We are thankful to Lee Goldman & AISD

By Sujon
Nari Jibon Development Foundation depends on private donation as it is providing skill trainings (Computer, English, Tailoring and Non formal Adult Education) to the underprivileged women & girls from the March 2005. Students pay very nominal fee for these courses. Due to world economic crisis and health problem of main donor (Dr. Kathryn B Ward, Professor, Department of Sociology, SIU at Carbondale) and some other reasons Nari Jibon is facing serious financial crisis. While it was near to close the volunteer English Teacher of Nari Jibon Lee Goldman and some of her colleagues/students donated to continue Nari Jibon activities as they think that the skill training programs of Nari Jibon are more effective to the Bangladeshi women.
On March 27 the American International School of Dhaka (AISD) hosted a running event called the Step-Up Relays in which teams of four people ran a series of laps around Baridhara. Teams consisted of students, parents, school staff, and other community members. Each team paid a registration fee, and all proceeds from the event were donated to Nari Jibon.

Lee Goldman & some AISD students with Nari Jibon staff

At an earlier event on Dec.13, 2008, AISD held another athletic event called the Splash-n-Dash, a duathalon in which participants swam 400m and ran 4km. In some cases a swimmer and runner joined together to form a team to complete the duathalon. Again, the participants paid a registration fee and all proceeds went to Nari Jibon.

Lee Goldman and some AISD students teach English Spoken to Nari Jibon students in every Friday.

YouTube and Some File Sharing Sites Blocked In Bangladesh

Cross posted from The 3rd world view

Internet users in Bangladesh are not able to access YouTube since Friday (March 6, 2009) evening. Soon people discovered that other Social Media and file hosting/sharing sites like Esnips, mediafire etc. were also not accessible. Apparently these are blocked by the firewalls at IIG (International Internet Gateway) as these can be accessed by proxy.

Torpon appeals to the Bangladesh government not to takeaway the freedom of internet after providing some proofs of the filtering:

ঢাকায় ইউটিউবে ঢুকতে গিয়ে টাইম আউট হয়ে যাচ্ছিল দেখে অনেকে ভাবছিলেন যে ইউটিউবের সার্ভারের সমস্যা । এরপর দেখা যাচ্ছিল যে ইস্নিপস্ এও ঢোকা যাচ্ছে না । তখন সন্দেহ করা হলো যে সমস্যাটি অন্য কোন খানে । কোথাও ডেটা ব্লক হয়ে যাচ্ছে । প্রমাণ ছাড়া সরকার কে দোষ দেয়াটা অযৌক্তিক । কিন্তু অল্প কিছু সময়ের মধ্যে অভিজ্ঞ বাংলাদেশী নেটওয়ার্ক ইঞ্জিনিয়াররা বিভিন্ন জায়গা থেকে জানালেন সরকারী কোন সার্ভারের ফায়ারওয়ালে ইউটিউব সহ অনেক গুলো সাইট ব্লক করা হয়েছে।

While accessing YouTube from Dhaka a 'time out error' was being returned and people thought there was something wrong with YouTube Server. Soon people found out that they could not access E-snips (a file sharing site). So people feared that somewhere the data is being blocked. It is not logical to blame the government without proof and logic. But soon IT experts and network engineers from all over Bangladesh notified that YouTube and a few other sites are being blocked by a firewall in some government server.

বাংলাদেশ লিনাক্স ইউজার গ্রুপের সার্ভার থেকে গুগল, ইউটিউব এবং ইস্নিপসের সাইটে ট্রেসরাউট কমান্ড দিয়ে দেখা গেছে, গুগল ঠিকই পৌছে যাচ্ছে গুগলের সার্ভারে কিন্তু বাকি দুটো আটকে গেছে বিটিটিবির ফায়ার ওয়ালে।

When traceroute command was executed from the Bangladesh Linux user group server targeting Google, YouTube and E-snips sites the result showed that Google server could be reached but the other two were being stuck at BTTB Firewall.

Mango and BTCL (formerly BTTB) are the official IIGs (International Internet Gateway) in Bangladesh. Starting last April, by regulation, all Bangladeshis ISPs have to route their international traffic to either Mango, or BTCL, who send the traffic over either the submarine cable or the vsats.

