Nari Jibon 4th blog workshop - August, 2008

Yesterday, 29th august 08 was the 4th blog workshop of Nari Jibon project. David Sasaki, Director of Rising Voices was conducted this workshop. There are 15 bloggers and 4 staffs were present in this workshop. The motto of this workshop to increase student’s knowledge as well as to make them more advanced in blogging.

In this workshop, David Sasaki discussed and gives different tips & examples that how to use web link and technorati.com. He also showed the bloggers/students how to use it. He discussed about different search engines and shown them how to make link using html code. Through his discussions and showing examples on weblink & technorati.com to the students/bloggers, they are now well known & more effective about the web link. Now they can use it in their own blog.

Some pictures of this workshop:

David Sasaki discussing on web link and Technorati.com.

David Sasaki showing the bloggers how to make link in their post.

Video of this workshop:

Really, it was a great workshop for Nari Jibon. We are very pleased to meet with him in a person and earnestly thankful to him.

Sonargaon

Cross posted from Techna Tara

Sonargaon is one of the most historical place and oldest capitals of Bangladesh. “The city of Panam” is another name of Sonargaon. Among the ancient monuments still intact, are the tomb of Sultan Ghiasuddin (1399 - 1409 A.D.), the shrines of Panjpirs and Shah Abdul Alla and a beautiful mosque in Goaldi village. A Folk Art and Crafts Museum has also been established in Sonargaon. It situated in Narayongoan district on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway about 29km away from Dhaka.

I have visited Songargaon two times in my life. First I visited some places of sonargaon and sonargaon museum when I was a school going student. Just I can only remember that I saw some statues in sonargaon museum and that time I can’t clearly understand what that was. In my university life I again visited this place in second time with some of my friends. Than I could understand the worth of Sonargaon museum. This time I not only see the statues in this museum, but again & again I tried to find-out more of our cultural wealth’s of Bangladesh on those statues and other archeological things. Really I enjoyed this time very much.

Picture has taken from outside of the sonargaon museum.

This is one of statues picture inside of sonargaon museum
where Chakma people with their dress and some materials.

This is another Statue of Chakma people, where they are working on paddy field.

In this picture one statues woman working with her
rice making machine and this is vas system to get rice from paddy.

I love to read books and I passed sometimes in the library of sonargaon museum area. In the area of sonargaon museum, there are some small stalls with handicraft where found various ornaments & shari for women and other household materials for commercial sells.

Lucrative showcase items for sell in Sonargaon museum area stall.

Soil made ornaments are displaying here for sell.

Dolls & others ornaments made by soil are display here for showcase use in home.

An art on the outside of museum building of Sonargaon from our village cultures of industry.

Front side of Sonargaon museum.

A great Statues of Zainul Abedin, the great artist of Bangladesh
selected Sonargaon to establish Folk Arts and Crafts Museum.

Many visitors from home and abroad come to visit this historical place for enjoy & to knowing about cultures of Bangladesh.

Dr. Kathy's mehendi colored hands

Bangladeshi girls are designed their hands with mehndi in special occasion such as Eid day, wedding ceremony, 1st day of Bengali new year, first day of spring etc.

Dr. Kathryn B. ward likes mehendi, mehendi color and its smell. She likes to design her hand with mehendi. Watch more from video.

What is the biggest celebration of your community each year?

Nargis Sultana
ID: 886
English Section

Pahela Baishakh, Eid festivals, international mother language day, victory day etc are the biggest celebration of our community each year. But Eid festivals are the biggest religious festival of the Muslim across the world. Eid means pleasure. Eid festivals bring happiness to the Muslims. There are two Eid festivals. They are Eid-ul-fitr and Eid-ul-azha. Eid-ul-fitr comes out after the holy month of Ramadan. After the month of Ramadan the first day of Shawal is the Eid-ul-fitr festival. In the morning of the Eid day I found my mother and sisters preparing different kinds delicious items of food and sweets. In the morning I wake up and said my Fazr prayer. I went to the pond and took my bath with sweet smelling soap. Then I came to our house. I ate some sweets. Then I and my brother put on new dresses. My brother took his prayer at the Eidgah Masque. He found people coming to the maidan [field]. He saw the Imam was speaking about the significance of month long fasting and the Eid-ul-fitr. Some delicious foods were cooked at our house. Eid-ul-Azha is quite different from Eid-ul-fitr. After two months and nine days Eid-ul-Azha comes. It is particularly an occasion of sacrifice. Animals are sacrificed by the name of God and the poor get a share of the meat. I got much pleasure. Thus I spent the afternoon. I think Bangladeshi people celebrate theses two days like me. So Eids are the biggest celebration of our community.

What is the biggest celebration of your community each year?

