moodlogic

Bangladeshi bloggers meet

2006-02-05T11:56:00.001+06:00

From left Rezwan bhai, Rifat, Yawar, Zico, Hasin and me. Photo Courtesy: Hasin

The first ever Bangladeshi bloggers meet was a great achievement for Bangladeshi bloggers. The event was arranged by veteran Bangladeshi blogger Rezwan bhai and Rifat. Via Shafi, I came to know that yesterday was Rezwan bhai's birthday, too!!! And that's why pastries were served. Rock legend Maqsood bhai hosted the event at his cosy apartment in Niketon. Some 20 bloggers, would-be-bloggers, tech guys form Somewherein, and journalists from the New Age attended the meet. Here is an attempt to name them: Zico, Shafi, Khaled, Munshi, Yawar, Naser, Zabir, Nazzina, me, and ... I forgot some of the names. Please forgive my memory :-) From Somewherein... Arild, Hasin, Misho, and Hasan. Form the New Age: Mahfuz and the photographer.

Rezwan bhai compiled the details of the meet. Shafi posted some photos. More photos will be available as soon as Rifat and Hasin post them. And I'm here to share my experience.

It was a great event. Not only because we had great discussions on blogging in Bangladesh; its technical sides; political, cultural, and economic aspects, etc, and all that. But also because we came close to each other, shake our hands, know the faces, sat together, ate together, and drank together (halal drinks of course ;-). The best part of the meet was the part we didn't recognise as an independent part – because we don't exactly know the moment we came close to each other. And believe me ... you won't believe your own eyes when you'll meet somebody you know only virtually. Your experience is going to be very, very different from your expectations. Well ... I think that's the beauty of such gatherings.

Initially I thought that I could be personally attacked because of the nature of this blog, because of the "slanted" political views I posses, or simply because of who I am. But ... NO! Everyone was cool. I was cool (see the photo ;-) Ye ... and everyone was cooler than me. So, those who missed it not only missed the delicious dinner but also the company of some very, very cool people:

Maqsood bhai: Ahem ... I don't want my blog to be reported to the ... so I'll stop here ;-)

Rezwan bhai: can only be described as a simple and ordinary guy but his inputs in various discussions prove that how conscious and connected he is ... and in that respect how extraordinarily he is different from us.

Rifat: some people can make you a friend only by looking at you. I think Rifat is one of them.

Zico: "God gave me two ears to listen more and one mouth to talk less."

Arild: I don't know how people can organise their thoughts in such a way ... Arild, I've learnt many things from you.

Hasin: Other than holding the entire PHP library on his head, he also holds a beautiful smile on his face :-)

Shafi: As he claims in his blog ... he is a Rajputro for sure :-)

Naser: "Newspaper editors should be sacked for not supplying RSS feeds to its readers."

Nazzina: She was looking great on hizab (or vice versa :-) The thing I really liked about her is that she makes her point clear, crystal clear ... much like her clear, sharp-edged voice.

I am delighted to meet every one of you in person. I will always remember the time we spent together. I think that similar occasions in future will make us a strong community. And a strong community is needed to create what Arild says a "blogging nation".

Update: Now Rifat has a post on the meet. Hasin uploaded some really cool photos of the meet. It seems that he is not only a good coder but also a good photographer. Rezwan bhai cleared that it was not his birthday.

A bastard is running Pakistan

2006-01-17T04:49:00.002+06:00

Pakistani tribesmen offer prayer over the graves of tribesmen who were killed during a US strike in Damadola, 200 Km (124 miles) northwest of Islamabad January 14, 2006. Photo: REUTERS/Ali Imam

A Pakistani village was bombed by the United States. 18 civilians, including women and children, were killed. And General Pervez Musharraf is still in charge of that country. When Pakistan should be breaking up all kinds of relationships with the United States, including withdrawing its mission from Washington DC, it is trying to make its people understand that a US air-strike in a Pakistani village is justifiable, that killing innocent people in the name of anything is justifiable! What kind of a world we are living in?

It is evident that if the culprit remains in power, Pakistanis can expect more attacks like this in future. It is for your own interests that you get rid of Mr. Musharraf as soon as possible. Pakistanis can learn from the history of Bangladesh about how we got rid of our military rulers.

2005-11-06T22:25:00.001+06:00

Nana, my grandpa, died on 31st October at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He was 79 and suffering from mental disorder for the last 30 years and had been bedridden for the last 4. Grandma used to look after grandpa all those years. After the death of grandma in February 2002, mom decided to look after grandpa and brought him here in our house. All these years, we have seen mom and Babul mama (our youngest uncle) restlessly nurse him to relieve his suffering. It was a great teaching for us. Instead of sending him to old-home my mom, his only daughter, decided to look after him. That's the kind of tradition we need to uphold.

We have many sweet memories with grandpa. Though he was not in control of himself, he was a wonderful person. He was funny and jolly. He could make fun out of little and ordinary things. In our childhood we spent great times with him. He was fond of us and we were fond of him. But as days were passing he was getting weaker and weaker. After the first brain stroke in 2001 his left side of the body was paralysed. He was bedridden since then. He couldn't survive the aftermath of the second stroke.

Rest in peace grandpa. Praying for your departed soul.

Durga Puja 2005, Sherpur

2005-10-13T05:56:00.001+06:00

As I always say, Durga Puja is the most colourful festival we celebrate in Bangladesh. Though the Bengali New Year is enjoined by greater number of people, its concentration is on a specific place of the city. Durga Puja's spread on the other hand reaches the remotest villages of Bangladesh. I am in Sherpur to celebrate the event. Riyadh and Kajol are with me. We have visited almost all the Puja Mandaps scattered around the city. To tell truth, this year's turnout is lower than previous year's. This is due to the fact that RAB is looking for driver's licence for motorcycles. It is the primary means of movement for the middleclass. And unfortunately 95% of the motorcycles are unregistered (at district level, people simply don't care to register). Even for the registered ones, RAB is not allowing them to ride without helmet for each passenger. As a result, people did go to their local Mandaps for performing prayers but they did not move around to see what is happening elsewhere.

Kali Mandir's Mandap is nearest to our home. In my judgment, it was the best Mandap of the town.

Actually, the protima (idol) Poddars built was bigger than ours. But I don't know why it looks smaller in the picture.

This protima was even bigger. The chairman of the festival committee Mr. Malakar built it. Puja committee received 9,600 Taka from the Ministry of Religion for each mandap they built.

The affluent ...

... and the destitute - all wore new dresses.

These boys were requesting me to take a photo of them.

Missionaries from India came to sell books and souvenirs.

I followed dad to some of the Mandaps. He is trying to build confidence among the Hindu community of Sherpur that Jamaat respects the rights of all communities as it is enshrined in the religion of Islam. He plans to run for the parliament elections next year. Traditionally, Hindus tend to vote for the pseudo-secular Awami League. And as far as Sherpur is concerned, the winner must have at least 50% of the Hindu voters on his side.

He sat with Hindu leaders who were complaining that government is not providing enough money for mission's library. Dad assured them that he'll discuss the issue with respective authorities.

Dad went to Govinda Kumar Institution (aka GK School) for schooling. It was built in 1919, just after the first Great War. To commemorate the ending of the war, it was named Govinda Kumar Peace Institute. I don't know why they changed such a historic name.

The newly built monument for the martyred freedom fighters of Liberation War. The black stone has 59 names in it.

Moodlogic redesign

2005-09-01T07:53:00.001+06:00

This design was inspired by Bartelme Design's website. Please, feel free to comment on the new look. If you come across any bug or experience difficulty with the new design, please let me know. I'll be very grateful. You can also help me by giving any kind of advice you think I should consider regarding the new desing. Thanks in advance!

Why should we expect anything better?

2005-08-20T03:59:00.000+06:00

I was so fed up with the incidents of bomb blasts that I did not wish to write anything.

Then the reactions to those acts of terror were so typical, irritating, and stupid that it angered me more than the blasts themselves. But, then, some good questions were asked. Veteran journalist Ataus Samad, for example, asked whether there exists any government in Bangladesh. Everyone is asking: what happened to dozens of intelligence outfits including Police and RAB? How come the authorities failed to identify such a massive attack before it occurred? They were devised to protect the people from any harm, yet what switched them off is still unknown.

Then I asked myself, Why should we expect anything better?

For we allow the corrupt elite to run the country. Instead of overthrowing them from power, we praise them and nourish them and hope that someday these democratically elected corrupt leaders will do something really good for us, for the country. And thus we vote, sometimes for the BNP, sometimes for the Awami League, and sometimes for what we see as an alternative force. And thus we send some incompetent woman to the Prime Minister's Office who selects incompetent ministers to run the ministries, like Mr. Lutfuzzaman Babar to run the Home Ministry.

And then when some bombs blast in Satkhira, or in Jessor, or elsewhere in Bangladesh; we shed crocodile tears.

It is all our fault for God's sake!

Pictures from Kaliganj, Gazipur

2005-08-13T11:49:00.000+06:00

Yesterday I have been to Kaliganj, Riyad's paternal hometown. We've been there to celebrate one of Riyadh's cousin's marriage. I thought village marriages were more colourful and festive. But nowadays it is loosing all its magnificence. Anyway, as always, the journey was an excellent one and the places were utterly beautiful. It was a great escape for me and for Riyadh's younger sisters Shorna and Shormi, too. For Riyadh, it wasn't an escape. He was duty bound to come here and he visits this place quiet often. Shorna and Shormi, for instance, last visited their paternal home almost 8 years ago! See! What urbanisation is doing to us! They, of course, are not to be blamed. It is the situation they find themselves in.

Here are some pictures of the village:

Trees, plants, and leaves are the definitive features of rural Bangladesh. Though it may seem like a typical rural imagery you have seen elsewhere, but every village has it's own style of arranging things.

Banana plantations, belong to Riyadh's uncles.

You will have nice roadside views of Shitalokkhya when you drive through Gazipur Kaliganj Road.

Saoraid High School stands at the banks of Shitalokkhya. Riyadh's father used to study here.

Best mobile phone under $100

2005-08-03T00:26:00.000+06:00

I have searched almost all the stores of Eastern Plaza to buy a new mobile phone for my new teletalk number. Thousands of mobile phones were on display. All were very colourful and eye-popping. I was completely confused and couldn't decide which one I should buy. I was about to buy the one I used for long and feel very comfortable with – the Nokia 2100. Then I was passing this store that dared to display this fat and ugly Ericsson R380 World. I was like awed at its presence at the store – what could be more odd, more different in the age of "look defines everything"! It took probably 3 seconds to make my decision!

Underneath its gorgeous Hercules build, it is actually a PDA or smart phone based on Symbian's EPOC operating system. Most PDAs/smart phones start from 20,000 Taka. I got this one at 5,400 only (damn! Banglalink sold it at 4,500 three months ago)! Probably, this is the best mobile phone under $100!

2005-07-29T03:06:00.000+06:00

There is a rumour flying around: US President GW Bush, a Satan himself, is coming to Bangladesh. If he comes, more precisely: if the coalition government allows him to come, then first of all we should postpone any kind support for the coalition in the next general election. Then we should destabilise ZIA and Dhaka city for the day. And then, if possible, we should shoot Mr. Bush 100,000 times (each for a dead Iraqi).

Would you please stop laughing? I am not kidding!

2005-07-15T12:32:00.000+06:00

Ally and Cole. They came to our house along with their parents last Tuesday. Paul, their father, is an official of the US Embassy in Dhaka. He is leaving Dhaka and came by to say goodbye as he enjoys a special relationship with my father.

Also came Katrina - the one who will be replacing Paul. She is probably 6.4 feet tall! Why we Asians are so short? Anyway, she took the address of this blog and said she'll be cheking it. Well, I am afraid now. Even my dad doesn't know about my blog. And if he finds out what I write in my blog, he'll be killing me (okay, kidding). I am afraid because Katrina may be offended by the anti-American tone of this blog. I think I need to clear myself here. I am not an anti-American. I like American people. And I am a great fan of American movies. But, I hate some of the policies American government undertake. I believe that people and government are quiet different things. And as America cherishes democracy, there is always a possibility that bad government and bad policy makers will be thrown out.

Remembering Srebrenica

2005-07-11T14:15:00.000+06:00

Today, the world should pause to remember what happened in Europe 10 years ago.

Distortion of history in Bangladesh

2005-06-28T12:15:00.000+06:00

Have any idea about the extent to which our history is distorted? A must read article on the shameless distortion of history in Bangladesh by my teacher Prof. Taj Hashmi.

