My Nephew: Farhan Sidique

By Farjana Hoque

My name is Farjana Hoque. I am doing Honors under National University at Tejgaon College in Sociology. I am 23 years old.

I have a nephew, he is like my child. His name is Farhan Sidique. He is three and half years old. Recently he started to go to school. He reads in play group at Lake View International School.

Every body has a memorable day. In my life the most memorable day is that day, when Farhan was born. I can not explain that how much I was happy when he came in this world. On 4th January, 2004 he was born at 8.15 am. Every one was very happy to see him. He was so cute, still now he is very cute.

My Nephew

The next day I slept with my nephew in the hospital. He was so small. That time I felt that, I was living in the heaven. Then I could not felt any sorrow or any tension. Even now I do not know why I was feeling like that.

I always remember the first day when he started to speak. He used to make us understand his feelings by his unclear words and accent. It sounded very nice. Now he calls me “Tina Ma”. I feel very happy when he calls me by this name.

He is very intelligent boy. He can play video game on computer. Whole day he remains very busy in various works. Everyone of his family have to remain busy with him. He is the dearest little member of our family.

Me with my nephew

He likes to go out very much. So some times we go out. Some time we play computer games, watch TV, read books and draw pictures and do many other things. He likes to watch cartoon. None can change the TV channel when he watches cartoon. Sometime he tells us various kinds of stories.

He does not live with me. He lives with his family at Rampura. So I can not spend much time with him. But when I get time I go to their home and pass some nice time with him. Every day I talk to him on phone for a long time.

I always miss him and he also misses me. I would like to say that Farhan is my world. He is the cutest child in the world to me.

Bloggers profile (Students)

Anukona Baroy

"My Name is Anukona Baroy. My birth place is Kalapara in Patuakhaly district. My date of birth is 27th September 1984. I passed my childhood in Patuakhaly.

My father’s name is Mr. Bipul Chonara Baroy and my mother’s name is late Anita Baroy. My father is a retire officer. We are three brothers and four sisters.

I completed Secondary School Certificate in 2000 and Higher Secondary Certificate in 2003. Now I am doing pathology training course and also taking courses in English and computer from Nari Jibon.

My favorite hobby is traveling and shopping. I like to read books of Shomoresh Mozumdar.

After finishing my study I will be a good medical pathologist. I know about Nari Jibon from one of my friends. Now I am a student of English and Computer Office Program in Nari Jibon Project.

The Nari Jibon is a nice organization for the girls and women. It works to develop their alternative skills. It helps women to buildup their skills. I am very much glad to be a part of this organization. I hope Nari Jibon project will increase day by day. I like Nari Jibon Project very much."

Sufia Khatun

"My name is Sufia Khatun. I was born on 20th November, in 1986. My birth place is Dhaka. My father is very old and he cannot do any thing. My mother is a house wife. I have two sisters and one brother. My brother is a garment employee. My family depends on his income.

I completed my Secondary School Certificate from Sharongodia Girls School, under Jessor board, in 2002 and Higher Secondary Certificate from Sripur Moliha College, under Jessor board in 2004.

My country is Bangladesh. It is a beautiful country. My favorite place is my native village ‘Sharongodia’.

My hobby is traveling. I want to do computer related job. It is my future plan. I am also a student of Nari Jibon Project. Here I am doing courses on spoken English and computer.

Nari Cyber Café is the most important part in this organization. That is only for girls and women. They can practice their learning lessons and browse here.

I knew about blog site after coming at Nari Jibon. It’s a new part of our life and it’s a very interesting. Through this blog site we can share our culture and peoples life to other countries. As a new writer I am trying my best to write something. I am very happy to be a part of Nari Jibon Project."

Mony is singing a Bengali song

By Taslima Akter

Shahida Islam Mony is a student of Nari Jibon Computer section. She is singing one of her favorite Bengali song at Nari Jibon.

Dowry System in Bangladesh

By Nurunnahar Islam Munni

Bangladesh is a development country. In this country there are many kinds of unpleasant customs. Dowry is the most common unpleasant custom of those. It creates many problems. It is against the success of our country.

