Bangladesh
Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh (গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ;Gônoprojatontri Bangladesh), is a country in South Asia. Located on the fertile Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, it is part of the ancient and historic region of Bengal. The name Bangladesh means "Country of Bengal" in the officialBengali language. To its south lies the Bay of Bengal, Compaq Presario CQ57 Series Laptop Keyboard
while it is bordered by the Republic of India on the north, west and east, and Burma (Myanmar) to the southeast. It is separated from Nepal and Bhutan by India's narrowSiliguri corridor and is situated in geographical proximity to China. With a population of more than 160 million people, Bangladesh is the world's eighth-most populous country as well as one of the world's most densely populated countries. It has the fourth-largest population in the Muslim world. HP G62-470CA Laptop Keyboard
The present-day borders of Bangladesh were established during the partition of the British Indian Empire in 1947, when eastern Bengal became part of the newly formed nation of Pakistan. It was separated from West Pakistan by nearly 1,500 km (about 900 mi) of Indian territory. TOSHIBA Satellite L655-S5160 Laptop Keyboard
Due to political exclusion, ethnic and linguistic discrimination, and economic neglect by the politically dominant western wing, popular agitation and civil disobedience led to the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. After independence, the new state endured poverty, famine, political turmoil and military coups. The restoration of democracy in 1991 has been followed by relative calm and economic progress. Compaq Presario CQ57 Series Laptop Keyboard
Founded as a secular democracy in 1971, Bangladesh is a unitary multiparty parliamentary republic with an elected national parliament called the Jatiyo Sangshad.[7] It is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the OIC, NAM, the Developing 8 Countries and BIMSTEC. A long-standing proponent of regional engagement in South Asia, Bangladesh pioneered the creation of SAARC. Its armed forces are among the world's largest contributorsto United Nations peacekeeping forces. COMPAQ Presario CQ41-204TX Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh continues to face a number of major challenges, including poverty, corruption, political instability,overpopulation and vulnerability to climate change. However, it has been praised by the international community for its significant progress on the Human Development Index.[8] Through various acclaimed Bangladeshi public and NGO-led social programs, Lenovo 3000 Y500 Laptop Keyboard
the country is improving living standards and life expectancy, promoting education and women empowerment, stemming population growth, achieving self-sufficiency in food production and building healthcare infrastructure.[9][10][11] The country is undergoing rapid industrialization, DELL NSK-D8001 Laptop Keyboard
with globally competitive industries in textiles, shipbuilding and pharmaceuticals.[12] Dhaka and Chittagong, the country's two largest cities, have been the driving force for much of the recent growth. Bangladesh has been identified as a Next Eleven emerging economy. HP G62-225DX Laptop Keyboard
"Bengal" is unclear, though it is believed to be derived from Bang/Vanga, the Dravidian-speaking tribe that settled in the area around the year 1000 BCE.[14] Compaq Presario CQ57 Series Laptop Keyboard
The region was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans as Gangaridai, or "Nation of Ganges". Early history featured the rise of Vedic states and a succession of Buddhist and Hindu dynasties. During the first millennium BCE, it was home to severaljanapadas including Vanga, Samatata and Pundravardhana. HP Probook 4510S Laptop Keyboard
Bengal was conquered by the Mauryans in the 2nd century BCE, and absorbed into a succession of Magadha empires. Following the collapse of the Magadha, a local ruler named Shashanka rose to power and founded an impresseive short-lived kingdom. After a period of anarchy, the Bengali Buddhist Pala dynasty ruled the region for four hundred years, followed by the shorter reign of the Hindu Sena Dynasty. HP Pavilion dv3-2108tu Laptop Keyboard
Islam was introduced to Bengal in the 8th century by Arab Muslim merchants and Sufi missionaries.[15] Subsequent Muslim rule enforced the process of conversion through the establishment of mint towns, mosques, madrasas and Sufi khanqahs.[16] Muslim conquest came in 1204, when Bakhtiar Khilji of the Delhi Sultanate defeated Lakshman Sen of the Sena Dynasty. TOSHIBA Satellite L300 Laptop Keyboard
In 1338,Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah declared independence from the Delhi Sultans in Sonargaon and a few years later, Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah established the Sultanate of Bengal at Gaur in 1342. The Sultans ruled for over two centuries, with their influence spanning from present-day Bihar to Arakan. The powerful Baro-Bhuyan landlords also exercised considerable autonomous authority in different regions. SONY VAIO PCG-FRV25 Laptop Keyboard
By the 16th century, the Mughal Empire controlled Bengal, and Dhaka became a major administrative and economic center of the empire. Under the Mughals, the region enjoyed a flourishing economy brought on by agrarian reforms and increased foreign trade. It earned the reputation of "Golden Bengal" for its prosperity and wealth, HP Pavilion dv6-3192sf Laptop Keyboard
and was described by the Mughal emperors as the Paradise of Nations. Medieval European geographers also located paradise at the mouth of the Ganges, and Bengal was probably the wealthiest part of the subcontinent until the 17th century. DELL Latitude D830 Laptop Keyboard
From 1517 onwards, Portuguese traders were traversing the sea-route to Bengal. They were not allowed to begin to settle there until 1537, when they opened customs houses at Chittagong. In 1577, Mughal emperor Akbar permitted the Portuguese to build permanent settlements and churches in Bengal.[17] DELL Precision M4500 Laptop Keyboard
The Maratha Empire, a Hindu empire which overran the Mughals in the 18th century, also devastated the territories controlled by the Nawab of Bengal between 1742 and 1751. In a series of raids on Bengal and Bihar, Maratha demolished much of the Bengali economy. Nawab Ali Vardi Khan made peace with Maratha by ceding Orissa and parts of Western Bengal to the empire. HP 636376-001 Laptop Keyboard
The Marathas imposed a tax, thechauth, amounting to a quarter of total revenue, on other parts of Bengal and Bihar. This tax amounted to twenty lakhs(of rupees?) for Bengal and 1.2 million for Bihar per year.[18][19] Maratha was defeated in Panipat by a coalition of Muslim forces, but imperial forces returned under the Maratha general Madhoji Sindhia and raided Bengal again. SONY VGN-FE41M Laptop Keyboard
Colonial period
The influence of European traders grew until the British East India Company gained control of Bengal following theBattle of Plassey in 1757.[20] The British Empire stopped payment of the chauth, invading the territory of Bengal in 1760s. The raids continued until Maratha was finally defeated by the British over the course of three Anglo-Maratha Wars, lasting from 1777 to 1818. HP Pavilion dv6171CL laptop keyboard
The bloody rebellion of 1857—known as the Sepoy Mutiny—resulted in a transfer of authority from the East India Company to the Crown, and a British viceroy was appointed to run the administration.[21] The British established a system of law and administration, but struggled to support the population. During colonial rule, famine racked South Asia many times. The Great Bengal famine of 1943, related to events in World War II, claimed 3 million lives.[22] SONY VAIO VPCF121GX laptop keyboard
After the British Empire withdrew in 1947, India was partitioned along religious lines, which also divided Bengal: the western part went to the newly created Indiaand the eastern part (Muslim majority) to the new Pakistan. It was known as a province called East Bengal (later renamed East Pakistan), with its capital at Dhaka.[24] HP Pavilion DV7-3085dx laptop keyboard
In 1950, Pakistan achieved land reform in East Bengal with the abolition of thefeudal zamindari system.[25] East Bengal had the majority of population and economic resources, but Pakistan's government and military were largely dominated by the upper classes of the west wing, HP Pavilion DV7-3186cl laptop keyboard
later known as West Pakistan. In response to the national government's making Urdu the only official language in both wings, the Bengali Language Movement of 1952 in East Pakistan was a sign of its rising power and the friction between the two wings.[26] Dissatisfaction with the central government over economic and cultural issues increased through the next decade, SONY VAIO VGN-NW70JB laptop keyboard
during which the Awami League emerged as the political voice of the Bengali-speaking population. It agitated for autonomy in the 1960s, and in 1966, its president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Mujib), was jailed by the national Pakistan government. He was released in 1969 after an unprecedented popular uprising. SONY VAIO PCG-FX90G/K laptop keyboard
In 1970, a massive cyclone devastated the coast of East Pakistan, killing up to half a million people,[27] and the central government responded poorly. That year, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Awami League won a majority in Parliament in the 1970 elections, but West Pakistan politicians resisted letting him form a government, as he was entitled to by the results of the election.[28] The Bengali population felt discriminated against by West Pakistan's leaders. Compaq Presario CQ56-110US laptop keyboard
After staging compromise talks with Mujib, President Yahya Khan and military officials launched Operation Searchlight,[29] a sustained military assault on East Pakistan. Forces arrested Mujibur in the early hours of 26 March 1971. That night, Ziaur Rahman broadcast a declaration of independence in Mujibur's name. Lenovo 39T7385 laptop keyboard
Yahya ordered the killing of leaders and intellectuals; the violence of the war resulted in many civilian deaths, particularly among the minority Hindu population.[30] About one millionrefugees fled to neighbouring India.[31] Estimates of those massacred during the short war range from thirty thousand to 3,000,000.[32] Pakistan finally released Mujibur Rahman on 8 January 1972, due to direct United States intervention.[33] TOSHIBA Satellite M645-SP6001L laptop keyboard
Awami League leaders set up a government-in-exile in Calcutta, India after the war started. The exile government formally took oath at Meherpur, in Kustia district of East Pakistan on 17 April 1971, with Tajuddin Ahmad as the first Prime Minister and Syed Nazrul Islam as the Acting President. Thousands of Bengali Regular forces were stranded in West Pakistan, where they were immediately interned. SONY VAIO VGN-FS415E laptop keyboard
The Bangladesh Liberation War lasted for nine months. The Bangladesh Forces, formed within 11 sectors and led by General M.A.G. Osmani, consisting of Bengali Regular forces, conducted a widespread guerrilla war against the Pakistan Forces with support from the Mukti Bahinis (freedom fighters). DELL Precision M4500 Laptop Keyboard
India entered the war in support of Bangladesh after the massacres and the hundreds of thousands refugees crossing the border. Indian Maj. Gen. Sujat Singh Uban managed to finance and equip the Kaderia Bahni, Hemayet Bahini, and other forces who fought with the Mukti Bahini. The Indian Army, assisted by Bangladeshi forces, negotiated a cease-fire and surrounded the Dhaka Area. The Indian Army remained in Bangladesh to secure the peace until 19 March 1972. HP G72-a10SV Laptop Keyboard
After achieving independence, the Awami League came to power with Mujib as the Prime Minister, without holding any new elections. When the nation held parliamentary elections in 1973, the Awami League gained an absolute majority. A nationwide famine occurred during 1973 and 1974.[22] In early 1975, ACER Aspire 5742 Laptop Keyboard
Mujib initiated a one-party socialist rule with his newly formedBAKSAL. Resistance to this rule grew, especially among the repatriated members of the armed forces, who constituted 60 percent of the officers. They felt discriminated against in a country that gave high places in government, the army and business to the Mukti Bahini. SONY 148084122 Laptop Keyboard
On 15 August 1975, mid-level military officers staged a coup d'état, assassinating Mujib and most of his family members (two daughters were out of the country).[34] Vice President Khandaker Mushtaq Ahmed was sworn in as President, and most of Mujib's cabinet was kept intact. Army coups on 3 November and another on 7 November 1975 led to a reorganised structure of power. IBM Lenovo Thinkpad X201 Laptop Keyboard
Astate of emergency was declared to restore order and calm, and Mushtaq resigned. The military placed the country under temporary martial law, with three service chiefs serving as deputies to the new president, Justice Abu Sayem, who was named the Chief Martial Law Administrator. Compaq Presario CQ57 Series Laptop Keyboard
In 1977, after the resignation of Justice Sayem, Lieutenant General Ziaur Rahman took over the presidency. Known as Zia and highly popular with many in the country, he reinstated multi-party politics and introduced free markets. In 1978 he founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party(BNP), which elevated the role of Islam in the state. Zia's rule ended when he was assassinated in 1981 in a military coup.[34] HP 519265-001 Laptop Keyboard
Sheikh Hasina, the eldest daughter of Mujibur, returned to the country in 1981 and became head of the Awami League, a position she continues to hold. She has served more than once as prime minister. SAMSUNG X20 Laptop Keyboard
Lieutenant General Hussain Mohammad Ershad gained power in a military coup on 24 March 1982, and ruled until 6 December 1990. He restored political activity and tried to civilianise his government, founding the Jatiya Party and holding an election in 1986, which the BNP boycotted. He was elected as president. He finally resigned after increasing protests by all major political parties and the public, HP Compaq NC8430 Laptop Keyboard
which were damaging the economy and society. In addition, there was pressure from Western nations that had been providing financial assistance to Bangladesh's development. The fall of the Soviet Union affected both foreign and domestic policies. Bangladesh re-established its parliamentary democracy in 1991. Zia's widow, Khaleda Zia, led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to parliamentary victory at the general election in 1991, when she became the first female Prime Minister in Bangladeshi history. HP 636376-001 Laptop Keyboard
The Awami League, headed by Sheikh Hasina, Mujib's eldest daughter, won the elections in 1996. After its term, it lost to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in 2001. TOSHIBA Satellite L755-SP5102CL Laptop Keyboard
