Bloggers profile (Students)

Afrin Afroz Anny

"My name is Anny. my birth place is Dhaka. my birthday is on 21st march, 1990. My father is a businessman and my mother is a housewife. I have two younger brothers. i have completed secondary school certificate examination in 2005 and higher secondary certificate examination in 2007. My native village is my favorite place. Because what i see in my native village, i can’t see that in the city life. Because there is no sound pollution, air pollution, traffic jam etc. So I like it very much. My favorite hobby is watching t.v. and listening music.

My future plane is to be independent in my life and I am interested to help my patents. I want to save money for my future. Now I am taking courses on English and computer at Nari Jibon. at first I didn’t know about Nari Jibon. but now I knew about this."

Surma Akter

"My full name is Surma Akter. I was born in Noakhali in 1986. I passed my childhood in Noakhali. Now I live in Dhaka. My birthday is on 1st July. We have eight family members in our family. We are six sisters and one brother. My mother is a house wife. I have passed secondary school certificate examination in 2002 from Alexander high school and higher secondary certificate examination in 2005 from Ahsono Abdurrobe Government College. At present I am a student of degree first year. My favorite movie is ‘Kirtton Khola’. My hobby is reading books. I like to read story books of Robidronath tagor. I want to be a good teacher in future.

Nari Jibon is a very good organization. I was informed about Nari Jibon from one of my friends Neshu. At first, i was a student of English -1, now i am a student of English - 2. I think Nari Jibon is a nice organization for women."

Bloggers profile (Students)

Hasina Akter

"Hello, I am Hasina Akter. I was born in Noakhali. I come from Nobinbag. My father’s name is Late Siddequr Rahman, and he was a government employer. My mother’s name is Salma Akter. She is a house wife. I have three brothers.

I am a candidate of Fazil Examination and after finishing this I will do a diploma course in Homeopathy medicine and surgery. My favorite place is my native village. My hobby is traveling. My favorite movie is ‘Matir Moyna’. I want to be a doctor in future; I want to take care to the helpless people of Bangladesh. Beside this I want to develop my skills in English and computer. I heard about Nari Jibon from a Graphic student, Shanta.

At first I didn’t know about the blog. Now I know about this. After coming here I knew about many things. Now I am trying to write something on blog."

Aforza Akter

"My name is Aforza Akter. I was born in Mymenshing in 1987. My Birthday is on 10th June. I passed my childhood at Fulbaria Thana. I have six family members in my family. My elder brother is a school teacher and my elder sister is a primary school teacher. My second brother is a Moulana and younger brother is a police. I am a student of Honors in Siddeshwari Degree College and University in Dhaka. I am married. My husband is an engineer. I obtained my Secondary School Certificate from “Assim Girls High School” in 2002 and Higher Secondary Certificate from “Akter Sultana Mohila College” in 2004.

My favorite hobby is reading any kinds of books. I want to be a good teacher. I come to Nari Jibon to develop my skills by taking English and computer courses. Blog is a new topic for me. We can write anything on our Bangladeshi culture and people though this blog. I am very glad to be a part of this blog site."

How long the women will suffer!

By: Sherin Sultana

We are seeing for many days about some activities on violence against women. But did it remove yet? Now I would like to write some lines on my friend Muna who had escaped from her home with his boy friend, Shajal.

Recently Muna has passed Higher Secondary Certificate. Her mind was full with colorful dreams. After finishing graduation Shajal was doing a job. Muna had no idea that the color of love can be changed. All of her loves and dreams were proved false within some days of her marriage.

Muna realized that Shajal did not love her. He just loved the wealth and money of her family and to get that entire wealth he married her. Shajal was forcing her for 2 lac taka, ornaments and furniture. Though Muna got married against her family and they didn’t accept her marriage it was not possible to bring all these from her family and that’s why Muna couldn’t make lasting for a long time in her father in law’s house.