Through this custom the bride has to give a large amount of money, furniture, ornaments and many things to the bridegroom. It is a very terrible situation for the society. Women & their family suffer a lot for this dowry system.

I think poverty, illiteracy, narrow mentality, negative attitude to the women, dependence on husband and living on their income, social corruption etc are the main cause of dowry. Some time bridegroom wants money to do business or want to make his life settle with that money. In the village if brides are not beautiful to look at or if they get late married then they are to give a lot of money as dowry to the bridegroom.

It is a much unexpected situation for the bride’s family members. They are to collect a huge amount of money for their daughters’ or sisters’ marriage. Sometime they are to take loan, sell their lands, furniture, ornaments and even their own house to collect the money. They are to lose many things and face many problems for this dowry system.

We saw that women are tortured when they can not give any money to their husband. Some time we hear and see in the newspaper that some women are killed, some are hung and some are burnt by their husband, in-law’s family members and others.

For this dowry system divorce, doing suicide, mental and physical tortures, number of broken family are increasing day by day. It is also affecting on the new generation. They can not give attention in their education; can not contribute in any development activities. It hampers their mental development.

This custom is very disgraceful for our country. So we should try hard to remove this system from our country. There are some laws to remove it. But we can not apply them properly. We have to try to use these laws properly. There should be more steps on women’s right in our Law system. We should change our outlook, mentality by our Law rules. Narrow mentality of the greedy people should be changed and a hard punishment should be given to them.

But good thing is that, at present our Government is aware about it. Therefore this system is changing. In the past it was so high in our country. Now we have a law that who will give dowry and take dowry--- all will be known as a criminal. So if we stop giving dowry then I think that this system will be end soon.

Bloggers profile (Students)

Salma Akter

"I am Salma Ater. I am 26 years old. I was born on 30th June 1980 in Dhaka. I have five members in my family. They are my father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, my husband and my only son.

I passed Secondary School Certificate in 1995 and Higher Secondary Certificate in 1998 and B. Sc Degree in 2000. My favorite place is Cox’s Bazaar. Listening song is my hobby.

I informed about Nari Jibon from one of my relatives. Now I am a student of Nari Jibon in computer and English.

I knew about blogsite for the first time after coming at Nari Jibon. It’s a new part of our life and it’s a very interesting subject too. Through this blog site we can share our culture and peoples life to other countries. As a new writer I am trying my best to write something.

The most important part in this organization is the Nari Cyber Café. That is only for girls and women. They can practice their learning lessons and browse here. I am really happy to be a part of Nari Jibon Project. "

Nurunnahar Islam Munni

"My name is Nurunnahar Islam Munni. I have five family members in my family. They are my brother, sister, my parents and I. My birth place is Dhaka. I was born at Malibagh Chowdhuripara.

I passed Secondary School Certificate in 2007. Now I am doing Higher Secondary Certificate. Beside this I am doing computer and English course at Nari Jibon.

My favorite place is my native village. My hobby is reading any kinds of books and traveling in any historical places. In future I want to do business.

Nari Jibon is a nice organization. Here women and girls can develop their alternative skills to make their lives established. The blogsite is a new and interesting topic for me. I try to share my thoughts, culture, and natural beauty with other people and countries through the blog writing.

Here we have a Nari Cyber Café. Only women and girls can use this Cyber Café. Students can practice their learning lessons in their free time and can browse Internet. I like it very much and browse here if I get free time."

Bloggers profile (Students)

Nina Sultana Mim

"My name is Nina Sultana Mim. My date of birth is 29th October, in 1989. I was born in Dhaka city the capital of Bangladesh. My father’s name is Md. Abul Kashem. He is a Government Service Holder. My mother’s name is Nasima Akter Shima. She is an ideal housewife.

I passed Secondary School Certificate in 2005 from Magbazar Girl’s high school and Higher Secondary Certificate in 2007 from Ispahani Girl’s High School and College. Now I am going to admit myself in BBA.

Laksmipure is my favorite place. It is my home district. It is a nice village. “Haymonty” written by “Ravindronath Tagore” is my favorite book. My favorite movie is ‘Padma Nadir Majhi’.