2005-06-28T10:59:00.000+06:00

My parents are trying to save a bad marriage in which they acted as matchmakers. I don't think that trying to save a bad marriage is a good idea at all. Though sometime counselling works but in most cases, as far as I have seen, it spurs more confrontation and results in more tension and anguish. In such cases, trying to separate the couple is a good idea. But in our society, divorce is sort of a taboo. And for girls, if she is divorced or divorcer, it is harder to earn society's acceptance of her status. It is also harder for her to be married again. On the other hand her scopes are limited because of her financial dependency on male caretaker (husband, father, brother, uncle, etc.). That is why, despite lack of adjustment, many women do not dare to divorce. They accept eternal dissatisfaction and think of it as something their life destined for. This is wrong, completely wrong.

Our society needs to be more tolerant of divorced individuals and stop discriminating them verbally and psychologically. Rather we should be more supportive of them so that they can pass through the transition period. Specially, girl's family needs to be more supportive of her. I am saying this because I have seen divorced girls being neglected by her own family. If the family let their girl down, outsiders can do a little.

Loosing the ground

2005-06-23T01:23:00.000+06:00

Which way Islamists should go?

Members of Hizbut Tahrir Bangladesh protesting a visit of an US official to Bangladesh. (Photo: via Imtiaz)

Muhammad Kamaruzzaman (right), a senior Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, during his visit in Washington met with members of Congress and lobbyists to project a more moderate image of his party. In the picture, he is seen with Congressman Joseph Crowley. Joseph Crowley, however, is an active supporter of so-called "Iran Freedom Support Act".

I personally believe that we don't need to convince a country's policy-makers that is occupying Iraq; supporting Israel, tyrant Arab regimes, and military ruler like General Pervez Musharraf.

I think that it is a great mistake for Jamaat's part to introduce itself as a "moderate" Islamic party. Because, there is nothing called moderate Islam. Jamaat is yet to learn what straightforwardness means in Islamic terms.

Hikmah (intelligence) is as necessary as standing out against injustice.

Book Tag

2005-06-07T01:07:00.000+06:00

Couldn't resist Rezwan's book tag attack. So, here is my response.

When I was in high school I spent most of my time reading books and newspapers rather than playing or hanging out with friends. In 1992 satellite channels and cable television was introduced in Bangladesh and we bought a Panasonic colour television and that changed everything. I was spending most of my time watching television. And reading shrank sharply. We got dial up internet in 1998 but that didn't change anything. But broadband in 2002 was a revolution. I was watching television, browsing the internet, and reading nothing except those required for my university courses. Now you get a clear picture of my reading habit!

Number of books I own: Personally, I don't own many books. Only 50 or so and most are study related. My dad has an awesome collection of 1,700 books covering everything from religion, politics, literature, economics, history, anthropology, everything. And I am so pathetic that I haven't read 1/10 of it by this age of my life.

Last book I bought: The White Mughals by William Dalrymple.

Last book I Read: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien.

Five books that mean a lot to me:
1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.
2. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez.
3. Ali and Nino by Kurban Said.
4. Maanabjamin by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay.
5. Jocchna O Jananir Galpa by Humayun Ahmed.

The book I am reading since long but could not finish: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy.

Tag five people (and have them do this on their blogs): Adnan, Arafat, Hasan, Rifat, and Scribbles. I really want to know what you read. So, please spoil some time to share it.

Say NO

2005-06-03T01:39:00.000+06:00

I am very happy that France and The Netherlands said NO to a common EU constitution. It proves the fact that people in general like to have a distinct identity of their own. This is natural and I don't understand why politicians of those countries are trying to destroy their historical constitutions. If you feel that you have problem in your constitution then deal with it locally. You have your own parliaments and legislators. Why let foreigners make rules for you? What kind of nationalist are you?

Anyway, I also don't understand why we need an EU in the world. It couldn't prevent the unjust war in Iraq. It proved itself useless in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And even worse, it couldn't prevent hundreds of thousands of Muslims being slaughtered in Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Croatia. What's the use of it? Some people think that EU would be a balance against America's supremacy in the world today. Well, I assure you, they will never do anything against US interest. She has plenty of slaves in Europe, UK being #1 of them. And even Mr. Bush wants Europeans to go for a common constitution. Because he thinks it would make EU stronger and he needs stronger allies (aka slaves) in Europe to serve US interests more effectively and efficiently. So, now the people of Europe must decide whether they want to serve the purpose of Washington or whether they want to have a distinct voice and respond to their conscience.

Long live Europe. But you must free yourself from the shadows of evil.

2005-06-03T01:31:00.000+06:00

Two persons need a same job. Both are qualified but one of them is more experienced and the other one is less. Unfortunately, the one with less experience is a relative and I personally know that he needs the job badly. The experienced one is a neighbour, needs the job too (because he has a family to support), and would certainly feel bad if I favour my relative. It's the employer's fault. He wants me to take the decision and get rid of such an embarrassing situation. Well, I think I am going to favour my relative then. The experienced one can get a job elsewhere.

PS: Does it sound like nepotism? If I don't favour my relatives, you won't. Would you?

Lessons from the Indian bomb blasts

2005-05-24T10:15:00.000+06:00

I have learnt several things from the recent bomb blasts in two cinemas of India:

Firstly, unlike us, they (particularly the media and the so-called civil society) do not accuse the government for the bombing, or for the failure to prevent the killing of innocent civilians, or for the failure to stop the terrorists. In fact, they talk in the same tone of government spokesperson.

Secondly, they are (every group) fast to condemn the incident and their condemnation appears/mentioned repeatedly in the media.

Thirdly, the media turns to people, not to the politicians, to hear any reaction from.

Forth, like some of us, they also try to link the incident to militant Islam.

Fifth, there is almost no mention of the incident in the media after 2/3 days.

Hats off to MA Syed

2005-05-22T23:56:00.000+06:00

CEC MA Syed walks out of the Election Commission secretariat yesterday on completion of his tenure. (Photo: The Daily Star)

Hats off to MA Syed - the outgoing Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Though he is from Gopalganj and Hasina thought he would favour Awami League, he acted boldly and impartially in the last general election (October 2001). It is needless to say that we need more honest and sincere people like him in the government machinery and executive bodies and also in the political leadership.

As he retires, he puts forth some proposals to be considered by the president which he thinks are necessary to ensure fair polls. These are:

The commission must have full autonomy with the power to recruit its officials and formulate its budget.

EC Secretariat must work under the commission.

Introduction of electronic voting machines and electronic voter roll.

Introduction of electoral enquiry committee for the local government polls.

Army deployment in city corporation and municipality polls.

With my limited knowledge about complexity of the issue, I think these are valid demands from the one who have practical knowledge of the matter and sufficient experience from the elections he conducted throughout the last five years. Government must not be ignorant and should be positively responsive to these demands because these changes are going to benefit all the parties. These are even going to benefit BNP, if in a twist of fate they find themselves in the position of the opposition. So, why not prepare yourself to meet challenges of the future? This, however, is not an advocacy for the illegitimate demands of AL and so-called civil society - who, by the time of this writing, failed to produce a single line of EC reform proposals for consideration.

and the minister won't resign ...

2005-05-21T19:36:00.000+06:00

2 ferries drowned in matter of two days. Hundreds died and many still missing. And shipping minister Akbar is still running his office. This is normal considering the shameless characters of the politicians of two BIG parties. And we still vote for them. Why? Why don't we drag them out of their offices and mutilate them in broad daylight?

Why nation's daughter is taking side with the criminals? Why can't she congratulate RAB for their fight against terror?

Why Moudud is blindly supporting Fayezi? Why not dispel the whole mechanism through which that son of bitch made his way?

Why any US official's visit should be taken as a matter of great importance? They are not friends anyway, are they? And why Morshed khan needs to meet this bitch?

2005-05-21T19:24:00.000+06:00

NEWS: AL won't go to polls with KM Hasan as caretaker chief
Should anyone be scared?

2005-05-21T19:21:00.000+06:00

Advocate Khurshed Alam Bacchu was shot dead in broad daylight, but the government could not arrest the killers. Doesn’t it mean the government has hands behind this killing?

- The lady who lost her mind after October 1, 2001.

2005-05-21T19:19:00.000+06:00

They may have failed but many have succeeded in achieving asylum status. Who knows, may be this method is already in use!

Bilingual blog!

2005-05-17T13:49:00.000+06:00

I want expert opinion on this: is there any problem if I turn it into a bilingual (English and Bangla) blog? Or should I post my Bangla posts to a different blog? I sometime feel like writing in Bangla and posting it in this blog. Should my reputation as an English language blogger be undermined by presence of Bangla posts? What do you think?

Agora sucks

2005-05-17T00:21:00.000+06:00

Okay, I don't want to use this space for corporate bashing. But I can't help this: the beef and chicken that I bought from Agora almost spoiled my party. They must have used some kind of medicine to lengthen preservation period - and it smells so bad as if it is almost rotten. Chicken was not stinky after being burned but beef was horrible. Shrimp, potato chips, onion fries, and salad saved me. Oh yes, salad... everyone loved it. And I have to admit I am great at it. I see my prospect as a chef is not bad at all!

Shhh! Insider news!!

2005-05-10T00:23:00.000+06:00

Okay, I am not the ultimate insider. But I can tell you this: Jamaat leadership may publicly apologise for their roles in 1971. What I don't know is when they are going to do that. I guess it would be just before the Parliament elections. The draft resolution is ready but it must pass through a voting at the Majlis-e-Shura (Central Consultative Council) of Jamaat. And it needs 2/3 votes to adopt any resolution. So, there remains a tiny possibility that the resolution may not pass as the ultra-conservative elements within Jamaat are very strong and some of the leaders are very afraid of the idea of seeking public apology. When will they grow up? But I am optimistic. Let's see what happens.

2005-05-10T00:21:00.000+06:00

Guess how useful the Wikipedia is? For my ENV 101 exams I only read Wikipedia and nothing else. I did the same thing in CIS 405 (Cognitive Approaches to Communication) and passed with an A. I don't know why but I remember things better if I read it on the screen or watch it on the television, rather than reading it from the books or from the newspapers.

2005-05-10T00:04:00.000+06:00

Mom and dad are in Europe visiting friends and family. So, I am in command of the house and using this opportunity to arrange a BBQ at my place (or dad's!). Girls are not invited this time but I promise they'll be the first on the next BBQ.

From Jasim Uddin's Faridpur

2005-04-24T23:39:00.000+06:00

Among many other things, Faridpur is also the home of our beloved Palli Kabi (folk poet) Jasim Uddin. If you go to Faridpur and ask people about the main attractions, they will name two places without hesitation: Ambikapur - the home of the poet and the River Research Institute. Being on hurry and chased by dad's frequent phone calls, we decided to limit our journey in these two places.

Here are the pictures we took. I think I am not a good editor because I can't choose between pictures and end up in posting most of them (and sucking visitor's bandwidth. Ouch! Sorry about that).

The garden in front of the poet's house

A welcome note ...

This is where he lived.

... and this is where he lives now.

Writings on his grave.

Jasim Udyan. It is actually a river: the Kumar. It completely dries down and turns into marshes in winter and fills up to the corners during the rainy season. Festival lovers gather here on the 1st January each year to celebrate poet's birthday.

Children trying to catch fish. They remind me of Pather Panchali's Apu and Durga. (Okay... Riyadh took the shot, I didn't.)

Faridpur Town, from the roof of the Raffles Inn (where we stayed).

The other side of the Town. I was amazed by the amount of trees in a township. At any direction you look, trees stretch the horizon. I don't see this in my hometown.

Krishna Chura (Delonix Regia). Found in plenty on the roadsides.

Faridpur Medical College Hospital (established in 1992). Students from the neighbouring districts come here to study as not all the districts have one.

River Research Institute, Faridpur.

Geotechnical Research Centre, inside the RRI.

Model map of important bridges and barrages, inside the RRI.

Location of the Farakka barrage.

In the sea of Kash Phul, inside the RRI.

Again in the sea. Riyadh took this shot, grabbing the camera from my hand.

Apparently, some of the trees were trying to shade Riyadh. Strange!

There are two water reservoirs in this picture. First one, obviously, is the pond. Where is the other one?

District Court.

A statue named "Sadhinata" (freedom).

An untitled shrine.

New lands, "Char", emerged from the heart of the river. And Riyadh couldn't help taking a snap, again grabbing the camera from me.

শুভ নববর্ষ ১৪১২

2005-04-14T13:57:00.000+06:00

শুভ নববর্ষ ১৪১২
Happy Bengali New Year 1412! (Photo Courtesy: Apple iCards.)

Which one should we buy?

2005-04-08T00:09:00.000+06:00

Well, its been weeks since we sold our old and exhausted Toyota XE Saloon, we still aren't sure which new one we should buy. There are too many things to consider and it is easy to get lost in the middle of nowhere. For example, whether to buy a brand new car or a used one. If you want a brand new car then you have to put so much on so little, whereas with the same money you can buy a more luxurious used car. Another issue is that whether to buy a sedan or an MPV (microbus/minivan). Because we are a big family, we do need an 8 seater MPV. But, generally speaking, resell value of MPV is much less than sedan and maintenance cost for MPV is higher. There are other issues of concern and all these are making me confused.