In this large world there was no place where she could go, she was feeling very helpless and alone. Though she left her family and got married against her family, so she had no chance to go there. For the sake of life at last Muna came to Dhaka and within some days she got a job in a private clinic as a nurse. The days were going on but Shajal didn’t take any news of her. When Shajal got the news that Muna was doing a job he came to her, but not for the shake of love. He came to take money from Muna and from then he came regularly.

In this way after passing two years Shajal became crazy to take Muna back. There is no need to think that Shajal has changed and became a good man. But he didn’t get changed. Actually he tried to use a new technique to take money. Though they live together in a same house but mentally they live in a different world. They don’t share anything of their life. Muna didn’t understand about Shajal’s technique.

The great mistake of Muna was to be disobedient with her family. So now she is suffering everything silently. Her every day is passing with this hope that, one day Shajal will realize his mistakes.

Not only in uneducated, half educated or lower class family; the educated women like Muna are also oppressed by high educated person like Shajal. Only the processes of harassments are changed. Now a day the number of physical persecution is getting low but mental and economical persecution are being added as violence.

If any one is born as woman she must have suffer any type of harassments. But how long it will be continued? The women should understand that they should fight to remove the violence against them. At first they need to change their mentality to tolerate every torture and they should take care of themselves. I think then they will be able to make their own fields.

When Nari Jibon acts as an alternative skill provider

Written by M.G. Rabbany ‘Sujan’

Population is increasing rapidly in Bangladesh day by day and the same time the percentage of educated persons is also increasing. Almost at the same time women’s education is also increasing from previous levels. But Bangladesh government and economy are failing to create sufficient work for these educated populations. These educated and unemployed populations are facing heavy competition to get a job and are struggling with many difficulties. These unemployed and disappointed educated people are also suffering from cheater & bogus employment authorities and corrupted officials even more.

In this situation educated women are also struggling to get a job. Even now women have many obstacles to get a job in our country as they can not join every kind of job. Scarcity of skill is also another problem to get a job for Bangladeshi women. Although the percentage of educated women is increasing, some are not interested to take skills for developing their career and getting jobs. They complete only academic study, but they (also their guardians) are not interested to take skills that can make them competitive in this job market.

Anyway, Nari Jibon provides women with alternative skills according to the demand of the students. Nari Jibon provides Bangla, English language skills, computer and Tailoring skills beside other packages skills (like- Business Management, Photography, Blog etc. with other awareness programs) with internship and more practice time at women cyber café. In the mean time many students already have taken skills from Nari Jibon organization.

The good news is that, recently Bangladesh Election Commission appointed some manpower temporary (for preparing voter and national ID card project). We have learned that some more students were offered jobs. We have informed that already Jesmin ara Amzad, Kamrun nahar, Rozy Alam and Zannat ara Amzad have joined for doing that job. They will be able to work for 3 months at their own area office and 3 months another area office but inside Dhaka if they agreed. They will get 5 taka per voter sheet and their post’s name is computer operator. Kamrun nahar joined as supervisor of a group of computer operators and Rozy Alom has joined as data collector. These students have taken English and computer skills and they are running students & bloggers of Nari Jibon organization still now.

We have also learned that some more students got offer to join the jobs such as Sathi, Moyna, Sultana Dilroba, Suchitra, Sultana begum etc but they did not join the job due to some problems like their guardians were not agreed to work after the evening and some of their personal causes.

Students who have joined to this post also faced almost same problems but they have overcome their problems to make agreement for work with their guardians.

I wish to congratulate these students and pray for them to go ahead through the Blog site of Nari Jibon. Also we (staff & students) are grateful to all the DONORS.

The introductions are given below of those students who have joined to the Election Commission’s recent project:

Jesmin-ara-amzad
















Jesmin ara Amjad (id# 713), blogger of Nari Jibon and student of English-2 and Computer Section. She is reading in class-15 at Khilgoan Model College University.