Widespread political unrest followed the resignation of the BNP in late October 2006, but the caretaker government worked to bring the parties to election within the required 90 days. At the last minute in early January, the Awami League withdrew from the scheduled election later that month. DELL Latitude D620 Laptop Keyboard
On 11 January 2007, the military intervened to support a state of emergency, and a continued but neutral caretaker government, under a newly appointed Chief Advisor who was not a politician. The country had suffered from extensive corruption for decades,[35] disorder and political violence. ACER Aspire 5742 Laptop Keyboard
The caretaker government worked to root out corruption from all levels of government. It arrested more than 160 persons on corruption charges, including politicians, civil servants and businessmen, among whom were both major party leaders, some of their senior staff and two sons of Khaleda Zia. ACER Aspire 5810T-8929 Laptop Keyboard
After working to clean up the system, the caretaker government held what was described by observers as a largely free and fair election on 29 December 2008.[36]The Awami League's Sheikh Hasina won with a two-thirds landslide in the elections; she took the oath of Prime Minister on 6 January 2009ACER Aspire 5742 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh lies between latitudes 20° and 27°N, and longitudes 88° and 93°E. Bangladesh is in the low-lying Ganges Delta. This delta is formed by the confluence of the Ganges (local name Padma or Pôdda), Brahmaputra (Jamuna or Jomuna also known as "Yamuna"), and Meghna rivers and their respective tributaries. ACER Aspire 5740 Laptop Keyboard
The Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal. The alluvial soil deposited by these rivers has created some of the most fertile plains in the world. Bangladesh has 57 trans-boundary rivers, making water issues politically complicated to resolve – in most cases as the lower riparian state to India.[38] Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E520 Laptop Keyboard
Most parts of Bangladesh are less than 12 m (39.4 ft) above the sea level, and it is believed that about 10% of the land would be flooded if the sea level were to rise by 1 m (3.28 ft).[39]
In southeast Bangladesh, experiments have been done since the 1960s to 'build with nature'. By implementing cross dams, the natural accretion of silt has created new land. FUJITSU Lifebook E8110 Laptop Keyboard
With Dutch funding, the Bangladeshi government began to help develop this new land in the late 1970s. The effort has since become a multiagency operation building roads, culverts, embankments, cyclone shelters, toilets and ponds, as well as distributing land to settlers. By fall 2010, the program will have allotted some 27,000 acres (10,927 ha) to 21,000 families.[40] Packard Bell Easynote TK85 laptop keyboard
The highest point in Bangladesh is in Mowdok range at 1,052 m (3,451 ft) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to the southeast of the country.[41] Cox's Bazar, south of the city of Chittagong, has a beach that stretches uninterrupted over 120 km (75 mi). HP Mini 210-2006sa laptop keyboard
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Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Bangladeshi climate is tropical with a mild winter from October to March, and a hot, humid summer from March to June. Interestingly, the country has never frozen at any point on the ground, with a record low of 4.5°C in the south west city of Jessore in the winter of 2011.[42] Compaq Presario CQ71-410ED laptop keyboard
A warm and humid monsoon season lasts from June to October and supplies most of the country's rainfall. Natural calamities, such as floods, tropical cyclones, tornadoes, andtidal bores occur almost every year,[43] combined with the effects of deforestation, soil degradation and erosion. Thecyclones of 1970 and 1991 were particularly devastating. A cyclone that struck Bangladesh in 1991 killed some 140,000 people.[44] SONY VAIO VGN-CS31Z/Q laptop keyboard
In September 1998, Bangladesh saw the most severe flooding in modern world history. As the Brahmaputra, the Ganges and Meghnaspilt over and swallowed 300,000 houses, 9,700 km (6,000 mi) of road and 2,700 km (1,700 mi) of embankment, 1,000 people were killed and 30 million more were made homeless, with 135,000 cattle killed, 50 km2 (19 sq mi) of land destroyed and 11,000 km (6,800 mi) of roads damaged or destroyed. Packard Bell PEW91 laptop keyboard
Two-thirds of the country was underwater. There were several reasons for the severity of the flooding. Firstly, there were unusually high monsoon rains. Secondly, the Himalayas shed off an equally unusually high amount of melt water that year. Thirdly, trees that usually would have intercepted rain water had been cut down for firewood or to make space for animals.[45] TOSHIBA V000120280 laptop keyboard
Bangladesh is now widely recognised to be one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Natural hazards that come from increased rainfall, rising sea levels, and tropical cyclones are expected to increase as climate changes, each seriously affecting agriculture, water and food security, human health and shelter.[46] Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E520 laptop keyboard
It is believed that in the coming decades the rising sea level alone will create more than 20 million[47] climate refugees.[48] Bangladeshi water is contaminated with arsenic frequently because of the high arsenic contents in the soil. Up to 77 million people are exposed to toxic arsenic from drinking water.[49][50] ACER Aspire 5742 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh is among the countries most prone to natural floods, tornados andcyclones.[51][52] Also, there is evidence that earthquakes pose a threat to the country. DELL PVDG3 Laptop Keyboard
Evidence shows that tectonics have caused rivers to shift course suddenly and dramatically. It has been shown that rainy-season flooding in Bangladesh, on the world’s largest river delta, can push the underlying crust down by as much as 6 centimetres, and possibly perturb faults.[53] ACER NSK-H361D Laptop Keyboard
A major part of the coastline is marshy jungle, the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world and home to diverse flora and fauna, including the Royal Bengal Tiger. In 1997, this region was declared endangered.[54] The Magpie Robin is theNational Bird of Bangladesh and it is common and known as the Doyel or Doel (Bengali: দোয়েল). DELL Inspiron 6400 Laptop Keyboard
It is a widely used symbol in Bangladesh, appearing on currency notes and a landmark in the city of Dhaka is named as the Doyel Chatwar (meaning: Doyel Square). The national flower of the country is water lily, which is known as Shapla. The national fruit is jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), which in Bengali is known as Kathal. In late 2010, the Bangladeshi government selected the Mangotree as the national tree.[55] SONY VAIO VGN-N38Z/W laptop keyboard
Bangladesh is a unitary state and parliamentary democracy.[56] Direct elections in which all citizens, aged 18 or over, can vote are held every five years for the unicameral parliament known as the Jatiyo Sangshad. Currently it has 350 members (including 50 reserved seats for women) elected from single-member constituencies. GATEWAY M-6846 laptop keyboard
The Prime Minister, as the head of government, forms the cabinet and runs the day-to-day affairs of state. While the Prime Minister is formally appointed by the President, he or she must be a member of parliament who commands the confidence of the majority. TOSHIBA 9J.N5682.701 laptop keyboard
The President is the head of state, albeit mainly ceremonially in his/her elected post;[57] however, the President's powers are substantially expanded during the tenure of a caretaker government, which is responsible for the conduct of elections and transfer of power. TOSHIBA Satellite l25-s119 laptop keyboard
The officers of the caretaker government must be non-partisan and are given three months to complete their task. This transitional arrangement was pioneered by Bangladesh in its 1991 election and then institutionalised in 1996 through its 13th constitutional amendment.[58] ACER NSK-H361D laptop keyboard
Major parties in Bangladesh include the Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami(BJI), and the Jatiya Party of former military dictator Ershad. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League aligns with more leftistparties, whereas Khaleda Zia's BNP has politically been allied with Islamist parties like the BJI but practices secular politics. HP Pavilion dv6-2141ee laptop keyboard
The former two have been bitter, dominant political rivals for over 15 years; each is related to one of the leaders of the independence movement. The Awami League-BNP rivalry has been punctuated by protests, violence and murder. Student politics are particularly strong in Bangladesh, a legacy from the liberation movement era, as almost all parties have highly active student wings, and student leaders have been elected to the Jatiyo Sangshad. SONY Vaio PCG-K45 laptop keyboard
On 11 January 2007, following widespread political unrest, emergency law was declared and a caretaker government was appointed to administer the next general election. The 22 January 2007 election was postponed indefinitely as the Army-backed caretaker government of Fakhruddin Ahmed aimed to prepare a new voter list and crack down on corruption. SONY KFRMBA151B laptop keyboard
They also assisted the interim government of Bangladesh in a drive against corruption, which resulted in Bangladesh's position inTransparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index changed from the very bottom, where they had been for 3 years in a row, to 147th in just 1 year.[59] A large alliance led by the Bangladesh Awami League won in a 29 December 2008 landslide victory, gaining 230 seats among 300 seats in the parliament.[60] SONY VAIO VGN-FS115Z laptop keyboard
Subdivisions Bangladesh is divided into seven administrative divisions,[1][61] each named after their respective divisional headquarters: Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Rangpur. COMPAQ Presario C700 Laptop Keyboard
Divisions are subdivided into districts (zila). There are 64 districts in Bangladesh, each further subdivided intoupazila (subdistricts) or thana. The area within each police station, except for those in metropolitan areas, is divided into several unions, with each union consisting of multiple villages. Compaq Presario CQ57 Series Laptop Keyboard
In the metropolitan areas, police stations are divided into wards, which are further divided into mahallas. There are no elected officials at the divisional or district levels, and the administration is composed only of government officials. Direct elections are held for each union (or ward), electing a chairperson and a number of members. In 1997, a parliamentary act was passed to reserve three seats (out of 12) in every union for female candidates.[62] GATEWAY NV-54 Laptop Keyboard
Dhaka is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh. The cities with a city corporation, having mayoral elections, include Dhaka South, Dhaka North, Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Barisal, Rangpur, Comilla and Gazipur. Other major cities, these and other municipalities electing a chairperson, include Mymensingh, Gopalganj, Jessore, Bogra,Dinajpur, Saidapur, Narayanganj and Rangamati. Both the municipal heads are elected for a span of five years. SONY KFRMBA151B Laptop Keyboard
The legal system of Bangladesh is primarily in accordance with the English legal system, although since 1947 the legal scenario and the laws of Bangladesh have drifted far from the West owing to differences in socio-cultural values and religious guidelines. Laws are loosely based on English common law, but family laws such as marriage and inheritance are based on religious scriptures, and therefore differ between religious communities. The Constitution of Bangladesh was drafted in 1972 and has undergone 15 amendments.[58] SONY VAIO VGN-C2S Series Laptop Keyboard
The highest judicial body is the Supreme Court, with justices appointed by the President. The judicial and law enforcement institutions are comparatively weak.[65] On 1 November 2007, Bangladesh successfully separated the Judiciary Branch from the Executive, but several black laws, including the Special Powers Act, still influence the rulers.[66] It is expected that this separation will make the judiciary stronger and more impartial. HP Pavilion G6-1223TX Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh pursues a moderate foreign policy that places heavy reliance on multinational diplomacy, especially at the United Nations. In 1974, Bangladesh joined both the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations, and has since been elected to serve two terms on the Security Council – in 1978–1979 and 2000–2001. DELL NSK-DG101 Laptop Keyboard
In the 1980s, Bangladesh pioneered the formation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in order to expand relations with other South Asian states. In more recent years, Bangladeshi foreign policy has focused on promoting regional economic integration in South Asia, as well as the wider neighborhood. SONY VAIO VGN-FS742/W Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh's most important and complex foreign relationship is with India. This relationship is formed by historical and cultural ties and is strengthened because of India's involvement in liberating the people of Bangladesh from Pakistan. This forms an important part of the domestic political discourse. HP 636376-001 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh's relationship with India began on a positive note because of India's assistance in the independence war and subsequent reconstruction. Throughout the years, the relationship between the two countries has fluctuated for a number of reasons. A major source of tension between Bangladesh and India is the Farakka Dam.[67] In 1975, India constructed a dam on the Ganges River 10.3 mi (16.6 km) TOSHIBA Satellite A205-S5823 Laptop Keyboard
from the Bangladeshi border. Bangladesh alleges that the dam diverts much needed water from Bangladesh and adds a man-made disaster to a country already plagued by natural disasters. However, both countries recognize the importance of good relations, regional security and South Asian economic integration. In 2009, TOSHIBA NSK-TAJ01 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladeshi security forces launched a crackdown on Indian insurgents hiding in the country's border regions, captured and deported the leaders of several insurgent groups. Bangladesh and India have also agreed to develop regional connectivity and economic integration, along with Nepal and Bhutan. India's eastern states, as well as Nepal and Bhutan, are keen to gain access to Bangladesh's Chittagong and Mongla ports.[68][69] DELL NSK-DJD01 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh enjoys very warm ties with the People's Republic of China, and particularly in the past decade, there has been increased economic cooperation between them. Between 2006 and 2007, trade between the two nations rose by 28.5% and there have been agreements to grant various Bangladeshi commodities tariff-free access to the Chinese market. DELL Vostro 3450 Laptop Keyboard
