NATURAL CALAMITY OF BANGLADESH

Bangladesh is a land of natural calamity. People here survive fighting against the natural disasters like flood, cyclone, drought, etc. Recently people have become very much concerned about a calamity and that is earthquake. So RAJUK (Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakshya) has taken strict steps and now a high-rise building is planned in a shock-resistant process to avoid the unexpected massive destruction of earthquake. The number of floors of a building is suggested by the experts of RAJUK. Keeping safety stairs in multi-storeyed buildings is now very common. The designers follow the earthquake resistant building code. It is noted that Bangladesh lies in the active earthquake zone. So, it is a threat to us. Although there are a number of fault lines in the geographical area comprising Bangladesh, none of them is active enough to pose a major threat. But to avoid the possible danger this city must be designed in a planned way. For this, the experts should work with much care while giving permission for constructing a multi-storeyed building.

OUR NATIONAL FLAG

A national flag is the symbol of a nation's sovereignty or independent identity. It introduces the country to the whole world. Every independent country has a national flag of its own. We live in an independent and sovereign country. We have our own national flag. Our national flag is the greatest achievement in our national flag. It is our pride and glory. In 1971, we achieved our freedom through the Liberation War and had a new country named Bangladesh and her flag. Our flag is green with a red circle at the center. The green colours symbolizes the peaceful youthfulness of this green country and the red circle symbolizes the sun of freedom which rises or a renaissance or awakening and the sacrifice of blood by the martyrs. The proportion of the length and breadth of our flag is 10:6 and the radius of the red sun is one-fifth of its length. The designer of our national flag is Hamidur Rahman. On our government office buildings, the national flag is hoisted. In the other countries where there are our high commission offices, our flag is hoisted. In the UNO our country's flag is also hoisted. Even while our army personnel on their duty in peace-keeping missions in foreign countries also bear the flag. Our president, prime minister and other ministers move in flagged cars. We, the people of the country, are determined to keep its respect high at any cost.

TREE PLANTATION

Trees exerts much influence on the climate condition of a country. They are responsible for maintaining ecological balance throughout the world. Trees are essential for our life. We cannot think of our existence without trees. They are related to our life in many ways. Tree plantation means planting trees in large number following proper system. Trees supply us with food, shelter, fuel, furniture and medicine. They keep our environment fresh. They also add beauty to nature. They supply us with oxygen and take carbon dioxide. They save the land from erosion. Besides trees give us fruits which satisfy our food requirement partially and supply us with vitamins and minerals. People cut down trees for different purposes. It is creating danger for us. The earth is growing unfit for our living. So we should plant trees every year. We should expand the area of plantation and take care of the planted trees. We should keep in mind that the more are the trees, the healthier is the environment.

MOHAKHALI FLYOVER

Flyover is a road. It is built over another road to avoid traffic signals. In very big cities and towns there are flyovers. There are too many buses, trucks and cars in the busy cities. During office and school time, there is a long queue of traffics causing traffic jam. People can go through the flyover. They can save time. In the Dhaka City there is a flyover at Mohakhali. It is 1.8km long. Its width is 14.63m excluding the sidewalks. The flyover is built on 51 pillars. Four cars can ply on the flyover at a time. The center of the flyover is 7m high from the ground. A Chinese company has constructed it. About 13.6 millions Taka was spent to build the flyover. There is another flyover at Khilgaon in Dhaka.

WORK POSITIVELY AND BE SUCCESSFUL

Rafi is an educated, unemployed youth living in Dhaka. After obtaining his Master's Degree, he started looking for a job with a high hope. But trying for a few months and being unsuccessful in every attempt, he became frustrated. One day he decided that he would leave the idea of searching for a job. He hit upon a plan that he would work for his own. He will invest his time, energy and talent for himself. He has good knowledge of computer. He completed a course on graphics design. He set up his own shop in the Motijheel area on rent at the ground floor of a building. He also did a little bit of advertisement. He told his friends about his business. He visited many offices in the Motijheel area for giving him work on graphics design like book covers, posters, visiting cards and other designing tasks. He worked hard to make communication with people initially. After a few weeks, he started getting orders for work. He got sufficient work orders from the second month of his business. He was delighted at his achievement. Since then he has been working independently. He is his own boss. Today he is a successful businessman. He has own house, car and a happy family.