We are considering several options. Each of them has pros and cons (and absurdity).

Dad's choice: Toyota Echo. Brand new. Costs 12,40,000 TK. Economic fuel consumption: 16km/liter. Less muscle power: 1300 cc. Manual transmission. Lack of space. Round shaped: looks more Japanese.

My choice: Toyota Corolla. Brand new (Taiwan assembled) costs 16,60,000 TK. Used one (Japan) costs 11,60,000 TK. Great exterior, but not so great interior.

Safi's (brother #5) choice: Toyota Celica. Used. Costs 18,00,000 TK. Fashionable. 2 seater. Absurd!

Honda Accord: A 2354CC car! Superb outlook! But Saifur imposed import bans on any sedan exceeding 1650 CC.

Wasy's (brother #3) choice: Toyota RAV4. Brand new. 4 seater. 4WD. Costs 24,40,000 TK. Out of range.

Waly's (brother #2) choice: Nissan Murano. Haven't seen in Dhaka yet.

Other options: 8 seater MPVs

Toyota Innova: Brand new. Costs 4,50,000 Rupee (excluding taxes). Available only in India.

Toyota Voxy: Used. 2003 model (mileage: 3,000 - 9,000 km). Costs 16,80,000 TK. Lots of features including automatic remote controlled doors and windows, cameras, sensors, 5.1 sound system, CD/VCD/DVD player, TV screens, etc.

Toyota Alphard: The sexiest MPV in town! Used. 2003 model (Mileage 11,000 km). 2400 CC. 4WD. Costs 26,00,000 TK (out of range). Loaded with features of Voxy plus GPS devices (though useless in Dhaka), dynamic seat arrangement: turn them anyway you want, great interior and exterior, lots of space, and so on and on ...

I know dad's choice is more rational. But which one should we buy?

Update: defusing all the speculations, we bought a black 2002 Toyota Corolla (G series).

What have I done!

2005-04-04T23:58:00.000+06:00

I have withdrawn myself from "National Culture and Heritage II" course as I missed the midterm exam. I did not notice the notice that announced the shifting of time. Time shift was even discussed in the class, but I don't know when. I have no idea how I have missed that part because usually I am very attentive in the class. What happened to me! My professor told me that he is not going to take any makeup exams. He knows that I am one of his best students, yet he won't make an exception, for that will only set bad examples. Give me a break! People do make mistakes and shits happen! But I guess there is no one to blame except me :-(

2005-04-04T23:51:00.001+06:00

Because IUB library is now filled up with all the best sellers - fictions, novels, epics, and all sorts of literatures; I have decided to read some. Just out of curiosity, I took "The Lord of the Rings" from the shelf. Now I am hooked. Believe me, its awesome! It is far better than the movie they made. Tolkien, no doubt, is a very powerful writer. And I wonder at his power of imagination.

2005-04-04T23:44:00.000+06:00

God! She is gorgeous! Though she is in the relatives, I never saw her until yesterday. I only heard stories of her wealth, beauty, and wisdom. The reason she seems gorgeous to me is that she almost looks like Preity Zinta. So tell me how can I help myself? Good news is that she also checked me out! Yes! From head to toe! Coz I have been acting peculiar (if not crazy). That's what I do when I feel queer :-)

Better way to stop hartals

2005-03-24T11:01:00.000+06:00

Shafiq Rehman, editor of the #1 (well, according to me) Bangla weekly Jai Jai Din, has come up with a bright idea to stop hartals. He proposes economic sanctions on those who call hartals, because during hartals people suffer economically. According to a UNDP research paper, named "Beyond Hartals: Towards Democratic Dialogue in Bangladesh", hartals cause damages worth 8,000 crore taka (US$ 1.3 billion) per year. It also says that the people of low income are the worst sufferers of hartal.

So, Rehman's idea is to make those leaders, who call hartals, suffer economically. Here is how:

The following rules apply to the chief/chairperson, secretary general, general secretary, and all executive members of the party that calls hartal:

Seizer of all bank accounts for at least 3 months.

Their private cars won't be allowed to run through the streets for at least 3 months.

Since the day they call hartal, a special tax will be applied to their properties, say for example 1,00,000 taka per month. And if they fail to pay the tax their property will be sold in auction.

If they are directors or chairpersons of any company, their post will be revoked.

And, their passports will be revoked.

He concludes that though the leaders are going to fight legally against these actions but that fight will be contained in the courtrooms not in the streets, and still they will suffer economically due to legal procedures. Probably, fearing the loss of property these people won't call hartal again.

Is BNP courageous enough to make such an act for the good of the people? What will happen when BNP is in the opposition and feels like calling hartal? That consideration may bar them from taking such drastic actions.

The right moves

2005-03-22T10:44:00.000+06:00

Police did a fine job arresting Kibria’s killers, though all of them were BNP people, in relatively a very short period of time. This is good news among all bad news. A chargesheet was filed against them but Kibria’s widow rejected it. When do we learn to appreciate good efforts?

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Finance Minister Saifur Rahman both expressed their anger over the acts of donor countries. It is a good sign that they understood the problem of taking help from western imperialists. They provide loans and grants for obvious reasons, not out of any affection. And in any case, we need to stop begging.

Other right moves would be to stop free trade, ban all western commodities, and bring an end to all multinational companies – irrespective of how many jobs they provide. We need to concentrate more on primary means of production and on industries that are purely deshi.

If we want to live like a free people we must stand on our own feet. There is no alternative to it.

Rest in peace

2005-03-19T11:42:00.000+06:00

Dolly aunty's husband Kabir uncle and their 11 year old son Saadmaan died in a road accident near Firmgate when a large tree fell upon their CNG auto-rickshaw. Miraculously, aunty and their daughter Raisa survived with minor injuries. God bless them and help the family bear the pain and loss.

We went to see them at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. It was horrific. I won't forget Saadmaan's face. He was a cute little boy. I am sure you are going to heaven and God is going to take great care of you. Rest in peace, bhaiya.

A greater monster than any terrorist

2005-03-14T23:49:00.005+06:00

An Odhikar report says Border Security Forces (BSF) of India kills one Bangladeshi in every five days. Here are some horrific statistics:

In the last five years:

377 Bangladeshi nationals were killed.

466 were injured.

467 arrested.

491 kidnapped.

5 raped. (Only 5! Their generosity knows no bound!)

This is the result of our silence against ongoing state sponsored terrorism of India. Our unwillingness to retaliate Indian forces has gone to enormous heights and it is just inciting India to go along with their dirty works. It is only making them more ignorant. Bangladesh as a sovereign state should propose only two options: stop violence and engage in diplomatic talks, or face retaliation. But our leaders are so stupid that they won't mind doing anything about it. And our media is so coward that it won't even try to create a public opinion against India's violence. And who else should I blame? Shame on us!

A friend called this morning...

2005-03-05T23:23:00.000+06:00

A friend called this morning. Had following conversation (originally in Bangla).

N: Wamy?
W: Yes…
N: Listen, I have decided to quit.
W: Great! I didn’t know you had a job!
N: Not from any job, you idiot! I have decided to quit from my life.
W: How is that possible?!
N: By killing myself, you idiot.
W: What?! Isn’t that suicidal?
N: Yes, you idiot. That’s what I am going to do.
W: You mean it! Why?
N: I don’t like my life anymore. It sucks. I am getting F in all subjects. Nobody likes me anymore. Mom, dad, brother, sister, none of the relatives, friends – they all hate me.
W: O dear… you know how much I like you.
N: Ye. That’s because you are an idiot.
W: You are getting F. Is that all you are going to kill yourself for?
N: Yes… I mean no… nobody tries to understand me. Nobody even cares. Everyone wants me to study. But I don’t want to study anymore. Dad tells me to dress more conservative. But I like to wear what I wear. Apu thinks that I have had sex with some of the boys. Bhaia stopped talking to me. How could he do this to me!? He was my best friend (N started crying at this point). Girls don’t like me anymore, because there is a possibility that I might steal their boys. Boys, on the other hand, avoid me to avoid speculation. Who wants a life like this?
W: If they don’t care, why do you care?
N: They are my own people, you freak. Don’t you see how powerless I am? Besides, I am tired of not being cared and not caring anybody.
W: Then prove yourself worthy.
N: Listen boy, I don’t have to prove anything. I am a human being, right? I have the right to do whatever I want to do with my life. I have decided to shut it down. So pray for me and say goodbye… (the line was disconnected at this point).

To be honest, I am a little scared, because she is very weird. And I have no idea what words would comfort her. Probably she needs a lover, not a friend.

Update, 14 March 2005: N is more stable now. I have had several conversations with her over the telephone. I am not able to see her right now as she lives far away from me. She decided to go along with her studies, though her parents are arranging for her marriage. She said she would marry anyone her parents want her to marry. It is a bit unusual for her. That's why I am not sure what is going on in her mind. Thanks to all of you who have commented. I told her about the comments you wrote and she laughed at some.

In a country of 120 million Muslims

2005-02-24T16:19:00.000+06:00

It has become clear and simple. The so called progressives of this country cannot stand anything Islamic. They do not like the idea of reciting Quran on Shaheed Dibash (Martyr's Day) at Shaheed Minar. Because they think it is discriminatory to the people of other religion.

The news reads:

PCJ leaders at a press conference said recitation from the Quran at the Shaheed Minar on the eve of Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day was not proper since not only Muslims but also people of other religions gather at the venue to pay tributes to language martyrs. [The Daily Star]

On a day like this, why recitation from Quran, Geeta, Bible, or any other religious text should be discriminatory to the followers of any religion?

The Daily Star's heading of the report was "Ekushey tradition broken". It sounds like a great damage is done to this "holy" event by recitation from Quran. Well, Ekushey is not a religious event that people should be concerned about its holiness. And if any event's (where Muslims gather in majority numbers) holiness is pissed off by recitation from Quran, we don't need such events, at all.

Pictures from Comilla

2005-02-17T13:36:00.000+06:00

Sorry once again for being late. Here they are:

The approach to BARD.

Villagers of Qurpai drawing the village map.

Shakil and Zahid talking to the people of the village Qurpai, our study area.

Village girls. All of them go to schools, and aren't afraid to talk to strangers.

Happiness is not determined by poverty.

Same is true here. Look at the smiling faces.

Monika apa collecting information from randomly selected families.

Data collection.

Almost all the children of the village walk in barefoot.

Arif with Majnu mia, the local folk singer.

Villagers caching fish.

Irrigation system.

Cabbages grown by the villagers.

Nimshar bazar.

Signs of development!?

Deforestation.

A big pond in the village.

Untitled

Reflction.

In BARD, they created a wonderful learning environment, as well as a beautiful place to stay.

We stayed in Hostel # 4.

Preparing for the presentation - Liva drawing village map.

Monika apa, rehearsing before the presentation.

Me and Monika apa.

Afnan, Monika apa, and (I forgot her name ...).

Soon to retire, Ahmed sir is addressing us for the last time.

An ex-Shibir, now a lecturer of mathematics at IUB.

Day breaks at BARD with fogs all over.

Volleyball: IUB vs. BARD

IUB wins 1, loses 1. But, anyway, it was IUB's day.

Moinamoti ruins.

1st group to visit the War Cemetery.

Look at that giant mango tree!

Funky Arif, singer Arafat, and jotil Zahid.

The cultural evening started with fashion show. What a typical and stupid idea! But it was fun.

A scene from the play, a typical mullah bashing one of course.

Saifur sir (green jacket) joined the dance floor!

Here you will find all the participants of LFE.

LFE stands for Live-in-Field Experience.
BARD stands for Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development.
IUB stands for Independent University, Bangladesh.

Random thoughts

2005-02-08T23:27:00.000+06:00

I understand that Kibria's family have every reason to be angry, and I sympathise with them. But the way they are trying to exploit government is miserable. Perhaps we should not expect logical behaviour in times like this.

Dhaka should have withdrawn its High Commission from New Delhi and demanded a compensation of 2 million USD. We should have sent a message that India can't do whatever it wishes to do.

Now I have a question for those who are obsessed with India's help during 1971. Do you still believe that Indira Gandhi had a good intention back then? Do you still think that India can be a friend? Friends respect each other, don't they?

This government is failed, this government is failed, and this government is failed. Why it can't protect its citizens from evil forces of both internal and external origin?

Some fools think that if Bangla bhai is arrested everything will be alright. I assure you it will not. Unless the corrupt elite (that is the nexus of corrupt politicians, government officials, and businesses) and traditional sources of power (BNP and AL) are removed, you and I have no future. But I am optimistic. We'll change that. Okay :)

Birthday wishes

2005-02-08T23:10:00.000+06:00

On 6th of this month, Shibir celebrated its 28th birthday (and on 7th, I celebrated my 25th). Shibir has become an ever expanding and a self-sufficient network of youths - because it has established a never-ending cycle of recruitment.