Cooperation between the Military of Bangladesh and the People's Liberation Army is also increasing, with joint military agreements signed and Bangladesh purchasing Chinese arms which range from small arms to large naval surface combat ships such as the Chinese Type 053H1 Missile Frigate. ACER Aspire 5742 Laptop Keyboard
The United States is a major development partner of Bangladesh, giving over six billion dollars in aid since 1972. American companies are the largest foreign investors in the country, and the US is also the largest market for Bangladeshi exports. Bangladesh participated in the US-led coalition during the 1991 Gulf War to liberate Kuwait, COMPAQ Presario C700 Laptop Keyboard
and supports the US-led reconstruction of Afghanistan. The US Military has taken part in several disaster management and relief operations in aftermath of devastating floods and cyclones to have hit Bangladesh, including Cyclone O2B and Cyclone Sidr.[69] DELL Inspiron 8500 Laptop Keyboard
As of 2012, the current strength of the army is around 300,000 including reservists,[70] the air force 22,000,[71] and navy 19,000.[72] In addition to traditional defence roles, the military has been called on to provide support to civil authorities for disaster relief and internal security during periods of political unrest. HP 640436-001 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh is not currently active in any ongoing war, but it contributed 2,300 troops during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and is the world's largest contributor (10,736) to UN peacekeeping forces. In May 2007, Bangladesh had major deployments in Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sudan, Timor-Leste and Côte d'Ivoire.[73][74] SAMSUNG N140 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh is a developing nation.[75] Goldman Sachs named it one of the "Next Eleven".[76] Bangladesh gradually decreased its dependency on foreign grant and loan from 85% (In 1988)[77] to 2% (In 2010)[78] for its annual development budget. Its per capita income in 2010 was US$641 compared to the world average of $8,985.[79] In December 2005, the Central Bank of Bangladesh projected GDP growth around 6.5%.[80] Toshiba Satellite A200-1E1 Laptop CPU Cooling Fan
Bangladesh has seen a dramatic increase in foreign direct investment. In order to enhance economic growth, the government set up several export processing zones to attract foreign investment. These are managed by the Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority. Toshiba Satellite A105-S271 Laptop CPU Cooling Fan
The insufficient power supply constitutes an obstacle to growth.[81] According to the World Bank, "among Bangladesh’s most significant obstacles to growth are poor governance and weak public institutions."[82] In April 2010, Standard & Poor'sawarded Bangladesh a BB- for a long term in credit rating which is below India and well over Pakistan and Sri Lanka in South Asia.[83] TOSHIBA Satellite M645-S4070 Laptop Keyboard
One significant contributor to the development of the economy has been the widespread propagation of microcredit by Muhammad Yunus (awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006) through the Grameen Bank. By the late 1990s, Grameen Bank had 2.3 million members, along with 2.5 million members of other similar organisations.[84] TOSHIBA Satellite P300-18M laptop keyboard
Bangladesh government is planning for construction of the largest deep sea port in South Asia at Sonadia Island. The 500 billion taka project will be completed in multiple phases and enable Bangladesh to service the whole region as a maritime transport and logistics hub. India, China, Bhutan, Nepal and other neighbouring countries will be able to take full advantage of the strategic location and Bangladesh’s LDC status for exporting their goods, which are manufactured in Bangladesh.[85][86] DELL 0NC929 laptop keyboard
Furthermore, with $7.5 billion a new international airport will be constructed. The airport is being modelled on Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in size and capacity.[87] HP G42-200XX laptop keyboard
To ease the chaotic traffic congestion in the capital Dhaka the government plans to construct more expressways, freeways, and flyovers.[88] There is a plan to build an overhead Rapid transit called Dhaka Metro, but the progress is slow and controversial because of contracts and agreements.[89][90][91] GATEWAY M680 laptop keyboard
Recently the government of Bangladesh signed a deal with a Chinese company to provide high-speed modern DEMU trains and is also going to construct metro rail system and high-speed electric powered inter city rail network. More airports, bridge (such as the multi-billion Padma Bridge project) national highways are also being constructed to facilitate trade and regional development.[92] Packard Bell NEW95 laptop keyboard
pineapple (16th), tropical Fruit (5th), onion (16th), banana (17th), jute (2nd), tea (11th).
Jute was once the economic engine of the country. Its share of the world export market peaked in the Second World War and the late 1940s at 80%[94] and even in the early 1970s accounted for 70% of its export earnings. However, polypropylene products began to substitute for jute products worldwide and the jute industry started to decline. Bangladesh grows very significant quantities of rice, tea, potato, mango, onion and mustard. IBM ThinkPad T42 2378 laptop keyboard
More than three-quarters of Bangladesh’s export earnings come from the garment industry[95] in 2005. The industry began attracting foreign investors in the 1980s due to cheap labour and low conversion cost. In 2011–12 fiscal year the industry exported US$18 billion[96] Packard Bell Easynote TK81 laptop keyboard
worth of products where in 2002 the exported amount was US$5 billion. Bangladesh has been ranked as the 4th[97] largest clothing exporter by the WTO (The World Trade Organization) .[98] whereas, according to The EconomistBangladesh is the world’s third-largest clothes-export industry.[99] The industry now employs more than 3 million workers, 90% of whom are women.[100] TOSHIBA Satellite A205-S5823 laptop keyboard
There has also been a significant growth to Bangladesh's ship building industry in the last few years. The required ships and vessels in the country are being produced by the local shipbuilders. Furthermore, they have already started taking orders and executing them perfectly for foreign companies from Germany, IBM ThinkPad T40p 2373 Laptop Keyboard
Denmark and other European countries who prefer the cheap market of Bangladesh over their local market. The Khulna Shipyard have successfully completed building a Khulna Class LPC(LargePatrol Craft) and a LCVP(Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) for the Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Army respectively, the cost being almost half of their import price. They are to build 5 more LPCs of the same class in the coming year. DELL PK130AF2B00 Laptop Keyboard
The tourism sector in Bangladesh has experienced massive growth in recent years. The majority of growth is contributed by local tourists. It is believed to be a major tourist destination if properly advertised. Nonetheless, few government andprivate initiatives have been taken to attract foreign tourists. TOSHIBA G83C0000EA10 Laptop Keyboard
Though small in area, Bangladesh is quite rich in heritage with numerous historical and archeological sites. It has the longest natural unbroken sea beach and five World Heritage Sites. Among those are famous eighty one domed Shat Gombuj Mosque in Bagerhat, made by great Muslim saint Khan Jahan Ali in the 15th century; world's largest Mangrove forest Sundarbans which is also renowned for its world famous Royal Bengal Tiger. TOSHIBA Satellite P300 Laptop Keyboard
There are several exotic archaeological sites in the northern parts of Bangladesh, including the temple city Puthia inRajshahi; the largest and most ancient archaeological site, Mahasthangarh in Bogra; Among the best known Buddhist viharas in the Indian Subcontinent and one of the most important archaeological sites in the country, Paharpur in Naogaon, IBM Lenovo Thinkpad X201 Laptop Keyboard
declared as aUNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985; Kantaji Temple, the most ornamental terracota Hindu temple in Bangladesh and many rajbaris or palaces of old zamindars. There are historic mosques too with vast architectural beauty like Shona Mosque built in 1493, Bagha Mosque, in 1523,Sixty Dome Mosque in 1459, etc. SONY VAIO VGN-FS550 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh has the largest shopping mall in South Asia, which is 13th largest in the world. It is Bashundhara City Shopping Mall which is situated at Karwan Bazar in Dhaka.
The population of Bangladesh as of 15 March 2011 is 142.3 million (census 2011 results; this is a preliminary figure which has been disputed by the UN and now by Bangladeshis themselves),[102] HP Mini 110-3506tu Laptop Keyboard
much less than recent (2007–2010) estimates of Bangladesh's population ranging from 150 to 170 million and it is the 8th most populous nation in the world. In 1951, the population was 44 million.[103] It is also the most densely populated large country in the world, and it ranks 11th in population density, when very small countries and city-states are included.[104] ACER Aspire 5742 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh's population growth rate was among the highest in the world in the 1960s and 1970s, when the country swelled from 65 to 110 million. With the promotion of birth control in the 1980s, the growth rate began to slow.The fertility rate now stands at 2.55, lower than India (2.58) and Pakistan (3.07) The population is relatively young, with 34% aged 15 or younger and 5% 65 or older. Life expectancy at birth is estimated to be 70 years for both males and females in 2012.[1] HP Mini 210-1000 CTO Laptop Keyboard
The overwhelming majority of Bangladeshis are ethnic Bengali, constituting 98% of the population.[105] The remainder are mostly Biharis and indigenous tribal groups. There is also a small but growing population of Rohingya refugees from Burma around Cox's Bazaar, which Bangladesh seeks to repatriate to Burma. The tribal peoples are concentrated in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in the southeast. DELL Vostro 3550 Laptop Keyboard
There are 45 tribal groups located in this region, the largest being the Chakma. The Hill Tracts region has been a source of unrest and separatism since and before the inception of Bangladesh.[106] Outside the Hill Tracts, the largest tribal groups are the Santhals and Garos (Achiks), while smaller groups include the Kaibarta, Meitei, Mundas, Oraons, and Zomi. ACER NSK-AL01D Laptop Keyboard
Languages
Main article: Languages of Bangladesh
More than 98% of Bangladeshis speak Bengali as their mother tongue as it is the official language.[107][108] It is an Indo-Aryan language of Sanskrit origin with its own script. English is used as a second language among the middle and upper classes.[109] English is also widely used in higher education and the legal system. SAMSUNG N140 Laptop Keyboard
Historically, laws were written in English and were not translated into Bengali until 1987 when the procedure was reversed.[110] Some Dhakaiyas (Locales of Dhaka) & the Bihari population speak Urdu, which was also the language associated with the government prior to separation from Pakistan. DELL INSPIRON 1464 Laptop Keyboard
Religion
After Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan, Secularism was included in the original Constitution of Bangladesh in 1972 as one of the Four State Principles, the others being Democracy, Nationalism and Socialism. In 2010, the High Court upheld the secular principles of the 1972 constitution. Bangladesh follows secular government system in democratic state. HP Pavilion DV7-4053 Laptop Keyboard
However, Bangladesh also follows combined system of state laws and individual religious laws applicable to people of respective religious group.[111] The minority percentage of the population adheres to Hinduism (9.6%).[112] The majority of Muslims are Sunni, although a small number are Twelver Shias or Shias.[113] Bangladesh is the fourth largest Muslim populated state after Indonesia, Pakistan and India. HP Mini 210-1109TU Laptop Keyboard
Some people in Bangladesh practice Sufism, as historically Islam was brought to the region by Sufi saints. Sufi influences in the region go back many centuries.[114] The largest gathering of Muslims in the country is the Bishwa Ijtema, held annually by the Tablighi Jamaat. The Ijtema is the second largest Muslim congregation in the world after the Hajj. Other minority religious groups include Buddhists (0.7%, mostly Theravada), Christians (0.2%, mostly of the Roman Catholic denomination), and Animists (0.1%).[112] ACER TravelMate 4600 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh has a low literacy rate, estimated at 61.3% for males and 52.2% for females in 2010.[1] The educational system in Bangladesh is three-tiered and highly subsidized. The government of Bangladesh operates many schools in the primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels. It also subsidises parts of the funding for many private schools. In the tertiary education sector, the government also funds more than 15 state universities through the University Grants Commission. SAMSUNG N150 Laptop Keyboard
The education system is divided into 5 levels: Primary (from grades 1 to 5), Junior Secondary (from grades 6 to 8), Secondary (from grades 9 to 10), Higher Secondary (from grades 11 to 12) and tertiary.[115] The five years of lower secondary education concludes with a Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Examination but since 2009 it concludes with a Primary Education Closing (PEC) Examination. HP Pavilion dv6-3141ea laptop keyboard
Also earlier Students who pass this examination proceed to four years Secondary or matriculation training, which culminate in a Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Examination but since 2010 the Primary Education Closing (PEC) passed examinees proceed to three years Junior Secondary, which culminate in a Junior School Certificate (JSC) Examination. Then students who pass this examination proceed to two years Secondary or matriculation training, HP Pavilion dv6-3143sa laptop keyboard
which culminate in a Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Examination. Students who pass this examination proceed to two years of Higher Secondary or intermediate training, which culminate in a Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) Examination.[115]Education is mainly offered in Bengali, but English is also commonly taught and used. ACER Aspire 5410 laptop keyboard
A large number of Muslim families send their children to attend part-time courses or even to pursue full-time religious education, which is imparted in Bengali andArabic in madrasahs.[115] TOSHIBA Satellite P300D-14A laptop keyboard