CORRUPTION IN BANGLADESH

Corruption is an issue of serous concern in Bangladesh. It has turned into a society cancer. It is like termite nibbling at the fabric of society. Corruption is the use of public sources for private purposes. The country is suffering from corruption since its birth in 1971. Bangladesh has clinched championship for five consecutive years as the world's most corrupted nation. It is a major challenge for the government at the moment. There are many forms of corruption in Bangladesh including bribery, smuggling, misuse of power, nepotism, deprivation of legal rights and delay in work etc. The lure of filthy lucre, desire for luxury living, etc are the urges that drive many officials to practice corruption. Corruption is frequently practiced in government offices and private companies. The police and the education departments are the cesspit of corruption nowadays. Lust for money, poverty, unemployment, social degradation, availability of arms and political patronage are also the reasons for doing corruption. A strong political will to combat corruption is a must. The government must act in unison to fight corruption.

THE 21ST FEBRUARY

The 21st February is a red letter day in our history. This day has historical importance in the history of Bangladesh. The Language Movement of 1952 paves the way to our Liberation War. Many historians think that the Language Movement was the starting point of the Liberation War . On 21st February 1952, during the time of Pakistani ruling, some valiant sons of our country laid down their lives for our mother tongue, Bangla. Since then, the day has been observed as our Shaheed Day commemorating the sacrifice of the language martyrs. But since 2000, this day has been recognized by the UNO as the International Mother Language Day. And so the importance of the 21st February has become greater. However, 21st February is now observed all over the world as a memorable day. In our country it is observed as a national mourning day. The National Flag is hoisted half mast to mark the day. On this day people of all classes walking up early in the morning bring out a procession called Probhat Ferry. Everybody in the procession walk bare footed and sing the sad song, "Amar bhaeer rakte rungano...... Amiki Bholite Pari.." They put on black badges on their breast or shoulder and go in procession to the Shaheed Minar. They express their respect to the martyrs by offering flowers and wreath at the foot of the Shaheed Minar. They also arrange meetings and seminars to mark the day. Our newspapers bring out special features of the day. The TV and radio put up special program highlighting the significance of the day. In fact the significance of the day in our national life is very great.

SOUND POLLUTION

Pollution is probably the most talked word of the world. It is in fact the process of making the elements of the environment dirty or harmful. Our environment is polluted in various ways and forms. Sound pollution is one of the forms of environmental pollution. It refers to the intolerable level of sound. The normal tolerance limit of sound is 45 decibels. When sound exceeds this limit, it becomes polluted. Sound pollution is created due to many reasons. The main reasons are rapid growth of population, increasing use of machines, vehicle horns, indiscriminate use of microphones etc. The effects of sound pollution are serious. It affects our daily life badly. It is very harmful for the patients. It interrupts the attention of study of the students. Often it makes people aggressive. People may also go completely mad due to sound pollution. So, it is a bare necessity that we stop sound pollution at any cost. To prevent sound pollution some places are declared 'silent zone'. Silent zone means a place where there is little or no sound. In other words, high sound is prohibited in such areas. Library, hospital etc. are such places. We can control sound by careful town planning and developing public awareness. The law enforcing agencies can also play a vital role in this regard.

DENGUE FEVER

Dengue fever is a viral fever. No other fever is so dangerous as this. Aedes is a kind of mosquito that carries this virus. It lays eggs on clean and standing water. It also lays eggs on standing water of the plastic bottles, plastic pots, tires, coconut shells, etc. If an Aedes mosquito bites anybody, dengue virus gets into his body. The person attacked with dengue fever feels severe pain in the whole body. He feels headache, nausea, dizziness and gets red spots at different parts of the body. He also gets temperature of 104 - 105 degree Fahrenheit of dengue fever. The victim should drink much water and take a lot of vitamin C. He should consult a doctor immediately and take medicine accordingly. To prevent this disease people should be aware of the danger of disease. They must keep their surrounding clean. They must not allow any water stand in the house for 2-3 days. Check up the pitchers and other sources where water remains stagnant for days.