Listening music and reading story books are my favorite hobby. My future plan is to be a Charted Accountant.

I was informed about Nari Jibon from one of my friends. I came here with her. Now I am doing English spoken and computer course from here.

When I came here then I did not know about blog. It is a new and very interesting subject for me. Now I submit Bangla and English poems, stories etc for blog. As a new writer I am trying my best to write."

Rumi Akter

"I am Rumi Akter. I was born in Narayongong. I passed my childhood at Narayongong. My birth day is on 3rd November, 1990. My father's name is Rahman Ali. He is dead. My mother's name is Rahima Begume. She is a house wife. We are two sisters and one brother.

I am a candidate of Secondary School Certificate. My village is my favorite place. My hobby is watching any kind of movies.

After finishing my education, I would like to be a banker.

I was informed about Nari Jibon from my sister. I love Nari Jibon because I didn't know anything. Now I know how to use computer, internet, can speak in English, knew about Blog and many other things after coming in Nari Jibon.

At first I took admission in English-1 class in Nari Jibon. Now I am doing English-2 and computer course here.

I had no idea about the blog before coming here. When I had come here, then I knew about blog. It is very interesting topic. We can share our culture, lifestyle etc with other countries. I am trying to share my culture and people of my country with the other countries."

Bloggers profile (Students)

Asma Akter

"My name is Asma Akter. I was born on 7th July, in 1982. I was born in the district Modhupur. I passed my childhood in Modhupur. I have eight members in my family. They are my mother, father, four sisters and two brothers.

I passed the Secondary School Certificate from Khilgaon High School in 1998 and Higher Secondary Certificate from Khilgaon Girls’ College. I finished my B.A. from Shidheshwary Degree College. Now I am doing Masters in Abujor Giffary College.

I visited to many places in Bangladesh. Among them I liked Cox’s Bazaar the most. I like to read books in my free time. Shomoresh Mojumder is my favorite writer. Humayun Ahmed is also my favorite writer. In future I want to be a writer.

I am a student of Nari Jibon. It has many activities. Nari Cyber Café is one of them. There women and girls can practice computer and browse internet in their free time.

In my free time I used to write stories, poems etc. But I could not get opportunity to publish those anywhere. So after some time I stopped writing. But after coming at Nari Jibon, I knew about Nari Jibon’s blog site. I got a new hope to publish my stories, poems through this blog site. I am very happy for getting this opportunity."

Linda Pandey

"I am Linda Pandey. My family members are my father, mother and younger sister. My father’s name is Dulal Panday. He is a driver, my mother is a house wife and my sister is a candidate of Secondary School Certificate examination.

I finished my Secondary School Certificate and Higher Secondary Certificate from Barishal. Now I am trying to get admission in any University.

I like to read novel and story books in my free time. Shomoresh Mojumder and Humaun Ahmed is my favorite writer. My favorite color is pink.

After finishing my academic education I want to be independent in my life. I like banking as a profession. Therefore I will try to be a banker.

I did not know about Nari Jibon. After coming here I informed that it has Bengali Section, English section, tailoring section, computer section, photography section etc. Now beside my academic education I am doing Computer Office Program and English Spoken Course at Nari Jibon."

Bloggers profile (Students)

Sharmin Chowdhury Shikha

"My name is Sharmin Chowdhury Shikha. I was born in Dhaka on 21st January, in 1986. I have five family members with me.

I passed the Higher Secondary Certificate Examination from Siddheswary Girls College in 2003. Now I am reading in Honors 3rd Year on Accounting in Siddheswary Girls College.

My hobby is listening to music and singing songs. My favorite place is Cox’s Bazaar. After finishing my study I will do a job in any respectable bank.

I informed about Nari Jibon from one of my friends. Now I am a student of Nari Jibon in computer and English. I know about blog site after coming Nari Jibon. It’s a new part of our life and it’s a very important subject too. Through blog site we can share our culture and people’s life with other countries. As a new writer I will try my best to write something in blog.