Bangladesh conforms fully to the Education For All (EFA) objectives, the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and international declarations. Article 17 of the Bangladesh Constitution provides that all children between the ages of six and ten years receive a basic education free of charge. HP 633183-001 Laptop Keyboard
Universities in Bangladesh are mainly categorised into three different types: public university (government owned and subsidized), private university (private sector owned universities) and international university (operated and funded by international organizations). Bangladesh has some thirty-four public, sixty-four private and two international universities. HP 636191-001 Laptop Keyboard
National University has the largest enrolment amongst them and University of Dhaka (established 1921) is the oldest university of the country. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) is the oldest and prominent engineering university in Bangladesh. DELL Latitude D830 Laptop Keyboard
The most famous engineering universities of Bangladesh are Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology(DUET), Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET). TOSHIBA NSK-TK001 Laptop Keyboard
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology is the first specialized science and technology university of the country. Now Bangladesh has eight science and technology universities. Islamic University of Technology (IUT) is the only international university in engineering fields powered by OIC.East West University, North South University, BRAC University, HP G62-339WM Laptop Keyboard
Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, American International University-Bangladesh are some renowned private universities in this region. Some other Universities are also well known such as Jagannath University (JnU), Rajshahi University,Chittagong University, HP 605344-001 Laptop Keyboard
Jahangirnagar University, Khulna University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh Agricultural University etc. Bangladeshi universities are accredited by and affiliated with the University Grants Commission (UGC), a commission created according to the Presidential Order (P.O. No 10 of 1973) of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.[116] HP 9Z.N4DUQ.001 Laptop Keyboard
Health and education levels remain relatively low, although they have improved recently as poverty (31% at 2010[117]) levels have decreased. Most Bangladeshis continue to live on subsistence farming in rural villages. For those in rural areas, village doctors with little or no formal training constitute 62% of the healthcare providers practising modern medicine and the formally trained providers are occupying a mere 4% of the total health workforce. HP Pavilion DV7T-4100 Laptop Keyboard
A survey conducted by Future Health Systems revealed significant deficiencies in treatment practices of village doctors, with a wide prevalence of harmful and inappropriate drug prescriptions.[118] There are market incentives for accessing health care through informal providers and it is important to understand these markets in order to facilitate collaboration across actors and institutions in order to provide incentives for better performance.[119] HP 605344-001 Laptop Keyboard
A 2007 study of 1000 households in rural Bangladesh found that direct costs (payment to formal and informal health care providers) and indirect costs (loss of earnings associated with workdays lost due to illness) associated with illness were important deterrents to accessing health care from qualified healthcare providers.[118] ATOSHIBA Satellite L750-ST4N02 Laptop Keyboard
community survey with 6183 individuals in rural Bangladesh found a clear gender difference in treatment-seeking behaviour, with women less likely to seek treatment compared to men.[120] DELL Vostro 3550 Laptop Keyboard
The use of skilled birth attendants, however, has risen between 2005 and 2007 by women in all wealth quintiles except the highest quintile.[121] A pilot community empowerment tool, called a health watch, was successfully developed and implemented in south-eastern Bangladesh in order to improve uptake and monitoring of public health services.[122] Lenovo Thinkpad T520 Laptop Keyboard
The poor health conditions in Bangladesh is attributed by the lack of healthcare and services provision by the government. The total expenditure on healthcare as a percentage of their GDP was only 3.35% in 2009, according to a World Bank report published in 2010.[123] The number of hospital beds per 10 000 population is 4.[124] Dell Inspiron 2500 Laptop Keyboard
The General government expenditure on healthcare as a percentage of total government expenditure was only 7.9% as of 2009 and the citizens pay most of their health care bills as the out-of-pocket expenditure as a percentage of private expenditure on health is 96.5%.[123] DELL UW739 Laptop Keyboard
Malnutrition has been a persistent problem for the poverty-stricken country. The World Bank estimates that Bangladesh is ranked 1st in the world of the number of children suffering from malnutrition[125][126] In Bangladesh, 26% of the population are undernourished[127] and 46% of the children suffers from moderate to severe underweight problem.[128] 43% of children under 5 years old are stunted. ACER TravelMate 3002WTCi Laptop Keyboard
One in five preschool age children are vitamin A deficient and one in two are anemic.[129] Child malnutrition in Bangladesh is amongst the highest in the world. Two-thirds of the children, under the age of five, are under-nourished and about 60% of them, who are under six, are stunted.[130] More than 45 percent of rural families and 76 percent of urban families were below the acceptable caloric intake level.[131] HP 519265-001 Laptop Keyboard
The Bengali language boasts a rich literary heritage, which Bangladesh shares with the Indian state of West Bengal. The earliest literary text in Bengali is the 8th century Charyapada. Medieval Bengali literature was often either religious (for example,Chandidas), or adapted from other languages (for example, Alaol). Compaq Presario CQ62-227TU laptop keyboard
Bengali literature reached its full expression in the 19th century, with its greatest icons being poets, the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, Rabindranath Tagore, Sarat Chandra, Jasim Uddin, Jibanananda Das, SAMSUNG Q320 Laptop Keyboard
Shamsur Rahman, Al Mahmud, Sukanta Bhattacharya, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Michael Madhusudan Dutt and present day Humayun Ahmed, Muhammed Zafar Iqbal. Bangladesh also has a long tradition in folk literature, for example Maimansingha Gitika, Thakurmar Jhuli and stories related to Gopal Bhar, Birbal and Molla Nasiruddin. ACER Aspire 5610Z Laptop Keyboard
Film industries
Main article: Cinema of Bangladesh
The Bangladeshi film industry has been based in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, since 1956. As of 2004, it produced approximately 100 movies a year, with an average movie budget of about 20,000,000 Bangladeshi taka. The film industry is known as Dhallywood, a portmanteau of the words Dhaka and Hollywood. Bangladesh produces about 80 films a year.[132] Mainstream Hindi films are also quite popular.[133] Lenovo 04W0872 Laptop Keyboard
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Music and Arts
Main articles: Music of Bangladesh and Bangladeshi art
The musical tradition of Bangladesh is lyrics-based (Baniprodhan), with minimal instrumental accompaniment. Numerous musical traditions exist includingGombhira, Bhatiali and Bhawaiya, Compaq Presario CQ57 Series Laptop Keyboard
varying from one region to the next. Folk music is accompanied by the ektara, an instrument with only one string. Other instruments include the dotara, dhol, flute, and tabla. Bangladesh also has an active heritage in North Indian classical music. Similarly, Bangladeshi dance forms draw from folk traditions, especially those of the tribal groups, as well as the broader Indian dance tradition.[134] SONY VAIO PCG-792L Laptop Keyboard
Around 200 daily newspapers are published in Bangladesh, along with more than 500 periodicals. However, regular readership is low at just under 15% of the population.[135] Bangladeshis listen to a variety of local and national radio programs like Bangladesh Betar. FUJITSU Lifebook T4220 Laptop Keyboard
Several private FM radio stations (Radio Foorti,ABC Radio, Radio Today, Radio Amar etc.) are popular among urban youths. International Bengali-language broadcasts include BBC Bangla and Voice of America. The dominant television channel is the state-owned Bangladesh Television, but in the last few years, APPLE A1278 Laptop Keyboard
privately owned channels have developed considerably. Some popular privately owned TV channels are ATN Bangla, Channel i, NTV, Ekushey Television, Desh TV, RTV, Banglavision, Islamic TV, Boishakhi TV, Mohona TV, ATN News, Somoy TV, Independent TV, Channel 9 Bangladesh etc. SONY VAIO VGN-N31Z/W Laptop Keyboard
Cuisine
The culinary tradition of Bangladesh has close relations to surrounding Bengali and North-East Indian cuisine as well as having its own unique traits. Rice and fish are traditional favourites. Biryani is a favourite dish of Bangladesh and this includes egg biryani, mutton biryani and beef biryani. Bangladeshis make distinctive sweetmeats from milk products, some common ones being Rôshogolla, Rasmalai, Rôshomalai, chômchôm and kalojam. DELL Vostro 3550 Laptop Keyboard
Dress
The Sari (shaŗi) is by far the most widely worn dress by Bangladeshi women. A guild of weavers in Dhaka is renowned for producing saris from exquisite Jamdani muslin. The salwar kameez (shaloar kamiz) is also quite popular, especially among the younger females, and in urban areas some women wear western attire. Among men, western attire is more widely adopted. Men also wear the kurta-paejama combination, often on special occasions, and the lungi, a kind of long skirt for men. Lenovo 3000 Y500 Laptop Keyboard
The Muslim holidays of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha, the Bengali New Year, Independence Day, and Durga Puja by the significant Hindu community of Bangladesh, see the most widespread celebrations in the country. Other major Hindu festivals are Kali Puja, Saraswati Puja, and Krishna Janmashtami; alongside the Buddhist festival of Buddha Purnima, which marks the birth ofGautama Buddha, and Christmas, called Borodin ("Great day"), are all (except Saraswati and Kali Puja) national holidays. SONY KFRMBA151B Laptop Keyboard
Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali new year, is the major festival of Bengali culture and sees widespread festivities. Of the major holidays celebrated in Bangladesh, only Pohela Boishakh comes without any preexisting expectations (specific religious identity, culture of gift-giving, etc.). SONY VGN-FE28H Laptop Keyboard
Unlike holidays like Eid ul-Fitr, where dressing up in lavish clothes has become a norm, or Christmas where exchanging gifts has become an integral part of the holiday, Pohela Boishakh is really about celebrating the simpler, rural roots of the Bengal. As a result, more people can participate in the festivities together without the burden of having to reveal one's class, religion, or financial capacity. Other cultural festivals includeNabonno, and Poush porbon (festival of Poush), both Bengali harvest festivals. HP Pavilion G6-1223TX Laptop Keyboard
Alongside these are national days like the remembrance of 21 February 1952 Language Movement Day (International Mother Language Day), Independence Day and Victory Day. On Language Movement Day, people congregate at the Shaheed Minar in Dhaka to remember the national heroes of the Bengali Language Movement, and at the Jatiyo Smriti Soudho on Independence Day and Victory Day to remember the national heroes of the Bangladesh Liberation War. DELL NSK-DG101 Laptop Keyboard
These occasions are observed with public ceremonies, parades, rallies by citizens, political speeches, fairs, concerts, and various other public and private events celebrating the history and traditions of Bangladesh. TV and radio stations broadcast special programs and patriotic songs. And many schools and colleges organise fairs, festivals, and concerts in which citizens from all levels of society can participate. FUJITSU CP270342-02 Laptop Keyboard
Architecture
Main article: Architecture of Bangladesh
Bangladesh has appealing architecture from historic treasures to contemporary landmarks.The architecture of Bangladesh has a long history and is rooted in Bangladesh's culture, religion and history.[136] It has evolved over centuries and assimilated influences from social, religious and exotic communities. The architecture of Bangladesh bears a remarkable impact on the lifestyle, tradition and cultural life of Bangladeshi people. Bangladesh has many architectural relics and monuments dating back thousands of years. DELL KR737 Laptop Keyboard
Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Bangladesh, followed by football. The national cricket team participated in their first Cricket World Cup in 1999, and the following year was granted elite Test cricket status. But they have struggled to date, recording only three Test match victories: one against Zimbabwe in 2005, the other two in a series win of 2–0 against the West Indies in 2009.[137] SONY VGN-AR390CE laptop keyboard
The team has been more successful in One Day International cricket. In July 2010, they celebrated their first ever win over England in any form of match. Later in 2010, they managed to beat New Zealand for the first time in history. In late 2012, they won a five-match home ODI series 3-2 against a full-strength West Indies National team. Packard Bell Easynote TK85 laptop keyboard
In 2011, Bangladesh successfully co-hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 with India and Sri Lanka. In 2012, the country hosted the Micromax Asia Cup. The team beat India and Sri Lanka but failed to keep the reputation in the final game against Pakistan. However, it was the first time Bangladesh had advanced to the final of any major cricket tournament. SONY VAIO VGN-AR500 laptop keyboard
They participated at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, defeating Afghanistan to claim their Gold Medal in the first ever cricket tournament held in the Asian Games. Kabaddi is a very popular game in Bangladesh, especially in the villages. Often called the 'game of rural Bengal', it is now the National Game of Bangladesh. In some areas Kabaddi is still known as [Ha-Du-Du], SONY VAIO VGN-CS160J/W laptop keyboard
but Ha-Du-Du had no definite rules and was played with different rules in different areas. [Ha-Du-Du] was renamed Kabaddi and given the status of the National Game in 1972. Other popular sports include field hockey, tennis, badminton,handball, basketball, volleyball, chess, shooting, angling. The Bangladesh Sports Control Board regulates 29 different sporting federations. HP Pavilion dv4-1211tu laptop keyboard
