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Bangladesh.First of all, many foreigners — especially people from the West — must note, it is not India, neither a part of India; she is simply a sovereign and independent state - Bangladesh by name.The country's official name is People's Republic of Bangladesh.The country's independence was declared on 26 March, 1971, and it earned the long-waited liberation finally on 16 December, 1971 from the then East Pakistan. So, the Independence day is celebrated on 26 March, and 16 December is our Victory day.The flag of Bangladesh has a meaning. It is a beautiful rendition of a red disk on a green field. The bottle-green colour is the emblem of the widespread greenery of the country, and the reddish circle in the midst is the sun rising over the country also symbolising bloodshed of the martyrs in '71 liberation war.The father of our nation is "Bangabandhu" Mr. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He is unanimously renowned for his bravery, unquestionable courage and leadership especially during the birth of Bangladesh and the post-liberation war period. He was assassinated along with the most of the members of his family on 15 August, 1975. 15 August is observed as our national mourning day.Sheikh Hasina is the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She is the daughter of Bangabandhu. She is well-known for sustaining equity to minorities and for being able to strengthen the diplomatic relationship a lot with countries like India and the US, and also for making the GDP rate over 6%.The parliament of Bangladesh is named as Jatiyo Sangshad. Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban or National Parliament House is located at Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Designed by architect Louis Kahn, the complex, is one of the largest legislative complexes in the world, comprising 200 acres (800,000 m²).Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the country's largest city. It is known as a significant financial centre of South Asia. As of July, 2014 census, the population of Dhaka is 15.391 million, making Dhaka the most populated city of Bangladesh, and one of the densest megacities in the world. Too little space, yet too many people here! So, don't get nervous to see crowds all around you on the roads or on the public transports whenever you are travelling to Dhaka. :PBangladeshi people are often mistaken for an Indian (or even Sri Lankan) because of a number of facts including almost similar colour complexion, linguistic similarity in the states of Eastern India and Bangladesh, and belonging to the same historic evolution. Still, Bangladesh is the name of a separate and individual identity. So, misinterpreting us as Indians or anyone else? A definite no-no. (See: History of Bangladesh)We are people from such a country which has experienced blood-shed and sacrifice for the sake of language. The martyrs were shot and killed on 21 February, 1952 while protesting against the then Pakistani Government for trying to make Urdu the only national language of both East & West Pakistan, whereas East Pakistan (Bangladesh now) had more native Bangla speakers than West Pakistan's Urdu speakers. Therefore, 21 February is Bangladesh’s Shaheed Day. In fact, 21 February is observed and formally recognized by UN as the International Mother Language Day throughout the world. Shaheed Minar is built as a memorial to the event. Also, on every 21 February, a month-long book-fair is held very close to the Shaheed Minar premises in memory of the martyrs' sacrifice for language. This "Ekushey Boimela" is considered as a legacy of Bangladesh.People from Bangladesh are seriously not endowed with what is portrayed widely with brutal poverty and diseases. Bangladesh is much beyond the myths. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country was worth 173.82 billion US Dollars in 2014. The GDP value of Bangladesh represents 0.28% of the world economy. Bangladesh is among the few 16 countries that are expected to graduate from the group of the least developed countries by 2025, according to the UN.Bangladesh is noted for the ethnic homogeneity of its population. Over 98 percent of the people are Bengalis, predominantly Bangla-speaking people. We are a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic country. There are many dialects of Bengali spoken throughout the regions. The dialect spoken by those in Chittagong, Noakhali and Sylhet are particularly distinctive. Moreover, about 87% of Bangladeshis are Muslims, followed by Hindus (12%), Buddhists (1%) and Christians (0.5%). Minority ethnic groups include Meitei, Khasia, Saonthals, Chakma, Garo, Biharis, Oraons, Mundas and Rohingyas.The country's development is mainly based on its rural economy. And the rural economy is based on its agriculture. Agriculture is the