PAHELA BAISHAKH Pahela Baishakh is part and parcel of our national life. This is the first day of the Bengali New Year. This day reminds us about our tradition, heritage and culture. We celebrate this day with high enthusiasm and excitement. On this day the country appears a bright, cheerful and festive look. The day is a public holiday. In keeping the age-old tradition, traders and shopkeepers open fresh account books. They offer sweets to their customers. Different socio-cultural organisations arrange elaborate programmes on this day. A large number of people, wearing traditional dresses are expected to attend the programme. National dailies bring out special supplements while ‘Bangladesh Betar’ and ‘Bangladesh Television’ air special programmes on the occasion. Baishakhi Mela is also an additional programme of this day. It is perhaps the largest and most comprehensive celebration of the arts and culture of Bangladesh. This is an annual gathering. All men, women and children gather in Baishakhi Mela in large number. The festival encompasses exhibition, music, poetry, crafts, theatre, photography etc in the urban area. Students and teachers of the Institute of Fine Arts (IFA) of Dhaka University bring out a colourful procession from the Institute premises at 9:30 am carrying festoons, placards, posters, banners and wearing masks to welcome the Bangla New Year. Bangla Academy holds a cultural programme on its premises in the morning, to be participated by leading artists of the country. Shilpakala Acadmey organises a cultural function on the Academy premises. Jatiya Press Club holds a cultural function on the club premises at 6 pm. Bulbul Lalitakala Academy, Liberation War Museum and Bangladesh National Museum also organises cultural functions on the occasion. In fine, the nation is in full bloom with mirth and gaiety on this day. THE MOST INTERESTING PERSON I HAVE EVER MET There are many great and pleasing personalities whom we admire. The most interesting person I have ever met is Suruj Ali. He worked in my father’s office. He was not an officer but a fourth class employee getting a poor salary. Yet he was ever-smiling with a lot of things to say, plenty of jokes to cut and many a song to sing. He was only twenty years old. Once there was crisis of water in our house as there was not water supply. We had to fetch buckets of water from the tubewell near by. It was a tough job for us; because we were still young. Suruj Ali came to help us. A big drum was purchased to store water. He did the job like Hercules very easily and had enough time to have a chat with us. He was a lover of movies and always asked father’s permission and money in reward of his extra service to watch movies. He was honest and hard working and my father allowed him to go. So he had a stock of wonderful moving jokes and tales and narrated them so nicely and even sang the songs that we could see the moving through our inward eyes flashing before us. He has strong muscular hands and he could life the hot pots from the oven with his bare hands without being burnt. We wondered how he did it. He answered that once he was a helper of a cook. Still he visits us during Eid holidays. We all admire him, love him and enjoy whatever he shows us with his million dollar smile. I have some duties to my family also. I shall hand over Rs. 40,000/- to my father to add two more much-needed rooms to our existing house. We are an average middle-class family and my father works hard to maintain the family; so I must help him as much as I can. Pia is my only sister, and she is very dear to me. She is already twenty and I hope in a year or two she will get married. I have decided to buy cash certificates to the tune of Rs.
20,000/- in her name. I can well imagine how happy she would be when she gets the gift from me to start a new life! Helping my mother a little in her tight budget is my noble duty. I have planned Rs. 20,000/- to help her tide over her difficulties. Pahela Baishakh There are some remarkable days in our national life. These days come to our life with the message of immense pleasure and traditional festivities. Pahela Baishakh is the first day of Bangla New Year. It is, no doubt, a part and parcel of Bangladeshi culture- It expresses the happy moments of our life. The day is celebrated with traditional festivities throughout the country. Traditionally traders and shop-keepers are found to open halkhata. They offer sweets to their customers and clients. Different organizations and institutions chalkout elaborate programmes to celebrate the day. The day's first programme begins at dawn in Ramna Batamul. Chhayanat organizes the programme after the sun rise. Men, women and children participate the programme putting on traditional dresses like saree, paijama and panjabi. This programme is telecast live from 6 in the morning by Bangladesh‑ Television. On this day national dailies bring out special supplements. Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Radio also broadcast many special programmes all the day long. Specially students and teachers of the Institution of Fine Arts (IFA) of Dhaka University bring out a colourful procession carrying festoons, placards, posters, banners and wearing masks from the Institute premises at 9.30 a.m. to welcome the Bangla New Year. Bangla Academy, Shilpakala Academy, Jatiya Press Club, Bulbul Lalitkala Academy, Liberation War Museum and Bangladesh National Museum and other cultural organizations also arrange different programmes on the occasion. People of all ages enjoy the day very much. As the Pahela Baishakh is one of the important cultures of the Bangalees, it is really a glorious day for them. The day signifies a new dimension of new life for all people of our Bangladesh. PAPER Introduction: Paper is the most useful gift of human skill. It is the part and parcel of our day to -day life and plays a vital role in the development of human civilization. The invention of paper has removed our difficulties, especially in writing. We cannot do even a single day without paper. Its history: The word 'paper' comes from the term 'papyrus', a kind of grass that grows by the river Nile. The Egyptians made paper by sticking, beating and polishing the grass. Modern paper was invented in China. The Arabs learnt the art of making paper from the Chinese. They introduced it in Europe. Kinds: Paper is of different kinds according to sizes and colours like newsprint, white print, tracing, brown paper, blotting paper, manilla paper, decorating-paper and so on. According to sizes there are foolscap, demy, double crown, royal and so on. Tissue paper is also a modern invention. Paper of the foolscap size is generally used in writing books. Coloured paper is used for decoration and fancy goods. How it is made: Previously paper was made in hands. At present it is made in mills. Paper is usually made of rags, grass, straw, bamboo and wood. The waste paper is again utilized to make paper. At first the raw materials are cut into small pieces, kept in water. Then they are grinded and mixed with soda and lime. Thus they are cleaned of grease and dirt. Then they are boiled and made into paste by machine. These pulps are poured into vessels which are flat and smooth. They are evenly rolled with rollers and paper is thus made. Usefulness: Paper is very useful to us. Education would not develop without paper. The learners and the learned people cannot do without paper. Our books, newspapers and magazines are printed on paper. It is used for keeping office records. Trade cannot run perfectly if transactions are not made through paper. Bank notes are made paper. It is also used for making boxes, toys and pictures etc. In a word, paper is used in schools, colleges, universities, offices, courts, press, printing and in every walk of life. Paper Mills in Bangladesh: Formerly the people of Indo-Bangladesh used to write on leaves and barks of trees. At present Bangladesh is self sufficient in paper. In Bangladesh we have got a very large mill in the Rangamati District. This Chandraghona paper mill is the largest in Asia. The Khulna Newsprint Paper Mill is also big. There is another paper mill at Pakshi. Conclusion: Paper is a great blessing to us. Had there been no paper, our education and civilisation would not have been able to make so marked progress. So, we should be grateful to those who invented it. Patriotism Patriotism means love of one’s own country. It is a noble virtue. It is a sterling quality of a man. It elevates his moral character and inspires him to lay down his life on the altar of his country. He is the most unfortunate man who has no sense of love for his motherland. Patriotism inflames a spirit of sacrifice in a man. It inspires him to live for his country and die for his country. The progress and prosperity of a nation depend on the deep love of the individual members of the country. National prestige and glory should be a living reality to a true patriot. He should not live for his own interest being blind to the interest of his country and countrymen. He should bear in mind that motherland is superior to heaven. False patriotism is very dangerous. Love of one’s own country is good but one should not look down upon other countries. Many crimes have been committed in the name of patriotism. It has been so much misused to fulfill the most selfish aims and narrow passions that Dr. Johnson said in disgust, “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” A true patriot always longs for the good of his country and countrymen. It is a noble sentiment that inspires him to place. The good of his motherland above his personal interest. He devotes himself to the service of his Country. So his countrymen always hold him in great respect and follow in his footsteps. He has no conflict with internationalism. A true patriot has a broad and liberal outlook. In this world, there is no man who is not proud of his country. It is the purest of all his passions. There is no man whose heart is not filled with joy when he walks homeward after traveling in a foreign country. Patriotism Patriotism is one of the virtues of men. It means the love of one's motherland. It is a noble sentiment and a national virtue. The man who lacks it has indeed a dead soul. As Sir Walter Scott says:- BREATHES there the man with soul so dead who never to himself hath said, "This is my own, my native land": Patriotism. A true patriot loves his country and countrymen from the core of his heart. He is always ready to sacrifice his life for the welfare of his country. Everybody likes a patriot, but hates a selfish man. A selfish man can not love his native country. He may be rich, but no body respects him. He may have vast wealth, many titles but he is forgotten by all. No body laments for him, and sings his praise. He Is sometimes condemned as an enemy to the country. He seeks his own interest. But every body praises a patriot. 