Zannat-ara-amzad













Zannat ara Amzad (ID# 712) blogger of Nari Jibon blog site and student of English-2, Computer Section. She has completed H.S.C. examination last year and she is trying to take admission in any university.


Kamrun-nahar Pushpo















Kamrun nahar Pushpo (ID# 715), She is new blogger of Nari Jibon blog site and student of English-2 and Computer Section. She is reading in class-15 at Khilgoan Model College University.


Rozy Alom












Rozy Alom (ID# 555), She is the student of English-2 and Computer Section of Nari Jibon. She has joined as data collector. She is also working in a kinder garden school as a teacher.


Anjuman-ara-ali
















When I was writing this article, another Nari Jibon’s graduate (English and Computer) student named Anjuman-ara-ali (ID# 451 ) came to visit our office and informed that last month she joined in a Multinational Company named Flora Limited as a Sales Executive where she will get 5500 taka per month as her salary.

Various Uses of Flowers

By Salma Siddika Mumu

I think a flower is a symbol of beauty. Its sweet and fresh smell attracts to all and keeps our mind fresh. There is hardly any person can be found who does not love flowers.

We all like flowers. Though most of the people of our country are very poor, they cannot buy flowers. Only a particular level of people can buy flowers.

At past we preferred books, showpieces, dresses, ornaments as gift items. Now a day people’s mentalities are changing day by day in our country. Beside those gift items, people give flowers on any occasions. People like to give bouquet to their favorite person. People also go to meet any patient with bouquet and wish them to get well soon.

Now many people are doing business on flowers. Today solvent people are buying flowers. People like to decorate their houses by flowers on any occasions. At present exhibitions and fairs on flowers are also becoming popular day-by-day. Man wants to change their condition by working. The business of flower helps them to solve unemployment problem and it contributes much in the economy of the country.

Flowers are using as gift items and to decorate places on various occasions, program, seminars etc. This will help to encourage the flower cultivators to cultivate flowers more and more. Therefore, a new business may emerge in our country.

Monowara Begum who faced domestic violence after marriage

By Taslima Akter

A Street Hawker in Bangladesh

By Tahmina Akter

A street hawker is a common figure in Bangladesh. Now a day he is seen to sell goods as moving shops. He sells things of common use or fancy items. He carries his goods in a bag or in a basket. He sometimes carries his moving shop on his bicycle or on a pushing car. He walks along in the roads by calling the names of his articles by singing a song or by ringing a bell. His peculiar calls draw the attention of children, women, folk and simple persons.

A hawker sells children & women’s favorite things, such as: toys, dolls, biscuits, cakes, ice-cream, sweet meats, fruits etc. He sometimes sells common necessary things, such as: clothes, cookeries, vegetables, newspapers, magazines and many other necessary and fancy articles. A street hawker is a man of jolly nature. He sometimes sings comic songs or plays flute or shows some magic in order to get the attention of people around him. Then he approaches with a smiling face and he declares his items are the best from others. By his pleasant words he convinces the people and able to sell his goods at a high rate. He some times deceives his customers both in kind and quality. Maybe they do this for their poverty.

A street hawker is highly welcomed by the children. He is a favorite person to them. Sometimes he deceives with the children, women and simple people. So some people do not like him.

An Anecdote of my friend, Mitu

By Sherin Sultana

Mitu was very favorite and close friend of mine. She was so different among our friends. There are some people who can attract others very easily. Mitu was like them, full of joy and lovely. She always made fun and we became impressed on her. Beside academic knowledge she had many extra qualities. In Orientation program, Pahela Baishakh, Pahela Falgun or any other cultural occasion she was ready to participate without feeling any hesitation.