single largest producing sector of the economy, since it comprises about 18.6% of the country's GDP and employs around 45% of the total labour force. It should be added that, paddy (raw rice) is the staple grain of Bangladesh.The country's main cuisine, as I said, is rice. People here love to take rice with curry of fish/meat/egg/vegetables/lentils. We are fond of Rice & Curry more than anything else. Therefore, rice is a common item everywhere in Bangladesh. Another item for which Bangladesh is famous for is Hilsa fish (Ilish). Nothing can beat its superb taste! Interestingly, Hilsa fish or Ilish is a symbol of solvency as well as a customary part of the gifts exchanged at weddings in Bangladesh.It is a barely acknowledged yet a very significant fact about our cuisine culture that, we have a special inclination to juicy and soft sweets like "Rosh-gollas/Rasgulla" and "Lalmohon/Golabjamun" more than English pies, tarts or pastries. Entrepreneurs do invest in culinary sector accordingly.Bangladesh is clearly a country of colours and festivals. No doubt, weddings are an essential part of it! Marriage is regarded here as something very sacred and strong. Most of the Bangladeshi put all their life-long savings aside only to ensure that their children or siblings might get married off well. Therefore, weddings here are particularly big and fat, and can span several days including Mehendi Night, Turmeric Ceremony, Aqd, Wedding Day, Bou-bhat (or Walima). No matter what is the family's class or religion, they put their best effort to make the wedding a prosperous one, because sometimes the glory becomes a matter of social stature. Red is the common colour of our bride's attire, since red is considered as the symbol of festivity, prosperity, love and fertility.In Bangladesh, Eid-ul-Fitr is the biggest religious festival. Apart from that, Eid-ul-Azha (Qurbani Eid) along with Durga Puja are also significant religious festivals. Moreover, Christmas, Vesak (Buddha's birthday/Buddha Purnima), Janmashtami, Eid-e-Miladunnabi, Shab-e-Barat, Shab-e-Qadr etc. are celebrated with great joy and equity. At Tangi, near Dhaka, on the bank of the river Turag, one of the greatest peaceful congregations of the Muslim takes place each year called Bishwa Ijtema which is an event that draws attention of all the Muslim brothers around the world.Among the social festivals, Pohela Boishakh, Pohela Falgun, Nabanna etc. are notable. The people here love to celebrate the occasions and tend to welcome the different seasons in a joyous mood throughout the year.The Bangladeshi people start their conversation with greetings (mostly with a "Salam" since most people are Muslim here). They are not very much adapted to a hand-shake with a stranger or a less known person. They maintain a certain amount of distance while standing and talking to each other. Yet, saying a "hello" and shaking hands are slowly being embraced in the urban culture.It is considered unusual to stay outside home past 10 PM without any serious urgency, and this applies even for boys, especially those who are still students and living with their parents. This norm has been emerged basically out of the security reason at both Dhaka and outside. In fact, in other regions, 10 PM is contemplated as the midnight hour. Its completely normal here when I have seen my 80 years old Grandpa worrying immensely because my 58 years old Dad was late at coming home while the clock stroke 9:45 PM at my home-town. Yeah, different society, different culture!Bangladeshis are a social community. They love to remain surrounded with friends and fellows everywhere. Bangladeshi people value relationships to a great extent. But, remember, these people are way more conservative while conversing for the first times. In most of the families, till date, sons tend to live jointly with their parents even after marriage. Families in Bengali communities are patriarchal. The culture here is mainly family-oriented. During holidays, people prefer to sit along with the family members and would take a cup of tea or dine together or enjoy T.V. or hang out altogether. Besides, in the evenings, we often hang out with friends and have "adda" (chitchat) with them. Café culture is becoming popular only in a few urban areas.When it comes to the point of "adda", tea becomes an essential part. In fact, tea (or "cha") is a must-served item while attending guests at the Bangladeshi households. Tea stalls are a familiar image in almost all the streets of the country. And, really, the flavour and aroma of the tea leaves gently stirred in hot boiled water with a spoonful of the sweetened condensed milk at the stalls is splendid and surely a not-to-miss for the visitors!We are a hospitable, warm and welcoming nation as a whole. Whoever will travel to Bangladesh, would be welcomed by the fellow Bangladeshi people as if it were his or