Taslima Akhter
ID: 885
English Section

The biggest celebration of our community is given below:

Eid festival is the biggest celebration of our community each year. There are two Eids. Eid-ul-fitr and Eid-ul-Azha. Last year I celebrated the Eid-ul-fitr with due religious solemnity and purity. In the morning of Eid day I found my mother and sisters preparing different kinds of delicious items of food and sweets. In the morning I woke up and said my said Fazar prayer. After getting bath, I decorated my house. Then I ate some sweets. Then I put on my new dress and helped my mother. Birani was cooked at our house on the occasion. In the afternoon I went to the house of near and dear ones and exchanged greetings with them. I got much pleasure. Thus I spent the afternoon. At night I watched different programs on TV on different channels. Eid-ul-Azha, another religious festival we observed with great solemnity in the world. Last year, my father bought a cow and a goat. I fed them. So, I felt sorry when they were sacrificed. As we are Muslim, we have to follow the rules of Islam. After sacrificing, I went to my friends’ houses to see their sacrificed animals. After one and a half hour, I came back home and helped mother to prepare different dishes. At noon along with my family members I enjoyed the lunch with different delicious dishes. I enjoyed the rest of the day as Eid-ul-fitr. Bangladesh is a Muslim country. We all pass these two Eids with a great joy. So I think Eid festival is the biggest celebration of our country.

What is the biggest celebration of your community each year?

Aklima Akter Akhy
ID: 866
English Section

The biggest celebrations of our community are: Pohela Baishakh, Ei-dulfetor, Ei-dul Azha, Victory day, Independence Day etc. I like Pohela Baishakh. Pohela Baishakh is the first day of Boishakh month [1st month Bengali year]. It is a part and parcel of our culture and we observe this day with great festivity. Baishakhi Fairs are held in the different parts of the country. People of all classes go to the fair. The most comprehensive fair is held at the Ramna Batomul in every year. People wear colorful dresses representing Bengali trends and exchange gifts. Businessmen open new books of account on this day which is known as Halkhata. I go to Baishakhi Fair in every year at Ramna Batomul. I feel very much pleasure on this day. So Pohela Baisakh is the biggest celebration of our community to me.

The Biggest Celebration In Our Country

Cross posted from Sristi Kotha

Bangladesh is a non-communal country, where Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Buddhists live together with common indicative Bangladeshi (Bangali). In turn of six seasons in this highly beautiful country, Bangladeshis overwhelm with various kinds of festive occasions such as Pahela Baishakh (1st day of new Bengali year), Borshaboron (reception of rainy season), Nobanno Utsab (celebration with new crops at Hemonta), Pahela Falgun (1st day of spring), Chaitra Songkranti (last day of Bengali year), National mother tongue day, Independence day besides different community’s religious festivals. But I think Pahela Baishakh is the biggest celebration where gay and festive Bangladeshis of various communities hold a festive of one spirit for the devotional reception of new Bengali year.

The first day of new year begins by wishing one another saying shuvo nababarsha (happy new year). Every one wears same type of dresses which are combination of red and white.Men use to wear Panjabi or Fotua and women wear Shari, some girls use Slack and Kameez. Girls are ornamented with Bengali adorn. They use henna paste, bangles, various types of ornaments made by mud, flowers etc. Some people use abeer (kind of red powder), some draw alpona on their face or hand. Every one have special food in this day which is panta (boiled rice soaked with water) with fried hilsa fish, uncooked onion, green chili and various kinds of bhorta (one kind of cooked food) of dried fish (preserved by seasoning and drying in the sun), potato, pulse or prawn.

Picture: A Bangladeshi girl ornamented with Baishakhi adorn

Many organizations and institutions arrange rally. People gather in rally with colorful poster, mask etc. Baishakhi fairs and cultural shows are arranged here and there. Various types of toys, pottery, handicrafts, cosmetics, fan (of a palmyra-leaf), sweetmeats etc are available in fair. Jatra pala (Opera) and puppet show are attractive parts of village fair. All cultural functions in this day begins with a song by world famous poet Rabindra Nath tagore which is aso… hey baishakh, aso… aso (come… oh Bishakh, come… come). Cultural functions are resounded by song, dance and poetry recitation. Most colorful and quite attractive fair and cultural functions are arranged at Romona Botomul in Dhaka. Sometimes storm called Baishakhi jhar occur suddenly. Then owners of stores in fair fall in hazard little bit.

Some indigenous people such as Chakma, Marma, Tonchonga and Tripura celebrate this day as their main festival which is called Bijhu. They are overwhelmed with indigenous festival.