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Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh (গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ;Gônoprojatontri Bangladesh), is a country in South Asia. Located on the fertile Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, it is part of the ancient and historic region of Bengal. The name Bangladesh means "Country of Bengal" in the officialBengali language. To its south lies the Bay of Bengal, Compaq Presario CQ57 Series Laptop Keyboard
while it is bordered by the Republic of India on the north, west and east, and Burma (Myanmar) to the southeast. It is separated from Nepal and Bhutan by India's narrowSiliguri corridor and is situated in geographical proximity to China. With a population of more than 160 million people, Bangladesh is the world's eighth-most populous country as well as one of the world's most densely populated countries. It has the fourth-largest population in the Muslim world. HP G62-470CA Laptop Keyboard
The present-day borders of Bangladesh were established during the partition of the British Indian Empire in 1947, when eastern Bengal became part of the newly formed nation of Pakistan. It was separated from West Pakistan by nearly 1,500 km (about 900 mi) of Indian territory. TOSHIBA Satellite L655-S5160 Laptop Keyboard
Due to political exclusion, ethnic and linguistic discrimination, and economic neglect by the politically dominant western wing, popular agitation and civil disobedience led to the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. After independence, the new state endured poverty, famine, political turmoil and military coups. The restoration of democracy in 1991 has been followed by relative calm and economic progress. Compaq Presario CQ57 Series Laptop Keyboard
Founded as a secular democracy in 1971, Bangladesh is a unitary multiparty parliamentary republic with an elected national parliament called the Jatiyo Sangshad.[7] It is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the OIC, NAM, the Developing 8 Countries and BIMSTEC. A long-standing proponent of regional engagement in South Asia, Bangladesh pioneered the creation of SAARC. Its armed forces are among the world's largest contributorsto United Nations peacekeeping forces. COMPAQ Presario CQ41-204TX Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh continues to face a number of major challenges, including poverty, corruption, political instability,overpopulation and vulnerability to climate change. However, it has been praised by the international community for its significant progress on the Human Development Index.[8] Through various acclaimed Bangladeshi public and NGO-led social programs, Lenovo 3000 Y500 Laptop Keyboard
the country is improving living standards and life expectancy, promoting education and women empowerment, stemming population growth, achieving self-sufficiency in food production and building healthcare infrastructure.[9][10][11] The country is undergoing rapid industrialization, DELL NSK-D8001 Laptop Keyboard
with globally competitive industries in textiles, shipbuilding and pharmaceuticals.[12] Dhaka and Chittagong, the country's two largest cities, have been the driving force for much of the recent growth. Bangladesh has been identified as a Next Eleven emerging economy. HP G62-225DX Laptop Keyboard
"Bengal" is unclear, though it is believed to be derived from Bang/Vanga, the Dravidian-speaking tribe that settled in the area around the year 1000 BCE.[14] Compaq Presario CQ57 Series Laptop Keyboard
The region was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans as Gangaridai, or "Nation of Ganges". Early history featured the rise of Vedic states and a succession of Buddhist and Hindu dynasties. During the first millennium BCE, it was home to severaljanapadas including Vanga, Samatata and Pundravardhana. HP Probook 4510S Laptop Keyboard
Bengal was conquered by the Mauryans in the 2nd century BCE, and absorbed into a succession of Magadha empires. Following the collapse of the Magadha, a local ruler named Shashanka rose to power and founded an impresseive short-lived kingdom. After a period of anarchy, the Bengali Buddhist Pala dynasty ruled the region for four hundred years, followed by the shorter reign of the Hindu Sena Dynasty. HP Pavilion dv3-2108tu Laptop Keyboard
Islam was introduced to Bengal in the 8th century by Arab Muslim merchants and Sufi missionaries.[15] Subsequent Muslim rule enforced the process of conversion through the establishment of mint towns, mosques, madrasas and Sufi khanqahs.[16] Muslim conquest came in 1204, when Bakhtiar Khilji of the Delhi Sultanate defeated Lakshman Sen of the Sena Dynasty. TOSHIBA Satellite L300 Laptop Keyboard
In 1338,Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah declared independence from the Delhi Sultans in Sonargaon and a few years later, Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah established the Sultanate of Bengal at Gaur in 1342. The Sultans ruled for over two centuries, with their influence spanning from present-day Bihar to Arakan. The powerful Baro-Bhuyan landlords also exercised considerable autonomous authority in different regions. SONY VAIO PCG-FRV25 Laptop Keyboard
By the 16th century, the Mughal Empire controlled Bengal, and Dhaka became a major administrative and economic center of the empire. Under the Mughals, the region enjoyed a flourishing economy brought on by agrarian reforms and increased foreign trade. It earned the reputation of "Golden Bengal" for its prosperity and wealth, HP Pavilion dv6-3192sf Laptop Keyboard
and was described by the Mughal emperors as the Paradise of Nations. Medieval European geographers also located paradise at the mouth of the Ganges, and Bengal was probably the wealthiest part of the subcontinent until the 17th century. DELL Latitude D830 Laptop Keyboard
From 1517 onwards, Portuguese traders were traversing the sea-route to Bengal. They were not allowed to begin to settle there until 1537, when they opened customs houses at Chittagong. In 1577, Mughal emperor Akbar permitted the Portuguese to build permanent settlements and churches in Bengal.[17] DELL Precision M4500 Laptop Keyboard
The Maratha Empire, a Hindu empire which overran the Mughals in the 18th century, also devastated the territories controlled by the Nawab of Bengal between 1742 and 1751. In a series of raids on Bengal and Bihar, Maratha demolished much of the Bengali economy. Nawab Ali Vardi Khan made peace with Maratha by ceding Orissa and parts of Western Bengal to the empire. HP 636376-001 Laptop Keyboard
The Marathas imposed a tax, thechauth, amounting to a quarter of total revenue, on other parts of Bengal and Bihar. This tax amounted to twenty lakhs(of rupees?) for Bengal and 1.2 million for Bihar per year.[18][19] Maratha was defeated in Panipat by a coalition of Muslim forces, but imperial forces returned under the Maratha general Madhoji Sindhia and raided Bengal again. SONY VGN-FE41M Laptop Keyboard
Colonial period
The influence of European traders grew until the British East India Company gained control of Bengal following theBattle of Plassey in 1757.[20] The British Empire stopped payment of the chauth, invading the territory of Bengal in 1760s. The raids continued until Maratha was finally defeated by the British over the course of three Anglo-Maratha Wars, lasting from 1777 to 1818. HP Pavilion dv6171CL laptop keyboard
The bloody rebellion of 1857—known as the Sepoy Mutiny—resulted in a transfer of authority from the East India Company to the Crown, and a British viceroy was appointed to run the administration.[21] The British established a system of law and administration, but struggled to support the population. During colonial rule, famine racked South Asia many times. The Great Bengal famine of 1943, related to events in World War II, claimed 3 million lives.[22] SONY VAIO VPCF121GX laptop keyboard
After the British Empire withdrew in 1947, India was partitioned along religious lines, which also divided Bengal: the western part went to the newly created Indiaand the eastern part (Muslim majority) to the new Pakistan. It was known as a province called East Bengal (later renamed East Pakistan), with its capital at Dhaka.[24] HP Pavilion DV7-3085dx laptop keyboard
In 1950, Pakistan achieved land reform in East Bengal with the abolition of thefeudal zamindari system.[25] East Bengal had the majority of population and economic resources, but Pakistan's government and military were largely dominated by the upper classes of the west wing, HP Pavilion DV7-3186cl laptop keyboard
later known as West Pakistan. In response to the national government's making Urdu the only official language in both wings, the Bengali Language Movement of 1952 in East Pakistan was a sign of its rising power and the friction between the two wings.[26] Dissatisfaction with the central government over economic and cultural issues increased through the next decade, SONY VAIO VGN-NW70JB laptop keyboard
during which the Awami League emerged as the political voice of the Bengali-speaking population. It agitated for autonomy in the 1960s, and in 1966, its president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Mujib), was jailed by the national Pakistan government. He was released in 1969 after an unprecedented popular uprising. SONY VAIO PCG-FX90G/K laptop keyboard
In 1970, a massive cyclone devastated the coast of East Pakistan, killing up to half a million people,[27] and the central government responded poorly. That year, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Awami League won a majority in Parliament in the 1970 elections, but West Pakistan politicians resisted letting him form a government, as he was entitled to by the results of the election.[28] The Bengali population felt discriminated against by West Pakistan's leaders. Compaq Presario CQ56-110US laptop keyboard
After staging compromise talks with Mujib, President Yahya Khan and military officials launched Operation Searchlight,[29] a sustained military assault on East Pakistan. Forces arrested Mujibur in the early hours of 26 March 1971. That night, Ziaur Rahman broadcast a declaration of independence in Mujibur's name. Lenovo 39T7385 laptop keyboard
Yahya ordered the killing of leaders and intellectuals; the violence of the war resulted in many civilian deaths, particularly among the minority Hindu population.[30] About one millionrefugees fled to neighbouring India.[31] Estimates of those massacred during the short war range from thirty thousand to 3,000,000.[32] Pakistan finally released Mujibur Rahman on 8 January 1972, due to direct United States intervention.[33] TOSHIBA Satellite M645-SP6001L laptop keyboard
Awami League leaders set up a government-in-exile in Calcutta, India after the war started. The exile government formally took oath at Meherpur, in Kustia district of East Pakistan on 17 April 1971, with Tajuddin Ahmad as the first Prime Minister and Syed Nazrul Islam as the Acting President. Thousands of Bengali Regular forces were stranded in West Pakistan, where they were immediately interned. SONY VAIO VGN-FS415E laptop keyboard
The Bangladesh Liberation War lasted for nine months. The Bangladesh Forces, formed within 11 sectors and led by General M.A.G. Osmani, consisting of Bengali Regular forces, conducted a widespread guerrilla war against the Pakistan Forces with support from the Mukti Bahinis (freedom fighters). DELL Precision M4500 Laptop Keyboard
India entered the war in support of Bangladesh after the massacres and the hundreds of thousands refugees crossing the border. Indian Maj. Gen. Sujat Singh Uban managed to finance and equip the Kaderia Bahni, Hemayet Bahini, and other forces who fought with the Mukti Bahini. The Indian Army, assisted by Bangladeshi forces, negotiated a cease-fire and surrounded the Dhaka Area. The Indian Army remained in Bangladesh to secure the peace until 19 March 1972. HP G72-a10SV Laptop Keyboard
After achieving independence, the Awami League came to power with Mujib as the Prime Minister, without holding any new elections. When the nation held parliamentary elections in 1973, the Awami League gained an absolute majority. A nationwide famine occurred during 1973 and 1974.[22] In early 1975, ACER Aspire 5742 Laptop Keyboard
Mujib initiated a one-party socialist rule with his newly formedBAKSAL. Resistance to this rule grew, especially among the repatriated members of the armed forces, who constituted 60 percent of the officers. They felt discriminated against in a country that gave high places in government, the army and business to the Mukti Bahini. SONY 148084122 Laptop Keyboard
On 15 August 1975, mid-level military officers staged a coup d'état, assassinating Mujib and most of his family members (two daughters were out of the country).[34] Vice President Khandaker Mushtaq Ahmed was sworn in as President, and most of Mujib's cabinet was kept intact. Army coups on 3 November and another on 7 November 1975 led to a reorganised structure of power. IBM Lenovo Thinkpad X201 Laptop Keyboard
Astate of emergency was declared to restore order and calm, and Mushtaq resigned. The military placed the country under temporary martial law, with three service chiefs serving as deputies to the new president, Justice Abu Sayem, who was named the Chief Martial Law Administrator. Compaq Presario CQ57 Series Laptop Keyboard
In 1977, after the resignation of Justice Sayem, Lieutenant General Ziaur Rahman took over the presidency. Known as Zia and highly popular with many in the country, he reinstated multi-party politics and introduced free markets. In 1978 he founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party(BNP), which elevated the role of Islam in the state. Zia's rule ended when he was assassinated in 1981 in a military coup.[34] HP 519265-001 Laptop Keyboard
Sheikh Hasina, the eldest daughter of Mujibur, returned to the country in 1981 and became head of the Awami League, a position she continues to hold. She has served more than once as prime minister. SAMSUNG X20 Laptop Keyboard
Lieutenant General Hussain Mohammad Ershad gained power in a military coup on 24 March 1982, and ruled until 6 December 1990. He restored political activity and tried to civilianise his government, founding the Jatiya Party and holding an election in 1986, which the BNP boycotted. He was elected as president. He finally resigned after increasing protests by all major political parties and the public, HP Compaq NC8430 Laptop Keyboard
which were damaging the economy and society. In addition, there was pressure from Western nations that had been providing financial assistance to Bangladesh's development. The fall of the Soviet Union affected both foreign and domestic policies. Bangladesh re-established its parliamentary democracy in 1991. Zia's widow, Khaleda Zia, led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to parliamentary victory at the general election in 1991, when she became the first female Prime Minister in Bangladeshi history. HP 636376-001 Laptop Keyboard
The Awami League, headed by Sheikh Hasina, Mujib's eldest daughter, won the elections in 1996. After its term, it lost to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in 2001. TOSHIBA Satellite L755-SP5102CL Laptop Keyboard