Though she was so enjoyable but she was very alone in her own world. She was from a broken family. Some days she stayed with her mother and some days with her father. I noticed that she had no eagerness to back home, when we had to reach before the fixed time. She always wanted to remain busy on other purposes and returned home when she wished. Financially Mitu was solvent; she got everything what ever she wanted either from her mother or from her father. The thing was that, she never faced any type of guidance from her family and so she was practiced a little uncontrolled life.

The life was going on like this way but when the most favorite person of her life refused her, she can’t control her. To forget her sorrows, she selected another type of life. Everyday she made new relations with new persons. She was always busy to talk to them whole day and night on phone. Now her life is going on like this way. When she needed supports and guidance from her family, at that time for the lack of proper guidance she is advancing an uncertain life.

Mitu’s younger sister Nitu was very polite and soft minded. It seemed to me that, in this family Nitu was only person upon whom the family could depend and yet it was going on with her supports. But at present she is also acquiring the nature of Mitu. She changes her boy friends one after another. Her demand is only money. Now her relation with her family locates only for money.

I saw how a person can be changed for the lacking of love, affection and proper guidance. But when I saw to be change the nearest parson in front of my sight then I couldn’t keep silent. I feel very sad.

We always learned to hate the wicked persons but never tried to know the cause of their wickedness. We should show the right way to them. Otherwise the next generation won’t be able to safe.

I know if I try I won’t be able to become like Mitu or I won’t be able to join her broken family. I only can be a calm witness of this reality.

Justice for Nadine-delayed - fugitive sajid absconds again

From Kathryn Ward--re those searching for recent information about Justice for Nadine:

In regard to (lack of) Justice for Nadine:

Her alleged abuser and rapist, fugitive Sajid Huq, missed a second court date on 3 December in New York City. An erstwhile Columbia University graduate student, he has been absconding since missing his first court date (1 Nov--warrant issued). Meanwhile, he (and his friends) have been posting his rationalizations for his abuse-rape on various blogs via a variety of names. See for example, in mid November, the excellent post on the case by Abdul Kargo and the ensuing comments--some by Sajid et al in T'ings 'n Things "What is a woman's worth measured against?". See my own recent post on the case and coverage in Bideshi Blue and other posts-links in the last month.

You can read more about this case on the Justice for Nadine facebook page, 9,411 and counting members from around the world, including pictures of Nadine post assault and also picture of Sajid. Pls inform the police and/or call 911 if you see him in USA. Elsewhere, inform the authorities.

Beyond this case, please reach out: listen and learn more and join community discussions and programs on domestic violence and violence against women VAW ...where ever you are. If you need to find out more about domestic violence programs in Bangladesh, USA, or New York City, New Jersey, or Washington, D.C. or Maryland and/ or programs such as Sakhi, Manavi,or Asha, follow this link. Another good site is Adhunika's blog.

My thoughts are with Nadine and her family-friends during this difficult time.

Some parts cross-posted Bideshi Blue who is posting every day on the 16 Days to Eliminate Violence Against Women (25 Nov-10 Dec) and also Take Back the Tech campaign against VAW on ICTs and internet.

Bloggers profile (Students)

Papia Hossain Shampa

"My name is Papia Hossain Shampa. I was born in 16th January in 1983 in Dhaka. My future plan is to do a private job. My mother is a house wife. I live with them. I have no brother and sister.

I can not recollect all the memories of my childhood. But some of the memories of my childhood of school days are still in my mind. When I read in class six, my father got me admitted in a government school where I spent ten years. On the first day when I entered the school compound with my father, the children were enjoying themselves. I might not be quite free and easy in their middle. My heart began to beat fast. When I was taken to the headmaster then his smiling face and gentle words put me to be easy. He used to inspire me to do well in the examination. He was my best guide. I could never forget him. I have passed my Secondary School Certificate in 2000 from Khilgaon Girls High School and Higher Secondary Certificate in 2002 from Shiddaswari Degree College. I have also passed B.S.S in 2006 from Shiddaswari Degree College. Now I got admission in M.S.S in Chittagoang. It is my favorite place. It is really impossible to describe the beauty of the rising sun at the sea beach of the Bay of Bengal in Cox’s Bazar.