I am proud of my associations with Shibir. I believe that Shibir is the organisation that has the capacity to supply honest, efficient, and able leaders. Though, I regret to say, some of its leaders are really, really stupid. Such as the one who in Rajshahi University ordered his workers to ask girls where they are going each and every time they (girls) go out of their hall and insist that they should comeback before evening. Such restrictions were lifted as soon as the central knew about it. Another Shibir activist killed one of the listed terrorists sometime last year and lost his membership immediately. Shibir's timeliness to respond responsibly to these events is admirable.

Shibir is an organisation where there is no place for maniacs. Both in Operation Clean Heart and RAB's ongoing operations, no Shibir activist were detained or shot on crossfire. This single reason broke hearts of all the so-called freedom-lovers, secularists, free thinkers, moderates, media, et al. But I do not wish to use RAB's certificate to prove Shibir's cleanliness. Because RAB's activities can be screwed up at any time. Instead I would say Shibir's cleanliness lies in the programs it sponsors.

For example, one of Shibirs main objective is to awaken in the youth a sense of necessity to lead an Islamic way of life. So, by default, Shibir is militant to those who think Islam itself is a militant ideology. And many today think so. So, the problem is actually with one's tolerability of Islam, i.e. to what extent a person is able to accept the dominance of Islam or to what extent one can stand Islam when it starts to change the status quo. It surely is a problem for those who do not want a change in the society. And it is also a problem for those who think that ideologies other than Islam should rule this land.

I hope and pray that this organisation stands tall against all the odds and march towards its objectives with high determination and morale, and with knowledge and intelligence to face a changing world. Ameen.

Trying to cope up

2005-02-05T17:44:00.000+06:00

Sorry for my long absence from blogging. I was rediscovering the beauty of "Shobuj Bangla" (Green Bangla) - in Comilla and also in my home district Sherpur and its neighbouring districts Mymensingh and Jamalpur.

This absence was partly deliberate, because internet was available but I didn't want to browse. And newspapers were also available, but I didn't want to read. I wanted to experience a world prior to information age. Believe me, it was great. I didn't have anything to worry about. I didn't have to worry about Palestinians, Iraqis, and all the ummah - battered and bruised. I didn't have to worry about rotten and dirty politics of this country. And I didn't have to worry about the conspiracies of Jahiliah. But, who dares to live in a world without conflict, for long :)

So, I am back. Trying to cope up with the world out there. Trying to accept the fact that Bangladesh is no place for good politics and politicians. Trying to accept that the big neighbour will always give us a hard time. And trying to accept that as a nation we will never learn from our own mistakes. God bless us.

Off to Comilla

2005-01-03T23:46:00.000+06:00

This is to let everybody know that I am leaving for Comilla tomorrow morning. I'll be there to participate in LFE. We will be working with the people of different villages to learn about their socio-economic-agricultural-health-environmental conditions and then report our findings to Professor Harun-er-Rashid, one of the leading environmental scientists of this country.

There is a possibility that I won't be able to access the Internet from where I would be living in Comilla. That means I won't be able to blog up to 18th January. But when I'll be back, I'll have more information and pictures to feed this blog.

Another thing, I don't know who cares but I have got a lot of votes in Asia Blog Awards 2004. As of now I've got 133 votes, second to Extra Extra who got 202. I would like to thank everyone who voted for this blog. Other than a few I don't know most of you and I have no clue why you have voted for an Islamist (really?!) who can only preach some "dangerous" ideologies. But I am really grateful to each and every one of you. Specially, I would like to thank Rezwan who nominated my blog. I am also angry because I didn't win ( lol :-) ). And why did Simon put Bangladesh and Sri Lanka together? But, really, who cares?

God help mankind bear the pain and loss

2004-12-29T23:49:00.000+06:00

We are witnessing aftermath of, probably, the most deadliest earthquake of our times, in terms of death toll, missing persons, and casualties. God help us bear the pain and bless all the mankind.

Thee do we worship and Thee do we seek help.
(Al-Quran: Chapter 1, Verse 5)

Those who want to contribute to the relief efforts may find this and this link useful.

Partisan press, decline of morality, and an evil design

2004-12-28T08:01:00.000+06:00

It is a pity that in Bangladesh we still have to deal with partisan press. Thousands of examples can be given to show how partisan our leading newspapers are. But I will limit this discussion to a recent happening.

On 25th (TV channels brought it on 24rth) of this month people of this country was shocked to know that a Rajshahi University professor, Muhammad Younus, was killed by unidentified assailants. All the newspapers carried out the news as lead news with 4-6 column heading and I have no doubt that it was a proper treatment. Some newspaper, however, on that very day (the day the news broke) and without having any clue, went on to publish reports on who might have done this. Yes, I am talking about leading newspapers of this country that employ the best journalists and editors whose brains are so full of shit that they sometime need to unload it and we, the people, have no option but eat that.

Anwar Ali and Abu Kalam of The Daily Star reports: "The murder was pre-planned, said police investigators, colleagues and relatives."

On the next paragraph they went on saying: "They suspect the killers may have links to the student wing of the ruling coalition partner Jamaat-e-Islam, as the front-line pro-Liberation War teacher was attacked once in the past, on November 30, 1995, by Islami Chhatra Shibir cadres in front of RU Shaheed Minar."

When the reporters claimed "they suspect ..." thing, they did not say who "they" are. From the previous paragraph we may assume that "they" may include "police investigators, colleagues and relatives". But the truth is police never made such claims and they said in an interview with Prothom Alo that "We are in dark. We have no witness. We cannot arrest anyone based on speculation as we do not have any clue." It was a deliberate mistake on Daily Star's part to make people think that police also said such things. How can we trust this newspaper?

Also, RU Shibir president Rezaul Karim denied any involvement in the incident. His claims appeared, not in the first page, not even in the last page, but as jumping of the lead news on the 11th page. This was also done intelligently. Editors know that the average reader only skim through first and last page of the newspaper. It is obvious that they would never know that Shibir denied all the claims. In 1995 incident, Shibir also denied such claims, but newspapers did not bother to publish.

Bangla newspapers, namely Prothom Alo and Jugantor, acted, I would say, shameless. We all know that it is not newspaper's job, at least not by straightjacket news, to influence public opinion. Editorials and post-editorials should be used for that purpose. But they demonstrated that they do not care about any journalistic principle, ethics, and etiquettes and at same time they both claim to be the #1 newspaper of this country. If I list their incoherent statements, it would be 100 pages long. But I don't wish to do that because I know that they will never listen to me. And any attempt to correct them had never been fruitful (even after Jugantor lost a 4 lac taka libel case filed by Shibir). So, what we need to do is, stop subscribing these newspapers.

There is another issue of concern. As soon as these leading newspapers claim that Jamaat and Shibir have done this and that bad things, this country's most troublesome party, Awami League, immediately shoots off its venom and declares strike. This is probably an evil design I am talking about. These newspapers exist to make grounds and grids for this party.

4 days gone we still don't know who killed Professor Muhammad Younus. This is normal considering several dozen Shibir activists were killed in Rajshahi University alone from 1978 to date. Years gone by and we still don't know who killed them. Only if these newspapers reported impartially with facts to support their story and had they let the readers draw the conclusion rather than influencing them, the picture would be totally different today.

Hope that day is imminent when reporters and their editors will be hanged in front of people and fellow journalists for the lies that make a nation fool.

A cartoon on this event by Shishir Bhattacharya - the best cartoonist of this country, also, one of the most intelligent liars.

It is time

2004-12-24T18:38:00.000+06:00

No doubt that Sajib Wazed Joy, son of Sheikh Hasina, is going to provide the much needed charisma Awami League is lacking after the last general election. AL body's approval to use him as a weapon to command support for their dying political programs proves that we still are not independent of the slave mentality that grew during colonial era and party/dynasty loyalty in post-colonial era, that we still worship human beings hoping that they will solve our problems.

It is time to understand that they will never solve our problems. They exist to exploit us and thus expand their share of political and economic power. It is time we understand that it is the people not politicians and their sons, daughters, and wives who should be in control. It is time we understand that they exist to serve us and not the opposite. And it is time we understand that we need to liberate ourselves from such an interlocking tradition.

So let us ignore both Tareq and Joy. First one is corrupt and latter one lacks orientation. Instead, let the path be cleared for those who are honest, courageous, understands people's plight and priorities, and worked extensively with workers at party's root level. But honestly, I do not see honesty and courage in BNP and AL. On the other hand Islamists and socialists lack courage, I mean they are not courageous enough to clarify their standings (probably because they care too much for democracy). It is time they stop compromising the very ideals they stand for.

(Via The 3rd World View)

Mosul Attacks

2004-12-21T23:57:00.000+06:00

Rockets hit the mess tent of a US army camp in Mosul at about noon as the facility was filling up with diners. Photo: AP

Now, should anyone call me a fundamentalist, terrorist, jihadi, whatever because I think it is great news that 24 American soldiers (not civilians) are killed in Mosul? It is great and I think we should kill them (I mean soldiers, not civilians) every now and then until they stop killing us and leave our land. But, what saddens me most is that they were killed probably by the same groups who are responsible for the killing of many, many Iraqi/non-Iraqi civilians. It is not justifiable that you kill ten Iraqis just to kill one American soldier by chance, or simply because those Iraqis queued to get a job to feed their children. It only means that they do not have respect for life, even of Muslims'. But, let America face the consequences, because they are solely responsible for current law and order situation in Iraq.

Update: It now appears to be a suicide attack. Earlier it was thought to be a rocket attack. Also, death toll decreases by 2, making it 22. And all of them are not soldiers as BBC and Yahoo suggested earlier. Of those who died, 13 were US soldiers, 5 US contractors, and 4 Iraqis.

Why secularism is unreal

2004-12-18T13:54:00.000+06:00

On the wake of our Independence Day, some people are mourning at the sad demise of an ideal named "secularism". Whether there is any such thing as secularity in reality is debatable (does it exists at all?). But I see a good number of educated people of this country wasting their time advocating for secularism (though in no way they outnumber Islamists). They include teachers from Dhaka University, some of their students, newspaper editors and journalists with socialist backgrounds, cultural activists, novelists, poets, etc.

All these educated people with all their education don't understand one simple truth - for Muslims there is no alternative to Islam and secularism is not a solution to Muslim problems. Let me start by inviting them to the path pure, simple, and straight; the path of those who earned God's grace.

Difference between Islamists and secularist is in proper belief and lack of proper belief in the universality of God. Though secularism is not atheism, it denies that God has anything to do with men's affaires, that God's dictates are useless. It fosters unattainable objectives, like separation of religion and state.

It is unattainable in the sense that man cannot be taken out of his life-world and context. He is not independent of his socio-cultural settings that mould his psyche. Whatever he does and says has its root in the social conditions he lived and lives in. Moreover, people's perception of right and wrong, good and evil, tolerable and intolerable, are very much dependent on religious teachings, regardless of whatever religion you belong to. When people make laws for themselves (other than following God given laws), they need to start from a transcendental understanding of public life. So, they tend to borrow things from what they have gone through. Because we cannot make sense of things, events, and ideas out of blue. We make sense of things, events, and ideas from its relationships with other things, events, and ideas. How can that be unbiased when people's understanding is a result of religious conviction?

If you are to promote secularism, you have to eradicate religion not only from state affaires but also from the society itself. There is no other way to achieve it. And there is no way it is going to happen. This is the saddest part. Of course you can argue that secularism does not require a society devoid of religion - but that makes you a fool. If religion is open to play its part and influence public life you will never achieve a true secular state.

As for the Muslims, we have the message and we hold the truth. We don't need anything else. We ought to stand firm against anything that is counter to truth. We will fail ourselves both in this world and in the hereafter if we seek solutions of our problems in man-made ideals. Secularism is unreal. It has no place in our societies. If it is gone, as secularists fear, then it is gone for good. We should be happy about it.

Vote for the best Bangladeshi blog

2004-12-17T14:28:00.000+06:00

Wow! My blog is nominated in best Bangladesh/Sri Lankan blog category. Other fine blogs nominated under this category are:

Extra Extra

Third World View

Insert Clever Title Here

The Color of Rain

Notes From Dystopia

Busy Minds in a Lazy Shell

I don't know why they have merged Bangladesh and Sri Lank. This is embarrassing.

Anyway, don't forget to vote.

Update 20 Dec, 2004, 8:42 PM: I have no idea how in matter of few hours my vote increased from 26 to 40. Is someone trying to screw me up?

What a relief!