her own homeland. We may not be a developed country yet, but in terms of hospitality we are always affluent. Bangladesh is a secular country. So, we offer hospitality to the people from every nook and corner of the world regardless of class and religion. This sense of hospitality is a special attribute of our people which we can be proud of. We share a very emotional characteristic in common. Moreover, the Bangladeshi are happier than Indians, Nepalese and Sri Lankans, according to the 2015 World Happiness Report.Bangladesh is land of variety of seasons! There are primarily four and altogether six seasons - Summer, Monsoon, Autumn, Late Autumn, Winter and Spring - each season comprising nearabout two months. The seasons bring variety of colours to the land throughout the whole year.Our national animal is this -The Royal Bengal Tiger lives in the Sundarbans in the southern part of Bangladesh. The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. The Sundarbans covers approximately 10,000 square kilometres (3,900 sq mi) of which 60 percent is in Bangladesh with the remainder in India. It is, in fact, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forest is also renowned for Chital or Chitra (spotted dear).When it comes to the Royal Bengal, the name and glory of our rising tigers - our national cricket team- must be mentioned also. Bangladesh is a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) with test & ODI status. The ODI team led by Mashrafe Mortaza and coached by Mr. Hathurusingha already has earned indubitable glory by beating Pakistan and India and winning consecutive ODI series. The Bangladesh team has now improved immensely and has been able to build a lasting ground of confidence through a transition long desired. The Bangladeshi are crazy fans of cricket and football. It should be added that, world football to most of our country-folks is, till now, synonymous with either Argentina or Brazil.Bangladesh, though being a tiny country, is the motherland of a Nobel-Laureate. He is Dr. Muhammad Yunus, winning his Nobel Peace prize in 2006 "for advancing economic and social opportunities for the poor, especially women, through their pioneering microcredit work" shared with his Grameen Bank.Three Bangladeshis - Bangladeshi-origin Labour Party candidates Rushanara Ali from Bethnal Green and Bow constituency, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq from the Hampstead and Kilburn constituency and Rupa Asha Huq from the constituency of Ealing - were elected MPs in UK general election held on 2015.Our national fruit is Jackfruit because of its widespread availability in our country. You will find this view quite a lot here and there around the villages and in Dhaka city as well especially during summer:Also, mango is widely cultivated and consumed here. Mangoes are used here often as gifts and tokens while visiting somebody's house. The sweetness and juiciness of a mango can make a Bangladeshi real happy! :PCox's Bazar Beach in Chittagong division is the longest unbroken sea beach in the world,running 125 km. It is, in fact, the top tourist destination of Bangladesh.Whenever you are planning to visit my country, you are invited to visit the following places too —Shaheed Minar (the statue built in memoriam of the martyrs who fought against the then East-Pakistani rulers and sacrificed lives for establishing Bengali language as the mother tongue in 1952) -b. Lalbagh Fort -c. Ahsan Manjil Palace on the bank of Buriganga River -d. Bangladesh National Museum -e. Jatiyo Sriti Shoudho or National Martyrs' Memorial(in memoriam of the martyrs who sacrificed themselves for the sake of liberation of Bangladesh during 1971 against Pakistan) -f. University of Dhaka Campus -g. Uttara Ganabhaban: an old seat of Maharajas with a beautiful palace now serving as the Uttara Ganabhaban (President's Official residence of the northern region) -h. Sitakunda -i. Moynamoti: Buddhist Bihar -j. Patenga Beach at the outskirts of Chittagong city -k. Hanging Bridge over Kaptai Lake at Rangamati, Chittagong Division -l. Nafakhum Falls at Bandarban, Chittagong Division -m. Ratargul Swamp Forest, Sylhet Division -n. Nilgiri Hill Range (Bandarban) -o. Sajek Valley (Rangamati) -p. Jadipai Waterfall (Bandarban) -q. Buddha Dhatu Jadi (Bandarban Golden Temple) -r. Saint Martin - the only coral island of the country -s. Kantoji Mondir (Kantoji Terracotta Temple) at Dinajpur -t. Sylhet Tea gardens -Planning to visit Bangladesh? You are invited at any time. We have all types of seasons endowed with the blessing of nature. So, depending on the season you cherish, you can visit the country during your preferred time-period.The official weekends are Friday and Saturday. Some organisations stay open on Saturdays though.Most of the shopping malls and markets get closed by 8-8:30 PM. Some bazaars, though, remain open till 10 o'clock at night.There are many more things yet to illustrate and elaborate, but it has already been so long an answer! Answers will be updated time to time upon your valuable feedbacks. For now, these are some things one can check out before travelling to Bangladesh. Hope these come to help.