The YouTube ban was confirmed [bn] by a Bangla Newspaper Prothom Alo. Twitter user Mahay Alam Khan reports on the ban on more sites.

mahayalamkhan: youtube, eSnips, midiafire, filefreak, upload-mp3 are banned or blocked in Bangladesh. Please, re-twitt.

Russell John speculates why the ban was executed:

Why did the Government do this? It's because of an audio recording that could "damage" the reputation of our great Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. For now they blocked YouTube and eSnips, but in the future there might be more sites. Maybe Facebook too? People shares a lot of stuff there.

After the recent BDR mutiny and massacre of army officers in Dhaka the Prime Minister met the aggrieved army officers in a confidential closed door meeting at Shenakunja where no press or outsiders were allowed. The conversions in the meeting and cellphone video recordings were leaked out, uploaded and shared using many file sharing sites including E-snips and YouTube. Unheard Voice blog discusses the issue of the leaked audio files which are being used by some quarters to create some political bickering and malign the army and the Prime Minister.

Dark ocean needs a lighthouse says:

If Bangladesh Govt thinks Internet is like Cellphone service then they are living in fools' paradise. There are many ways people can bypass the blockage. [..] In this particular case anyone can use Anonymous proxy and bypass firewall!

Youtube, eSnips etc are very common and useful services. If Bangladesh Govt think any particular Audio and Video harmful for our society they could directly request Youtube to remove them. Such wild blockage is not only stupidity but also raises question about Govt's intention.

Some bloggers like Kayes Mahmud are providing proxy links so that others can access the blocked contents. Razon Sun points out that the contents of the meeting at Shenakunjo have already been published in a local newspaper [bn]. So there is actually no logic to block the internet. It may be mentioned here that Bangladeshis outside Bangladesh can easily access to these contents, which can be downloaded and shared by email.

Sushanta says:

প্রচারনা বন্ধ করার আগে দেখেন কিভাবে এটা রেকর্ড হলো? প্রথমে কোন সাইটে এটা আপ্লোড হয়েছে। সেনাকুঞ্জের সভার ভিডিও টা দেখেন ভালো করে কোন সেনা কর্মকর্তা মোবাইল হাতে চুপেচাপে রেকর্ডিং করছে। এটা ধরা তেমন কঠিন কাজ না।

Before trying to block the audio/videos please see how it was recorded and where it was first uploaded. Please check the video of the Shenakunja meeting to pin point who recorded it. It is not hard to find out.

Russell vents his frustration:

What's ironical is that it's the same Government that talks about "Digital Bangladesh" all the time. We now know what Digital Bangladesh is like.

Now the question is how to unblock YouTube and other file sharing sites in Bangladesh. We have seen in previous cases that the authorities do not recognize that such bans were carried out in the first place shifting the blame to technical glitches. In the absence of 'Right To Information Act' it is hard for a common citizen to ask why it was done. We hope that the authorities will unblock all these sites to prevent more controversies and bad publicity for the government.

Nari Jibon Development Foundation has set up Volunteer Peer Educators group to promote awareness on HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence, Early Marriage etc

By Golam Rabbany Sujon

Nari Jibon Development Foundation is providing skill training programs and awareness activities from March 2005. Nari Jibon offers Bengali, English, Tailoring and Computer Micro Soft Office program, Photography and Graphic design classes to the young underprivileged women & girls in Bangladesh. Students pay very nominal registration fee for these courses. Nari Jibon also generated two blog sites (English and Bangla) by the students and staff and in this medium students can also increase their knowledge, English and computer skills. At Nari Jibon cyber café (women only) students can receive cyber services in a safe environment. Students from different communities come to Nari Jibon classes for receiving these courses such as different educational institutes, house holds, dropout garment workers, residence based sex workers spots, different beauty parlors and NGOs etc. Nari Jibon development Foundation used to provide awareness activities through workshop/seminars, discussion meeting, counseling and writing competition/blogging articles and outreach on the necessity of job skill training, HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence and End violence against women, Early Marriage and Dowry Demand etc. Some staff of NJDF motivated students trained and established a group of students who are supposed to work as Volunteer Peer Educators to their respective communities on the above issues especially HIV/AIDS and Domestic Violence as Nari Jibon students and staffs think that younger women are more vulnerable to these issues and adolescents can act a great role to prevent these issues. On the other hand these are the major and vital problem in Bangladesh. The following students received training and working as Peer Educators (with their voice):