Picture: floor decoration

As a Bangladeshi I also enjoy this day with others of one spirit. In my childhood I and my friends bought vandar (one kind of pot made by mud) from Baishakhi fair and saved money in it all around the year and in next new year we bought new dress by this money. It was a great pleasure to me. In this day we were walking about in the village fair. Riding in Nagor- dola and designing hands with color were the main attraction for me. When I was a student of college, then I and my friends gathered at college campus at the starting of day and then traveled by boat in the river called Bhairab. We passed our time with singsong, gossip, laugh etc. At afternoon we went at fair. The years after that I was a resident of Rokeya hall at University (KUET) and here pleasant drowsiness of festival for reception of new year begins at previous night of this day. Some girls were busy with rehearsal of sing song, poetry recitation, some were busy with making poster, some were drawing alpona (floor decoration of sprinkled rice flour) at hall courtyard, some were busy with designing their hands by henna paste, some were making cake for stall, some were going for festooning campus with posters. The night was passed in this way. At morning festival was started with cultural function. Some girls put mark of sandal paste on the forehead of others during the function. At the end of function we took special food for Pahela Baishakh. Then we went to the stalls held by some students of the university and after that we walked about various place. We also enjoyed film show at university auditorium.

Picture: Designed hands with henna paste

Picture: Hands are ornamented with bangles

Like me all Bangladeshis enjoy this day. At one time this day takes farewell from us but it offers new dreams for new days and says, “happy every day of new year”.

The biggest celebrating day

By Syeda Mahmuda Akhter


Our life is the sum total of hours, days and years. But all days are not equally memorable to us. Eid-ul-Fitr is the biggest religious festival of the Muslims across the world. The Muslims celebrate the day after day long fasting throughout the month of Ramadan. This day bears great significance to the Muslims. They eagerly wait for this day after keeping away from all sorts of vices during the Ramadan. On this day the Muslims come closer to one another forgetting all enmity & hatred among themselves. This day brings immense joy & happiness to them. On this day, children’s joy knows no bounds. Wearing new dresses, they move from house to house & eat delicious foods. On this day, the Muslims get up early in the morning. After saying their morning prayer, the take bath & then put on new dresses & go to Eidgah to say Eid prayers. They pray not only their personal well-being but also for the salvation of humanity in the Eid prayer. After the prayer, they embrace each other & exchange greetings saying Eid Mubarak. On Eid occasion, I cooked many delicious foods. My friends and relatives visit my house to exchange Eid greetings. On this day before, I exchange many interesting messages to my near & dear ones.

I enjoyed this day very much. My husband along with my only son “Areed” I visit my close friends & relatives house and share Eid greetings.


Although Eid-ul-Fitr is a day of festivity, it teaches us to love all men irrespective of high & low. It reminds us of the saying “Malice towards none but love for all under the sun.”

The biggest celebration in my community

By Jainub Khanam

We are Bangladeshi and Muslims. Bengali celebration days are 21st February –martyrs and international mother language day , 26th march independence day, Pohela Baishak-Bangla new year.26 march is very important for me as Bangladeshi. Because, we have got our Bangladesh by giving blood of million martyrs and honor of many mothers and sisters. I am thankful and regarded to them. Since, I am Muslim. So, very important for me like birth and death day of Mohammad(sm) in 12th Rabiul awal , Shob-e-barat, Shob-e-meraz, Eid-ul-fitr, Eid-ul-azha, etc.

Eid –ul-azha teaches us how to sacrifice for others. But I like very much Eid-ul-fitr. Because the Eid day is the greatest of all festivals of the Muslims in the world. After the month long Ramadan the Eid-ul-fitr knocks at the door. In this way, all muslim does pure and innocent their heart and soul.

When the moon of eid arises in the evening, everybody feels very happy . In Eid day all forget that who poor and who rich man. All share the pleasures to one another. All men wear new dress. Everybody go to meet with their dearest in their house and give good wishes and gift etc. we, the housewives cook shemai, biriani, khir and other delicious foods. At the end, I want to say that Eid-ul-fitr is very enjoyable day for me. That’s why I think Eid day is biggest celebration of our community each year.

How Nari Jibon students/new bloggers are trying to go ahead

Cross posted from Sujan's Chinta

To develop Nari Jibon new bloggers, Nari Jibon arranged a photo session in last Friday (22 August 08). Four student bloggers (Jesmin ara Amzad, Jannat ara Amzad, Hira and Sufia), Nari Jibon staff blogger & Trainer Taslima Akter and Golam Rabbany Sujan went to visit Ahsan Manzil. They also visited and took pictures some of adjacent areas of Ahsan Manzil like Jagannath University and banks of Buriganga River, Victoria Park etc. Some of Nari Jibon students who receive skill training on English and Computers open blog addresses. Nari Jibon students also receive training on writing feature on different things in their classes, blog training, and digital camera operating etc. Some of them also open flickr accounts. As all the students bloggers have no own digital camera Nari Jibon authority arrange outside photo session for the students & regular bloggers. We think it will improve students’ knowledge and they will be motivated to keep more blogs.