The episode called "Three Wise Men" is a gem. It scored 9.2 out of 10 on IMDB and it was hilarious, amazing and adventurous all in one:127 Middle East Special 26 December 2010 NoneChallenge: The presenters are challenged to re-enact the journey of the Three Wise Men by travelling from northern Iraq to a stable in Bethlehem, using second-hand two-seater convertibles bought for £3,500. As Israel will not allow cars registered in its surrounding neighbours to enter its borders, they must buy cars from Georgia before flying to their destination in an Ilyushin Il-76TD cargo plane. Jeremy buys a Mazda MX-5, Richard a Fiat Barchetta and James a BMW Z3. As in previous challenges, a spare car is provided to any presenter whose car breaks down. For this challenge, that car is an Opel Astra convertible - a car loathed by all three presenters.After landing at Arbil International Airport in Iraqi Kurdistan, the three decide that it is too dangerous to drive directly to Bethlehem as it would involve travelling through the stronghold of Mosul. Instead, Jeremy proposes a circuitous route that involves travelling east and crossing into Iran and then doubling back into Turkey and down into Syria to avoid the dangers of Iraq. However, once they reach the Iranian border, they find that for "political reasons", BBC staff are not permitted to cross into Iran. They manage to find a route back across Iraq to the Turkish border that bypasses Mosul.Once inside Turkey, they discover that they have a bigger problem: a Kurdish insurgency is attempting to claim the southern provinces of Turkey and that the region has been declared a war zone, with the Foreign Ministry issuing a document that states all non-essential travel should be avoided. The presenters are given four hours to travel the 363 kilometres (226 mi) to Şanlıurfa, a safe city, before nightfall, a journey that will force them to travel through the unsafe region of Şırnak. Jeremy experiences trouble with his Mazda, but all three are able to make it to the hotel. To punish Richard for being smug about his car's reliability, Jeremy and James disconnect the standard stereo and install a secret, second stereo in the Fiat and a Genesis CD (specifically, Live over Europe 2007) — a band Hammond is known to hate — which he cannot turn off.They finally turn south and enter Syria, their progress halted by the Z3's security system, which refuses to start the car. Once inside, they discover that Top Gear is enormously popular in Syria, which they are less than enthusiastic about because Israel will not allow them into the country if they have been in Syria, and any word of their presence in the country will spread like wildfire and tip the Israelis off before they can get to the border. Jeremy proposes that they "sneak through" the country by modifying their cars for desert travel. Richard models his Fiat on a Bedouin tent, while James takes inspiration from the Afrika Korps and models his BMW on a desert army unit. Meanwhile, Jeremy paints his car in bright colours to resemble the story of Joseph and his coat of many colours, making it Jeremy and his Car of Many Colours. He also installs the "Axle of Evil" to make his Mazda a six-wheeled vehicle, though this quickly proves to hinder him more than it helps.While travelling through the desert, Richard's radiator very nearly falls out and Jeremy is bitten by an unidentified insect that causes his arm to swell up. Of more concern is an accident whilst attempting to drag a car out of a sand trap; James May is knocked over by the strap used to haul the car out and receives a head wound when he hits his head on a rock. He is taken to a nearby hospital while Jeremy and Richard carry on. They soon find a road near Palmyra and change their tactics: rather than disguising their cars, they disguise themselves, meeting May at the hospital dressed in burqas and attempt to drive to Damascus incognito. Their efforts are in vain, because word has spread that they are in the country and there is a welcoming party at their hotel.The next day, they cross into Jordan,[2] and arrive in Jerash, where they invent the sport of "Old Testament NASCAR", racing their cars around a two thousand year old chariot racing circuit. With that, they cross into Israel and make a slight detour to the Sea of Galilee, where Jeremy tries to convince the others that everyday activities and natural occurrences - James' head wound and his arm healing, Richard not liking fish at lunch, walking on water and inventing the sport of swimming - are all miracles that he had performed. On the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem, they unanimously declare Richard's Fiat to be the best car, because James hated the transmission of his Z3, which he described as having gear ratios so spread out that he could fit another gearbox between them, and Jeremy did not develop an attachment to the MX-5.That night they finally make it to Bethlehem, where they arrive at a nativity scene with gifts they have purchased in Syria: a gold-relief medallion, a bottle of hotel shampoo labelled frankincense and a Nintendo DSi because Jeremy could not find any myrrh. They peel back the covers on the manger to discover that the baby Jesus is actually a baby Stig.