My favorite book is ‘Himu’, that is written by Humaun Ahammed. My hobby is gardening. I have a garden in front of my reading room. Whenever I get time I work in it. I water the plants regularly. The garden looks very charming. Reading books and watching movie are also my hobby. After completing my education, I will do a job. I want to be a Banker.

First I came to Nari Jibon with my friend. Here I am learning English and Computer. I enjoy learning here. Teachers are also good here. They are very friendly.

Blog is a new subject for me. I heard for the first time about blog from here. I am a new Blogger. I feel very happy to be a part of the Blog Project. We can share our Bangladeshi culture, social values, religion, music, art, profession etc to any other countries through the Blog writing. The most important part of the Blog is it brings out the creativity and talent of people by writing. I feel very proud and happy when I find my own writing on blog. "


Nelufa Akter

"My name is Nelufa Akter Rumi. I was born in Dhaka in 1992. My birthday is on 5th January. I live in Dhaka. My father’s name is Mr. Aoul Khalek. My father is a government service holder. My mother’s name is Mrs. Fatema. She is an ideal mother and house wife to me. We are six sisters. I am the youngest from all. I read in class IХ.

Our country, Bangladesh is a very wonderful and beautiful country. My favorite place is the Chittagong. My hobby is traveling, hearing music, reading books and watching television.

My future plan is to be a good actress or teacher. I was informed about Nari Jibon Project from my sister. Now I am a student of English-1 section."

Once in a Moon-lit Night

By Sherin Sultana

Today the urban life is of brick and stone. The natural beauty is not seen to our sight. The nature is defeated by men’s artificiality. She doesn’t get her proper value still the nature comes to the earth with her own elegance and glory.

Some days ago the electricity had gone at night. As usual all of us were gossiping. At that time I went to the balcony and suddenly I became so much wondered that I can’t express. The moon-light in Dhaka city can be such beautiful, was not known to me. I think the moon-light was really exceptional on that day and the whole world was overflowed by moon light. I wished to bath in the rain of the moon-light, and run away from the crowded place to any unknown soundless place.

I am in Dhaka city since many years but I couldn’t feel in my mind that I saw the moon-light and feel like so much exiting in this way. That scene had driven me mad. Maybe I didn’t get time or opportunity to observe this.

I couldn’t do anything on that night. I was just looking out side only. I remembered about those days of mine when I was in the village. The nature always plays with its natural beauties. I can remember how many times I passed without sleeping and by gossiping in the moon-lit night. I used to walk in the narrow path [village road] in the silver moon-light. I felt to hold the moon-light. In this way I wanted to feel the moon-light. At that time I thought, the nature becomes beautiful in the moon-lit-night only in the village. But now I realized that moon-light is always beautiful in every place.

Cyclone sidr and my experience

By Taslima Akter

Bangladesh swallowed by terrible Cyclone again after 1991. The name of this cyclone is sidr. Sidr’s blew all Bangladesh with coastal area. The costal areas of Bangladesh were mass of ruins in one night. Today is 11th day of sidr. Inferential in this cyclone there are 40 million people and 9 million residential house partially or fully sustain. There are million people distressed and passing their life fearfully. Million people are passing their night under the open sky and there is very grave position of women and children. Although many organization and generous people are helping the distressed people but that is not sufficient for all. I want to share my little experience with Nari Jibon blog readers:

Thursday (15.12.07) morning at 6:30am we caused to depart to the Sylhet. I and my family traveled to Sylhet for visiting the Sahjalal Mazar (one of the famous Mazar of Bangladesh). On Wednesday whole day the sky was cloudy and we heard the news from television and read the news about cyclone. But we didn’t thought that how horrible this cyclone sidr might be. Thursday morning sky was very cloudy and strong wind was blowing with rain. Driver was driven the car slowly. We reached in Sylhet at 1:00pm. I sat beside the window of the car and seeing outside scenery. When we reached in Sylhet it was raining heavily and strong wind was blowing all around. We reached to the mazar wet in rain. When I stayed in Mazar I felt peace in my heart and forget everything about bad weather. I received a phone call from Rafiq Bhai (director of Nari Jibon project) and knew about situation of Dhaka and also informed that tomorrow (Friday) the office will be closed due to cyclone sidr. Then I afraid and wanted to returned to Dhaka hurry. Gradually the weather was becoming very bad in Sylhet area.

After having lunch we took sit in bus at 3:30pm. That journey was long journey in my life and I enjoyed the journey but also was afraid of upcoming cyclone situation. I enjoyed the natural beauty of sylhet and thought how beautiful is Bangladesh. In bus we heard a bad news of an bus accident and where 3 people are dead and more 20 people injured. After hearing this news we were very much anxious. Driver had driven the car slowly and carefully. When we crossed the Sylhet area, we found that car which one fall in accident. We can understand that the driver could not control the car for strong wind and rain. When we crossed Brahmonbaria area, we saw 2 other accident and after seeing this we got frightened and were counting the time when we could reach to Dhaka.

We reached to Dhaka at 9:30PM. We thanked the al mighty Allah that we could reached Dhaka safely but we didn’t know that we have to face inconvenient situation. When we were looking for transport to reach to our resident we could not get any. Every one was trying to reach their home fast because that time wind was so strong and it was raining cats and dogs. We can’t decide what we will do and we had to walk not getting any transport. I faced this situation in my life first. That was awful night for me. I walked in footpath holding my fathers hand and was seeing the situation of street people. They didn’t have any safe place to passed the terrible night. They were wetting in rain and sitting wrapping poly-thin in their body. At last we reached our home fully wet in rain. I felt pain in my legs. After taking dinners we tried to sleep but could not due to for roaring of cyclone.

At about 3:00am I got a phone call from my aunty she informed us that some robber attacked her house and tried to broken the door. She shouted but nobody heard her voice due to strong wind and rain. We were very much worried about her. And that time mobile network was almost down and sometimes we didn’t get her mobile connection due to network problem. Finally we got to know that the robber could not enter her house and we got rid of tension. We passed that night fearfully. I and my family became sick as we had to wet in rain. On Friday I took rest all day long. We had to face the electricity and water problem.

Saturday morning I came to Nari Jibon office. I saw the newspaper and knew that how the cyclone sidr destroyed the costal area of our country and thousands of people killed, thousands of house destroyed and damaged crops of thousands hectors. If we compare the cyclone with the cyclone of 1991 then we could see in this year more crops & houses are damaged but less people are killed this year. We are seeing in TV and news paper that many national and international organizations are helping the cyclone victims along with Bangladesh govt.

Nari Jibon blog training on video and digital camera

Yesterday (Friday) Nari Jibon project arranged training on video & digital camera. The trainer was Ms. Taslima Akter. Two work study students (shirin sultana & Mahfuza parul Tania), 3 old blogger (Zannat Ara Amzad, Jesmin Ara amzad & Kamrun Nahar Pushpo) and 3 new blogger (Salma Akter, Shahida Islam Mony & Khadiza Khatun) and 3 staff & blogger (MG Rabany Sujon, Shamima Akter and Afroza Akter Kajol) attended the training program.

"Trainer Taslima is discussing about utilities
of digital camera and video camera."

"Taslima is teaching the bloggers how
to take picture and operate the digital camera."

Ms. Taslima briefed the new old bloggers about video blogging and then she train to students how to take pictures, how to operate digital camera, taking picture and video in different zoom, how to download the picture from memory card and camera and also capture the video from tape. After completing this training blogger expressed their feelings:

Mahfuza parul Tania said: “I am very happy to join here and also proud that I m working here as work study student. Today is my great day because I learned many new things and uses new technology. I want to apply my experience in blogging activities and also want to learn more.”