2004-12-17T11:45:00.000+06:00

Uh! What a relief! Exams are over. Now comes the once in a lifetime opportunity for IUBians (students of IUB). The LFE (Live in Field Experience) starts from 4rth January and would last up to 17th. So there would be another break in blogging, which I really, really hate.

LFE is designed to teach us many things. Particularly fieldwork and group work. Each group is assigned to work in a particular village and collect all the information (regarding society, economy, agriculture, education, health, environment, and demographics) they can and then come up with a research paper that states and interprets those data. My area of concentration is Economy and Agriculture but I wanted to do Social Conditions and Change. I think that would be more interesting.

This is a huge task. We have seen reports of other groups who are done with LFE. Some reports are more than 300 pages. That's a lot of work for only 3 credits. Let's see what we can do. Whatever I do I can ensure you that I'll bring pictures from Comilla.

Anyway, my younger brother Waly is in Paris, France. He is blogging! Some may find spelling/grammatical mistakes in his write-up but he is quiet able to express himself. I bet you will find it interesting.

Back from the Sundarbans

2004-11-29T18:43:00.000+06:00

Well, I am back from the Sundarbans. It was a great journey. BDR's hospitality was great. We have gone to places where we wouldn't have gone without their help. The only problem I faced with BDR is too much restriction on everything. They didn't allow me to take pictures of some beautiful places we have gone. They also didn't allow us to go deep inside the forest.

A journey to the Sundarbans may not be as satisfying as one expects. Because, first of all, it is a vast area. Sundarban spreads over seven districts and some part of it is in West Bangle, India. You need to stay here and give sufficient amount of time to know, understand, and fall in love with this place.

Secondly, Sundarban is not a rain forest. Therefore, trees are not tall enough and places are not dark enough to make it feel like a "forest". It is actually a mangrove forest where accessibility is very, very limited. You'd be surprised to know that almost 60% of Sundarban is unexplored.

Thirdly, as I said, I had to go with BDR arrangements. Therefore, there was no chance to "cross the limits". I have to comeback here and arrange things locally with public services available.

Here are the pictures I was allowed to take.

This is the Sundarbans. Almost all of it is like this - muddy, slippery, and densely filled with trees. Almost impossible to explore.

Best way to travel Sundarban is to travel by boat along the river banks. BDR won't go any further than this.

Numerous channels crisscrossed the islands here.

The main trees of the Sundarbans are Sundari, Shishu, Golpata, and Keora. These are the longest trees we've seen.

My little sister Ateea (left) and niece Ramisha at the forefront the boat.

Waves created by our speedboat.

Besides the Royal Bangle Tigers and monkeys, Sundarban is also home for beautiful spotted deer.

We saw more deer in Sundarban Textile Mills, Satkhira.

Blogging from Satkhira

2004-11-25T23:27:00.000+06:00

My exam and assignment was great. I expect an A in NCH101 (National Culture and Heritage). Before the next row of exams begins, there is a break. And I thought it would be great to visit Satkhira and Khulna with mom and dad. Main attraction of this trip is the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world and the home of Royal Bengal Tiger. So, here I am in Satkhira on the way to Sundarban. Thanks to BTTB (and my dad's laptop) that it allows me to use the internet from 64 districts at the same rate.

We are staying in Satkhira Circuit House. They booked the VIP suite for us. Dad needs to visit some people and places here and attend some organisational meetings. We will start for Khulna on 27th.

Today we have visited a remote village, Agardari. People are really, really friendly and hospitable here. Our host arranged for so many food items that the luncheon became a food festival. Other people from the village joined us, too. Girls sang songs to my mother as it is a tradition here, but I was not allowed in women's zone.

Anyway, here are some pictures of the village.

People use different kind of roof here. In our villages in Sherpur, people use steel or haystacks as roof.

Houses are built with clay and mud. This, also, is not common in my village.

Use of cow dung as fuel saves the trees. And it is environment friendly too.

Mustered field.

Cabbage field.

Farmers working in Jhaalbon, or chili field.

Irrigation system is also different from ours.

This village has too many ponds and all are filled up with fishes. I have counted 15 and I merely walked 30% of the village!

A road in the village.

These people are called Gacchial, means 'those who climb the trees' (long trees, e.g. date, coconut, supari (what's the English!), etc.). They are sharpening their tools as someone called for their help.

The river is the border. The yellow building is the Indian check post and that road belongs to India. This is called the zero point. As soon as I took the picture the guard on the bridge told me, "foto maat khicho", means, "don't take pictures."

Exams and assignments

2004-11-19T21:56:00.000+06:00

Exams and assignments will keep me busy for this week and probably the next as well. Life sucks, reality bites. No way out of it. I wonder who proposed to build institutions like schools, collages, and universities! And I hate this semester system. It demands too much. It counts everything from attendance, assignments, class tests, surprise tests, and even quizzes. This is horrible. Sometime it feels like I am in prison. Traditional system is much better and public university students enjoy life better than we in private universities do.

Go to hell. Who cares?

Eid Mubarak!

2004-11-14T09:09:00.000+06:00

A people's burial

2004-11-12T23:49:00.000+06:00

None of today's heroes, let alone Arafat's enemies, can dream of such a dignified farewell. It was overwhelming. This is enough proof of what Arafat was to his people. He may be everything imperialists and their slaves call him. He may be everything what every constructive criticism says he is. But today, Palestinian people spoke for themselves. Palestinians would have set a world record today, if they were allowed to go to Ramallah from Gaza Strip, Jerusalem, four neighbouring Arab countries where refugees live, and other parts of West Bank. It would have been a million man burial.

I am happy to see how Bangladesh responded to this event. Government declared 3 days of mourning, and our flag will be lowered at half for these 3 days. All the political parties, left or right, paid their tribute. All the media have been truthful to their souls. All the mosques carried out special prayers for Arafat after Jum'atul Bida. Some even carried out Gayibana Janaza (symbolic funeral). We have shown an unprecedented unity and it was Arafat and his cause that brought us together.

We were watching CNN and BBC (I must say CNN covered it better than BBC). It was great to see how Palestinian people received him. Authority's plans were foiled as they overwhelmingly lost control over the crowd. BBC's Martin Asser was right. It was really a people's burial. The world has not seen such emotions since Ayatollah Khomeni's death.

False sighs of hope

2004-11-12T15:39:00.000+06:00

With the death of Arafat, his enemies are touting this "opportunity" as a "hope" for the Palestinian people, a "turning point". Specially American and Israeli officials, Bush, Sharon, Lapid, Netanyahu, even Shimon Perez are talking on the same line – this is a new opportunity for the Palestinians for realisation of their dream of a free Palestinian state. Well, when did Palestinian people started to dream of a State? For almost half a century they are fighting an occupation, they are not fighting to establish a Palestinian state in West Bank and Gaza Strip. This is hilarious! And what can be said when the dream offer comes from the occupying forces! As if, they are the right people to justify the outcome of a Palestinian dream. Israeli/American version of Palestinian dream does not include Jerusalem and other occupied territories.

Its occupation, stupid. There will be no peace without justice. And without pulling out from all the occupied land, there is no hope. Whoever compromises with the dream of Palestinian people under Israeli/American pressure will fell short of legitimacy among Palestinian people. This was Arafat's great mistake. If traditional authority compromises, people will turn their support on more extremist groups like Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and others. Palestinian people now need a courageous and uncompromising leadership who never seeks legitimacy from occupying forces or "international community". He only needs to remain valid to his people.

Ma'assalam Ya Abu Ammar

2004-11-11T16:45:00.000+06:00

Yasser Arafat, 1929-2004

Today, Yasser Arafat, Chairman of al-Fatah and the Palestine Liberation Organization and elected President of the Palestinian Authority, died in Paris from complications stemming from a blood disorder at the age of 75. Born Muhammad Abd al-Ra'uf al-Arafat al-Qudwa, Yasser Arafat was related to the Husayni family and had strong family ties to Gaza and Jerusalem. He first became active in Palestinian politics while an engineering student in Cairo in the early 1950s, where he headed the Union of Palestinian Students at Fu'ad I University (now Cairo University) from 1952-1957. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Arafat launched his own contracting firm in Kuwait and quickly prospered. He probably used his personal wealth to launch al-Fatah, the most prominent of a number of exile groups advancing armed struggle as a means of liberating Palestine.

For nearly five decades, Yasser Arafat was a larger-than-life figure for those who admired him as well as those who hated and feared him, or, to be more precise, for those who hated and feared the Palestinian view of history, justice, and politics. Since the late 1960s, Arafat was the icon of the Palestinian cause. Like Che Guevara, Arafat's image on a poster, a T-shirt, or a television screen could convey rich and complex meanings and sentiments across wide and diverse social landscapes. With his trademark black-and-white checkered kuffiyah draped carefully over his shoulder so as to assume the proportions and shape of the map of Palestine, appearances by Arafat were almost always electrifying political events.

An Obituary by The Electronic Intifada.

Update: My younger brother Waly is in France and he went to see Arafat. He met hundreds who went to pay their last respect. Mourners were barred at a point. They created something like monuments there with posters, flowers, and candlelight vigils.

Coincidentally, Averi/Nameh posted from the same obituary. I always turn to Electronic Intifada, instead of traditional media, for news, information, opinion, or criticism on the issue of Palestine.

Push in: Ethnic cleansing, Indian style

2004-11-09T11:50:00.000+06:00

Recently, we are experiencing a rise of "push in" incidents. Indian Border Security Forces are forcefully pushing Bengali speaking Indian Muslims through several points of country's northeast borders. Some news is available online.

BDR foils push-in bid by BSF
N borders tense over push-in bids
Fresh BSF bid to push in
Tension mounts as BSF keeps hunting immigrants

However, in a casual manner, Indian authority remains in a state of denial. A press release from Indian high-commission says, "The question of forcing Indian citizens into the territory of any other nation by any Indian authority does not arise. Therefore, there is no question of taking any measures to put an end to a phenomenon that does not exist."

They thought one press release would vaporise all the fuss. In fact it implies that Indian authority does not have any intension, whatsoever, to resolve this issue (or any other) with Bangladesh.

I wonder why India expects Bangladesh to cooperate with their claims of "terrorist training camps" inside Bangladesh. I think it is time for Morshed Khan to be outspoken again and demonstrate these issues to world forum and the press.

Blogging in Bangla

2004-11-09T02:00:00.000+06:00

I think, besides English, I should also blog in Bangla. That's why I have opened another blog BanglaPundit. Yes, you are right, the name is inspired from various "pundit" bloggers. Why shouldn't I have one?

Anyway, blogging in Bangla isn't easy. I wanted to use Alpona at first, because Alpona's Boishakhi font has the best typeface and hinting for web usage. But free version of Alpona is ASCI not Unicode and its full version is not 100% Unicode.

Support for Bangla Unicode is very limited. Older systems (older than XP SP1) won't be able to read Bangla. Only in XP SP2 M$ have included some Bangla Unicode fonts. And only Internet Explorer 6 (or higher) can render those fonts. Even Firefox can't display Bangla Unicode correctly. This is unacceptable. They should immediately come up with a solution.

I am very handy with Bijoy keyboard and Avro Keyboard helps me to generate Unicode text. This website also helps convert texts written in Bijoy to Unicode. Some tweaking is also required in blogger template. Substantial help is available in e-kobi's diary. I don't have a paid host to upload my files. That's why I wasn't able to embed portable fonts. That would be very user-friendly.

I don't know how long I would have my interest in Bangla blogging. But I want to give it a try.

Failures of democracy and lessons from US election

2004-11-06T23:58:00.000+06:00

I think there are many things we in Bangladesh in general and the rightwing in particular should learn from this historic US presidential election. If combined with local knowledge, these teachings can be of great help for any party. But remember that American and British style democracy can ONLY facilitate a polarised environment – either you are on this side or you are on that side. If you are on no side you do not exist, I mean your opinions and agenda's are simply discarded irrespective of how important, creative, innovative they are. That's the best democracy can do. In the spirit of democracy, a much needed reform would never take place simply because those who proposed the reform didn't get the majority vote. Now, if I call that absurd people will say that I don't believe in democracy, as if I have done a grave sin. Yes, if democracy elects people like Khaleda, Hasina, and Bush, one may not have any respect for that system.

Consider a scenario where A gets 35% of the vote, B gets 30%, C gets 21% and D 14% - a total of 65% of the voters, almost double of what A has got, did not vote for A, did not support his agendas and policies. Hence, democracy says A is to lead the country. Sounds acceptable to you? Yes, in real world such stats may not exist and other parties may unite and form a coalition. Here comes another exploitation opportunity. From the assumed scenario, it is understandable that A and B are traditional sources of power, like BNP and Awami League (Republicans and Democrats, Labours and Conservatives, BJP and Congress). Let's assume that C and D are alternatives like Islamists and socialists. Now A comes to C, whose agendas and policies are completely different from A, with an offering of 2 ministries. C may be deluded with that offer and forget the very ideals they stand for and join A to form a government. Or they can go to B and demand more ministries and facilities. That's how democracy may exploit the inner core of a very ideological party without the civil society's being aware of the fact. And when ideology is defeated corruption emerges in the society like plague.