Widespread political unrest followed the resignation of the BNP in late October 2006, but the caretaker government worked to bring the parties to election within the required 90 days. At the last minute in early January, the Awami League withdrew from the scheduled election later that month. DELL Latitude D620 Laptop Keyboard
On 11 January 2007, the military intervened to support a state of emergency, and a continued but neutral caretaker government, under a newly appointed Chief Advisor who was not a politician. The country had suffered from extensive corruption for decades,[35] disorder and political violence. ACER Aspire 5742 Laptop Keyboard
The caretaker government worked to root out corruption from all levels of government. It arrested more than 160 persons on corruption charges, including politicians, civil servants and businessmen, among whom were both major party leaders, some of their senior staff and two sons of Khaleda Zia. ACER Aspire 5810T-8929 Laptop Keyboard
After working to clean up the system, the caretaker government held what was described by observers as a largely free and fair election on 29 December 2008.[36]The Awami League's Sheikh Hasina won with a two-thirds landslide in the elections; she took the oath of Prime Minister on 6 January 2009ACER Aspire 5742 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh lies between latitudes 20° and 27°N, and longitudes 88° and 93°E. Bangladesh is in the low-lying Ganges Delta. This delta is formed by the confluence of the Ganges (local name Padma or Pôdda), Brahmaputra (Jamuna or Jomuna also known as "Yamuna"), and Meghna rivers and their respective tributaries. ACER Aspire 5740 Laptop Keyboard
The Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal. The alluvial soil deposited by these rivers has created some of the most fertile plains in the world. Bangladesh has 57 trans-boundary rivers, making water issues politically complicated to resolve – in most cases as the lower riparian state to India.[38] Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E520 Laptop Keyboard
Most parts of Bangladesh are less than 12 m (39.4 ft) above the sea level, and it is believed that about 10% of the land would be flooded if the sea level were to rise by 1 m (3.28 ft).[39]
In southeast Bangladesh, experiments have been done since the 1960s to 'build with nature'. By implementing cross dams, the natural accretion of silt has created new land. FUJITSU Lifebook E8110 Laptop Keyboard
With Dutch funding, the Bangladeshi government began to help develop this new land in the late 1970s. The effort has since become a multiagency operation building roads, culverts, embankments, cyclone shelters, toilets and ponds, as well as distributing land to settlers. By fall 2010, the program will have allotted some 27,000 acres (10,927 ha) to 21,000 families.[40] Packard Bell Easynote TK85 laptop keyboard
The highest point in Bangladesh is in Mowdok range at 1,052 m (3,451 ft) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to the southeast of the country.[41] Cox's Bazar, south of the city of Chittagong, has a beach that stretches uninterrupted over 120 km (75 mi). HP Mini 210-2006sa laptop keyboard
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Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Bangladeshi climate is tropical with a mild winter from October to March, and a hot, humid summer from March to June. Interestingly, the country has never frozen at any point on the ground, with a record low of 4.5°C in the south west city of Jessore in the winter of 2011.[42] Compaq Presario CQ71-410ED laptop keyboard
A warm and humid monsoon season lasts from June to October and supplies most of the country's rainfall. Natural calamities, such as floods, tropical cyclones, tornadoes, andtidal bores occur almost every year,[43] combined with the effects of deforestation, soil degradation and erosion. Thecyclones of 1970 and 1991 were particularly devastating. A cyclone that struck Bangladesh in 1991 killed some 140,000 people.[44] SONY VAIO VGN-CS31Z/Q laptop keyboard
In September 1998, Bangladesh saw the most severe flooding in modern world history. As the Brahmaputra, the Ganges and Meghnaspilt over and swallowed 300,000 houses, 9,700 km (6,000 mi) of road and 2,700 km (1,700 mi) of embankment, 1,000 people were killed and 30 million more were made homeless, with 135,000 cattle killed, 50 km2 (19 sq mi) of land destroyed and 11,000 km (6,800 mi) of roads damaged or destroyed. Packard Bell PEW91 laptop keyboard
Two-thirds of the country was underwater. There were several reasons for the severity of the flooding. Firstly, there were unusually high monsoon rains. Secondly, the Himalayas shed off an equally unusually high amount of melt water that year. Thirdly, trees that usually would have intercepted rain water had been cut down for firewood or to make space for animals.[45] TOSHIBA V000120280 laptop keyboard
Bangladesh is now widely recognised to be one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Natural hazards that come from increased rainfall, rising sea levels, and tropical cyclones are expected to increase as climate changes, each seriously affecting agriculture, water and food security, human health and shelter.[46] Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E520 laptop keyboard
It is believed that in the coming decades the rising sea level alone will create more than 20 million[47] climate refugees.[48] Bangladeshi water is contaminated with arsenic frequently because of the high arsenic contents in the soil. Up to 77 million people are exposed to toxic arsenic from drinking water.[49][50] ACER Aspire 5742 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh is among the countries most prone to natural floods, tornados andcyclones.[51][52] Also, there is evidence that earthquakes pose a threat to the country. DELL PVDG3 Laptop Keyboard
Evidence shows that tectonics have caused rivers to shift course suddenly and dramatically. It has been shown that rainy-season flooding in Bangladesh, on the world’s largest river delta, can push the underlying crust down by as much as 6 centimetres, and possibly perturb faults.[53] ACER NSK-H361D Laptop Keyboard
A major part of the coastline is marshy jungle, the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world and home to diverse flora and fauna, including the Royal Bengal Tiger. In 1997, this region was declared endangered.[54] The Magpie Robin is theNational Bird of Bangladesh and it is common and known as the Doyel or Doel (Bengali: দোয়েল). DELL Inspiron 6400 Laptop Keyboard
It is a widely used symbol in Bangladesh, appearing on currency notes and a landmark in the city of Dhaka is named as the Doyel Chatwar (meaning: Doyel Square). The national flower of the country is water lily, which is known as Shapla. The national fruit is jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), which in Bengali is known as Kathal. In late 2010, the Bangladeshi government selected the Mangotree as the national tree.[55] SONY VAIO VGN-N38Z/W laptop keyboard
Bangladesh is a unitary state and parliamentary democracy.[56] Direct elections in which all citizens, aged 18 or over, can vote are held every five years for the unicameral parliament known as the Jatiyo Sangshad. Currently it has 350 members (including 50 reserved seats for women) elected from single-member constituencies. GATEWAY M-6846 laptop keyboard
The Prime Minister, as the head of government, forms the cabinet and runs the day-to-day affairs of state. While the Prime Minister is formally appointed by the President, he or she must be a member of parliament who commands the confidence of the majority. TOSHIBA 9J.N5682.701 laptop keyboard
The President is the head of state, albeit mainly ceremonially in his/her elected post;[57] however, the President's powers are substantially expanded during the tenure of a caretaker government, which is responsible for the conduct of elections and transfer of power. TOSHIBA Satellite l25-s119 laptop keyboard
The officers of the caretaker government must be non-partisan and are given three months to complete their task. This transitional arrangement was pioneered by Bangladesh in its 1991 election and then institutionalised in 1996 through its 13th constitutional amendment.[58] ACER NSK-H361D laptop keyboard
Major parties in Bangladesh include the Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami(BJI), and the Jatiya Party of former military dictator Ershad. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League aligns with more leftistparties, whereas Khaleda Zia's BNP has politically been allied with Islamist parties like the BJI but practices secular politics. HP Pavilion dv6-2141ee laptop keyboard
The former two have been bitter, dominant political rivals for over 15 years; each is related to one of the leaders of the independence movement. The Awami League-BNP rivalry has been punctuated by protests, violence and murder. Student politics are particularly strong in Bangladesh, a legacy from the liberation movement era, as almost all parties have highly active student wings, and student leaders have been elected to the Jatiyo Sangshad. SONY Vaio PCG-K45 laptop keyboard
On 11 January 2007, following widespread political unrest, emergency law was declared and a caretaker government was appointed to administer the next general election. The 22 January 2007 election was postponed indefinitely as the Army-backed caretaker government of Fakhruddin Ahmed aimed to prepare a new voter list and crack down on corruption. SONY KFRMBA151B laptop keyboard
They also assisted the interim government of Bangladesh in a drive against corruption, which resulted in Bangladesh's position inTransparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index changed from the very bottom, where they had been for 3 years in a row, to 147th in just 1 year.[59] A large alliance led by the Bangladesh Awami League won in a 29 December 2008 landslide victory, gaining 230 seats among 300 seats in the parliament.[60] SONY VAIO VGN-FS115Z laptop keyboard
Subdivisions Bangladesh is divided into seven administrative divisions,[1][61] each named after their respective divisional headquarters: Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Rangpur. COMPAQ Presario C700 Laptop Keyboard
Divisions are subdivided into districts (zila). There are 64 districts in Bangladesh, each further subdivided intoupazila (subdistricts) or thana. The area within each police station, except for those in metropolitan areas, is divided into several unions, with each union consisting of multiple villages. Compaq Presario CQ57 Series Laptop Keyboard
In the metropolitan areas, police stations are divided into wards, which are further divided into mahallas. There are no elected officials at the divisional or district levels, and the administration is composed only of government officials. Direct elections are held for each union (or ward), electing a chairperson and a number of members. In 1997, a parliamentary act was passed to reserve three seats (out of 12) in every union for female candidates.[62] GATEWAY NV-54 Laptop Keyboard
Dhaka is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh. The cities with a city corporation, having mayoral elections, include Dhaka South, Dhaka North, Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Barisal, Rangpur, Comilla and Gazipur. Other major cities, these and other municipalities electing a chairperson, include Mymensingh, Gopalganj, Jessore, Bogra,Dinajpur, Saidapur, Narayanganj and Rangamati. Both the municipal heads are elected for a span of five years. SONY KFRMBA151B Laptop Keyboard
The legal system of Bangladesh is primarily in accordance with the English legal system, although since 1947 the legal scenario and the laws of Bangladesh have drifted far from the West owing to differences in socio-cultural values and religious guidelines. Laws are loosely based on English common law, but family laws such as marriage and inheritance are based on religious scriptures, and therefore differ between religious communities. The Constitution of Bangladesh was drafted in 1972 and has undergone 15 amendments.[58] SONY VAIO VGN-C2S Series Laptop Keyboard
The highest judicial body is the Supreme Court, with justices appointed by the President. The judicial and law enforcement institutions are comparatively weak.[65] On 1 November 2007, Bangladesh successfully separated the Judiciary Branch from the Executive, but several black laws, including the Special Powers Act, still influence the rulers.[66] It is expected that this separation will make the judiciary stronger and more impartial. HP Pavilion G6-1223TX Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh pursues a moderate foreign policy that places heavy reliance on multinational diplomacy, especially at the United Nations. In 1974, Bangladesh joined both the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations, and has since been elected to serve two terms on the Security Council – in 1978–1979 and 2000–2001. DELL NSK-DG101 Laptop Keyboard
In the 1980s, Bangladesh pioneered the formation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in order to expand relations with other South Asian states. In more recent years, Bangladeshi foreign policy has focused on promoting regional economic integration in South Asia, as well as the wider neighborhood. SONY VAIO VGN-FS742/W Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh's most important and complex foreign relationship is with India. This relationship is formed by historical and cultural ties and is strengthened because of India's involvement in liberating the people of Bangladesh from Pakistan. This forms an important part of the domestic political discourse. HP 636376-001 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh's relationship with India began on a positive note because of India's assistance in the independence war and subsequent reconstruction. Throughout the years, the relationship between the two countries has fluctuated for a number of reasons. A major source of tension between Bangladesh and India is the Farakka Dam.[67] In 1975, India constructed a dam on the Ganges River 10.3 mi (16.6 km) TOSHIBA Satellite A205-S5823 Laptop Keyboard
from the Bangladeshi border. Bangladesh alleges that the dam diverts much needed water from Bangladesh and adds a man-made disaster to a country already plagued by natural disasters. However, both countries recognize the importance of good relations, regional security and South Asian economic integration. In 2009, TOSHIBA NSK-TAJ01 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladeshi security forces launched a crackdown on Indian insurgents hiding in the country's border regions, captured and deported the leaders of several insurgent groups. Bangladesh and India have also agreed to develop regional connectivity and economic integration, along with Nepal and Bhutan. India's eastern states, as well as Nepal and Bhutan, are keen to gain access to Bangladesh's Chittagong and Mongla ports.[68][69] DELL NSK-DJD01 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh enjoys very warm ties with the People's Republic of China, and particularly in the past decade, there has been increased economic cooperation between them. Between 2006 and 2007, trade between the two nations rose by 28.5% and there have been agreements to grant various Bangladeshi commodities tariff-free access to the Chinese market. DELL Vostro 3450 Laptop Keyboard