Farzana Akter Tuli

My name is Farzana Akter Tuli and I am 24 years old. I am studying in Master’s first year in Begum Badrunnesa College. Besides I am also taking courses on English and Computer Ms Office Program from Nari Jibon Development Foundation.
I want to establish myself as a self reliant woman in our society. Being motivated from NJDF I am working as volunteer peer educator as we know HIV/AIDS is global problem and it has no treatment. I think we (young people) can reduce the problem if we are aware. Almost same way we can stop domestic violence, early marriage, dowry system from our society as we create this problem and this is possible only increasing awareness amongst us. I think we everyone should work to remove this from our socie

Jannatul Ferdouse Nargish

I am Jannatul Ferdose Nargish and I am 18 years old. Now I am reading honors 1st year in Govt. Titumir College in management. I completed Ms. Office Program course and English Course from Nari Jibon and now I am learning on Graphic Design Course.
In future I want to work in a Bank. AIDS is a dangerous and fatal disease in the world. Though Bangladesh is low prevalence but we are in great risk. I think we everyone should be aware about this dangerous disease and thus we can prevent it. I have already started to work as a volunteer peer educator and I think all the young people should start to work against spreading HIV/AIDS. We also should work together to stop violence against women, Child Marriage and Dowry system. I think younger people can keep great role to solve

Feroza Begum Poly

I am Feroza Akter Poly and I am 24 years old. Now I am reading in class HSC under Open University.
I have completed English, Computer Ms Office Program, Hardware and Business Management from Nari Jibon Development Foundation.
Now I am founder of Mukto Behango Cooperative Society and I am working there as joint Secretary. Many women are engaged with this co-operative Society and we are running business of spicy, candle and some other handmade goods.
Still now I come to NJDF office to use cyber café as I am a blogger too. Being motivated by NJDF staff I have started to work as volunteer Peer Educator as think if young people can organized we can solve many difficulties. Due to scarcity of prevention awareness many people affecting HIV/AIDS. We should to care everyone just now and stop spreading out. I also agreed that if we can organize we can stop domestic violence, early child marriage and dowry system from Bangladesh.

Rahima Akter Hira

I am Rahima Akter Hira and I am 23 years old. I am studying at Eden Mohila College in second year in Bachelor of Arts.
I am learning English and Computer Ms Office Program, Graphic Design and Photography. In future I want to be a Photographer.
I have started to increase awareness in Domestic Violence, prevention information on HIV/AIDS as we can prevent this only increasing awareness. I think younger people can contribute more to prevent these from our country and every people should work for promoting awareness on these serious harmful issues.

Jannat ara Amzad

My name is Jannat ara Amzad. I am 19 years old. I am reading at Begum Badrunnesa Sarkari Mohila College honors first year in Bengali.
I have learned English and Computer Ms Office Program and now I am learning photography at Nari Jibon Development Foundation.
I have started to increase awareness on HIV/AIDS and Domestic Violence to my classmate friends and young relatives as a volunteer peer educator. I think every awareness young people should work to promote awareness on these issues and thus we can prevent dangerous issues.

Nawshin Tarannum Tushil

My name is Nawshin Tarannum Tushil and I am 21 years old. I am reading at Shiddeshary Degree College second year in Bachelor of Arts.
I have completed learning English and Computer Ms Office Program in Nari Jibon Development Foundation. Now I am learning Graphic Design Course at NJDF. My future plan is to be a teacher.
I would like to work as volunteer peer educator to promote awareness on HIV/AIDS and Domestic Violence to the younger students of my college and friend circles. I think we all (young people) should work to stop HIV/AIDS epidemic, Domestic Violence, Early Marriage and Dowry system. And thus we can stop these harmful issues from our society.

