Nari Jibon bloggers celebrated Pahela Baishakh —1

Monday(14th April) was first day of Bangla Year 1415. Pahela Baishakh is a momentous occasion. To every Bangalee, irrespective of age, social strata and education, it is a time for joyous celebration. Nari Jibon students/bloggers celebrated Pahela Baishakh on Tuesday(15th April) in Nari Jibon center, amid colourful festivities and a determination to move forward with its cultural tradition, leaving behind the gloom of the past year and takes a renewed pledge to march forward to build a happy and prosperous future.

Students/bloggers get together in the Nari Jibon center and arranged a cultural function. At the function, Nari Jibon bloggers sang, recited poems, danced and also they acted in short drama.

Bloggers started their programme with Rabindranath Tagore's song that has become the "anthem of Pahela Baishakh"---Esho hey Baishakh, esho, esho (Welcome, O Baishakh, welcome). See more from video.

Bloggers profile (Students)

Jainub Khanam

My name is Jainub Khanam. I live in Dhaka. I was born in Chittagong district in 1978. My village name is Forhadabad. My date of birth is 3rd January.

I have finished my study in Chittagong. I have passed my S.S.C exam in 1994 from Nazirhat Girl's High School. I have passed H.S.C in 1996. I passed B.A in 1999 from Nazirhat Degree College. I got first class from all boards.

My mother's name Mrs. Jabeda Khatun and she is a housewife. My father died before three years. I have three brothers and 1 sister.

I am married. My husband is a service holder and I have two daughters. I am happy with my family. I like my father-in-law and mother-in-law. My favorite song is Islamic song. I don't watch t v program. I also like ha-do-do and football games.

My favorite person is Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (Sl) and my dear father. My favorite books are Behesti Jeour and Bokhari Sharif. My favorite News papers are Daily Sangram and Noya Diganta. I want to be a good mother.

Sonia Jahan

My name is Sonia Jahan. I was born in Dhaka. I live in Malibag Chowdhury Para. I am thirteen years old. I am a student of class seven. My school’s name is Khilgoan Govt Coloney. My father’s name is Fazlul Haqque Shardar. He is a farmer and he lives in village. My mother’s name is Fulmoti Begum. She is a house wife.

I have four brothers and two sisters. I came to Nari Jibon to develop my English and computer skills. My future plan is I want to be a good teacher. My hobby is reading books. My favorite color is white.

I wish I will be able to develop my skills after finishing English and Computer courses here. Now I am attending in English class only. I will admit in computer section after finishing English course.

I like Nari Jibon very much. To me it is the best organization for girls and women. I also like the teacher very much.

Shuva Nababarsha

By Taslima Akter

Shuva Nababarsha or Happy New Year. Today is Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the first month of Bangla calendar year 1415. The weary sun of 1414 set last evening and took away all the sorrows of loss and melancholy of unfulfilled expectations. A new sunrise this morning brings with it new hopes and spirit for better days in the first day of Bangla New Year.

New Year's festivities are closely linked with rural life in Bengal. Usually on Poila Boishakh, the home is thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned; people bathe early in the morning and dress in fine clothes. People from all walks of life wear traditional Bengali attire: young women wear white saris with red borders, and adorn themselves with churi (bangles), ful(flowers), and tip (bindis). Men wear white paejama (pants) or lungi(dhoti/dhuti) (long skirt) and kurta (tunic). Many of town’s people start the day with the traditional breakfast of Panta bhat (rice soaked in water), green chilies, onion, and fried Hilsa fish. They spend much of the day visiting relatives, friends, and neighbors.

The famous song of New Year Esho, he Boishakh, Esho Esho (Welcome, O Boishakh, Welcome,Welcome) by Rabindranath Tagore's.

Shuvo Nababarsha to all of our readers.

A Way to Cultivate

Written & Video taken by Mohtarimun Nahar [Bipa]
Video edited by Tarun Falia

Some months ago I went to my village. Then I tried to capture some village culture, nature and agricultural system by my video camera. Maybe you read my previous article and watched video on home made cake making [The best time to have Pitha is in the Winter Morning] and the shrine [A Shrine of Hazrat Shah Kamal Awlia beside my Village]. You also may have seen ‘Some Pictures of my Village’.

When I went to visit our land then I saw and learned about how to cultivate lands before sowing seeds. That’s why I took a short video on it and would like to share with all the readers of Nari Jibon Blogspot. I hope you will enjoy the video.

Our Land

I am on our land

I went to Cox's Bazaar

By Selina Sherin

The Cox's Bazaar is the largest sea beach in the world. It is an exciting place for tourist.

