First post from smart phone

Well, we know smart phone is nothing new. It's already several years Apple has invented this awesome product. But still it's a new thing in Bangladesh. So it's a good feeling for me to own a smart phone like Samsung Galaxy S3. Now I shall be able to access internet more frequently which in turn means that now I can blog anytime, I can access Facebook anywhere, I can share photos instantly and more importantly I can check email so often.
Anyhow, this is my first blog post from my smart phone.
Best wishes for my readers.

Legal yet deceptive

Have you ever used Grameen Phone's internet packages? If so perhaps you have noticed how Grameen Phone steal your money in a deceptive way. Right now P5 and P6 module is very popular to people where broad band is not available or who need mobility. See following notes regarding these two internet packages of Grameen Phone (taken directly from their webpage http://www.grameenphone.com/index.php?id=470):

• Subscribers will be able to perform multiple requests, even when using the same package, with multiple charges.
• After crossing the usage limit (1GB or 30 days whichever finishes first for P6 & 3GB or 30 days whichever finishes first for P5), P1 (BDT 0.02/KB) charges will be applicable
• The validity of the package will be 30 days (1 month) from the date of purchase
• Subscribers will not be notified after expiration of usage limit. But only prepaid subscribers will be able to check balance through USSD balance check (just dial *566*10#) or sending SMS (type info and send it to 5000.) Postpaid subscribers will be able to check balance by sending SMS (type info and send it to 5000.)
• SMS charge+VAT will be applicable for balance checking.

Wow! may I ask the Grameen Phone authority why you don't feel any responsibility to inform your valued customer before auto switching to P1 module? You have all the instruments available in your hand to inform and/or take permission from your customers before switching to a highly costly option. Charge for P5 is BDT 0.233/MB, for P6 BDT 0.30/MB while it is TK 20 per MB for P1 module. Which means P1 is 85 times costlier than P5 and 66 times costlier than P6.

Imposing a 66-87 times higher cost system to any customer without giving him any kind of notice is a solid deception in all consideration. The user may be easily notified by SMS or may be prompted on computer screen before switching to P1, or simply the connection may be discontinued so that the user can subscribe again manually.

While this action may not be illegal but it fails to fulfill any kind of moral obligation. Is just profit the motto of GP? Don't they have any moral obligation to their customers?

Update (14 Feb, 2011):
Grameen Phone has now set a daily spending limit for the P1 package. Now maximum bill for any particular day is Tk 20 but after 10 MB of usage your speed will be half (their support team informed me this when I talked with them). It seems like an acceptable solution.
Still a lot of policies of the company are not fair or well disclosed to the customers. They advertise keep a lot of rules hidden which costs the customers a lot.

International Mother Language Day 2009

Today is International Mother Language Day. Here we call it as "Shahid Dibas". I visited central Shahid Minar with my whole family. My little boy, nephew and niece have been excited getting the opportunity to pay homage with banquote to our language martyrs. They each were holding two flags of Bangladesh in their hands. We all hold black batches.

Central Shahid Minar in front of Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh

In 1952, the Bangalis organised a movement demanding to give Bangla as status of official language of the state along with Urdu. Finally the demand was established for the shake of some lives. We are proud of those martyrs. I don't know where there is any other mass movement in the world for mother language. UNESCO has declared the day (21st February) as International Mother Language Day.

Dhaka International Trade Fair 2009

Yesterday (16 February 2009, Friday), I visited Dhaka International Trade Fair 2009 with my family members. We stayed there for about 3 hours and shopped few items including a toy and a cap for my little son.

This year's arrangement is a bit better than last year. Introduction of a Child Care Center is a adorable step. Although there was no sitting arrangement inside the Child Care center and the floor was so dirty. Still it's a step worth praise. We always need to think about our children and mothers.

There was arrangement to watch Bangladesh-Sri Lanka cricket match inside the fair compound which is amazing. Unfortunately Bangladesh lost the match.

On last year I objection regarding sound volume of advertisements inside the fair (see Dhaka International Trade Fair 2008). This year it's a bit soothing. Sound volume still should be lowered. Broadcasting annoying advertisements is not purpose of the fair.

On last year, my another disappointment was with quality of food. This year it's a little better though. Thanks to the Star Kebab (although I have heard that they aren't genuine Star Kebab of Dhanmondi).

Nobody shows respect to National Anthem

I along with some family members went to watch a movie in the Modhumita Cinema Hall located at Motijheel, Dhaka. It was 3rd day of Eid festival i.e. 4th October 2008. The hall was almost houseful. Before starting the cinema show the hall authority played National Anthem as usual.  But not a single person stood to show respect to national anthem except me and my fellow team mates. Although before starting to play the national anthem,  it was requested on the large screen to show respect to national anthem.

It is very much unfortunate than few guys even showed audacity to criticize us when we (the only few) stood up to vow respect to our national anthem. This is a clear indication of how we disregard patriotism. 

It seems there should be some law enforcement to show proper respect to national anthem although it is true that patriotism can't be ensured with law. There is no scope to take the issue lightly. If we don't have minimum amount of love for our country to show respect to our national anthem how we shall achieve economic progress. A nation can't progress unless they are patriot.

Mild Earthquake in Dhaka city

A mild earthquake jolts Dhaka city about 20 minutes ago (it's now 1:09 am, Sunday, July 27, 2008 Banladesh time).
So far there is no report of any casualties. It's also felt from the surrounding districts of Dhaka.

We need to get prepared for earthquake disaster. There are a lot of old buildings in Dhaka city which are highly vulnerable to earthquake attack. Those are mostly brick built structures.

Excessive use of glossy floor tiles

All the market and shop owners of Dhaka city are now on the race of placing tiles on their floors. All the expensive supermarkets already have tiles in their floors. Now even the ordinary markets mostly used by middle class people which are very much ordinary in their look and decor are also now placing tiles on floors. The main reasons are reduction of price of tiles in recent years and competition among the shop owners to attract shoppers.
There is no harm of using floor tiles. But the problem is that the owners are invariably using very much glossy floor tiles which are attractive and reflects light but dangerously slippery at the same time. Such floor tiles shouldn't be used in public places like markets. Specially where the children will go frequently, floor tiles used must not be slippery.
I regularly go to the 'Noorjahan Shopping Centre' of 'Anarkoli Super Market'. When I went there with my little boy he always enjoyed a lot since the shop has a lot of free space inside. So he enjoyed running to and fro inside the shop and even outside the shop. My experience of last visit few days ago was terrible. Now the floor of the shop is covered with glossy floor tiles. My little boy was stumbling while trying to walk and even fell down on the floor. Then I had to refrain him from walking inside the shop. I fear whether I shall enjoy shopping at 'Noorjahan Shopping Centre' like before.
This is only a case-study. But it's not a exceptional evidence. The shop and market owners are on severe competition to cover their floors with tiles (and obviously slippery & glossy tiles). May in the near future our markets will not be safe for our children.