INTERNET

Internet is the latest medium of communication. This is a speedy system of transmitting information with the help of computer and computer networks. Internet is regarded a milestone of the modern world of communication. It is, in fact, a network of communication. In Bangladesh internet has opened a new dimension in our communication system. Both BTTB and our government have taken active initiatives for its better implementation in our country. The use of internet in our country is still limited and costly. Modern age is the age of information. Information is stored and we find them through internet. Now the world of commerce has been changed by it. Internet based e-commerce has become most popular to many customers because they can buy or choose anything without going to a market. Educational institutions are also taking its advantages. Many students are communicating with their teachers, libraries and among themselves with the help of internet. One each student will have access to internet and take its maximum benefits.

IMPORTANCE OF RADIO

The importance of radio in our lives is very great. It has been entertaining people from mid-20th century. It influences our lives in many ways. It broadcasts educational, cultural, political, religious, meteorological programs and so on. By listening to the radio, people can be aware of these. In developing countries like ours: radio, television, computer and some other instruments have become the media of entertainment. But it is a matter of sorrow that very few people in towns and cities listen to the radio. Specially rural people are interested to listen to the radio. In rural areas, it has become a kind of companion medium. Rural people buying a radio or a transistor feel very proud. In a word, radio plays a very important role in influencing our lives.

PRICE HIKE

The term price-hike refers to the soaring price of the daily commodities. Price hike is a burning issue at present in Bangladesh. There are a number of causes behind soaring price of the daily necessities. With the growth of population there is always a shortage of the production of the daily necessities like rice, milk, fish, meat, vegetables, oils, etc. This deficit in the production of the daily necessities causes their price rise. Apart from this many dishonest businessmen hoard these products in their godowns and create artificial want in the market for extra profits to become rich overnight. The govt is not strict to bring these dishonest businesses into book and punish them. Besides the govt policy for controlling price is not effective. There is also no proper mechanism to fix price for a product. As a result, the poor and lower middle class people suffer intolerably. They cannot afford to buy nutritious food like milk, fish, egg, meat, etc. to meet their daily necessities. Many poor villagers cannot afford to manage three square meals a day. They suffer intolerably due to malnutrition and other diseases. Many even die as they do not get medical facilities. So how can nation prosper if its citizens do not get proper food and medical facilities? So it is high time that the govt took steps to control price-hike to mitigate the suffering of the common people. They should also take punishable measures against the illegal hoarders of the daily necessities. Above all awareness among people about the price-hike is a must. They should raise their voice against the unreasonable price rise of the daily commodities.

SUBSTANCE OF SOWING

Sowing is a beautiful poem written by Edward Thomas. In this poem the poet describes a day of sowing. It was a perfect day for sowing. In a good season the farmer ploughed his land for sowing seeds. He grained the dry soil as tobacco dust. He went to the field in the early morning and worked there for a day long. Then in the evening when the evening star was seen and owl's chuckling was heard, he returned home.

THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH

The man who makes spades, rakes, hoes and other iron tools with iron in a village smithy is called a village blacksmith. He works in his small, poor-looking hut. He is found everywhere in our country. So he is well known to us. His smithy is in a bazaar or at his own house. Generally his smithy stands under a spreading mango tree or a banyan tree. He is a mighty man with his large and heavy hands. His muscles are as strong as iron bands. His face is brownish because he works sitting by the fire. His dress is always dirty. He is very hard-working. He works from down to dusk. He has no time to gossip with others. He earns whatever he can. He owes nobody. He lives through honest means. A blacksmith generally works with a forge and bellow. The blow from the bellow makes the forge brighter. This makes the piece of iron redder and thus the blacksmith gives it the demanded shape with strokes of a hummer. The school going boys and girls are very fond of this smithy. They go to the smithy to catch the burning forge and hear the sound of bellows. He makes our necessary things. After days work he passes his night through a sound sleep.