As democracy defeated the distinct ideologies of existing parties and emerged as an ideology itself with the help of capitalist powers, we do not find enough differences between parties, especially traditional ones. They are so much marginalised that we may only find differences in focuses and standpoints but not much in policy. People do not know what different and distinct agendas, features and policies BNP and AL have. We do not know how BNP's education policy is better than others or how AL plans to tackle widespread poverty. We only know that AL is pro-India and BNP is not. That cannot be the definition of political parties of an independent state and it is a shame that we define things in such a way. I said it is a shame but unfortunately there is no other way to distinguish them.

American people were faced with such a dilemma of distinction in November 2, 2004 presidential election. Kerry failed to setup his policies and agendas distinctive enough from Bush's agendas and policies. Kerry failed to clearly identify his and his party's image. Kerry failed to clarify his ideological standpoint and state how that stance integrates with his policies. Kerry only made people more confused about him. The only reason he got 49% of the vote is not because Kerry and his policies are great but because people wanted Bush to lose. Ultimately that didn't happen.

This is a signal for those who want to cash on issues like pro or anti India and pro or anti Islam/Muslim. That won't help survive any election. If you want to win an election clarify your ethical standards and act accordingly. Whether Islamist or socialist, clarify your ideological stance, clarify what you believe in and what you stand for. State in clear terms what goals and objects you are fighting for and how that is compatible with the values you cherish, how that is different from other party's goals and objectives. If you fail to do so, people won't recognise very indifferent identity of yours. You will end up in confusing people and have a miserable Kerry defeat.

Prayers for Arafat

2004-11-05T23:42:00.000+06:00

I am really disheartened to see Arafat's health conditions worsening. People are saying that his death is a matter of time, and thereby starts judging him - what bad things he did, what a terrorist he is, and how useless and what a burden he has become. Enough is enough. Don't you see that a man is dying? Can you stop your arguments, debates and mockery about him for the sake humanity?

It is a time to pray. We prayed for him after Juma prayer in colony's mosque here. And I saw many people cry. I didn't cry then. But my heart bled when I saw Haroon Moghul's (avari/nameh) "all the rain that will fall":

If Yasir 'Arafat, elected leader of Palestine, has died, then he has died in Ramadan. If he is dying, then he is dying in the Nights of Power. If he is suffering illness then whatever prayers he makes in suffering are as the prayers of a man who has suffered for a thousand months but prayed through each and all of them.

May God bless those who struggle for what is good, for what is right, for what is merciful and for what is just. May He give us the strength to stand against those who stand against faith, truth, justice and dignity. May He give us steadfastness in trying times that try us still more, and instill in us the wisdom to see that the unfolding of events large and small have behind them a deeper wisdom, the workings of a wonderful plan, which from our promontory we cannot quite compass.

Bush wins: that Laden video to blame?

2004-11-03T23:54:00.000+06:00

... or what?

I think that new Laden video played its part superbly. Either it was Laden's stupidity or it was faked by the Whitehouse to spread fear among the American people and secure the re-election. Walter Cronkite, a former CBS News anchor, told Larry King:

... now the question is basically right now, how will this affect the election? And I have a feeling that it could tilt the election a bit. In fact, I'm a little inclined to think that Karl Rove, the political manager at the White House, who is a very clever man, he probably set up bin Laden to this thing.

Funny, isn't it? There is every possibility that the video can be faked. But at the same time I am hearing people say it was a defeat of Kerry's campaign strategy. Those who campaigned for Kerry were not well motivated, too much optimistic and thus reluctant to work hard and Kerry had to pay them to keep them running. Bush campaigners on the other hand were devoted to Bush's cause, feared that they'd be defeated, worked hard, and campaigned on their own. That's what I heard from BBC's analysis and interviews with the voters and the campaigners.

Everyone in my house is upset about Kerry's defeat. But I think it doesn't matter who wins. Kerry is no angel and America's foreign policy would not change dramatically if he is in the office. His statements and policies are ambiguous enough to defeat him. Rather I think it is better to have someone in the Whitehouse whom we can clearly identify as evil. American people have done a great job. There should be no place for ambiguity.

Views from deshi Bloggers:
PONDERING ON BUSH RE-ELECTION by Rezwan
Getting ready for the oppression again by Rifat

Bangladesh to destroy all landmines!

2004-11-02T23:23:00.000+06:00

By requirement of the Landmine Ban Treaty, Bangladesh is going to destroy all its 200,000 antipersonnel landmines! I have no idea (or I can't recall) exactly when Bangladesh signed such treaty that makes no sense. According to this website, Bangladesh signed the treaty back in 1998! Here is a list of signatory countries. And guess what! Our good neighbours India, Pakistan, and Myanmar aren't on the list, let alone Israel, United States, Russia, and China. This is outrageous! Who authorised this and for what purpose? Disarm diplomatically and then wage a war, knowing that, at least, there is no landmine. Yeah, Princess Diana did a great job!

The 4 month long destruction process starts today according to the Daily Inqilab. UNDP and Canada is funding the destruction. Well, who the hell is going to pay all the money we paid to buy these things? If we, so terribly, need to get rid of those mines why not sell them to India and Pakistan or even to Myanmar? Why is it that only the weaker countries need to pay the price for destructions done by the mighty ones? And wouldn't it be sensible to ban the production and put sanctions on those who produce and sell landmines?

Better oppressed than oppressor

2004-11-01T22:47:00.000+06:00

Abul Kashem Faruk, 43, the abducted Bangladeshi lorry driver in Iraq.

Those who kidnapped Abul Kashem Faruk should know that the people of Bangladesh, from all walks of life, wholeheartedly rejects America's war on Iraq and still opposes American presence in Iraq. They should know that Bangladesh is a country which's people burst in anger when America declared war on Iraq. They brought out procession on the streets and blockaded US and UK embassies in Dhaka. Is that how you treat your Muslim brothers? Is that how you wish to liberate Iraq? Where in Islam, as you say you belong to it, it is said that you are allowed to kill innocent people?

No, I am not actually surprised at Faruk's abduction. I won't even be surprised if you kill him. Because you have killed your own brothers who, in their utmost desperation like Faruk's, joined the Iraqi police forces. But know that it really hurts. Islam is a bridge between the people of Bangladesh and Iraq and that is why we are psychologically inclined towards Iraqi people. We love and admire Iraqi people, their culture and heritage. But you are not the Iraqi we in Bangladesh used to know. You are failing the cause of Islam and the plight of Iraqi people. You are only pushing the rest of the world to accept the unacceptable logics of the American imperialists. You have lost your ability to render thought, and do anything that involves logic. That way you have become oppressor of the innocent people.

M H Faruqi, editor of the finest International Muslim magazine Impact International, states it right - it is better to live under oppression rather than becoming an oppressor.

Related post:
IRAQ HOSTAGE SITUATION: TERRORISM HAS NO IDEAL by Rezwan

Quotes worth a smile

2004-10-30T14:48:00.000+06:00

There is no difference between September 11 terrorist attacks and August 21 grenade attack.
Sheikh Hasina in New York

Of all the dictators of Pakistan I have met, Musharraf is the brightest.
Kuldip Nayar in The Daily Star

Security is an important element of human life and, free people do not give up their security... We fought you because we are free, and we don't put up with transgressions. We want to reclaim our nation. As you spoil our security, we will do so to you.
Osama bin Laden in a new video message

Another AL ploy?

2004-10-28T04:49:00.000+06:00

Recently, leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina and other AL warlords demanded that caretaker government requires a reform to perform its tasks neutrally. This means they want changes in the 13th Amendment. This necessity, however, was not felt while they were in power from 1996 to 2001. After all the failed attempts to unseat the government the issue of caretaker government reform is the latest in AL's arsenal. It can even jeopardise the process of regular elections every five years! Editor of the Holiday, Enayetullah Khan, warns us of a new AL ploy:

Once all these feints came to naught because of the universal acclamation of the polls, the AL and its leader turned their guns on President Chief Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, who continued in office under the 13th (Caretaker) Amendment, Caretaker Chief Adviser Chief Justice Latifur Rahman and Chief Election Commissioner M. A. Syed. Incidentally and ironically too, the President of the Republic was elected by the seventh Parliament as the nominee of the majority AL after the 1996 polls to the largely ceremonial office; the CEC was appointed by them with the additional insurance of the induction of a Janatar Mancha bureaucrat as a member; and the Chief Adviser fitted the bill as also the calculations of the AL government on the calendar, as required under the amendment.

Sheikh Hasina’s attack on the Caretaker Government, that she had thought would do her bidding, came in the wake of her defeat in 2001 polls. Earlier she was affronted by the circumstances of her vacation of the Ganobhaban property that she had endowed herself with by an Act of Parliament. The Act was later repealed. She was also enraged by the immediate dismantling of a carefully-set bureaucratic safety-valve comprising party loyalists in the higher and middle echelons of the administration as also some political appointees like her Press Secretary, particularly in the Chief Adviser’s office, ostensibly to work as the listening posts and as under-cover elements...

This part of the exercise is meant to be a background to the Caretaker Government issue and its enactment in order that public memory, that is proverbially short, is not taken for a yet-shorter ride. Can it be the wish of the opposition AL to create a situation of non-compliance with the polls under the existing 13th Amendment and thereby jeopardise the process of regular elections every five years? Will the other political parties, who call themselves pro-liberation in one of history’s biggest political caricatures, go along with the AL demand of the failed one-point demand of the government’s ouster, and now the Caretaker Reforms, which do not qualify as an agenda of dialogue between the government and the AL?

These are questions that need to be publicly answered by the proponents of the Caretaker Reforms, or of the one-point agenda for the ouster of the government by the magic wand of an ultimatum, that never was, or the chimera of extra-constitutional intervention. After all, any government that may be good, bad or indifferent in public estimation or as per the opposition claim, is not obliged to use its two-thirds majority number that the coalition has, to satisfy the opposition’s wiles.

The AL and company should endeavour to gain the required two-thirds majority to change the 13th Amendment as they wish, and not whine for changes again when elections don’t come their way...

Read the full article.

TI's report and thoughts on corruption

2004-10-25T01:08:00.000+06:00

The only way we can fight corruption is to remove our corrupt elite - the corrupt leaders, officials, businesses, and now the "intellectuals" - a.k.a. the educated class. This elite structure has its root in colonial era where proponents of colonialism patronised a class - educated, "sophisticated" and "cultured" to help run state affaires. They were mostly awarded with the jobs of clerks at the offices and manpower for the law enforcement agencies. This group of servants and their tradition did not die. They were however being reborn at the wake of nation state. Why? Because, after decolonisation our leaders surprisingly chose to run same mechanism for governance and education system. That's what independence from British rule was all about.

As for today, the problem remains with the educated class. Our government officials are corrupt, the whole range of professional groups i.e. doctors, engineers, lawyers, and teachers are corrupt. On the contrary people who have direct connection with production, the large uneducated mass, i.e. farmers, fishermen, and labourers aren't corrupt. In fact they are the victims of corruption.

There must be something terribly wrong with our education system that it creates so many corrupt people. We need to look at that first, not at TI's perception index.

Blogging from Sherpur

2004-10-23T01:32:00.000+06:00

Sherpur is my home district. It is really colourful around here during Durga Puja. We have a 20,000 strong Hindu community here in town alone (15%-17%). Though I came here to celebrate Putul's (our neighbour here) wedding I decided to visit nearest Puja Mandaps and take some snaps. Here they are:

Prelude.

Majestic Durga with all the players of Hindu mythology.

Pilgrims' queue.

Purohit distributing Proshad.

The prayer.

Here are some personal ones:

Majestic house of our Hindu neighbour Lakshmi Di and Babu Da. Our grand-parents and now their children are living with them side by side for the last 40 years. Now they are planning to leave for India for the rest of their lives. Don't know why but they are not under any oppression - as many "intellectuals" and newspapers want to put it. If they are under any oppression we would be the first to know. And we would be the first to protect. I figured out that it is just an unconditional attachments towards India. Anyway, they planned to sell all their properties. I told mom and dad that whatever it costs we should buy this house. It is really wonderful.

My cousins surround Putul at her wedding.

Ateea, my little sister, playing with Munni's kittens.

My hero is your terrorist

2004-10-21T08:37:00.000+06:00

Lt. Col. Farook walks out of the court as it "awards" him life imprisonment. (The verdict of Jail Killing case.)

He is one of those men who brought Baksal regime to an end. I met him once in Narayanganj. I was only thirteen then - thus, probably was an easy victim of his great personality. I knew he was a killer but I also knew (as someone told me then) that he only killed bad people. Now I know that good and bad are very much subjective. He was also a man of principle and courage, a great nationalist and orator - a combination of which we do not see in our leadership today.

