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.

Transportation problem of Dhaka city

Transportation is a big problem of Dhaka city. Traffic jam, scarcity of motorized vehicles, excessive number of non-motorized vehicles (mostly rickshaws) are some prominent problem of Dhaka city.
Government's policy controls number of motorized vehicles as permission is required to import motorized vehicles like CNG baby taxi. But there is no mechanism in force to control the number of non-motorized vehicles. Since number of motorized vehicles are controlled and there is demand, the number of non-motorized vehicles is increasing day by day to fill up the increasing transport demand. This increased number of non-motorized vehicles is creating further traffic jam on the roads.
Without controlling the number of non-motorized vehicles it is useless to control the number of motorized vehicles. If we have more motorized vehicles plying on the road then demand for rickshaws will be less. Which will help to reduce traffic congestion in the Dhaka city.

Jamuna Bridge cracked: so sad news

Jamuna Bridge is the largest bridge of Bangladesh and one of the long bridges of the world.
Unfortunately unwanted cracks were developed on the bridge surface just after putting the bridge on service. Then the consulting firm termed those as micro cracks and mentioned those were not harmful for the bridge.
But within a decade the cracks propagated further and the expansion joints are also now creating problems.
The bridge needs immediate repair to stop propagation of the cracks and it's faulty expansion joints. Otherwise it may loose it's serviceable life span.

Bird Flu - Latest threat for Bangladesh

Bird Flue has come as a serious problem for Bangladesh. Just on last November we suffered from strong cyclone SIDR. Now bird flu is threatening to destroy fast growing poultry industry of Bangladesh.
We need to be careful and serious to face the problem.

May Allah save Bangladesh and its poultry industry!

Bangladesh is using only 10% of available bandwidth

According to reports published in local news papers, Bangladesh is using only 10% of available bandwidth for internet. Last year Bangladesh got connected with sub-marine optical fiber line spending about 5000 million local currency (Taka).
But we the Bangladeshis are stupid enough to use only 10% of available bandwidth. Bout government policy and the ISPs are responsible for the situation. Government has reduced fee for bandwidth from this month (February 2007) by 40%. But it is still to high. Price for bandwidth should be further lower by at least 75% so that at least 60% of band width are used.
Although the government is reducing the fee I doubt whether general people will get any significant benefit of it. The ISPs are not interested to buy more bandwidth as they are doing good business buying very limited bandwidth.
We must remember that a lot of renowned ISPs were involved in illegal VoIP business in the past. They just want their profit. They don't have any commitment to the society.
Bangladeshi internet users are victim of out dated government policy and evil motives of the ISPs. In fact ISPs are also controlling the government policy.

Anonymous person donated about one billion for SIDR affected people

I have just hear the news over our local TV channels that one anonymous person has donated about one billion for SIDR affected people in the coastal belt of Bangladesh. The exact amount donated is 9000 million in local currency (Bangladeshi Taka).
The person is willing to be anonymous. So no identification (even nationality) is not disclosed. It's the biggest amount donation so far for the SIDR affected people.

I did a google search few minutes ago. But couldn't find out the news on the net yet. Hopefully the news medias will disclose more details soon.

May Allah bless him.

Dhaka International Trade Fair

On last Saturday I visited Dhaka International Trade Fair 2008 with my family members. This is the first time I visited the fair.

It's a nice fair. The stalls are well decorated.

But volume of the microphones broadcasting announcements and advertisements was a bit loud.

Price of food items in the restaurant where we took lunch was very high while quality was very poor. They told the price is approved by the authority. I think it's quite high as compared to its quality.

I hope Dhaka International Trade Fair will help promoting exporting good or Bangladesh.

Visit Kuakata sea beach

Kuakata sea beach is a very nice place to spend holidays. I went to Kuakata sea beach several times. Last time I went with my wife and little boy on March 2007.
You can see sunrise and sunset from this sea beach. I don't know whether there is any other sea beach where you can enjoy both sunrise and sunset.
It's located at southern part of Bangladesh under Patuakhali district and Kalapara thana. It's a beach of the Bay of Bengal.