Swine Flu Scare: Stopping the Pandemic

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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.