WATER HYACINTH

Water hyacinth is a bulbous plant that grows in water in a very large amount. It has narrow green leaves and large flowers. Most of the people think that it is good for nothing. But water hyacinths can easily be put to many uses. By collecting and then drying them in the sun. We can make them into very good fertilizer. We often do it. If the water hyacinths are mixed with other thing like old leaves. It is even better. This fertilizer is especially useful for the vegetables. We can use water hyacinth in many other ways. We can make chairs, tables, and other pieces of furniture with it. We can even make paper from it. So water hyacinth is not so useless as people think it is.

CHILD LABOR

Child labor is the worst form of violation of human rights. It is a serious problem in the developing countries. Bangladesh has a staggering number of child laborers. This practice of child labor in our country shows the aggravated face of poverty. They are deprived of the basic human rights like food, cloth, education, medical facilities, etc. When they are supposed to go to school carrying school bags on their shoulder they are carrying the loads of the works. They work at various workplaces like hostels, tea stalls, engineering workshops, etc. Some also work as street hawkers and domestic helps. They are exploited and ill-treated. Their employers deprive them of their due payments. Some even are paid under rates. They work from morning till night in hazardous environment, but are deprived of their employers' love and sympathy. They cannot manage to get nutritious food and sufficient cloth. As a result they suffer from malnutrition and get affected with a number of diseases. They lead inhuman life. The government should come forward to protecting their rights. They should rehabilitate them. At the same time the govt. should make laws against child labor that no children below the age of fourteen should be employed for any form of labor by the private employers. Thus taking the above steps we can get our society rid of this evil practice.

DRUG ADDICTION

Drug is usually used as medicine to cure diseases. But sometimes it is taken by some people as a habit of getting amusement. This habit of taking harmful drug is called drug addiction. The people who take drug cannot stop taking it. There are some reasons behind this addiction. Some people take drugs to forget their painful past or present. Some people take drugs as pursuit of pleasure. There is also another type of people who at first take drugs as fun but afterwards it turns into an addiction for them. The effects of drug addiction are very harmful and serious. The health of the addicts breaks down. The addicts lose their mental power and courage. They lose their social status and the love of their near and dear ones as well. Everybody ignores and detests them. Various kinds of diseases grasp them. They suffer from amnesia, insomnia, nausea, physical weakness, blood pressure and from many other fatal diseases. Their lungs, kidneys and livers also get damaged. So, it should be stopped. The drug addiction can be checked by creating social awareness through various ways. Above all, strict laws must be enforced on the drug businessmen and drug smugglers.

MOBILE PHONE

We live in the age of science and technology. Mobile phone is one of the wonderful inventions of modern science and technology. Mobile phone is a scientific device by which we can communicate with others. This communication system is operated without any wire. Nowadays, we can not think even for a day without mobile phone. The consumers of mobile phone are increasing day by day. Though people are getting benefits, mobile phone sometimes becomes the cause of health hazards. It causes brain tumors, genetic damage and many other incurable diseases. Invisible uncontrolled radioactivity of the mobile phones causes irreparable damage to human body. But it is a matter of great regret that most people are not aware of disadvantages of mobile phone. If a user continues his/her conversations more than two minutes, the "blood brain balance" gets damaged. The blood pressure gets high and red blood cells are damaged, if a person is continuously exposed to radiation caused by cellular phone. Using cellular phone is also harmful to the pregnant women. So, the authority should have an official ban on using mobile phone by children and pregnant women. If mobile phone is used in a controlled way, it will do more benefits to us.

OUR SCHOOL MAGAZINE

The school magazine plays an important role in school life. It is different from a popular or literary journal as it contains mainly the articles of the students. It is usually annual or bi-annual. The editor of the school magazine is a teacher and the assistant editors are always chosen from among the students. The magazine helps the students to express their feelings and creative powers. Thus it becomes a training ground in literary composition and talent is discovered even in most the expected quarters. A student feels proud and happy when he finds his writing in print. In fact, the school magazine is the first stepping stone for the future writers. Moreover, it is a link between the past and the present students of the school.