Few days ago I went to visit in Cox's Bazaar with my friends. We stayed there for five days. The Cox's Bazaar is really a very beautiful place. We were enjoying a lot when we walked beside the beach. We took our bath in the sea before lunch.

One day in the evening we were walking beside the sea beach. At that time the sea water was coming to us. Suddenly we saw some fishing boats were laid at the sea shore. The scenery was very nice to look at. We spent some times with the fishermen and knew about their fishing experiences of the sea. There we took some pictures by the local photographer. Local guide helped us to visit Cox's Bazaar. We were enjoying those moments very much. When we back to the hotel then we were too much tired.

On the next day we went to the beach for enjoying the sun set and that day was too much wonderful for us. How beautiful the sun set was!

Another day we went to take bath at noon in the sea. Suddenly we saw the sea water was surrounding to us in every where within ten second. We could not find the way to out from there. At that time we saw a little girl was sinking in the water. We got very much afraid to see that. Then a photographer helped the little girl. He also helped us to find the way. Actually that time was a horrible experience for us that I can’t explain with words.

Cox's Bazaar is a wonderful place in our country and it is a nice place to visit. After five days we returned back in Dhaka. I can never forget those days.

Journey to a Village

By Jannatul Ferdous

Some days ago I made a journey with my sister and cousin to my uncle’s house. It is in the village. The name of that village is Nobabgong.

At first on that day we reached Golistan bus stand. Then we bought our tickets and got into the bus. After 1.30 hours we reached our goal. Then we got down from the bus. Then we crossed a small bridge. After few minutes we reached our uncle’s house. We found that every one was so happy to see us. Elder uncle, aunt, younger uncle, aunt came to visit us.

After reaching my uncle’s home we got freshen up and took rest. After taking rest we had our lunch. In the afternoon I and my cousin went to visit to our relatives’ house to meet them.

Next day we went to our old grand father’s house. There we met with my other uncles, aunts and cousins. In the afternoon we returned our home. Next day we went outside. Then I found the most beautiful place there. It was a big green field. There were so many corn, crops, cattle etc. Some children were playing there. We walked for a long time on that field.

There we took some photos together. We swam in the river. I went to the village in the winter season. My aunt made some items of cake. In the morning we drank date juice. In the evening we made a lot of fun there.

We enjoyed there very much. My cousins were so friendly with me. After 5 days we returned back home in Dhaka. Those days were very enjoyable and memorable days for me. I will never forget that journey.

Bloggers profile (Students)

Shila Ahmed

My name is Shila Ahmed. I live in Mirbug, Dhaka. I was born in Dhaka in 1992. My birthday is on 6th September.

I read in class ten. My school’s name is Sher-e-Bangla High School and Mohila College. My father’s name is Samsuddin Ahmed. He is a bank accountant. My mother’s name is Sakina Begum. My mother is a house wife. I have one brother and one sister. My elder brother's name is Sajib Ahmed. My brother is studying in honors final year.

I am doing courses on Basic Grammar, Reading, Writing and Speaking in Nari Jibon. I am a student of English-1 in Nari Jibon. I want to be a banker in future. I like reading books, watching TV, spending time with kids etc. I also enjoy hearing music in my free time.

My favorite color is blue. My favorite hobby is gardening. My favorite person is the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. I also like my father and mother very much.


Suhada Akter

My name is Suhada Akter. I am fourteen years old. I live in Mugda Para. I was born in Dhaka.

I read in class eight. My school name is Comlapur School and Colony. My father’s name is Motaher Shorder. My mother’s name is Maksuda Begum. I have one brother and one sister. My father works in Croba Company. My mother works in Imam Baton and she works very hard Everyday.

Now I am studying in Nari Jibon Project in English-1. I am doing courses on Basic Grammar, Reading, Writing and Speaking in Nari Jibon. After finishing my English course I will admit in computer section. I came to Nari Jibon to develop my skills in computer office program and English spoken.

My favorite color is black. I also enjoy hearing music in my free time. I want to be a teacher in future. Nari Jibon is a good organization for the girls and women. I wish all the best to Nari Jibon.

A Shrine of Hazrat Shah Kamal Awlia beside my Village

Video Taken and Written by Mohtarimun Nahar [Bipa]
Video Edited by Tarun Falia

There is a Shrine of Hazrat Shah Kamal Awlia [Awlia -- Muslim Saint] beside my village. The Shrine is situated in the Garohill District of Meghalaya Province in India. The name of the area is Dorgarpar. My village and Dorgarpar are thoroughly with the Bangladesh-India border. My village name is Digrirchor. It is situated in the Dewangonj Thana of Jamalpur District. You knew and saw pictures about my village in my previous article ‘Some Pictures of my Village’.