It is difficult to judge as I don't know much about his involvement in jail killings or about the innocence of the 4 victims. Whatever it is, this is not the Bangladesh that Sheikh Mujib and his paramilitary wanted. Today's Bangladesh is different from Mujib and his paramilitary's vision of Bangladesh. It is liberated from that dream - by them. You can kill/punish them but you have no right to judge them. Kill them as they killed your heroes. And people will remember them with respect and honour. Why a showdown of "justice" after 29 years?

How nasty BNP can get!

2004-10-20T01:07:00.000+06:00

Badruddoza Chowdhury and Dr. Kamal Hossain were beaten up in Rangpur by members of Chhattra Dal and Jubo Dal - student wings of master coalition partner BNP. Photo: The Daily Star

This is outrageous! BNP is feeling so insecure that it can't even tolerate B Chowdhury and Dr. Kamal! Where does this frustration come from? They (Chowdhury and Kamal) don't even pose an ounce of threat. Is there anyone who can give BNP any good advice? I wonder what Jamaat leaders are doing. Who said that you can't criticise BNP for their dirty work? Is that what Islam teaches us? I have said it earlier and I am saying it again BNP is squandering any hope for the coalition to succeed in the next general election. Partners should warn and be warned. BNP is becoming hopeless day by day.

Installed Haloscan

2004-10-15T16:14:00.000+06:00

At last I made the switch! I waited for them to go away. But God gave them so much patience that they kept coming back every now and then. I told Blogger that their comment system should be intelligent – like many of the services they offer.

Dear viewers and commentators of this blog, I am really sorry that you had to go through such a dehumanising experience. I hope that now I will be able to keep the imposters away from commenting on this blog.

Bring them to justice

2004-10-11T13:54:00.000+06:00

Like Awami League lawmaker Muhibul Rahman Manik (sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for March 1999 Chhatak bomb blast), all terrorists and bomb makers should be brought to justice, irrespective of their social position (a former lawmaker!) and party allegiance.

Brainwash and eyewash

2004-10-08T23:39:00.000+06:00

6 October 2004: American Center here in Dhaka provided scholarship to some 40 Madrasa students (women) to learn English.

It will only serve two evil purposes:

1. Brainwash the best students of Madrasa who may have the capability to meet the challenges posed by the West.

2. An eyewash event to baffle the whole world – America is trying to win the hearts and minds of the Muslims in countries like Bangladesh (while killing Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan and helping to kill Muslims in Palestine and elsewhere, plotting coups, assassinations, and other destabilising mechanisms).

Each person has a unique way to look at an event. There are many who would think that America has done something good for us with a good intention. I think not, because I don't trust America. I don't believe that it can do any good to any Muslim nation – unless it is for eyewash, brainwash, or other evil purposes.

The new God and his Prophet

2004-10-05T21:53:00.000+06:00

I laughed a lot when I saw this on the Newsweek (shame! I missed it on TV):

We are now being coerced to accept and believe that a new political-cum-religious doctrine has arisen, namely that there is but one political God, George W Bush, and Tony Blair is his prophet.

Robert Mugabe at UN General Assembly

The problem with Madrasa

2004-09-22T23:56:00.000+06:00

This is a response to Rezwan's post on Madrassa titled "MADRASSA EDUCATION - AN ANACHRONISM OR A VICTIM OF EXPLOITATION". I am posting my response on my blog partly because it is a long post (Haloscan has a problem with long posts) and partly because I want people to know some facts.

Madrassa sector is in dire need of reform, no doubt about that. For example, curriculum needs to be enriched and diversified. An education system must enable students to tackle challenges of the real world out there. So far, as we see our country grow (or fall), Madrassa educated students are less effective though they constitute a huge portion of the youth. We must find out what are the reasons behind this. Rezwan tried to find out the reasons and expressed his thought about it. But I must say it wasn't impartial.

First of all, accusations of rape, murder, and cutting ears are isolated incidents and cannot be related to the education system. These things do not happen because Madrassa teaches an "old curriculum" or "have superstitious concepts and antiquated social values".

Secondly, it is simply untrue that Madrassa students "cannot even read or write properly in their own mother tongue Bengali let alone English." I have friends and relatives in Madrassa and they can read and write in four languages: Bangla, English, Arabic, and Urdu.

Third, people don't really know how much money is coming from the Middle-East to support these Madrassas. I am telling from my own experience, it is very little. 10/15/20 thousand BDT at best. So, those who talk about money coming from the Middle-East really have no idea, whatsoever.

Fourth, how many Madrassa students have gone to fight for the Palestinians? Any statistics would be great. How many of those, if any, had gone for money? How many Bangladeshis died in Palestine? Salahuddin Shoaib Chowdhury's accusations are simply outrageous. He even attributes his accusations to police intelligence. Who is he to know such things?

I heard that a few had gone to fight for the Mujahedin (not Taleban) in Afghanistan. But Mujahedins are not called terrorists even by US and UK. Know why? Because it fought USSR, thus it was a "legitimate" Jihad.

I think we are so much consumed by America's war on terror that we often forget our own war with poverty, unemployment, crime, and corruption. We don't see that we have failed to provide basic human rights to the people of this country. We only see terrorism everywhere. Probably it provides us an escape.

Let me say something about Madrassa students. None of the top and most wanted terrorist of this country are Madrassa students. Most of the rapists are not from Madrassa. Most of the killers are not from Madrassa. Most of the acid throwers are not from Madrassa. Most of the Gundas, Chandabazes, and hijackers are not from Madrassa. Yet we find Madrassas as "breeding grounds" of terrorism. Funny! Isn't it?

iPod in my hand

2004-09-21T22:32:00.000+06:00

You are not going to believe this! I touched an iPod today! Since Apple introduced this babe few years ago I was longing to have one. Today Rajib showed me his iPod (a birthday present from someone very special) which he carries all the time. How come I didn't notice? It was an iPod Mini, holds up to 1,000 songs. It looks cool. It is intelligent, especially the scroll pad which scrolls when your finger rubs over it. You can control volume, browse song list and menus, play games, etc. It delivers powerful sound with high quality bass and treble. Sound is crisp and crystal clear. Simply awesome!

I grabbed it from Rajib, pushed the play button and... I was consumed by it. "When I look into your eyes I can see a love restrained", yes, November Rain was on top of the play list. And guess what! It started raining right at that moment.

One day, if God wishes, I'll buy an iPod (40 GB) and carry my entire music collection in it. I know people may say I am materialistic (because iPod is expensive and it has become a fashion statement). But the truth is I really want it irrespective of what people think. If someone finds peace in music there is nothing wrong with it.

Pizza in Shawrma House

2004-09-18T23:14:00.000+06:00

Me, Safi and Saad went to Shawrma House today. We ordered pizza instead of Arabian shawrma. Shawrma is great but we had it enough. So we ordered a chicken pepperoni pizza. It was mouth-watering and delicious. Pizza Hut is available here in Dhaka. I have been there and it is too much expensive. If you have an occasion that is different. But if you want to have pizza without any occasion (and want to save your wallet, too) then you should go to Shawrma House. They make great pizzas. And by the way, they are the only one in Dhaka to offer real Arabian shawrma. You should taste that too.

Learning through fun

2004-09-16T23:16:00.000+06:00

"Is my back so beautiful that you have to talk about it every time I turn to write something on the board? Don't talk while I write, cause it seems to me that you are talking about my back."

The class lost in silence for a moment or two. Then it broke in laughter. She never needed to repeat her orders.

I am not going to disclose her name (partly because if she finds out my blog you can imagine what can happen to my grade). But I have to agree that she is a great teacher. When I took CSC405 (System Analysis and Design) I thought it is going to be boring. But she is helping us to get it through fun and it is her fun that is making us interested in a rather boring subject.

Carnage in Beslan

2004-09-03T23:53:00.000+06:00

Chechen and Arab terrorists killed more than 200 hostages in Beslan.

Chechens have a 200 years history of fighting their oppressor, Russia. But today's killings in Beslan (southern Russia), along with recent bombings and plain crashes, are perfect examples of how a legitimate struggle can be ruined by the acts of terrorists. Chechen rebels with imported Arab terrorists killed as many as 200 (toll may rise) and injured 600. All civilians and most of them are children. I wonder how any Muslim can justify this! God said in clear terms, "Do not take life, which God has made sacred, except for the requirement of law. If anyone is killed unjustly, We allow his heir (to seek justice) but do not allow him to exceed bounds when it comes to taking life, for he is helped (by the law)." (Al-Quran: 17:33).

After this universal declaration, after knowing that life is made sacred by God himself, how come any Muslim can kill fellow human being? God's words are clear and simple. How come people make different meanings? Do they read at all? Had they ever used their brain to render thought?

They are the ones who are pulling the ummah from behind. Thus, the ummah must not fail to apart itself from their activities.

Update: Death toll rises to 360.
Rezwan has a nice post on this.

Security, what security?

2004-09-01T15:15:00.000+06:00

Yesterday's bomb blast killed 16 in Israel.

Hamas is only weakening their cause by killing innocent civilians. And Israel is only expanding support for Hamas (and the likes) by continuing the occupation, killing Hamas leaders and innocent Palestinians, stripping them off from their forefather's land, bulldozing their houses, destroying their infrastructure. I don't know whom should I blame - a bunch of terrorists or a state-of-the-art armed force that is backed by a government that supports terrorism. It is a time to understand that security is not only a physical phenomenon. It is becoming more and more metaphysical, ideological, and political by nature. Physical means like security fence, missile defense shield, Markava MK4 tanks, Yas'ur helicopter gunship, F-16 fighters Jets - all proved ineffective to combat modern day terrorism.

What strikes me most is that people who are most concerned about terrorism care less about it's root cause. Look at the entire course of the history of Israel. There is the answer. Look at the pattern of American imperialism all over the world. There is the answer. Look at the process of decolonisation (from the British rule) in Asia (Middle-East, Indian subcontinent, Indonesia, etc.) and in Africa (Sudan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, etc.). There is the answer. If we, the people of the world, cannot stop imperialism and aggression we won't be able to stop what we call terrorism.

Got Gmail

2004-08-30T22:41:00.000+06:00

At last I have got a Gmail account. Address is hiwamy@gmail.com. Thanks to Sina H who sent me the invitation upon a simple request. I have only 1 invitation left. If any deshi blogger needs it badly, please let me know.

If he had a Muslim name

2004-08-29T00:57:00.000+06:00

If Shaibal Saha Partha, who allegedly sent an email to Prothom Alo threatening to kill Hasina, had a Muslim name and did his MBA from Pakistan (instead of India) then Prothom Alo (oh, it's the leading Bangla daily) would probably carry out the news in its front page. It was amazing how they blacked out the whole incident of Partha's arrest. All the major dailies carried out the news on 27th. I have waited for two days to hear something from the newspaper that received the death threat for Hasina. But it didn't bother to publish a single line, even for the sake of journalism. Now, what do we call this?

Guru thinks different

2004-08-26T00:26:00.000+06:00

This analysis comes from Shafiq Rehman, whom I, along with many Jai Jai Din subscribers, call "guru". His analysis seems logical and reasonable and I have no doubt that it is the best explanation out there so far, especially when media is unconditionally trying everything they can to divert people's attention to Mullahs, who may be or may not be responsible, and thus making a getaway for the real perpetrators.

Shafiq Rehman asked to think critically to find out who benefited most from the bombing. Here is a statistics that lists all the bombings:

6 March 1999 - Udichi's cultural program, Jessor - 10 died.
8 October 1999 - Ahmadia Masque, Khulna - 8 died.
20 January 2001 - Communist Party rally, Dhaka - 7 died.
14 April 2001 - Chchayanot's cultural program, Dhaka - 10 died.
3 June 2001 - Baniarchor Church, Gopalganj - 10 died.
15 June 2001 - Awami League office, Narayanganj - 22 died.
23 September 2001 - Awami League's public meeting, Bagerhat - 8 died.
28 September 2002 - cinema hall, Satkhira - 3 died.
6 December 2002 - 4 cinema halls, Mymensingh - 21 died.
17 January 2003 - Faila Pir's shrine, Tangail - 7 died.
12 January 2004 - Hazrat Shahjalal shrine - 5 died.
21 May 2004 - Hazrat Shahjalal shrine - 3 died.
5 August 2004 - 2 cinema halls, Sylhet - 1 died.
7 August 2004 - Awami League's meeting, Sylhet - 1 died.
21 August 2004 - Awami League's rally, Dhaka - 20 died.

Hasina's first reaction to the BBC was that coalition government is behind the bombing and it should resign. During her time 75 (including 8 who died during caretaker govt.) were killed by bombs and she didn't resign. Funny, isn't it? Coalition govt. is in the second position with a score of 61. Coalitions must not let this number grow anyway.