Another important part of this organization is Nari Jibon cyber café. It is especially for women and girls. Here women and girls can use cyber café in a nice and safe environment. They can also practice here on their learning lessons. "


Jannatul Fardouse Nargis

"My name is Jannatul Fardouse Nargis. I was born on 3rd March, in 1989 at Boro Maghbazaar in Dhaka. I live at Maghbazaar from my childhood.

I have a Family with six members. My father is a Government Employer. My mother is a house wife. We are two sisters and two brothers. My elder sister is doing Honors in Economics. My younger brother is a student of class six. And my little brother is a student of class five.

I am trying to admit in a university. I passed Higher Secondary Certificate in 2007 from Shiddheswary Girls College in Dhaka and Secondary School Certificate in 2005 from Nazrul Shikshalaya in Dhaka.

My favorite place is my grand mother’s house. It is a village. It is a beautiful place. My favorite hobby is painting. I love to paint pictures.

My future plan is to be a B.C.S service holder. I also want to do social works.

I did not know about Nari Jibon Project. My neighbor gave me the information about it. Then I came with them to saw the project. After coming here I knew that Nari Jibon is only for women. It has Bengali Course, English Course, Tailoring Course, Computer Course and Photography Course etc. I had an interest do some courses. Therefore I have admitted in English Spoken and Computer Office Program at Nari Jibon.

I did not know about blog. But when I came to this organization then I understood about blog. I think it is a very interesting subject. I am very happy to be a part of this organization."

“Give me an Educated Mother; I will give you an Educated Nation”

By Nurunnahar Islam Munni

It is told that, education is the backbone of any nation. Without education none can prosper in life. Nobody can live a happy and successful life. But most of the time girls can not continue their education for many reasons. Therefore they become dependent on men and they are to face many unexpected situations.

Educated girls can lead her life with a good planning. They get physical and mental satisfaction than uneducated girls. She knows how to enjoy life and keep a happy family.

I think that educated girls are different from other girls. If girls become educated they will be conscious about their rights. Then they will be able to conduct their life in right way.

An educated mother can maintain her family and teach her children properly & give proper guidance. She can be very conscious about her children’s health and nutrition. She is more conscious about her family than an uneducated girl. Therefore it is told that “Give me an educated mother, I will give you an educated nation”. So girls’ educations are not necessary only for herself or for her family, but it is also necessary for the whole nation.

Girls are learning in Nari Jibon English class

She can go ahead with men. She can remove superstitious of her family members by her wisdom and knowledge. She can provide better care for her family.

She can do job and can help her family financially. Day by day the living cost is increasing. So it is becoming tough to maintain a family on one’s income. An educated girl can do job and can help her family financially, better than an uneducated girl.

So we can say that if we can get an educated mother in every family, we will be able to give an educated and healthy future for the new generation.

I am in Myself

By Sherin Sultana

I live in Dhaka for my necessity. But I can not forget my village even for a moment. When I get any vacation I go home and pass my vacation very cheerfully. So all time I look forward very willingly for any vacation, to go home.

Now a day my mind is not good because I returned from my home some days ago after passing my vacation. It’s not a new matter. Every time after returning from home my mind becomes very sad, for some days. After some days I become easy.

In my vacation I went to my home. I got back all my happiness and joy when I went near to the closest persons of my family. It seemed to me that I found myself but I was not in myself before. There I passed all days with my younger brother. I visited to one’s another’s houses. I also passed my time by singing songs, gossiping with my family members & with my friends and in every evening we went for a walk at the riverside.

I passed my time by gossiping and making fun with my pet dog Tuktuki, my pet cat Monti and Ponti (Monti’s child). The water, winds, trees even every bit of dust, every thing of my native place seem very close to me. I forgot that I will have to come back in the busy Dhaka city.

But I found a great change on me between the present and the past life, when I was at my home with my family. In the busy Dhaka city now I also became a very busy person like city’s people. I lost all of my wants, joys and laughs for being busy and having pressure of real life.

I am to stay in this city for my necessity and I am to compromise with many situations, but I can not accept those from my heart. When I get a single moment I go back to my own world, make dream with a new hope. I pass my every moment by waiting for the day, when I will be able to go back to my home.