From my childhood I heard that --- many years ago twelve Muslim Saints came to India for proclaiming the Islam Religion from Yemen. Hazrat Shah Kamal Awlia is one of them. They used to proclaim Islam in different places of India.

The Shrine

All kinds of religious Bangladeshi people come to pray here. There is a prohibition by the both Governments to cross the border for both areas’ people. That’s why Bangladeshi people are to say their prayers from Bangladeshi area. They come in every Sunday and Thursday. In this time the poor people are given meals, cloths etc.

The place where Bangladeshi people come to say prayers, that is our land. People are allowed to use our land to see the Shrine from far and pray. Some villagers make another shrine here.

In every year from the second Sunday of Boisakh month [the first month of Bengali month] a Boisakhi fair is arranged in Dorgarpar. It stays for three Sunday. But there is a prohibition by the both Governments to cross the border. That’s why at a time another Boisakhi fair is arranged in Bangladesh on our land by the permission of the local administrators. It also stays for three Sunday from the second Sunday of Boisakh month. Both sides’ people hold this festival with a lot of enjoyment.

People come to pray for many reasons. Some pray for good result, some pray for getting cure from any disease etc. They get a mental pleased that their prayer may be granted and fulfilled. People believe it for many days.

I also heard that some times wild elephants come to eat crops in Bangladeshi area from the hill. Then they destroy many lands, houses etc. A very few people were killed by the wild elephants. The funny thing is that those elephants never destroyed those areas which are beside the Shrine. And good qualities of crops grow on those lands. People believe that it happens only for being the shrine.

At present a very skilful direction by a good local committee of our area, the extent of the shrine is increasing day by day. In future the committee will try to give good service on our land. Different kinds of religious people come to pray here. There should be a good arrangement of seats, rooms, toilet etc.

My Memorable Day

By Linda Pandey

Every person has a memorable day. I have also a memorable day. Then I was in Barisal.

When I was in Intermediate 2nd year that time some of my classmates got an opportunity to go to Kuakata. We are so excited. All students got together in the Hatem Ali College of Barisal district. We started our journey by bus in the early morning. When we started our journey we enjoyed a lot by singing, dancing and telling jokes etc.

The bus reached at Kuakata at 11: 30 am. We got down from the bus and went to live near a hotel. The hotel room was booked before. We took our goods in the hotel.

After getting freshen up we went to the sea beach. I enjoyed there very much. All of my friends were taking bathing in the beach. Our sir and staff were also taking bath there.

At noon we returned at our hotel and took our lunch. At night we got into the bus at 9 o’clock and started our journey to come back to Hatem Ali College. After reaching in the college we took rest in the common room. On the next day we reached our own resident.

This journey is the most enjoyable memory for me. We enjoyed the journey very much but I was very sad. Because I couldn’t see the sun rise and sun set. I wish I will visit Kuakata and stay there for some days.

Some Pictures of my Village

By Mohtarimun Nahar [Bipa]


My village name is Digrirchor. It is in the Dewangonj Thana in the Jamalpur district. Our village is near the Bangladesh-India Border. The scenery of my village is very beautiful. Whenever I go to my village I try to take some pictures on sceneries. Now I am sharing some pictures of my village.

Our Yard

Our pond

One of my cousins, name: Rashed

Some Villagers. They work on our land

Our land

Our land

Our land

Lambs

Cows

Study tour

By Irin Sultana

I went to visit Chittagong as a study tour from my college in 2007. Our college had arranged a study tour for our good experience. We stayed in Chittagong for 7 days. We started our journey to Chittagong on 14th march at 11:30 pm at night. It was a bus journey. We were 75 students.

I am at Cox’s Bazaar

All of our students were making a lot of fun. We have a group with 5 friends. We sat together. All night we were so excited that we couldn’t sleep and had fun. After that we reached at Chittagong on next day at 5:30a.m. A hotel was booked for our 75 students of Finance Department. We stayed in that hotel. After having breakfast at 10:00am we went to EPZ which is the industrial area of Chittagong. This is the main part of our study tour.

I am with my friends

On the next day we went to the sea port of Chittagong. Almost 3 days we had traveled to the mini Bangladesh, as like: Anwara Beach, Zia Jadughar and many other places.

On the fourth day, we went to Cox’s Bazaar. A hotel was booked for us there. It was a beautiful place. We went to the sea beach of Cox’s Bazaar. Next day morning we went to the beach for taking bath. That was a great fun for us. How nice the sea beach is!