A STREET HAWKER

A street hawker is a common sight in towns and cities. He is the vendor of a variety of things. He is found moving from street to street and from morning till sunset. He carries his things sometimes on his head, sometimes in his hands and sometimes in a small van. He sells toys, bangles, ribbons, clothes, sweets, fruits, utensils, fancy goods, things of domestic uses and what not. He is usually a cleaver fellow. He carries things for children that will attract children and for women that will attract the notice of women. While passing through the street he makes a peculiar cry to attract the attention of his customers. Sometimes he puts on a traditional dress. Sometimes he sings and dances to draw the attention of his customer. In fact, he is very little earning man and lives from hand to mouth. However, he is a very useful person who supplies the city and town dwellers with various necessary things.

A TEA STALL

A tea stall is a common sight in our country Bangladesh. It is found in cities, towns, bazaars, railway stations, bus stands and even in villages. It is a small shop. In a tea stall there are few chairs, tables and benches. Prepared tea is sold here. Biscuits, cakes, bananas, loaves, betel leaf and cigarettes are also sold here. There is often a boy or two to serve tea to the customers. The manager sits behind the cash box and collects money from the customers. An ordinary tea stall is dirty. A kettle is always kept hot on the stove. A tea stall opens in the morning and closes late night. A tea stall is popular place. People of different ages and classes come here. They take tea and talk with one another. They discuss on various subjects. They also talk on village politics, national and international politics and on current affairs. Sometimes customers raise a storm over a cup of tea. A tea stall is an important place of social gathering indeed.

A MAGICIAN

A magician is an exceptional man. He is known to all because of his amazing works. He presents his magic to people and make them spell bounded. Everybody gets very excited to see his magical tricks. He is able to do many impossible things. He does not use any spell words but learn some tricks which are totally followed by scientific theories. Generally people think him empowered with spiritual or special power. They get amusement and wish to get those powers. As a magician is a human and lives in the society, he needs money to lead him and his family. But he has no such power to make money. He has to earn money displaying his magic on the stages. The magicians try to relieve the audience from the monotony of the bustling life for a moment at least. He is clapped, honored and thanked by the audience. A magician always tries to teach the people through his magical tricks. He wants to inspire people and makes them energetic for works and high ambitious. He sometime tries to make the world a dreamland, where there are no sorrows and sufferings. Actually there is something to learn from the activities of him that we have to learn how to make this earth peaceful and remove the vices from mankind.

WOMEN'S POWER

About 50% percent of the total population of Bangladesh are women. In modern civilized world no nation can succeed in the development of the country without women's participation. Women's contribution to the development of a nation is worth mentioning. They play a significant role in the nation building activities. Here about 50% of the total population are women. Naturally its not possible for us to ensure prosperity without the participation of the women. In the past their role was confident as a mother, wife or house maker. But today women are working hand in hand with men in all spheres of life. Now they work almost in every development of govt. They are serving the country being pilots, administrators, traders and so on. A good number of women work in poultry farms, cattle rearing farms and hatcheries almost all over Bangladesh. In the garment factories 90% of the workers are women. Day by day the women's workforce is becoming wider. If they are given education facilities and proper training, they will turn into skilled women power and play a glorious role in our national economy. But in some cases, women in our country are victims to dowry system, acid throwing or other physical and mental torture. So, for the greater interest of the nation, people of all walks of life should protect women's right.

LOAD-SHEDDING

Load-shedding is a common affair to the people of under developing countries. Load-shedding means the discontinuation in the supply of electricity. It occurs when the supply of power is less than the demand. It also occurs for the imbalanced distribution of electricity. Nowadays load-shedding has become a fatal problem day to day life. Houses, mills, factories, shops and hospitals fall victims to load-shedding. Mills and factories remain unmoving. Workers become idle. Industrial production declines. Students suffer in their studies. The housewives keep waiting in the kitchen. The audience in the cinema halls spend many weary hours with panting hearts. People return home after finishing their day's work only to enter into a dark den. The food kept in the refrigerators gets rotten. The commodities preserved in cold storage get spoiled. Thus load-shedding creates various hazards in our social and economic life. Our entire life becomes to a standstill owing to load-shedding. If we cannot stop load-shedding, we will lag behind in all respects. So, the authority should take proper steps to remove this dire problem.