I don't know my experience will fit in to this category or not.I don't have grandmother.she died when my uncles and my father were very small kids. My grand father's mother only raised them.( In our family there are only male children for one hundred years. I am the first girl baby .so I am her favourite.)She was very affectionate to her grand children (my father and his brothers)since they are mother less. My grandpa never married again.They lost much of their lands and property in river Godavari floods.somehow she could save her 3 grand children ,her son of 26 years old.( My grandfather)and one house.we are niyogi Brahmins and were given entire village as a gift at our great grandfather’s time by that time rulers.we are great grandchildren of her.she always used to tell about our glory when her husband was looking after all treasury accounts under kings. later British.He was gramaadhikari.She felt she should bring all that status and glory back to us.Because after the floods life became really tough for my parents generation.Suddenly one day she declared,she will take away all the misery from our family for all the coming generations and she will get rid of the poverty from our house.every one surprised what this lady is up to.She stopped using all utensils made of brass or silver or whatever metal they are, for cooking food.For entire house she makes in them.But for her, only mud pot with wooden stick to stir. She eats on one particular leaf where as everyone is having food on plantain leaves.She walked all the way to bhadrachalam and got her own Rama and sita idols. My mother or her elder co sister( we call doddamma)will do normal regular puja since my great grand maa stopped doing.she will take her idols to the well .Bath them near the well in the bucket it self.she keeps them under jasmine plant and shake the plant.whatever flowers fall on those idols she will keep it on and say puja is done.takes some jaggery pieces and throw in to the air.two monkey s will come and catch them.she used to tell those monkeys. 'go and tell your Hanuman ,he won't get temple unless he clears the mess in my life.His ram's situation is also no better.what ever I cook in this mud pot only he is fed'!But all of us are well taken care.nice sweets, pickles, snacks and all she will make and feed us.All my uncles and my father were got married before reaching their twenties. My mother and other aunts were 13 to 15years aged at their marriage time. So my g.g maa was only the eldest person and head of the house .My grandfather used to argue with her and always request her not to go in to that path.whats that path was they never told to children. She lived for 97 years.I was born when my parents are in their mid twenties.All these incidents are half I have seen ,half narrated by my doddamma.she spent much time with her than my mother.My g.g.maa was a widow.she lost her husband when my grandpa was 7 years old.she was very spiritual and took good care of my grandfather.she gave away all her rights on maximum part of her land ,authority and treasurer( gramaadhikari or karanam) rights of her husband to his crooked cousins, when they kidnapped my grandfather and tried to kill him.She used to spend few hours in the morning doing everything in Brahminical way.Later entire day would cook something or sing bhajans.But from that day onwards, she was changed completely.she played cards which was a big Taboo and widows can not even imagine.To whom she talks we don't know,but she used to talk loudly like this. 'I know as long as I am here ,you never(lakshmi) step in to the house.you are not permanent(lakshmi) to me. where as your sister is.