Cooperation between the Military of Bangladesh and the People's Liberation Army is also increasing, with joint military agreements signed and Bangladesh purchasing Chinese arms which range from small arms to large naval surface combat ships such as the Chinese Type 053H1 Missile Frigate. ACER Aspire 5742 Laptop Keyboard
The United States is a major development partner of Bangladesh, giving over six billion dollars in aid since 1972. American companies are the largest foreign investors in the country, and the US is also the largest market for Bangladeshi exports. Bangladesh participated in the US-led coalition during the 1991 Gulf War to liberate Kuwait, COMPAQ Presario C700 Laptop Keyboard
and supports the US-led reconstruction of Afghanistan. The US Military has taken part in several disaster management and relief operations in aftermath of devastating floods and cyclones to have hit Bangladesh, including Cyclone O2B and Cyclone Sidr.[69] DELL Inspiron 8500 Laptop Keyboard
As of 2012, the current strength of the army is around 300,000 including reservists,[70] the air force 22,000,[71] and navy 19,000.[72] In addition to traditional defence roles, the military has been called on to provide support to civil authorities for disaster relief and internal security during periods of political unrest. HP 640436-001 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh is not currently active in any ongoing war, but it contributed 2,300 troops during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and is the world's largest contributor (10,736) to UN peacekeeping forces. In May 2007, Bangladesh had major deployments in Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sudan, Timor-Leste and Côte d'Ivoire.[73][74] SAMSUNG N140 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh is a developing nation.[75] Goldman Sachs named it one of the "Next Eleven".[76] Bangladesh gradually decreased its dependency on foreign grant and loan from 85% (In 1988)[77] to 2% (In 2010)[78] for its annual development budget. Its per capita income in 2010 was US$641 compared to the world average of $8,985.[79] In December 2005, the Central Bank of Bangladesh projected GDP growth around 6.5%.[80] Toshiba Satellite A200-1E1 Laptop CPU Cooling Fan
Bangladesh has seen a dramatic increase in foreign direct investment. In order to enhance economic growth, the government set up several export processing zones to attract foreign investment. These are managed by the Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority. Toshiba Satellite A105-S271 Laptop CPU Cooling Fan
The insufficient power supply constitutes an obstacle to growth.[81] According to the World Bank, "among Bangladesh’s most significant obstacles to growth are poor governance and weak public institutions."[82] In April 2010, Standard & Poor'sawarded Bangladesh a BB- for a long term in credit rating which is below India and well over Pakistan and Sri Lanka in South Asia.[83] TOSHIBA Satellite M645-S4070 Laptop Keyboard
One significant contributor to the development of the economy has been the widespread propagation of microcredit by Muhammad Yunus (awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006) through the Grameen Bank. By the late 1990s, Grameen Bank had 2.3 million members, along with 2.5 million members of other similar organisations.[84] TOSHIBA Satellite P300-18M laptop keyboard
Bangladesh government is planning for construction of the largest deep sea port in South Asia at Sonadia Island. The 500 billion taka project will be completed in multiple phases and enable Bangladesh to service the whole region as a maritime transport and logistics hub. India, China, Bhutan, Nepal and other neighbouring countries will be able to take full advantage of the strategic location and Bangladesh’s LDC status for exporting their goods, which are manufactured in Bangladesh.[85][86] DELL 0NC929 laptop keyboard
Furthermore, with $7.5 billion a new international airport will be constructed. The airport is being modelled on Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in size and capacity.[87] HP G42-200XX laptop keyboard
To ease the chaotic traffic congestion in the capital Dhaka the government plans to construct more expressways, freeways, and flyovers.[88] There is a plan to build an overhead Rapid transit called Dhaka Metro, but the progress is slow and controversial because of contracts and agreements.[89][90][91] GATEWAY M680 laptop keyboard
Recently the government of Bangladesh signed a deal with a Chinese company to provide high-speed modern DEMU trains and is also going to construct metro rail system and high-speed electric powered inter city rail network. More airports, bridge (such as the multi-billion Padma Bridge project) national highways are also being constructed to facilitate trade and regional development.[92] Packard Bell NEW95 laptop keyboard
pineapple (16th), tropical Fruit (5th), onion (16th), banana (17th), jute (2nd), tea (11th).
Jute was once the economic engine of the country. Its share of the world export market peaked in the Second World War and the late 1940s at 80%[94] and even in the early 1970s accounted for 70% of its export earnings. However, polypropylene products began to substitute for jute products worldwide and the jute industry started to decline. Bangladesh grows very significant quantities of rice, tea, potato, mango, onion and mustard. IBM ThinkPad T42 2378 laptop keyboard
More than three-quarters of Bangladesh’s export earnings come from the garment industry[95] in 2005. The industry began attracting foreign investors in the 1980s due to cheap labour and low conversion cost. In 2011–12 fiscal year the industry exported US$18 billion[96] Packard Bell Easynote TK81 laptop keyboard
worth of products where in 2002 the exported amount was US$5 billion. Bangladesh has been ranked as the 4th[97] largest clothing exporter by the WTO (The World Trade Organization) .[98] whereas, according to The EconomistBangladesh is the world’s third-largest clothes-export industry.[99] The industry now employs more than 3 million workers, 90% of whom are women.[100] TOSHIBA Satellite A205-S5823 laptop keyboard
There has also been a significant growth to Bangladesh's ship building industry in the last few years. The required ships and vessels in the country are being produced by the local shipbuilders. Furthermore, they have already started taking orders and executing them perfectly for foreign companies from Germany, IBM ThinkPad T40p 2373 Laptop Keyboard
Denmark and other European countries who prefer the cheap market of Bangladesh over their local market. The Khulna Shipyard have successfully completed building a Khulna Class LPC(LargePatrol Craft) and a LCVP(Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) for the Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Army respectively, the cost being almost half of their import price. They are to build 5 more LPCs of the same class in the coming year. DELL PK130AF2B00 Laptop Keyboard
The tourism sector in Bangladesh has experienced massive growth in recent years. The majority of growth is contributed by local tourists. It is believed to be a major tourist destination if properly advertised. Nonetheless, few government andprivate initiatives have been taken to attract foreign tourists. TOSHIBA G83C0000EA10 Laptop Keyboard
Though small in area, Bangladesh is quite rich in heritage with numerous historical and archeological sites. It has the longest natural unbroken sea beach and five World Heritage Sites. Among those are famous eighty one domed Shat Gombuj Mosque in Bagerhat, made by great Muslim saint Khan Jahan Ali in the 15th century; world's largest Mangrove forest Sundarbans which is also renowned for its world famous Royal Bengal Tiger. TOSHIBA Satellite P300 Laptop Keyboard
There are several exotic archaeological sites in the northern parts of Bangladesh, including the temple city Puthia inRajshahi; the largest and most ancient archaeological site, Mahasthangarh in Bogra; Among the best known Buddhist viharas in the Indian Subcontinent and one of the most important archaeological sites in the country, Paharpur in Naogaon, IBM Lenovo Thinkpad X201 Laptop Keyboard
declared as aUNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985; Kantaji Temple, the most ornamental terracota Hindu temple in Bangladesh and many rajbaris or palaces of old zamindars. There are historic mosques too with vast architectural beauty like Shona Mosque built in 1493, Bagha Mosque, in 1523,Sixty Dome Mosque in 1459, etc. SONY VAIO VGN-FS550 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh has the largest shopping mall in South Asia, which is 13th largest in the world. It is Bashundhara City Shopping Mall which is situated at Karwan Bazar in Dhaka.
The population of Bangladesh as of 15 March 2011 is 142.3 million (census 2011 results; this is a preliminary figure which has been disputed by the UN and now by Bangladeshis themselves),[102] HP Mini 110-3506tu Laptop Keyboard
much less than recent (2007–2010) estimates of Bangladesh's population ranging from 150 to 170 million and it is the 8th most populous nation in the world. In 1951, the population was 44 million.[103] It is also the most densely populated large country in the world, and it ranks 11th in population density, when very small countries and city-states are included.[104] ACER Aspire 5742 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh's population growth rate was among the highest in the world in the 1960s and 1970s, when the country swelled from 65 to 110 million. With the promotion of birth control in the 1980s, the growth rate began to slow.The fertility rate now stands at 2.55, lower than India (2.58) and Pakistan (3.07) The population is relatively young, with 34% aged 15 or younger and 5% 65 or older. Life expectancy at birth is estimated to be 70 years for both males and females in 2012.[1] HP Mini 210-1000 CTO Laptop Keyboard
The overwhelming majority of Bangladeshis are ethnic Bengali, constituting 98% of the population.[105] The remainder are mostly Biharis and indigenous tribal groups. There is also a small but growing population of Rohingya refugees from Burma around Cox's Bazaar, which Bangladesh seeks to repatriate to Burma. The tribal peoples are concentrated in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in the southeast. DELL Vostro 3550 Laptop Keyboard
There are 45 tribal groups located in this region, the largest being the Chakma. The Hill Tracts region has been a source of unrest and separatism since and before the inception of Bangladesh.[106] Outside the Hill Tracts, the largest tribal groups are the Santhals and Garos (Achiks), while smaller groups include the Kaibarta, Meitei, Mundas, Oraons, and Zomi. ACER NSK-AL01D Laptop Keyboard
Languages
Main article: Languages of Bangladesh
More than 98% of Bangladeshis speak Bengali as their mother tongue as it is the official language.[107][108] It is an Indo-Aryan language of Sanskrit origin with its own script. English is used as a second language among the middle and upper classes.[109] English is also widely used in higher education and the legal system. SAMSUNG N140 Laptop Keyboard
Historically, laws were written in English and were not translated into Bengali until 1987 when the procedure was reversed.[110] Some Dhakaiyas (Locales of Dhaka) & the Bihari population speak Urdu, which was also the language associated with the government prior to separation from Pakistan. DELL INSPIRON 1464 Laptop Keyboard
Religion
After Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan, Secularism was included in the original Constitution of Bangladesh in 1972 as one of the Four State Principles, the others being Democracy, Nationalism and Socialism. In 2010, the High Court upheld the secular principles of the 1972 constitution. Bangladesh follows secular government system in democratic state. HP Pavilion DV7-4053 Laptop Keyboard
However, Bangladesh also follows combined system of state laws and individual religious laws applicable to people of respective religious group.[111] The minority percentage of the population adheres to Hinduism (9.6%).[112] The majority of Muslims are Sunni, although a small number are Twelver Shias or Shias.[113] Bangladesh is the fourth largest Muslim populated state after Indonesia, Pakistan and India. HP Mini 210-1109TU Laptop Keyboard
Some people in Bangladesh practice Sufism, as historically Islam was brought to the region by Sufi saints. Sufi influences in the region go back many centuries.[114] The largest gathering of Muslims in the country is the Bishwa Ijtema, held annually by the Tablighi Jamaat. The Ijtema is the second largest Muslim congregation in the world after the Hajj. Other minority religious groups include Buddhists (0.7%, mostly Theravada), Christians (0.2%, mostly of the Roman Catholic denomination), and Animists (0.1%).[112] ACER TravelMate 4600 Laptop Keyboard
Bangladesh has a low literacy rate, estimated at 61.3% for males and 52.2% for females in 2010.[1] The educational system in Bangladesh is three-tiered and highly subsidized. The government of Bangladesh operates many schools in the primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels. It also subsidises parts of the funding for many private schools. In the tertiary education sector, the government also funds more than 15 state universities through the University Grants Commission. SAMSUNG N150 Laptop Keyboard
The education system is divided into 5 levels: Primary (from grades 1 to 5), Junior Secondary (from grades 6 to 8), Secondary (from grades 9 to 10), Higher Secondary (from grades 11 to 12) and tertiary.[115] The five years of lower secondary education concludes with a Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Examination but since 2009 it concludes with a Primary Education Closing (PEC) Examination. HP Pavilion dv6-3141ea laptop keyboard
Also earlier Students who pass this examination proceed to four years Secondary or matriculation training, which culminate in a Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Examination but since 2010 the Primary Education Closing (PEC) passed examinees proceed to three years Junior Secondary, which culminate in a Junior School Certificate (JSC) Examination. Then students who pass this examination proceed to two years Secondary or matriculation training, HP Pavilion dv6-3143sa laptop keyboard
which culminate in a Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Examination. Students who pass this examination proceed to two years of Higher Secondary or intermediate training, which culminate in a Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) Examination.[115]Education is mainly offered in Bengali, but English is also commonly taught and used. ACER Aspire 5410 laptop keyboard
A large number of Muslim families send their children to attend part-time courses or even to pursue full-time religious education, which is imparted in Bengali andArabic in madrasahs.[115] TOSHIBA Satellite P300D-14A laptop keyboard