A Journey from Dhaka to Baloakandi

By Mahfuza Parul

Last year some of my friends were decided to go to outside of Dhaka for a day. After discussing with my three friends we decided to visit a village, name Baloakandi. On 21 January, 2007 we went to the village Baloakandi. It is in the district of Munshigonj. That was our friend Shikha’s village. It was not far from Dhaka. It took only five minutes from Meghna Bridge.

We started our journey at 8.00 am by a private car. We reached at Baloakandi at 9.30 am. At first, we went to Shikha’s house. We were introduced to all the people of Shikha’s house. We gossiped and passed some times there. After taking our breakfast we went to visit the village.

There was a park near Shikha’s house. We went there and visited the whole park. The park was very nice. It was full of natural beauties. There were many trees in the park. We sat under a tree and gossiped for a long time.

From right me with my friends

We climbed upon a tree and took some photographs. In the park, there was a nice flower garden. In that garden, there were many beautiful flowers. We took many photos in the flower garden.

We went to other side of the park by crossing a small canal. There were only crops field around the canal. We plucked many cucumbers from the crop field. We ate those cucumbers as salad with our lunch.


At 5.30 pm, we started our journey to come back in Dhaka. We stopped our car beside the Meghna Bridge and passed sometimes beside the Meghna River. We took many photos on the bridge. The wild wind was blowing. We were enjoying lot.

When we stay at any river or sea side then it seems to me that every people’s mind becomes fresh and all the sorrows go away for some moments. So, when we were at the side of Meghna River then we forgot our all the sorrows, distress, the busy city life etc. We felt like a free bird in the enormous sky.


Shikha’s family members were very happy to get us. We enjoyed the journey and the place Baloakandi very much. We decided to make such journeys once or twice in a year. I wish we can keep our friendship forever.

Nari Jibon 2nd blog workshop /Training- January, 2008

Second workshop of Nari Jibon blog was held on Friday, January 11, 2008 at Nari Jibon. Mr. Shawn of Uncultured project (a former student of Notre dame and blogger of www.uncultured.com) was invited to conduct the workshop/training. Forty four students and fourteen staff attended the workshop. Trainer Mr. Shawn trained the students/staff (bloggers) how to take good picture, and video. He showed the rules of taking good picture and video. He trained the staff on podcast interview. He also shared his experience of visiting Cyclone Sidr affected area (showed picture and video).

Some of Nari Jibon English/Bangla bloggers sang a song ‘We shall over come some day” (both in English and Bangla). One computer student also recited her own writing poem on NJ blog.

Four students were selected and awarded as the best bloggers (Two from English and two from Bangla blog). They are Zannat Ara Amzad (The street beggar), Sherin Sultana (An anecdote of my friend, Mitu), Sufia Khatun (Protivar Bilupti- Abolished talent) and Nafisa Mobassara (Mayer dadur biye—Marriage of mother’s grand father). Three of them were given prize for their good post (one student/best blogger was absent).

Among staff Taslima Akter, Mohtarimun Naher Bipa and Golam Rabbany Sujan were acknowledged for their good effort in the blog activities (posting, Editing, Translation) and also for their good post. Taslima Akter was acknowledged for her video blogging and Video training, Golam Rabbany Sujan for nice post on Cyclone Sird and other good posts and Mohtarimun Naher Bipa for translating, editing and also for her good post ‘In south Asia, Bangladesh is one of the few countries that remain to be explored’. All others bloggers (students/staff) were also acknowledged for their good effort on Nari Jibon blog activities.

Mr. Shawn is briefing on Photo & Video blogging

Mr. Shawn is showing his video that he took from sidr affected areas.

One computer student is reciting her own writing poem on Nari Jibon blog.
Some Nari Jbon students are singing a song (Both in Bangla and English version).

Best blogger in English Zannat Ara Amzad taking prize from Director of Nari Jibon Project.

From left Sherin Sulatan (best bloggers in English), Mr. Shawn,

Nafisa Mobassara (best blogger in Bangla)

Jarina Begum: Who Makes & Sells Cake

By Nina Sultana Mim

Pitha [cake] is a traditional food of Bangladesh. Pitha is the most favorite food both in village and town of our country. It is very favorite food as breakfast in the winter morning.