WATER POLLUTION

Water is a very essential element of human environment. It is a liquid substance. It is a compound of Hydrogen and Oxygen. It is an essential element of nature because it saves all kinds of lives of the earth. Clean water is healthful but when it is polluted, it is very harmful. It can be polluted in many ways. It is polluted by waste and filth. Water is polluted by using chemical fertilizers and various insecticides in the land. When mills and factories throw their waste products into rivers and canals, water become polluted. Again motor launches, steamers pollute water by throwing oil. By drinking this polluted water we often get sick and finally die. So, we should prevent water pollution. Water can be purified by boiling it and using purifying tablets. We cannot live without pure water. Above all, for a healthier and a happier life we should drink pure water. 

THE WAR OF LIBERATION

Bangladesh has a glorious history for the War of Liberation. It has a rich traditional cultural heritage of centuries old. It also has a heroic and glorious background behind its birth as an independent and sovereign nation. It was first a part of the undivided India. When India was divided into two independent nations on the basis of religion in 1947 from the British rulers as India and Pakistan, Bangladesh became a part of Pakistan. Then it was known as East Pakistan. Again in 1971 Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation in the world fighting a bloody war against the oppressive Pakistani rulers. More than three millions heroic sons of our soil sacrificed their lives. From the beginning of the division Pakistani rulers started to impose illegal orders on our people of East Pakistan. They oppressed us in every sector. Then, in 1969 there raised a revolt against the tyranny and misrule of the Pakistani rulers. The people of Bangladesh ultimately had to fight to protect their existence. The Pakistani armed forces pounded on the unarmed civilians of Dhaka in the black night of 25^th March in 1971. The brutality of the genocide by the Pak army took away more than three millions lives of the people of our soil. The war lasted for nine months. A sea of blood had to shed to become victorious over the Pak army. Finally an Allied Force was formed with Indian army to liberate Bangladesh as a free and independent nation. The Pak army surrendered on 5^th December 1971. 16^th December 1971 was celebrated as the victory Day and thus we emerged as an independent in 1971. 

POLLUTION

Pollution means a remarkable change in chemical, physical and biological composition of environment. It has become a serious problem in our country and also many other developing and under developing countries in the world. In our cities, the air is constantly being polluted by smoke from factories and motor vehicles. The carbon monoxide gases emitted from these sources are also harmful for the human beings and other animals of the environment. The ground surface we walk on in both urban and rural areas is also being polluted by uncollected garbage. Water is being polluted particularly as a result of untreated sewage. Industrial waste and insecticides alarmingly pollute water. The another form of pollution is sound pollution. We have noise from motor vehicles, mills and factories, airplanes, domestic appliance, radio, cassette player and so on. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we take are not always absolutely pure and hygienic for health. Environmental pollution leads us to the way of death. So to live a happy and healthy life, environmental pollution must be checked. And for this, effective steps should be taken immediately. The steps should be taken to aware the mass people about the harmful affects of pollution.

THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL AT SAVAR IN BANGLADESH

The National Memorial is situated at Savar near Dhaka. It has a great importance to the people of Bangladesh. It has a symbolical meaning and significance to our nation. For this, the nation stands upright among the nations of the world. It symbolizes the heart-felt respect of the general people towards the most honorable martyrs of the War of Liberation. Though it is 150 feet tall, the martyrs whom it stands for are more greatly taller than this. It is an extraordinary achievement although the dimension of it can be measured. It stands for an achievement which is immeasurable. Three millions patriotic and brave people of Bangladesh sacrificed their lives in order to liberate the beloved motherland from the oppressors. The Monument has been built in honour of the valiant sons of the country. The National Memorial is 150 feet by height standing on a base measuring 130 feet. The sight of the several graves in front of the monument makes us emotional and creates the feelings of glory in the mind of the people of the nation. The relics of the museum reminds the people who visit it about the valiant struggle of the war and indicates that the oppressors are always defeated though the weapons of liberation war need not be very big.