'He places his country above everything. He is respected by his countrymen. He will be remembered from generation to generation. He is ever honoured all over the world. Patriotism inflames a spirit of perfect sacrifice in a man. So, we should practise the value of patriotism. If the national leaders, the teachers, the lawyers, the doctors and the common people of the country are patriotic and understand the value of patriotism, it will be easy to develop a country. Patriotism makes a man great, grateful and unselfish. False patriotism is very dangerous. Many crimes have been committed in the name of patriotism. The word patriotism has been so much misused to fulfil the most selfish aims and narrow passions that Dr. Johnson said in disgust, "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel". Everyone of us should do something for the good and welfare of the country. We should bear in mind that mother and motherland are superior to heaven. So, we should love and respect our country as well as those of others on the basic principles of co-existence. PATRIOTISM Patriotism is a noble virtue. Patriotism is love of and devotion to one's country. The word is derived from the Latin Word for 'father' and it literally means love of the fatherland, or the land of one's fathers. A true patriot is an unselfish lover of his country. His sincere desire is to serve its best interests in all ways possible to him. Love for one's own country purifies mind, removes the narrowness of heart and helps one to be selflessly inspired. Man becomes immortal by loving his country, and his patriotism prepares him to-face any odd challenge as fleeting and trivial. In 1971 the people of our motherland got spirited with patriotism and participated in the Liberation War without caring for their own lives. Our patriotic heroes fought with robust patriotism and thwarted the organised assault of the stronger Pakistani forces. Titumir and Tipu Sultan were defeated by the British but their love for motherland is unparalleled. After the defeat, Titumir's dead body was saluted by the English General. The valiant tale of patriotic Khudiram of the then Indian sub-continent was an example for the contemporary juvenile heroes and till today Khudiram's hanging by the British is reviewed with applause through singing. Value of an individual's life is duly assessed with the magnitude of his. patriotism. The creed of politics is patriotism, but the selfish and ambitious role of today's politicians is disappointing. Patriotism begets humanity. A sign of patriotism is implied in the sword of Isa Khan. Rabindranath and Nazrul Islam kept patriotism high in their writings and songs. Actually everybody should perform his assigned duty and endeavour to contribute to the state welfare. Homeland is a great asset to men. At the time of our country's distress or danger we should be ready to stand by her, to work for her, to lay down our lives for her, if -need be. We should love our country because she is bred into our bones everyday of our life. The English poet Sir Walter Scott sang "Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, "This is my own, my native land?" PEASANTS OF BANGLADESH The peasants of Bangladesh are generally very small farmers . Farmers having many acres of land are very small in number . Most of our peasants have not much land of their own . The peasants of Bangladesh may be classified under three main heads – the rich , the middle class and the poor and landless peasants . The number of rich peasants in our country is so small that they can be counted on the fingers of the hand . The middle class peasants are considerable in number and form the backbone of the village life . But the vast majority are the poor and landless peasants who are the busiest and most active in the village society . The rich peasants lead a kind of indolent and easy – going life . In easy times they get enough from their holdings for ordinary necessities of life . They can buy for their wives and children holiday attire and ornaments . They may also have some money left for simple luxuries and investment in rural industries and agricultural inputs . They rise late in the morning and after breakfast take their seat in the bungalow where they discuss with others the current affairs of the village and settle disputes of the villagers . Sometimes they go out and inspect the work of the laborers engaged by them for various purposes . After lunch they enjoy regular nap and nobody disturbs them during that time . The middle – class peasants are more active ,though some of them are easy – going . Many of them are landholders having more or less big farms and necessary agricultural equipments . They engage laborers who do all the hard work for them . They supply the speed , the cattle and other necessary things and personally supervise the work of these laborers . Very different is the life of a poor or a landless peasants . A poor peasant has a little land , a plough and pair of bullocks. His life is one of continuous struggle against poverty . In good times he gets his food from his land and labor ; in hard times , from chance. During the tilling and sowing season he gets up very early and after taking a quantity of stale rice goes to the field with his plough and pair of bullocks. He spends the best part of the day working in the field, unmindful of the sun and the rain. Sometimes he is so busy that he cannot make time to go home for the noonday meal, which is taken to him by a boy or girl of his. His early income is so small that he can hardly provide simple food and coarse cloth for his family. As he has a little land he has to cultivate the land