Surma Akter

My name is Surma Akter and I am 22 years old. Now I am studying second year in Bachelor of Arts at Shiddeshary Degree College.
I have completed learning English and Ms Office Program Course from Nari Jibon Development Foundation. Now I am taking Graphic Design course from there.
My future plan is to be a lawyer.
Being motivated I have started to work as a volunteer Peer Educator to promote awareness knowledge on HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence and to stop Early marriage. I think only awareness activities can reduce this epidemic from our society and we (young people) have responsibilities to prevent these. Hadiya Akter
My name is Hadiya Akter and I am about 20 years old. At present I am studying in honors second year in Bengali at Shahid Shohrawardi College. My aim in life is to work as a teacher.
Besides I am also learning English and Computer Ms Office Program at Nari Jibon Development Foundation.
Being motivated I am working as a volunteer peer educator to increase awareness to my classmate friend circles on HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence and Child marriage. I think if we can make aware young people in our society we’ll be able to reduce these harmful issues from our society.

Tamanna Dilshad

I am Tamanna Dilshad and I am 18 years 7 months year old. Now I am studying in honors first year in Management at Govt. Eden Mohila College. I want to take a job in the Bank.
I am learning English and Computer Ms Office Program course from Nari Jibon Development Foundation.
I have started to work as a volunteer peer educator to promote awareness on HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence and stopping Child marriage from our society. I think if we can create awareness to the young people in our society we’ll be able to reduce these dangerous issues from our country. We also need to work together to promote awareness to the every community in our country.

Sharban Tahura

My name is Sharban Tahura and I am 20 years old. I am reading in honors first year in Accounting at Shahid Shohrawardi College. In future I want to work in any Bank.
I am also learning English and Computer Ms Office Program at Nari Jibon Development Foundation.
I am very appreciated to work as volunteer educator to increase awareness on some vulnerable issues in our society. As HIV/AIDS is global problem and it is incurable, we should work together to prevent this to promote awareness amongst younger people. I think we can also reduce Early Marriage and Dowry system from society to create awareness on these issues from our society.

Ferdouse ara Uzma

My name is Ferdouse ara Uzma and I am 18 years old. Now I am reading at intermediate first year at Sheddeshary Girls College. My future plan is to be Computer Engineer.
Now I am learning English and Computer Ms Office Program at Nari Jibon Development Foundation. Being motivated I have started to work as volunteer peer educator at my college campus. I want to promote awareness on HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence and Early Marriage as I think we can prevent these issues to increase awareness. I also think young people can contribute more to reduce these harmful issues from our society.

Narijibon students/bloggers celebrated Pahela Falgun-3

After previous >>

In the Pahela Falgun celebration program, Jannatul Fardoush danced with one of the popular Bengali songs Bristi pore tapor tapor (pattering noise as of rain falling).

Narijibon students/bloggers celebrated Pahela Falgun-2

After previous >>

Israt Jahan and Sonia Akter danced with one of the romantic Bengali songs chupi-chupi bolo.

Narijibon students/bloggers celebrated Pahela Falgun

13th February was the first day of spring. Spring, this season brings color and festivities in the minds of people, lighting up the hearts of all age and life and living. Narijibon bloggers arranged a programme of several events with traditional songs, dance and recite poems to celebrated Pahela Falgun. They started their programme with one of most popular Rabindra Sangeet “Aha aje a basanta”(aha in this spring) watch more from video…

On the 1st Falgun

By Mohtarimun Nahar [Bipa]

On the first Falgun, 1415 [Bengali month, year] Bengali people celebrate this day with a great joy. Many cultural programs are arranged on this day. Bengali girls & women wear Saree. People prefer yellow color based dresses on this day. From 1^st Falgun the Winter season gets to end and the king of the seasons Spring starts. The nature starts changing in new beauty. In the winter season the nature becomes rough & lifeless. After the winter the nature decorates her with new leaves & many colorful flowers. That’s why Bengali people cheer on this day and pass the day with festive & gay mood.

I also celebrate this day with my friends & family. On this 1^st Falgun I celebrate with my newly married brother & sister-in-law. We had a trip to Munshigonj by ship. We started our journey from Buriganga River and end our journey at Shitalaksha River. We went to my brother’s friend’s home. It was like a picnic. My brother’s friend arranged everything. The journey was for two hours. When we reached at Munshigonj we found many types of hand made cakes, paste of different fruits & drinks were arranged for us. At noon we had Kacchi Biriany as lunch. In the afternoon curd & tea were arranged. We passed some times at the side of Shitalaksha River. In the evening we started our journey for Dhaka. We had a great fun there. We are really grateful to my brother’s friend Mr. Jubaidur Rahman Khan for giving us a wonderful trip on 1^st Falgun.