I am with my friends

We also enjoy the sun set of the sea beach. That was a marvelous sight. Suddenly one of my friends’ Afrin got too much sick at that time our whole team were afraid. She was having a problem of gastric. She got sick for the outside food and heavy journey. Our all friends and teacher tried to take care for her. After few hours she felt well and all of us got very happy.

In this study tour we have traveled in many places of Cox’s Bazaar. We also did shopping in the Barmiz Market. I had some shopping for my family and friends from Barmiz Mmarket. The Barmiz ‘Achar’ [sauce] is famous in all over the Bangladesh. I have bought many packets of ‘Achar’ for my family and friends.

The entire journey was really great. I have enjoyed very much by this journey. It was a memorable event for my whole life.

Media’s role on women’s development

By Rabbany Sujon

First Published

Few days ago we passed “International women’s day 2008”. Many women organizations and human rights organization arranged sufficient programs in Bangladesh regarding that day. Purush Somabesh (male gatherings) at Dhanmondi Robindra Sorobor was one of the attractive and praiseworthy programs. Thousands of young people participated there willingly. Some popular singers sang songs besides discussion on violence against women. Most of the TV channels, Radio and other Medias focused these programs. Well e very well. People who could not attend in these ceremonies, they learned many things through these media programs. Thus, media can make people aware about many things that are dark in our society.

I think violence against women increasing in our society only for ignorance. People have not sufficient knowledge on women’s rights. Media can keep sufficient contribution to reduce women’s violence.

But what can we learn all around the year? I would like to discuss about some advertisements that are showcased in the whole year by the media channels.

I can see an advertisement of Bangladesh Olympic Association’s on “Crira Unnoyan lottery” everyday several times on BTV where displays that ----
‘A young woman was taken to a young man for choosing her as his bride/wife. (This is an ancient ceremony before getting married in our society). Then young man becomes very worried to see the young girl as she did not wear sufficient ornaments. Then one of guardians or matchmaker takes him to another room and shows a lottery, he tells that you will get everything by this lottery if- -. Then bridegroom becomes happy and gets married.’
Here what is the advertisement teaching us? Are ornaments or valuable things or everything essential for every woman? What will happen if bridegroom don’t get lottery price?

Let’s have a look at another TV advertisement of a famous Cosmetic Company. It displays that----
‘A young girl failed to collect any job in the job markets. Later she started to use beauty cream and she became beautiful within two weeks and gets a rich job easily.’
What does the advertiser want to mean by this advertisement? Are all the jobs reserved for white skinned women?

There are huge advertisements (Soap, cream etc) are shown in the various TV channels where that the black skinned women are underestimated. These advertisements make very sorrow to the black skinned women and make a negative sense to the male persons against black skinned women.

We can also learn observing some clothe washing soap/detergent powder’s advertisements that clothes washing tasks are only for women and that have been done from ancient. Though most of the commercial laundries are lead by the male persons. Same-same we are also learned from some spice companies advertisements that all the cooking tasks are only for women and that have been done from ancient though most of the restaurant and first food shop are leaded by male persons.

Few days ago I saw an advertisement of a car fair in a daily news-paper where some new model cars were with two young girls. Those girls wore nice and short dress. I did not understand why these girls are beside these cars. I know that new cars are used by rich businessmen or high officers.
Are not these girls used as goods or sex object? We can see on the TV commercial everyday in many advertisements that women are using as goods and sex objects if you look these by your naked eyes.

Add producers, TV commercials and women/models who act in these kinds of advertisements should think about the add concept before making those. We know media is the conscience of the society. The society can be affected by the media both positively and negatively. We hope the media will take step to make awareness in the society and help to reduce the negative sense on add concept.

Education for Women

By Aysha Parveen

A nation can not get progress without education because education is the back bone of a nation. Every people should be educated. Women are the part of our nation. Without education women can not prosper in their life. An educated mother can make an educated family. If women can prosper in their life then a nation can be developed.

Bangladesh is a small and developing country. Education is the part of our life. So Bangladesh will not be success without a proper education. Most of the people are women here. For this reason women are the very important part of our country. An educated woman can help to build a developed nation. Every woman will be a mother. An educated woman can take and make decision in every step in life. They can build their career in many sectors, like: - computer, banking, education, NGO and many other government sectors. As a result our nation can be connected with the other development countries. It helps to develop a country in many sectors. So education is very important for every woman’s life.