of the big ‘jotdars’ as a share-cropper. Now and then, he has to work on big farms or in the Food For Works Programme of the Government. During the slack season he works fully as a day labourer. If he happens to live near a town, he goes there to work on daily. The fate of a landless peasant is the same as that of a poor peasant with the exception that the former has no land at all. A poor or a landless peasant sometimes inherits debts from his father. To this he is forced to add more in times of misfortune and illness. Thus he is born in debt, lives in debt and dies in debt. What with debts and what with his meager income he can scarcely make both ends meet. It is a pity that in spite of his hard labour he is always in want of food, clothing and other bare necessities of life. PERSEVERANCE Perseverance is the constant effort to achieve something great. In other words it is the continuation of a difficult and tiring work until one comes out successful. It is the comer stone of success. The way to gain any apparently impossible thing is perseverance. The task that is easily done at the first attempt is undoubtedly very easy. But the reality is that man's success depends on whether he can do the toughest task successfully. This is because our life is getting complicated and tough day by day and to succeed in this tough battle perseverance and hard work is a must. Perseverance is a unique pre-condition of success in life. It helps us to do what we otherwise would consider impossible to do. If we are not persevering we cannot do anything productively. It helps us to prepare actively for the future. In an educational institution it is not always the cleverest boy that takes the prizes. They are often won by a steady plodder like the tortoise of average intelligence. The bold king of Scotland, Robert Bruce has left us a thrilling example of perseverance. Once, after being defeated several times by the English, he was forced to hide himself in a temporary exile. But he, in no way gave up his intention to beat back the English from his motherland. One day while in deep meditation about how he could wage a successful war again, he found that a spider, having made attempts to make its web six times and failed, was eventually successful at the seventh attempt. On seeing this the king learnt a lesson. He applied that experience of the spider in his own life and was successful. He attacked the English for the seventh time and was able to defeat them and regain freedom of his motherland. To be persevering, we need to be steady, industrious, punctual and disciplined in our daily life. When we shall be committed to our mission we shall be persevering. We need to be careful of these matters. Perseverance is the key to all success. It is needed not only in the individual level, but also in the social and national level. If we all are persevering in whatever we do, we are sure to stand out as a successful nation in the near future. Pet Animal Generally men have been keeping some birds and beasts from times immemorial for pleasure. They are said to be domesticated pets. It is one kind of favoruite hobby with some people to keep these pets. The names of the domesticated animals are the cow, the dog, the buffalo, the horse, the sheep, the goat, the cat, the donkey, the monkey, the elephant, etc. But I like the cat very dearly. The cat is a four-footed domestic animal. It has two eyes, two erect ears and a short tail. It has a round head and a flat nose. It has sharp claws and teeth. Its body is covered with soft fur. It has soft pad under its feet. So it can move without making any sound. Its eye sight is so keen that it can see well even in the dark. Cats are of various colours. Some are white and some are black, some are of mixed colours. They are found all over the world. It looks like a small tiger. So, it is called the 'aunt of the tiger'. The cat is very ease loving. It is kept for its lovely appearance. It is very clean in habit. It likes a warm bed. Sometimes it sleeps on the same bed with its master. It kills mice, insects and rats. It is not only cunning but also a thief. When it gets chance, it eats fish and meat and drinks milk stealthily. It scratches when it is annoyed. It gives birth three or four kittens at a time. It is fond of milk, fish and flesh. It also likes to eat rice, curry and such other things.The pet is very useful to us. It is a good hunter. It does us a great deal of good by killing mice, worms and insects. So, we should love and fondle it. I like it very much and treat it very dearly. Often, I take it up on my lap and caress it by stroking its soft body. It is necessary to take great care of the pet and keep it in good condition. Otherwise, it falls ill and dies. So, we should treat it kindly. PHYSICAL EXERCISE Physical exercise means the regular exertion of all the limbs which help the proper blood circulation for muscles full of energy and strength. It is a sort of physical activity designed to keep us fit. A sound health which is one of the great blessings of life cannot be enjoyed without taking physical exercise. So, a man should take regular exercise to keep in good health. We must have seen that we can keep a machine in perfect working condition if we work. If we do not set it in motion for a long time, the parts take rust and the machine goes out of order. Similar is the case with the machine that our body is. If it is not is motion for a certain period of time everyday, it ceases to be in perfect condition. If again, it is denied rest, it