Bangladesh conforms fully to the Education For All (EFA) objectives, the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and international declarations. Article 17 of the Bangladesh Constitution provides that all children between the ages of six and ten years receive a basic education free of charge. HP 633183-001 Laptop Keyboard
Universities in Bangladesh are mainly categorised into three different types: public university (government owned and subsidized), private university (private sector owned universities) and international university (operated and funded by international organizations). Bangladesh has some thirty-four public, sixty-four private and two international universities. HP 636191-001 Laptop Keyboard
National University has the largest enrolment amongst them and University of Dhaka (established 1921) is the oldest university of the country. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) is the oldest and prominent engineering university in Bangladesh. DELL Latitude D830 Laptop Keyboard
The most famous engineering universities of Bangladesh are Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology(DUET), Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET). TOSHIBA NSK-TK001 Laptop Keyboard
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology is the first specialized science and technology university of the country. Now Bangladesh has eight science and technology universities. Islamic University of Technology (IUT) is the only international university in engineering fields powered by OIC.East West University, North South University, BRAC University, HP G62-339WM Laptop Keyboard
Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, American International University-Bangladesh are some renowned private universities in this region. Some other Universities are also well known such as Jagannath University (JnU), Rajshahi University,Chittagong University, HP 605344-001 Laptop Keyboard
Jahangirnagar University, Khulna University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh Agricultural University etc. Bangladeshi universities are accredited by and affiliated with the University Grants Commission (UGC), a commission created according to the Presidential Order (P.O. No 10 of 1973) of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.[116] HP 9Z.N4DUQ.001 Laptop Keyboard
Health and education levels remain relatively low, although they have improved recently as poverty (31% at 2010[117]) levels have decreased. Most Bangladeshis continue to live on subsistence farming in rural villages. For those in rural areas, village doctors with little or no formal training constitute 62% of the healthcare providers practising modern medicine and the formally trained providers are occupying a mere 4% of the total health workforce. HP Pavilion DV7T-4100 Laptop Keyboard
A survey conducted by Future Health Systems revealed significant deficiencies in treatment practices of village doctors, with a wide prevalence of harmful and inappropriate drug prescriptions.[118] There are market incentives for accessing health care through informal providers and it is important to understand these markets in order to facilitate collaboration across actors and institutions in order to provide incentives for better performance.[119] HP 605344-001 Laptop Keyboard
A 2007 study of 1000 households in rural Bangladesh found that direct costs (payment to formal and informal health care providers) and indirect costs (loss of earnings associated with workdays lost due to illness) associated with illness were important deterrents to accessing health care from qualified healthcare providers.[118] ATOSHIBA Satellite L750-ST4N02 Laptop Keyboard
community survey with 6183 individuals in rural Bangladesh found a clear gender difference in treatment-seeking behaviour, with women less likely to seek treatment compared to men.[120] DELL Vostro 3550 Laptop Keyboard
The use of skilled birth attendants, however, has risen between 2005 and 2007 by women in all wealth quintiles except the highest quintile.[121] A pilot community empowerment tool, called a health watch, was successfully developed and implemented in south-eastern Bangladesh in order to improve uptake and monitoring of public health services.[122] Lenovo Thinkpad T520 Laptop Keyboard
The poor health conditions in Bangladesh is attributed by the lack of healthcare and services provision by the government. The total expenditure on healthcare as a percentage of their GDP was only 3.35% in 2009, according to a World Bank report published in 2010.[123] The number of hospital beds per 10 000 population is 4.[124] Dell Inspiron 2500 Laptop Keyboard
The General government expenditure on healthcare as a percentage of total government expenditure was only 7.9% as of 2009 and the citizens pay most of their health care bills as the out-of-pocket expenditure as a percentage of private expenditure on health is 96.5%.[123] DELL UW739 Laptop Keyboard
Malnutrition has been a persistent problem for the poverty-stricken country. The World Bank estimates that Bangladesh is ranked 1st in the world of the number of children suffering from malnutrition[125][126] In Bangladesh, 26% of the population are undernourished[127] and 46% of the children suffers from moderate to severe underweight problem.[128] 43% of children under 5 years old are stunted. ACER TravelMate 3002WTCi Laptop Keyboard
One in five preschool age children are vitamin A deficient and one in two are anemic.[129] Child malnutrition in Bangladesh is amongst the highest in the world. Two-thirds of the children, under the age of five, are under-nourished and about 60% of them, who are under six, are stunted.[130] More than 45 percent of rural families and 76 percent of urban families were below the acceptable caloric intake level.[131] HP 519265-001 Laptop Keyboard
The Bengali language boasts a rich literary heritage, which Bangladesh shares with the Indian state of West Bengal. The earliest literary text in Bengali is the 8th century Charyapada. Medieval Bengali literature was often either religious (for example,Chandidas), or adapted from other languages (for example, Alaol). Compaq Presario CQ62-227TU laptop keyboard
Bengali literature reached its full expression in the 19th century, with its greatest icons being poets, the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, Rabindranath Tagore, Sarat Chandra, Jasim Uddin, Jibanananda Das, SAMSUNG Q320 Laptop Keyboard
Shamsur Rahman, Al Mahmud, Sukanta Bhattacharya, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Michael Madhusudan Dutt and present day Humayun Ahmed, Muhammed Zafar Iqbal. Bangladesh also has a long tradition in folk literature, for example Maimansingha Gitika, Thakurmar Jhuli and stories related to Gopal Bhar, Birbal and Molla Nasiruddin. ACER Aspire 5610Z Laptop Keyboard
Film industries
Main article: Cinema of Bangladesh
The Bangladeshi film industry has been based in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, since 1956. As of 2004, it produced approximately 100 movies a year, with an average movie budget of about 20,000,000 Bangladeshi taka. The film industry is known as Dhallywood, a portmanteau of the words Dhaka and Hollywood. Bangladesh produces about 80 films a year.[132] Mainstream Hindi films are also quite popular.[133] Lenovo 04W0872 Laptop Keyboard
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Music and Arts
Main articles: Music of Bangladesh and Bangladeshi art
The musical tradition of Bangladesh is lyrics-based (Baniprodhan), with minimal instrumental accompaniment. Numerous musical traditions exist includingGombhira, Bhatiali and Bhawaiya, Compaq Presario CQ57 Series Laptop Keyboard
varying from one region to the next. Folk music is accompanied by the ektara, an instrument with only one string. Other instruments include the dotara, dhol, flute, and tabla. Bangladesh also has an active heritage in North Indian classical music. Similarly, Bangladeshi dance forms draw from folk traditions, especially those of the tribal groups, as well as the broader Indian dance tradition.[134] SONY VAIO PCG-792L Laptop Keyboard
Around 200 daily newspapers are published in Bangladesh, along with more than 500 periodicals. However, regular readership is low at just under 15% of the population.[135] Bangladeshis listen to a variety of local and national radio programs like Bangladesh Betar. FUJITSU Lifebook T4220 Laptop Keyboard
Several private FM radio stations (Radio Foorti,ABC Radio, Radio Today, Radio Amar etc.) are popular among urban youths. International Bengali-language broadcasts include BBC Bangla and Voice of America. The dominant television channel is the state-owned Bangladesh Television, but in the last few years, APPLE A1278 Laptop Keyboard
privately owned channels have developed considerably. Some popular privately owned TV channels are ATN Bangla, Channel i, NTV, Ekushey Television, Desh TV, RTV, Banglavision, Islamic TV, Boishakhi TV, Mohona TV, ATN News, Somoy TV, Independent TV, Channel 9 Bangladesh etc. SONY VAIO VGN-N31Z/W Laptop Keyboard
Cuisine
The culinary tradition of Bangladesh has close relations to surrounding Bengali and North-East Indian cuisine as well as having its own unique traits. Rice and fish are traditional favourites. Biryani is a favourite dish of Bangladesh and this includes egg biryani, mutton biryani and beef biryani. Bangladeshis make distinctive sweetmeats from milk products, some common ones being Rôshogolla, Rasmalai, Rôshomalai, chômchôm and kalojam. DELL Vostro 3550 Laptop Keyboard
Dress
The Sari (shaŗi) is by far the most widely worn dress by Bangladeshi women. A guild of weavers in Dhaka is renowned for producing saris from exquisite Jamdani muslin. The salwar kameez (shaloar kamiz) is also quite popular, especially among the younger females, and in urban areas some women wear western attire. Among men, western attire is more widely adopted. Men also wear the kurta-paejama combination, often on special occasions, and the lungi, a kind of long skirt for men. Lenovo 3000 Y500 Laptop Keyboard
The Muslim holidays of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha, the Bengali New Year, Independence Day, and Durga Puja by the significant Hindu community of Bangladesh, see the most widespread celebrations in the country. Other major Hindu festivals are Kali Puja, Saraswati Puja, and Krishna Janmashtami; alongside the Buddhist festival of Buddha Purnima, which marks the birth ofGautama Buddha, and Christmas, called Borodin ("Great day"), are all (except Saraswati and Kali Puja) national holidays. SONY KFRMBA151B Laptop Keyboard
Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali new year, is the major festival of Bengali culture and sees widespread festivities. Of the major holidays celebrated in Bangladesh, only Pohela Boishakh comes without any preexisting expectations (specific religious identity, culture of gift-giving, etc.). SONY VGN-FE28H Laptop Keyboard
Unlike holidays like Eid ul-Fitr, where dressing up in lavish clothes has become a norm, or Christmas where exchanging gifts has become an integral part of the holiday, Pohela Boishakh is really about celebrating the simpler, rural roots of the Bengal. As a result, more people can participate in the festivities together without the burden of having to reveal one's class, religion, or financial capacity. Other cultural festivals includeNabonno, and Poush porbon (festival of Poush), both Bengali harvest festivals. HP Pavilion G6-1223TX Laptop Keyboard
Alongside these are national days like the remembrance of 21 February 1952 Language Movement Day (International Mother Language Day), Independence Day and Victory Day. On Language Movement Day, people congregate at the Shaheed Minar in Dhaka to remember the national heroes of the Bengali Language Movement, and at the Jatiyo Smriti Soudho on Independence Day and Victory Day to remember the national heroes of the Bangladesh Liberation War. DELL NSK-DG101 Laptop Keyboard
These occasions are observed with public ceremonies, parades, rallies by citizens, political speeches, fairs, concerts, and various other public and private events celebrating the history and traditions of Bangladesh. TV and radio stations broadcast special programs and patriotic songs. And many schools and colleges organise fairs, festivals, and concerts in which citizens from all levels of society can participate. FUJITSU CP270342-02 Laptop Keyboard
Architecture
Main article: Architecture of Bangladesh
Bangladesh has appealing architecture from historic treasures to contemporary landmarks.The architecture of Bangladesh has a long history and is rooted in Bangladesh's culture, religion and history.[136] It has evolved over centuries and assimilated influences from social, religious and exotic communities. The architecture of Bangladesh bears a remarkable impact on the lifestyle, tradition and cultural life of Bangladeshi people. Bangladesh has many architectural relics and monuments dating back thousands of years. DELL KR737 Laptop Keyboard
Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Bangladesh, followed by football. The national cricket team participated in their first Cricket World Cup in 1999, and the following year was granted elite Test cricket status. But they have struggled to date, recording only three Test match victories: one against Zimbabwe in 2005, the other two in a series win of 2–0 against the West Indies in 2009.[137] SONY VGN-AR390CE laptop keyboard
The team has been more successful in One Day International cricket. In July 2010, they celebrated their first ever win over England in any form of match. Later in 2010, they managed to beat New Zealand for the first time in history. In late 2012, they won a five-match home ODI series 3-2 against a full-strength West Indies National team. Packard Bell Easynote TK85 laptop keyboard
In 2011, Bangladesh successfully co-hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 with India and Sri Lanka. In 2012, the country hosted the Micromax Asia Cup. The team beat India and Sri Lanka but failed to keep the reputation in the final game against Pakistan. However, it was the first time Bangladesh had advanced to the final of any major cricket tournament. SONY VAIO VGN-AR500 laptop keyboard
They participated at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, defeating Afghanistan to claim their Gold Medal in the first ever cricket tournament held in the Asian Games. Kabaddi is a very popular game in Bangladesh, especially in the villages. Often called the 'game of rural Bengal', it is now the National Game of Bangladesh. In some areas Kabaddi is still known as [Ha-Du-Du], SONY VAIO VGN-CS160J/W laptop keyboard
but Ha-Du-Du had no definite rules and was played with different rules in different areas. [Ha-Du-Du] was renamed Kabaddi and given the status of the National Game in 1972. Other popular sports include field hockey, tennis, badminton,handball, basketball, volleyball, chess, shooting, angling. The Bangladesh Sports Control Board regulates 29 different sporting federations. HP Pavilion dv4-1211tu laptop keyboard
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