Bangladeshi women are very helpless because most of the women of our country are illiterate. They are tortured in many ways because most of them are uneducated. An educated woman can get progress in her life very easily. In the conclusion, we can say that every woman should be educated. It is really very important for a nation.

Garments Workers

By Jannatul Ferdoush

Bangladesh is a small and poor country. It is an over populated country too. There are many people who live in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Dhaka is a very crowded city. Most of the people of Bangladesh live in villages. Many people come to the cities to do a good job to earn money. Most of them work in garments factories. All aged people can work in the garments. They had no choice to do another work to earn money.

Garments workers’ life is very difficult. They wake up in every early morning. At first they are to finish their all household works. After that they go out to attend their work. They walked a long way to attend their work. Women workers face many problems. They are to maintain both their family and professional life at a time.

Garments workers’ life is very simple. These workers are lower class people. Most of garments workers live in slums. They work in garments for a long time. Most of the times they do over time work. But they can’t get their legal salary.

Bangladesh earns million dollars from foreign countries for these garment workers. But workers didn’t get the real respect like other people. We should respect them. These workers are the most important part of our country.

International Women's Day 2008--Poems from Nari Jibon Students

From Kathryn Ward, USA. Graphics from TakeBackTheTech!


In honor of International Women's Day, six Nari Jibon students composed Bangla poems on the theme of "Women Hold Up Half of the Sky". Sufia's poem (below) was selected as one of three student bloggers' poems for the Rising Voices Poetry Jam (others from Madagascar and Colombia).

Here are the english translations of all six entries from the Nari Jibon Project as translated by Kazi Rafiqul Islam; the Bangla versions will be up soon on Amader Kotha as well as some other poems and stories for this day!

Enjoy some of the latest from the Nari Jibon Project students whose talents continue to grow and as they tell their stories through poetry!

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Priority

Sufia-734 (In Bangla)

Time has come now

To stand for that we need

Not equality, but priority.

Upright

We want to open our heart

Express our mind

For that we need

Not equality, but priority.

Fathers can be cruel even

Mothers cannot.

Mothers can sacrifice

Fathers cannot.

That is what women are

We can do everything.

Combating with sorrow

Win happiness.

No more shall we endure injustice

No more shall we remain within the four walls.

Time has come to open ears and eyes

To protest against unfair deeds.

For that we need

Not equality, but priority.

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You are a woman

Sonia-782 (In Bangla)

You are a woman

O woman, you are my mother.

A woman is the symbol of beauty.

O woman, you are the beginning

You are the end.

In you I find the morning, the evening.

In darkness you bring light

You serve us

You are the blessing of God.

You have equal rights in all affairs

You are affectionate, symbol of love.

Your love makes us feel great.

On this International Women’s Day

We convey our love and respect.

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Woman

Rosy Alam-555 (In Bangla)

Behind every success, who plays the prominent role?

None else, it is woman who achieves the goal.

It is known to everybody

Woman is a poem of victory.

That is why endless sorrows and pains

Can not touch you, even

In a male dominated society

Still you give a gaiety

Without you the world is ugly

You have made it beautiful, really.

You are sacred, holy you are

You own the achievements, here and there.

That is why on the day

Remembering you I want to say

All my love and respect to you.

O woman! You are symbol of fulfillment

We pay you all our tributes and honor

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I am still alive

Husnul Awread-769 (In Bangla)

Don’t shed your tears, other

I do suffer a lot

Who told you mother

I am not alive.

When my memory

Haunt you, mother

I will blossom as flowers in the garden.

Keep the flower with dearly care

Into the lock of your hair.

Before going to bed keep the flower in the vase.

You will dream the flower – talking with you.

I am still alive as a flower

On your lap, mother

As thousands of flowers.

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In vain

Surma Akter- 691 (In Bangla)

Story of a woman’s life

All in vain

No one wants to listen.

Story of a woman’s life

Laughter and tears, pains and sorrows

That is the way of life.

Story of a woman’s life

Along the solitary path

Hurdles and barriers.

Story of a woman’s life

Spread around imaginations.

Days and years pass away

Pass all the decades

Still the sufferings of women

Remain uncared.

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Confident woman

Shilpi Akter -772 (In Bangla)

Can I say as a woman

Am I not the vast sky?

Can I say as a woman

Am I not a beach of the sea?

Can I say as a woman

Am I not hills and mountains?

Can I say as a woman

Am I not crater of a volcano?

Can I say as a woman

Can’t I be the life saving oxygen?

Can I say as a woman

Am I not hard working as a man?

I can be everything as a woman

I can build up a strong mind and self confidence.