At the Riverbank

Jubaidur Vaia with his Daughter & My Borther Bipul

I am with my sister-in-law Tithi

With my Brother

First time I went to a Far Place & Enjoyed Freely

Cross posted from Kajol

Some days ago we went to Rarikhal at Bikrompur. There are Jogodish Chondro Basu’s home, school & college. There we went total nine people. First time I went to any far place without my mother. So I really enjoyed that situation. At first every person came to our office (Nari Jibon). We went there by bus. We reached at Bikrampur within two hours. The place was very beautiful. So we took some beautiful scenery’s pictures. There we had more fun. First time I enjoyed freely. We took a Nari Jibon’s student’s mother as our guardian. Her home district is Bikrampur. We took her with us because she knows the place very well. After taking some pictures we went to Srinogor and visit the river of Padma. There we also made Fun. After that we started our journey for Dhaka. We had a great fun there. That’s why we will again make a plan to go there. I wish we will go there soon.

Pictures from Harti Culture Center

Gulshan Lake Park
Mohtarimun Nahar Bipa

Flower Garden

Dalia Flower

Salvia Flower

Calandula Flower

Flox Flower

Nastashiam Flower

The Lake

The Sun Set

Reflection of the Sun Set in the Lake

Trees at Gulshan Lake Park

A Small Bridge

Kanta & Bipa

Kanta & Bipa

Bipa

Bloggers profile (Students)

Aklima Akter Nipa












"I am Aklima Akter Nipa. I was born in 1988, 27 March. My home district is Brahmanbaria. Now I live in Dhaka with my full Family. My father’s name is Md. Kashem Khan. My father is a Businessman. My mother’s name is Sufia Begum. She is a housewife. My mother is my good friend. I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers. I love my all family members very much.

I study in BBS honors 2nd year of Accounting under national university. I like my study very much. I have lot of friends in my university. I hope I will finish my pass course with a great result. I am also a student of Nari Jibon. Here, I finished courses on English and Computer.

My favorite color is black. My favorite foods are Pollow, Chicken, Borhani, Hilsha fish. In flower I like Rose. My favorite fruit is Mango and place is my home. I am very sincere, honest but a lazy girl. I don’t like any types of noise. I like silent very much.

I like to wear Shari and salower kamise like Bangladeshi style. My favorite hobbies are stamp collecting, coin collecting, parlors work like makeup others. In my free time I like to gossip with my mother and sisters and also watch TV.

As a profession, I want to be a Banker in a government bank. So, I hope I will reach my goal as soon as possible."



Zabunnasha Lima

"My name is Zabunnasha Lima. I am a student of honors 1st year in marketing at Dhaka City College. My favorite subject is accounting. My mother’s name is Rawson Ara Begum. She is a house wife. She is my favorite person. My father’s name is late Golam Zikria. I have five sisters and I have no brother. My favorite foods are juice, Ice- cream, coke, snacks, cake etc. I like music and reading story books. In my free time I watch TV. My future plan is doing good result in my study. Then I want to be a marketing executive sector. Now I am taking courses on English and computer at Nari Jibon Development Foundation."

Narijibon bloggers: New Year resolution

Narijibon bloggers are wishing that the New Year might bring progress, prosperity, happiness, peace and success in everybody's life and some of Narijibon bloggers are sharing their New Year resolution.

Rahima Akter Hira says,

"In this year I will complete my courses on computer office program, graphic design, photography & English courses. I have another plan to do job. When I will get my certificates in all categories and then I will search job. I will also continue my study. It seems to me that learning has no age. Any one can do this in his/her life. And my New Year’s resolution is I will complete my study and pass my life peacefully."

Watch more from video...

I have many Dreams

By Shakura

Old moments have gone. Time and tide wait for none. So, we should be more conscious about this. To waste time is a great foolish. I have many dreams; which are my New Year resolution.

Firstly; I want to go to abroad and my first choice is Australia. My future plan is to be established and get settled to a developed country.

Secondly; I wish if I became a social worker or a rich person; I would help the poor people of my country.