Pitha is sold in many places in the city. Maximum women are done this pitha making business on the roadside of the cities and villages of Bangladesh. They make and sell pitha. Most of the customers are rickshaw pullers, CNG and Taxi-cab Driver etc.

Recently I have talked to a Pitha Nari. Her name is Jarina Begum. She makes and sells Pitha from morning to evening. She makes pitha by using smash of rice, sweets. She uses stove and a pot of soil. She sells Pitha in cheap price.

Jarina Begum told me that she tries to maintain her family by selling these Pithas. Her husband is a rickshaw puller. She has two sons and two daughters. They can not go to school for lacking of money. She passes her life in sorrow and poverty. She lives in a dirty environment with her family.
For their poverty they do not get fresh food, water and good shelter. Her children are also deprived from education, though education is the backbone of a nation. None can prosper in life without education.

She told me that her family members are suffering from malnutrition. She also told me that they suffer for flood, storm, mosquito, dirty smell and many diseases.

It seems to me that their position is very bad. Their life is very difficult.

She had also told me that she needs rice and sweets to make pithas which are very expensive to buy. She makes Vapa Pitha, Chitoy Pitha and different types & delicious pithas. When I was talking with her then I bought two Pithas. She was very happy to sell.

She also told me that: “Sister we have many sorrows; but there is none to realize our sorrows.”

After having the pithas, I found that Jarina Begum makes very sweet, delicious and wonderful Pithas.

One day with my Brother & Cousin

By Rumi Akter

Some days ago my brother and I decided to visit in Sonargaon with a cousin, Shumi. We went to the Maghbazar and bought three tickets from the Himalay bus counter to go to Sonargaon. We waited for the bus for sometimes at the bus station and when the bus came we started our journey to Mogar Para. My cousin sat beside me and my brother sat at other side.

When we reached at the Mogar Para bus station, we took a rickshaw to go to Panam Museum. It took some minutes to reach at the Panam Museum. I saw a big gate, which was so beautiful. My brother bought three entry tickets of the Museum.

In the left side of the entry gate, we saw a cart which was made of stone and in the right side there was an old building. There were kept many useful things. Besides the building there was a pond. There were two statues of two horses beside the pond, which were made of stone. Around the Panam Museum there was very large place.

At noon we took our meal in a hotel. After finishing our meal we visited the whole area. Then my cousin felt sick. My brother and I felt very nervous for her illness. She took rest for sometime. When she felt better then my brother told to return Dhaka. But my cousin wanted to stay there for more time. So we passed more time there. But we didn’t visit anywhere. We just passed our time by gossiping.

We started our journey to Dhaka at 5:00 pm. We were very excited. It was a great experience for me. We enjoyed our journey very much. I wish I will go to Sonargaon again with my brother and cousin.

Celebrated Friendship Day in 2006

By Kamrun Nahar

1st Sunday of August is friendship day. It is an enjoyable day in the whole world for friends. Most of the friend groups try to celebrate this day with a great joy. I also celebrate this day with my friends.

We are six friends in University. Every year we celebrate this day. But the most memorable and enjoyable friendship day we celebrated in the year of 2006. Then we were in honors 3rd year. That year we decided to wear same dresses. We had selected blue and pink combination dresses.

On the friendship day our friend Lina’s mother was very sick. So Lina could not attend the party. We were very upset and thought that we would not celebrate the day without Lina. But Lina requested us not to spoil the day. So at last we decided to celebrate the day.

On the friendship day we went to Dhanmondi by wearing same dresses and enjoyed the day very happily. Our friend group was a little bit different from other groups for wearing same dresses.

One of our friends Mimi increases our enjoyment by giving us very good news, that-- she is pregnant. Mimi was so happy and she wanted to give us a treat. Then we went to a restaurant and took our lunch. After taking lunch we went to a studio and took a group photograph.

In the afternoon we sat at Dhanmondri Lake for some time and passed the happiest period of my life.

We enjoyed the day and decided to celebrate all the friendship days of our life in this way, if possible.

That day we realized that we can’t live without one another. I wish we will be able to keep our friendship for ever.