becomes exhausted and ceases to be of any use. In fact, both exertion and relaxation are important. Good health means a sound body with a sound mind. It is regular physical exercise which makes us physically strong and mentally sound. Physical exercise is of many kinds. All forms of exercises are not, however, suitable for everybody. One can take up the cheapest and the simplest. Walking is an excellent exercise. It is within the reach of all. Riding is another kind of exercise, though the majority cannot afford to take this expensive exercise. The football game is also an interesting physical exercise, provided it is not overplayed. There are many other outer games and sports such as Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Badminton, Running, Swimming etc that can be taken as physical exercise. Gymnastics is the best way to take physical exercise but it is quite expensive in our country. So, everyone can at least take walking as exercise at morning and at evening. Walking is the mildest from of all and it is suitable to every age. Physical exercise is very useful to us. It is necessary for the preservation of health. It builds a strong body and a confident mind to face the challenge of life. It brings all the muscles into play and strengthens them all. A man who takes regular physical exercise would enjoy a good digestion. His daily works too, can be done by him satisfactorily and with perfect ease. Regular games and sports can develop the spirit of team-work, fellow feeling, group-loyalty and self-discipline. By doing physical exercise one can enjoy a disease-free, sound life and all the pleasures of the world. There is a close and vital connection the mind and the body. One cannot go without the other. If the physical condition becomes weak, the condition of mind cannot be strong. Education, we know, develops all the faculties of the mind and physical exercise develops all the parts of the body. It is, therefore, incumbent on everyone of us to take some sort of physical exercise everyday. Everybody needs physical exercise, and as each individual’s need is different, one set of physical exercise cannot be prescribed for all. Each must ascertain his need and choose the types that are suitable for him. And he must take them regularly, because occasional exercise or exercise by fits and starts does not bring the desired result. One should take exercise strictly following the rules with proper diet and proper rest. Physical Exercise Physical exercise means the movement of the various parts of our body. When we work only to exercise our limbs, we call it physical exercise. Physical exercise is necessary for those who work more with their brain than with their hands. Physical exercise can not be irregular. It has a time table to be followed strictly. Physical exercise should be taken in the morning and in the evening. The fresh air refreshes our mind and body. It is bad to take exercise after taking meals. There are different forms of physical exercise. Different kinds of games such as ha-du-du, football, cricket, hockey, badminton etc. are very ideal exercises, Walking, running, jogging, playing, swimming, riding and gymnastics are considered good exercises. But all kinds of exercise are not suitable for all persons. There is a close connection between human mind and the body. If the body is healthy, the mind also becomes sound. A sound mind in a sound body is a source of happiness. A man who has got a sound body is happy. He is cheerful. He can enjoy life perfectly. He is always hopeful. On the contrary, an unhealthy man cannot enjoy his life. Life becomes a burden to him. He may have wealth, but he is deprived of all joys and pleasures of life. He is very unfortunate. He lives an unhappy life and ultimately dies an unhappy death. In a word, physical exercise acts as a medicine for health. Physical exercise improves our health. It develops our mental faculty. It makes our muscles strong and the body active. It also improves our power of digestion. In fact, one can enjoy a disease free sound life. We should remember that it does harm to us sometimes. Over exercise on the other hand, is bad for our health. Everyone should bear in mind that 'health is wealth'. Physical exercise is necessary to build a nation. If we want to live peacefully, we must build both our body and mind together. We can then prosper in this world and live- happily. In a word, we can say that health is the root of all happiness. Physical Exercise Introduction : Physical exercise means the regular movement of the different limbs (organs) of our body according to certain rules. It keeps our body and mind fit for work. Without physical exercise none can enjoy sound health as well as a decent, happy and long. life. It makes a man cheerful, playful, strong and active and keeps him free from diseases. Human body is like a machine or an engine. A machine or an engine gets rust for want of regular/ proper service or use. In the same way we cannot maintain and preserve our health and keep our body fit for work without regular physical exercise. Types : There are different forms of physical exercise. The good forms of exercises are walking, swimming, running, riding, rowing, racing, wrestling, and playing many outdoor and indoor games. Different kinds of outdoor and indoor games like football, volley ball, hand ball, hockey, cricket, badminton, tennis etc are also good forms' of exercises. All forms of exercises are not fit for all ages. Only walking is good for the old-the sick and the weak.
