08T23:42:00.000+07:00

Environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources are often observed in Bangladesh due to poverty, over-population and lack of awareness on the subject. It is manifested by deforestation, destruction of wetlands, depletion of soil nutrients, etc. Natural calamities like floods, cyclones and tidal-bores also result in severe socio-economic and environmental damage.

Waterborne diseases such as cholera are a serious threat to public health in Bangladesh. Until the 1970s, many of Bangladesh's people became sick from drinking polluted water drawn from surface rivers. Aid agencies such as the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) built shallow wells throughout the country to help provide a safe source of drinking water to Bangladesh's poor.

In the 1990s, however, it was discovered that many of these wells were contaminated by arsenic, a poison that occurs naturally in Bangladesh's alluvial soils. The World Bank estimates that 25 percent of the country's 4 million wells may be contaminated by arsenic. In 1998 the World Bank granted Bangladesh a $32.4 million credit to identify contaminated wells and develop alternative sources of safe drinking water.

In recent years, the government has taken some important steps towards protection of the environment, environmentally sound use of natural resources and pollution control, Adoption of National Environment Policy and formulation of National Conservation Strategy and the National Environment Management Action Plan are some of the measures undertaken by the government to integrate environment with development in a policy framework.

To take prompt legal action against environmental pollution, the government has recently set up Environment courts. The Environment Conservation Rules 1997 has also been passed by the Parliament. The Department of Environment is taking measures to carry out surveys on identification and control of polluting industries, river pollution and automobile pollution.