I would like to begin
with one of my mother’s concepts: “Baba(my son), greatness is not the
position you hold, greatness is what you
do from that position” and so I always try to follow my mother’s lesson.
It was during January
2016 when I went to Barisal division to hand over computers to Barisal,
Patuakhali and Bauphal press club and also to inaugurate an academy in Bauphal
upazila which was funded by Islam Karim Foundation, that is part of my on-going
programs all over the Bangladesh. We left Dhaka at 5am from Gulshan to Bhawfal
with a few local journalists, 3 university students and a guide who was from
Patuakhali.
While we were crossing
Hatirjheel, there were only few cars in the road; Dhaka was just waking from
its sound sleep. Hatirjheel is a wonderful addition to the city’s landscape,
the silhouette of the bridges and the lights made me forget that I was in
Bangladesh. Its inexplicable beauty reflected my memories and made me think of
some part of Sydney, Australia and some part of Japan. The roads were clear and
I was thinking what a beautiful country it would be if we could make everything
organised and dreaming of a country full of beauty and joy.
By this time we
arrived near to Mawa Ferry Ghat. Our driver was worried as to whether we could
catch the first ferry to cross the river Padma. We were lucky that the ferry
was waiting for a VIP to come aboard as they had been informed beforehand. The
ferry was full, only a few spaces were left in case the VIP came with more than
one vehicle. When the VIP eventually arrived, I told our driver to follow him,
but he was hesitant and a little bit scared, however, I insisted and he followed
the VIP onto the ferry, the security let us in. May be he didn’t understand
that we were not with the VIP. As I sat in my vehicle, enjoying the beauty of
the river Padma, I was thinking, how fortunate you are if you are a VIP in
Bangladesh.
I watched the people
on the bank of the river, working hard, no fear, in a very lively mood and
singing songs with happiness, they built their dream house on the bank of the
river, they have a very good relationship with the river they drink her water,
take a shower in the river they don't worry about paying the bills, they have
no electricity, gas or other modern appliances to enjoy. Instead they were
utilising and enjoying everything from nature. Sometimes the Padma becomes
annoyed with them and destroys everything they build, they fight again to
survive. As I was comparing life in England to the lives of these people, the
developed countries and the underprivileged countries I found significant
parallels to survival, I couldn’t come to a conclusion as to which life is
better.
After a while, we
reached the other side of Padma and our driver tactfully pulled our vehicle
before the VIP and we were on our way to Bhawfal, Patuakhali, Barisal. I was
enjoying the natural beauty and the rivers along the way and as we were passing
Barisal City, two names came to mind. A K Fazlul Haq and another one was
Jibanananda Das. Both were born in Barisal - old name Chandradip. A K Fazlul
Haq was called Tiger of Bengal and played an active role in our Bangladeshi
politics and left a huge legacy in our history and our Bangla and Muslim
culture. Jibanananda, after Rabindranath, was the creator of a new kind of
modernity in Bangla poetry. He gave birth to a completely new kind of language
and left a legacy of our literature and culture. At last we reached Bawpal
upazilla where a lot of people were waiting to receive us and escort us to the
place where a mosque and school would be inaugurated. The people were very
cordial and after the inauguration programme, we had our lunch in Shikder Bari
at Dalim’s house. The food was delicious; every item was cultivated and
prepared from their own natural resources.
Our next program was
to handover a computer in Bauphal Upzela Press Club, a lot of motorbikes
escorted us to the press club. We handed over the computer to the press club
President and Secretary in the presence of around two hundred people including
all the political and social organisations which were united and well
organised. Our next program was Patuakhali Press Club, so we left Bauphal. We
handed over the computer to the president and secretary of the Patuakhali Press
Club in a very colourful programme where a lot of intellectuals and the elite
people of Patuakhali were present. We had an invitation from DC Amitab Sarkar
and SP Sayed Moshfikur Rahman, both are real gentlemen. We went to the DCs
residence first and then the SPs residence, a warm welcome were given by both
individually. Their approach, manner and hospitality with delicious food was
remarkable, The DC Amitab Sarkar came outside and showed his contribution to
the development of Patuakhali District during his tenure including a new
fountain he built which enlightened the beauty of Patuakhali city.
 |
With Amitab Sarkar,DC Patuakhali, and
Sapon Kumar, President Patuakhali
Press Club.
|
Written by: DR. Nurul Karim, Barmingham, UK
 |
| DR. Nurul Karim, Barmingham, UK |