"Ms. Taslima is teaching the bloggers how to take video"

Zannat Ara Amzad said: “I am a blogger and I feel proud when I say am Nari Jibon blogger. I learned many things from Nari Jibon. I didn’t know how to use digital camera and also how to make video before but today I learned and now I can make it. I am thankful to Nari Jibon executive director Dr. Kathryn B ward and all others of Nari Jibon project for giving us this opportunity.”

Jesmin Ara Amzad said: “This training is very important and I enjoyed it. I suggest to all please sharing your experience, knowledge to others by blogging. I want to learn more and apply to my experience in Nari Jibon blog.”

Shirin Sultana said: “I am a Nari Jibon blogger. Today I learned how to take picture and video, I enjoyed this training very much and also very happy to join this program. I think of buying a digital camera so that I can take lots of pictures from Bangladesh and I would like to show how beautiful is our Bangladesh.”

"Bloggers are sharing their knowledge to each others"

Kamrun Nahar Pushpo said: “When our computer teacher Ms. Taslima Akter informed me about video and digital camera training on Friday, I was so exited! After getting this news I thought about it again and again what will be the moment of our training and it maybe unbelievable to you but it is true that I could not sleep last night as I was so excited. Today I introduced with new technology and now I can use it and it is great achievement to me.”

"Bloggers are practicing "

Salma Akter said: “I am new blogger of nari jibon. Today I learned how to take video and this is new things for me. I want to learn more on it and would like to establish my career as a blogger.”

Shahida Yeasmin Moni said: “Here I am new student and also new blogger. Now I am learning about blog. I guess that blogging is very important and also enjoyable parts of website. I want to establish my career through the blogging.”

"Bloggers are practicing the video and digital camera"

Six more students also learned about blogging (what is blog, how to write, what will write, what is website, browsing the website) through this training. They are Rumi Akter, Anukona, Bithi Akter, Ruma Akter, Hasina Akter & Tahmina Akter Rani.

All the bloggers enjoyed the training program and thanked the trainer and founder of Narijibon and other donors for giving them opportunity to learn about blogging, about digital camera, video camera etc. They also thanked the donors of Nari Jibon for all its programs (training) that are running by their direct finical assistances. They are requesting the donors to continue their cooperation so that they and new others can learn more things from Nari Jibon that would be great help for them to build up their career and make them self-reliant.

How we can help the cyclone sidr affected people

Written and pictures by: M.G.Rabbany Sujan

Already we all aware that few days ago clone sidr attacked on Bangladesh and southern parts’ people are facing real terrible days after the cyclone sidr. Cyclone sidr damaged everything in these areas. A good number of people already died, some people missing still now and some people are struggling with death. The rest of the people are suffering for foods, clothes, dwellings, diseases. Internationally, nationally, locally almost everyone is trying to help these victims. In Dhaka, already many clubs, co-operatives, organizations, Schools, Colleges, Mosques or groups of young peoples are collecting your helps. They are collecting old clothes, dry foods, medicines, current money etc. They are going to the door to door, lane to lane and they have opened camps in various areas. All classes of people are contributing what they can. Poor peoples are also providing their best.

You can also help them and remove their sufferings or protect their lives.

These pictures have taken yesterday evening from Rampura Ekramunnesa college’s camp where some more relieves have collected by the local people. Some young boys are working hard to collecting and maintaining these relieves. Friday 23rd November, one team will go the Cyclone sidr area to distribute these relieves. Tonight relief committee will decide where they will go and if possible they will continue to collect relief for cyclone sidr affected peoples.

These pictures are taken from Malibagh Chowdurypara near the mosque named “Matir mosjid”. There are two spots for collecting relieves. Above one inform that they will go to distribute relieves after collecting sufficient relieves and last one will send their relives to the cyclone affected area in the next Sunday or Monday.