If we analyse the victims of the bomb blasts, they are:
a) Supporters of Awami League and Communist Party.
b) Secular cultural groups - Udichi, Chchayanot.
c) Minorities - Ahmadiyyas and Christians.
d) Cinema goers.
e) Shrine goers.

All these targets have one thing in common, Mullahs hate them. At least this is the common perception. But if we think critically of who benefited most then accusation would be direct, which I don't want to do while the case is under investigation. So let us think otherwise. Who lost the credibility and support each time a bomb went off? Who is being cornered? Who is humiliated with accusations?

It is the coalition government that lost its credibility. It is the coalition government that is being cornered and humiliated with accusations. It is the coalition government that is being coloured as fundamentalist and minority basher to the outside world. It is the coalition government that is said to be supporting and instigating the activities of Mullahs. And it is Sheikh Hasina and her party that never missed a chance to accuse the coalition government of anything bad that happened to this country.

Why not Mullahs, some may ask. Chances are zero according to Rehman. Why? Islamists are quiet well off with this government. They are given power. They are getting jobs, resource allocations, and other facilities. So we have to think critically whether they would do anything to disrupt current scenario.

Is it AL then? Well, many say so, but I don't know. My impression is that it is either an outside job actually accomplished to help AL, or works of some mad Mullahs who are outside the control of the mainstream Islamists.

Read the full article (in Bangla).

What any government can do?

2004-08-23T23:09:00.000+06:00

I may sound insane but what this or any government can do? If someone or some group is so much angry upon activities of some other people that they feel like killing or bombing, what any government can do? No government can protect you 24/7/365. Even the two most protected countries in the world, the United States and the State of Israel are not able to protect their civilians from terrorist attacks. We can say, "We cannot let this happen." But that won't work. That simply won't work. Unless and until we change our policy and attitude towards the people we call "terrorist". If it is true for United States and Israel it is true for us, too.

The usual suspect

2004-08-22T23:41:00.000+06:00

After the blast rumours are flying everywhere. Everybody is speculating and trying to justify their speculations. In tea stalls, restaurants, buses, offices, even in schools, collages and universities people (and pupil) are debating over the issue. Who did it? Why? Who benefited most? Some are (I think most of them are) saying AL did it to call another round of hartal and to gain peoples' sympathy. They weren't able to use flood as an effective issue to urge people to overthrow the alliance. They are just mad at their failures.

I asked, "Why AL would try to kill its own leadership? How is that believable? Hasina could have been killed. Her bodyguard died trying to protect her. Shots were fired at her car. How you are asking me to believe this?" They said, "You don't know. They are very hypocritical. They can do anything. Indians are with them. They are getting RAW's help in designing such dramas. bla... bla... bla..."

There is another group of people accusing BNP for the attack. I asked, "How is that possible? Why BNP, while ruling the country and already burdened with accusations of not being able to catch the perpetrators of recent bomb blasts, would bomb AL's rally or try to kill Hasina knowing that people like you would blame them for such acts?" They said, "You don't know. They are very hypocritical. They can do anything. Jamaatis are with them. They are getting Talebani support to massacre innocent civilians. bla... bla... bla..."

Then there is another group, call themselves "progressive" and "enlightened", accusing extremists for the attack. I asked, "Why them?" They said, "It is obvious. Only the shit head Mullahs are capable of carrying out such attacks. They are the ones who do. Not only in Bangladesh, all around the world. After all they consider AL an enemy of Islam." I again asked, "Is it enough to accuse them? How would you prepare the charge sheet for a case based on such accusations? Which specific person or organisation would be blamed where thousands of religious groups exist?" They said, "Just roundup Nizami and Saidee, beat them up well, and you'll know everything." (Remember what learned people like Humayun Azad said when asked about who might have attacked him?)

Wrongly accusing people is a very bad practice in our politics and it is never going to resolve anything. Those accusers are simply disrespectful to the demand of the situation. We need unity now to find out those who are responsible for such a cowardly act.

Pictures from the blast

2004-08-22T18:41:00.000+06:00

Seen nothing like this before. Photo: AFP/Farhad Hasan

This one resembles with pictures of Tiananmen Square at the time of uprising. Photo: AP/Pavel Rahman

Casualties were taken to hospital by any means available. Photo: AP/Pavel Rahman

The aftermath. Photo: AFP/Farjana K Godhuly

"God helped me.", she said. Photo: AP/Pavel Rahman

Dhaka blast kills 18

2004-08-21T20:52:00.000+06:00

18 die as a series of explosions rock Awami League's public gathering in front of its central office. The bombs went off just after Hasina finished her speech. 300 were injured and death toll may rise. One AP photo journalist claims that it was a grenade attack and he saw several unexploded grenades lying near the scene.

No top leaders were killed but according to my sources (which may be wrong) both legs of AL leader Ivy Rahman went off with the blast. We received calls from London and Paris. They heard that Sheikh Hasina was killed!

Ironically, the meeting was held to protest recent bomb blasts in Sylhet.

We are going to see another blame game, starting tonight.

Prisoners of Israel

2004-08-19T13:06:00.000+06:00

I thought Bangladesh is the only country in the world that holds people in custody without a charge. Read the story of a special friend of the United States and United Kingdom who rank their friend amongst the "democracies" and the "free world".

Next time when the US and the UK officials warn us of human rights abuse we should warn them too.

Art Exchange

2004-08-17T10:15:00.000+06:00

Selected artworks from the exhibition titled "Art Exchange: Europe and the Islamic World", taking place in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, in an effort to show how Islam influenced European art over a period of 600 years.

Flask - Medici Porcelain Factory, Italy, 16th Century.

Dove - France, 13th Century.

Horseman - England, 13th Century.

Odalisque by Auguste Renoir, France, 19th Century.

All pictures are the property of National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Preity Zinta writes!

2004-08-16T23:44:00.000+06:00

Isn't she cute? I call her Alicia Silverstone of Bollywood. Preity writes of her experiences as a Bollywood star on the BBC News Online.

I thought cute girls can't write.

Mystic River and I

2004-08-15T07:40:00.000+06:00

Those who liberated this land from Bakshal and Rakkhi Bahini on August 15, 1975 are being rotten in jail or in exile. And oppressors, torturers are still out there to celebrate. God damm it. I want indemnity ordinance restored. Thanks to Farooq, Rashid, and others who carried out August 15 coup d'etat. We live in a more democratic and liberal Bangladesh. And isn't it a great demonstration of liberty that we still let those Mujib loyalists shout and dance in front of us?

If you think I am reacting too much, I have every reason to be. My father was a victim of Rakkhi Bahini's atrocity. What was his crime? He was the best student of his district, got admitted himself in Dhaka University, and worked for the best students' movement of this country. All these were considered crimes against the regime. And what was the treatment he received? I better not tell you. His body bears the evidence. Whenever I see those scratches, cutting marks, and burns in his body I feel like killing someone shouting and dancing out there. Thank God that he gave me power to manage my anger.

Anyway, I saw Mystic River yesterday. Cast and screenplay was superb. It tells me to take revenge. But it also tells me that usual suspects aren't always the real perpetrators. And if you spend too much time on the usual suspect you would probably never find the criminals and end up convicting wrong people. Sounds good for anger management :-)

Humayun Azad dead!

2004-08-13T21:44:00.000+06:00

Shit! He is gone. The last thing I knew about him was that death was running after him. On August 7, 2004 he left this country to save his life, as it was paralyzed by everyday death threats that he and his family members were receiving. But who knew that death was waiting for him in Germany! On August 11, 2004 he was found dead in his Munich apartment. He was in sleep while he died. A heart attack, German authorities say.

Though Azad is not qualified for my taste, his death is regrettable for many reasons. He was an example to the Muslim community of this country that God grants the human race enormous freedom even to defy Islam. Many would feel less challenged at his death – "Huh. We don't have to worry anymore. The bastard is dead." But feeling less challenged is more dangerous than Humayun Azad himself. When people don't feel challenged they don't do anything to change the society. That's why people like Humayun Azad should live forever to remind us, the Muslims, of our God given duties. Hey, isn't it the same reason God didn't kill Iblis (Satan/Shaitan)? I guess so.

I hope family recovers soon from the pain and despair.

Just watched Fahrenheit 911

2004-08-09T19:06:00.000+06:00

I have just watched Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11". Simply awesome! I was spellbound and felt deeply attached from beginning to end. I have no doubt that he is a great film maker. Particularly because "Fahrenheit 9/11" is a documentary film and usually people don't have taste for such a genre. But when this film starts I bet you won't be able to divert your attention elsewhere. You have to see it to believe me. I now understand why Quentin Tarantino said that it won PALME D'OR at Cannes not for its political content but for its artistic significance.

Pirated copies are now available in Dhaka.

Hey Kerry, Americans want change

2004-08-08T21:43:00.000+06:00

A new poll, conducted by Zogby International for the Council for the National Interest (CNI), suggests that 51% of the voters agree that Kerry should adopt an entirely new policy, different from the present administration, towards Israel.

Strongly agree 28% + Somewhat agree 23% = Agree 51%
Somewhat disagree 13% + Strongly disagree 21% = Disagree 34%
Not sure 15%

Unfortunately Kerry/Edward's Middle-East policy lacks much needed reforms and offers only minor changes from the policy of the Bush administration. Should Muslims vote him with the hope that he would bring peace in the Middle-East? His record doesn't say so. CNI also carried out an Ad campaign in New York, Boston, and Washington, DC where it said:

Dear Senator Kerry, George W. Bush’s Middle East policy has set back relations with our traditional allies throughout the world and damaged American standing in the Middle East. When asked in April on NBC’s "Meet the Press" if you support President Bush’s positions that Israel can keep land seized in 1967 and that Palestinian refugees cannot return home, you responded, "Yes." When asked if your support was "complete," you again responded, "Yes." Bush’s policies have not made us safer from terrorism. How will yours?...

Read the full report and poll result.

Where is the difference?

2004-08-07T08:44:00.000+06:00

Bomb kills Iraqi citizens. (Photo: AP)

... and Bangladeshis, too. (Photo: Bhorer Kagoj)

Are we living in a state of war? Isn't it Muslims killing Muslims, anyway?

Let the pictures tell the story

2004-08-07T08:20:00.000+06:00

This picture was published in all the major dailies, BBC's web site and now in this blog, simply because it is fantastic. Photo: AFP

... and this is also a good one. Photo: AFP

Zahura holds her new born baby Bonna, which means "flood" in English. Bonna was born in a relief camp a week ago. Photo: REUTERS/Rafiqur Rahman

A winner's smile, after receiving new clothes from a relief center in Dhaka. Photo: AP/Rafiq Maqbool

Waiting for food. Photo: AFP/Farjana K. Godhuly

Flood victims brave the rain to receive food supplies in Aricha, Dhaka. Photo: REUTERS/Rafiqur Rahman

While Pajeros stuck ... (Photo: REUTERS/Amit Dave)

... boats are the new vehicle of choice.
Photo: REUTERS/Jayanta Shaw

Water born diseases are on the rise, in a causal manner though. Photo: AP/Pavel Rahman

... and I don't have to say anything. Photo: The Daily Star

Life is miserable

2004-08-02T20:30:00.000+06:00

Guess what! One of my aunts is gone mad. Totally mad. She probably needs to be kept in a mental hospital otherwise she might commit suicide. This morning she came to our house shouting, “Please help me kill myself. Or kill me. I can’t bear the pain of living.” Well, I don’t think she would kill herself but she is making everyones' life miserable around here. What should we do? My uncle (her husband) is suffering from indecision. He tried everything – weather change, psychiatrist, consultant, counseling, everything. Nothing seems to be working. She is a mother of two wonderful children. Otherwise I would say its time for a divorce. I mean it still is the best solution to keep her out of the family. Her children are suffering for her, doing bad in exams, can’t invite their friends. Her husband is embarrassed for what she is doing. And it is also painful for us to watch her madness while we are unable to help or do anything. It is really miserable.

Hello everybody!

2004-07-30T21:22:00.000+06:00

Hello everybody! It’s been a long time since I last posted a blog. My broadband connection is down and I have no idea when its gonna resume. I check my mails from a cyber café but I can’t think of bloging from here. Anyway, don’t be disappointed. Check this blog on a weekly basis. Well, it’s a request.

Here are two pictures I would like to share with you:

Didn’t know Arnold Schwarzenegger is an Austrian American. This stamp was released this week in Austria to mark his 57th birthday. Schwarzenegger currently is the governor of California. Surely Austria takes pride on it but sadly he is a republican.

It is probably unethical to talk about how good or bad a picture is when its subject is sad, but this picture is simply great. Intensity of disaster is clearly understandable. Taken by some AFP guy.

Gotta go now. Bye.