Thirdly; Bangladesh is a small country; but a large number of people are suffering from poverty. Bangladesh has had some notable successes in reducing its poverty from maintaining a steady growth rate of 5.0 percent. In the last two years, this growth rate, according to official figures, even surpassed 6.0 percent. The optimists give suggestions our government to increase the growth rate. I am very hopeful also.

Fourthly; the job vacancy is a one of the greatest problem in our country. A lot of people have not enough property or land. So, they have to struggle for this reason. Vacancy is centralized in the town. The livelihood in a city is very expensive; which the poor people cannot able to pay. And the other side, the well-learned people are increasing day by day. But the job vacancies are not increasing much. To get an honorable job is very difficult. So, I want to go abroad. In a developed country, there are enough job vacancies, much money and other facilities. I think- life is easier than our country. For this reason, I want to go to Australia and after two years I will transfer a lot of money to develop my country. It will try to pay my money to poor people for being self-reliant. I will try my best to be self-reliant. I will try my best for this purpose in my whole life. These are my New Year resolution.

New Year Brings New Hopes

By Shahzadi

New Year brings new hopes and views. Every one thinks in different ways. Good plans and its implement make things beautiful. Every one expects for the better days.Like everyone I have some plans for better future. I have two plans- first one is I will find a suitable job and I prefer teaching career. Second one is- I want to go abroad. If I get chance to go to abroad then I will go there. Cause my brother lives in America. So I will try to find there a great future and better environment and better opportunity.

Women are very conscious now

Shahzadi

The women are abused in many ways. They are profaned by the men. When women go out some men tease them. It is shameful for us. Another shameful thing is- some young boys throw acid to girls’ faces and bodies. For this reason they are deception for the society. Some parents arrange early marriage of their daughters. Women are neglected in our society. Many men torture their wives for dowry. Some people try to kill their wives for dowry. Some husbands give divorce for money. Some men are use to drinking and coming back home at mid night. Some men have habit of gambling and when they loss money then they torture their wife. Actually women are tortured physically and mentally by husbands or in-laws. They use bad words. Their approach is very bad. It seems to me that the torturing from educated and illiterate people is different. Educated people torture mentally and illiterate people torture physically in our society. We have to improve our mentality, social awareness and financial condition. We need to do jobs. At present some women are very conscious. They are working at many places. Now they are not sitting on back bench. They are going forward.

A Hesitating Starting

Cross posted from Afrin’s Gallery

It was the first day of 2009. I hope all my reader and the people all over the world celebrate it pompously. But I could not. It was a shocking day for me. before starting new year, I always have some expectation to fulfill. This time I also have. Such as at 12 am, my first duty is to wish Allah and Hajrat Muhammad (Sm). Exactly I did. Then I tried to sleep but could not. What I slept was in opened eyes. In morning I thought to wake up at 6:15 am as I have to wish my new born sister and parents, wash myself, say my prayer and be ready for the college. But in morning, my mother suddenly said to me, “Get up, it is 7:30 am, do not you go to college?” when I was in deep sleep. I jumped and said, “What?”. In any way I wore my uniform and began running for rickshaw without eating nothing. Luckily I got a rickshaw and my rickshaw mate also. In the rickshaw I thought to wish my friend first after reaching college. But when I reached, I heard that my friend did not come. I really felt very sad. Then I faced problem in climbing stairs. I proceeded one stair and receded two stairs only because of fast. However I could climb. Then I attended the classes properly. The sixth class was going off. So I wished to eat something. I went to our college canteen to have a vegetable roll. To buy that I gave a 100 note to the seller. He checked the note and said me that the note was fake. I became astonished. Actually on 31 December, I gave a 500 note to a shopkeeper for change. He gave me five 100 note (4 was real and 1 was fake). While going to college, I took 1 note and that was the fake note. On that day I returned the note to that shopkeeper and saw that he did not check the note whether it was real or not. After reaching home I became fresh and sit to eat. I took rice, meat and pulse. When I mixed the food, my one finger slipped and some pulse spattered over my white uniform. I rubbed the place to remove the spot. But the yellow spot became purple. I feel like crying. These things was happened with me and kept me frightening. I hope these will not happen with anyone else.