( Daridra devata jyeshthadevi) I will handle her first.later I will handle you.I have the capacity to pull you here.If I do it you will go back once I die.I dont want to give you that chance. I want you to be here permanently.I dont care if I lose my life. My children should live happily.you are the one who is going to take care.keep quiet and take care!' and suddenly she will laugh seeing at attic .we all climbed and tried to find out what was there on that attic .we never could understand with whom she was talking. In fact few of the neighbors even told our parents ,the old lady is behaving strangely because of continuoes problems in her life.She will sleep resting her head on main door threshold.every one used to tell her .one should not sleep like that,if any one does Goddess laxmi won't enter the house.she used to tell them. ‘as long as I am here lakshmi won't even think of coming inside'!Suddenly she will tell looking in to the air 'why are you laughing?I will conquer you one day.I know what punishment you are going to give me for all my doings.But I have to do this to save my family.I know what I am doing.Dont preach me!what you were doing when my daughter in-law was dying at such an young age!'All of us children were terrified watching her .Generally Sandhya samayam (twilight time) time except sick people ,no one is allowed to sleep in our family. But regularly she sleep s putting her head on threshold.she was not under shock or with any sychological disorder.The reason I could say this is my father's elder brother and my mother's brother are well qualified doctors.she was perfectly normal.she knew all puranams , mantras,etc by heart.she had run entire house and family.she had tremendous knowledge about sasthras and everything.she used to tell Ramayana,bhagavatam, Bhagavad-Gita to all of us, making us sit nearer to her in the night before sleeping.When ever she wanted to do those practices she used to tell us to go away and play.otherwise we will be scared.like this it continued for some years.life was becoming more and more miserable for my grandfather and to his sons.We can sense money was the problem.Not in the stage to understand what was going on.Then one day she called my doddamma.Told her 'I will be on bed for 3 months.you will be scared to see me.dont call the second one(my mother).she will run a way seeing me. I will be smelly, worms also may form.exactly after 3 months I will leave my life.later all your lives will change!' then she called her son(my grandfather) . Told him ‘don't worry about money for my lost rites. It will come.your 3 sons and daughter in-laws will take care of you.I see a black cobra standing at that corner. It came to remind me that my time is over. It will come to you also after 6months. (She new very well her son can't live without her.) Then you will join me.My grand father never came to any of his 3sons leaving his mother,though he performed all the necessary duties like their marriages, grand childrens naming cermonies,etc.we regularly go to them in all our holidays.yearly 3 times minimum. He stayed with his mother at our native place.As she told, she was bedridden for 3months in horrible condition.later my grandfather also passed away exactly after 6 months.He told my doddamma he saw the black cobra.In fact she even called the locals to catch that black cobra. No one could find it. My doddamma understood.He fell sick and was admitted in the hospital too.But passed away.I was 15 years old when both of them passed a way.one day just like that casually I asked my doddamma. How a South Indian lady can be that tall? .My g.g.maa was approx six feet.Very dark, though my grandfather and all of his children are fair.I asked her why g.g maa did those strange things..My doddamma explained. My g.g.maa was told (by whom she also doesn't knew) to do all those things if she wanted to take away poverty from her family forever.she might have to pay a huge price for it. She may have to suffer.But she did it for us.I remember people returning so much cash to my father and uncles. Saying they owed that money to my grandfather since he paid all his premium s.(he took a small field officer job in Lic, since his mother gave away his gramaadhikari rights ).our parents don't even know them. who they are and why they are returning that much money now.Few of them told how much they are sorry for cheating my grandfather and his mother. So they can be free of guilt if our parents accept the money. That is the beginning.We won some court cases. By our g.g.maa s grace and blessings all of us are in very good positions and well settled. my father built temple to Hanuman to whom his grandmother used to talk and threaten.What I wonder is,by determination any one can change the destiny? Is it possible for a person to take entire family's pain? devotion and non devotion both reach god? These things often confuse and surprise me. Any one can kindly clear my doubts and confusion.One more thing . The people who snatched all the rights from her are in very pitiable condition now. They say they are suffering because of their elders sins. Every year we go to our native place since my mother and doddamma live there.Though my father and his brothers are no more,they don't want to leave the place. My mother says she can't leave the place where they entered as young daughter inlaws. A lamp should be lit everyday in rememberance of our elders they say .