Actually a large number of groups are collecting relives for the cyclone victims in Dhaka city. I think, government should collect these relieves from the locally small collectors to distribute these relieves among the cyclone affected people, as it is very expensive to go to the cyclone affected area and distribute relieves and some small collectors maybe failure to distribute these.

After the Cyclone Sidr-3

Written by M.G. Rabbany Sujan

Instantly, what is important to do for the victim of sidr

The numbers of death is increasing day by day. Yesterday army briefed that death toll is 3167 and missing-1056 people (Daily Prothom-alo 22 November, 0 7) but non govt. sources are saying more.

Bangladesh government, foreign agencies, NGOs, political parties, personally and other organizations have taken steps to help them and they are assuring more help for the cyclone sidr’s victims. But in this moment, what is the emergency need to the victims of cyclone sidr? What we can provide for the cyclone victims to survival their lives. I think we need to identify what would be important things/relief in this moment for them. What are emergency reliefs in the short term and what can be their long term relief? Otherwise sidr affected people will suffer more soon.

In this moment sidr affected people need some special things to alive which we can say; these are most immediate reliefs. First they need pure water and hygienic foods as the sidr affected people do not have stock of foods. Salted water or sidr damaged their sources of pure water. If we become failure to supply pure water they will fall in sick soon by water borne diseases like diarrhea, dysentery etc.

If we provide them one-time cooked food (khichury) or packet food or some dry foods like chira, gur (molasses), muri, biscuits (which may be not fresh or hygienic) they will be able to go on for the time being. (We also need to be care that in this chance some dishonest businessmen can supply/sell their old/waste dry food). They will not be able to live several days by these dry foods or packet or cooked food. Who will go to them again and again? Then they will take impure food, water and then another devastating epidemic might be arisen. We need to supply them sufficient food that they are habituated to eat and which they can easily digest and we need to supply them water purification tablets and managing other sources for supplying water like tube-wells.

As they are now much shocked and weak, they are not taking foods regularly and some people are not going out to collect relief. They are going to be sick and weak and we need to take care of them. In this situation, we need to provide them more health services, well nursing for the injured and sick peoples and we need to open some more settle light clinics and mobile clinics. All the health services have to be fully free and not lum-sum admission fee as they have no current money.

Many of them lost their dwelling places and clothes. Cyclone sidr vanished to their houses, utensils and clothes, which cyclone people could not find out. Many people are passing night under the open sky. It is also emergency necessary for the victims to manage their living place/house and clothes. As winter is already started we need to supply sufficient necessary warm clothes to the victims. Especially we need to supply children’ clothes/warm clothes soon. We need voluntary people who can help to build their houses. If we are unable to make their houses, we can give them long term loan without interest or with slight interest.

We have come to know from different sources that some NGOs are trying to collect their installments after the cyclone too and we need to think about these as it will be another hit for them.

Cyclone sidr damaged almost all the electricity’s sources and we need to repair these centers. At night they are living in the dark. And instantly, we need to supply sufficient candles, kerosene oil, matches etc.

Providing above mentioned things/relief can remove their present sufferings but we have to think how we can remove their problems in long term. If we feel satisfaction removing their present/temporary problems they will face problem more in the long run. Some NGOs or money-lending businessmen will take this chance and it will make more suffering for them. So it is necessary to give them financial support to cultivate the crops for next season. We can provide to them seeds, fertilizers, money and other necessary things. As the cyclone destroys many trees we can give to them tenders of trees. We can also help them by providing kids’ of goats, cows, poultry etc. we need also provide them business materials like nets, boats, tractors, etc according to their profession.

In conclusion, I want to say, we need to think how we can save their lives from the next cyclone NARGISH. We need to build more cyclone shelters, develop road communication. We also need modern equipments for our meteorological department so that they can alert the people of the coastal area earlier and save their lives.