Ahsan Manzil and (second) its display centre.

Ahsan Manzil was named by Nawab Khwaja Abdul Ghani after his son Nawab Khwaja Alimullah during the time of Mughals. It was built up during the time of Mugahls and it was used by Dhaka Nawab family. It is situated on the bank of the Buriganga River. Now it is using as a museum.

Nari Jibon bloggers are taking photos of Ahsan Manzil

Nari Jibon bloggers are introducing themselves with other visitors (foreigners) and inviting them to visit Nari Jibon. Jesmin and Jannath are talking in English with two Japanese and other people are listening to their conversation. Jesmin and Jannath are learning English at Nari Jibon.

We became sad when we saw the water of our Buriganga River is being polluted by the people and businessmen of this area and nobody care of this.

My mother

Cross posted from Rafiq's Eye

My mother

Last winter I went to Barisal along with my children and wife to see my mother and also to observe Eid-ul.Azha. My mother was very much happy to see us that time. Seeing us she got some strength to walk a bit. My mother is now Eighty five years old. Due to old age she can not walk well without help of others or stick. She lost her parents and four of her brothers long long ago. She also has lost her husband and two sons that made her weaker.

Mother with my two sisters

In our village everybody loves her for her hospitality. My mother lives in village along with her youngest daughter and grand daughter. But my sister has to cook five to six peoples food everyday. Neighboring people ( specially women come to see her, chat with her and helps my sister a bit in her household works but nobody can not go without having food from our house. I saw her keeping without food many times but she told us that she had no appetite but checking the rice dish I saw empty. Actually she gave food to some of her poor neighboring children that was for her. Even now no one can go from our house without having food.

Her heart is great that is hardly seen. I do not know how to explain about her big heart. She is so affectionate to all.

My mother is living in village where my father and two elder brothers were buried. We tried to take her Dhaka but she does not want to leave that place. She says in this respect that she can see her two son’s everyday but if she is taken to Dhaka how she would see them.

As she is living far away from Dhaka and very expensive to go over there; I can not go to see my mother whenever I want. I usually go to village once or twice a year specially in Eid vacation. But I try to talk to her almost every day over cell phone. Whenever I talk to her my heart fill with joy and happiness. I love my mother very much.

World of Today

By Sufia Khatun

World of today .As like today,
Life stays long? Or not stay?
If this world does not stay,
All human nations will go to be change,
World of today is very nice,
It makes our mind anxious,
Mind does not want to listen any thing and the hart is same ,
I don’t wish to leave this world,
We all want more and more,
World of today may not change.

My brother

By Sufia Khatun

I am Sufia. We are three sisters and one brother. I have father, but he doesn’t live with us. I have mother. She is a housewife. My brother is only on earning person in our family. Our family depends on him. I did not any cares from my father. But I don’t know about affection and love of my father. My brother loves me so much. He believes me. He passed S.S.C in 1994. From that he is working hard for our family. I am very proud of my brother. Because, he is my brother, he is my father, he is my friend and he is my all. I pray all time for my brother. May he stay good and God bless him. My brother is a best brother for me. I best happy for my brother.

What is the biggest celebration of your community each year?

Nasrin Akter Urmi [ID: 879]
English Section

Our country has many occations, as like: Eid-ul-Fitre, Eid-ul-Azha, Pahela Baisakh, Pahela Falgun, 21^st February etc. I think eid day is the biggest celebration of our community each year. Eid day is special day in our Muslim life. Eid-ul-fitre takes place on the first day of shawal after having one month of Ramadan. On this day all rise from sleep very early. All men and young boys go to the Eidgah Mosque to say their prayer. On this day every body wears new dress and visits to one another's house. Various items are cooked on this occation. The rich people distributen cloths, foods and money among the poor.

What is the biggest celebration of your community each year?

Rabaya Akter [ID: 893]
English Section

In our community we have several special days. We celebrate these days each year. There are many special days to celebrate, but one of the biggest celebrations in our community is Pahela Baisakh and all the people of Bangladesh celebrate this day. I also enjoy on this day. On that day generally we wake up early, get fresh and go to Romona Batomul. We wear some special dress for this day that is mixed-up of red and white color. Then we make a group with our family and friends. Everybody prepare special foods on that day. Those are Panta [rice with water] and Hilsa fish fry. We all eat those. These are the main menu for this day. Some cultural programs and fairs are arranged on this day. Those stay for the whole month. Whole day we enjoy Pahela Baisakh. So we can say that this is the biggest celebration of our community each year.