Time of exercise : Morning and evening are the best time of taking physical exercise. We should take exercise in theopen air. We should not take exercise in empty stomach or just after taking meal. But over exercise is harmful to health. So, a person should take exercise at the right time. Value : The value of physical exercise is very great. There is a common and true saving 'Health is wealth.' It is also admitted that a sound health is the key to success and happiness of life. And physical exercise is the pre-condition of good health. It builds our body strong and active. It helps us to digest food properly. It gives us 'sound sleep. It keeps us free from diseases. It makes us cheerful. It removes the monotony of studies and works. It ensures our happier, easier and longer life. Important for the students : Physical exercise is very important for the students. They do hard mental work. So they need sound body and sound mind which depends on regular exercise. A student having good health can do well in the examination. Again, a bright student having no sound health can not have better result in the examination. So, physical exercise is the pre-condition of making a good result in the examination. ' Neglecting of physical exercise : The result of neglecting physical exercise is very harmful to health. None finds joy, interest, taste or comfort in life without taking physical exercise regularly. Many students sit down closely to their books and refuse to take physical exercise. They easily fall victims to many diseases and become sick and can't prosper in life. Conclusion : Health is wealth. It is the root of all success and happiness. Physical exercise helps to achieve this invaluable/priceless wealth. All the rich nations of the world like the Japanese, the Chinese, the Germans, the Singaporeans etc take exercise regularly. So, in order to face the battle of life successfully, we should take physical exercise regularly.
POLLUTION IN CITIES
Pollution means impurity. When the environment is made impure by dust or smoke, or by bad sewage system, it is called pollution. In a polluted environment, the general health of the public is threatened. The monster of pollution is wreaking havoc on the life of the urban man. The clouds of pollution loom ominously over the major metropolitan cities, which are the nerve centres of the nation. Literally speaking the word ‘pollute’ means to defile or contaminate. Uncontrolled migration, haphazardly located industrial units and vehicular congestion are assuming alarming proportions and aggravating the problem of pollution. The air we breathe, the water we drink and the noise levels one has to endure, all pose a serious health hazard leading to ailments like high blood pressure, respiratory diseases like asthma and even skin-related problems. More and more people are becoming prone to these ailments. The most unsuspecting and vulnerable victims of this menace are small children who live in the polluted environment of the cities.
The cities are more polluted than the villages. More people crowd in the cities. The day breaks with the street cries of hawkers, the horn of vehicles. As the day advances, noises and movement of the vehicles increase until mid-day comes. City life, as we know it in our country, is unattractive. Cities grow in a small area with a large population. Houses are for the most part crowded to suffocation, want of fresh air and light makes the congested localities, extremely unhealthy. Streets are infested with unsightly beggars, unwanted dogs and cattle let loose to wander at will. In a word, the causes of pollution are endless. There are more mills and factories in the cities than in the villages. Smoke emitted by the factory-chimneys, is a common source of pollution. The smoke discharged by the vehicles on the road is another source of pollution. As the roads of the cities are very ill-planned, they remain dusty, forcing people to inhale a lot of dust, which in return causes permanent damage to their lungs and vital organs. Another pollution city people suffer from is the noise pollution. The cars honk, the hawkers hawk and the generators (during load shedding) rumble and the machines and engines go on clanking, thus filling the air with all kinds of sounds and noises. This is called the din and bustle of a city. In the cities, noise also occurs from the use of microphones and loudspeakers used in religious congregations, political meetings and in wedding ceremonies. Perhaps the greatest menace is the mosquitoes. The city corporations and municipalities fail to control miserably in controlling the proliferation of the mosquitoes.
Pollution is a great threat to public health. The sooner steps are taken to curb down all kinds of pollution, the better it will be for the urban people.
POPULATION PROBLEM OF BANGLADESH
Bangladesh is an over populated country. Growing population in Bangladesh is the burning question of the day. There are many problems in Bangladesh. But no other problem is so threatening as the ever-increasing population problem of our country. Considering its dangerous effects for the nation in near future, it has been earmarked as a number one problem of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh, a country about 143,998 square kilometres is overburdened with nearly thirteen crore people. It is the most densely populated country in the world, with the exception of several city-states. The density of population per square mile is 1675. On a per square kilometre basis, it is three times more populated than India and seven times more populated than China. So, the growth of population is a challenge to our existence as a nation.
The high rate of birth due to the climatic condition, early marriage, illiteracy, and poor standard of living of the people are responsible for such rapid population growth. On the other hand, the factors like undernourishment, lack of medical facilities and insanitary living condition of the poor people have led to the high rate of infant mortality. The poor usually like to have more and more children to overcome social insecurity. Again, in the rural areas there is shortage of recreation. So they have more children and it causes population growth.
The alarming growth rate of our population is creating problems and difficulties in every sphere of life. The standard of living, political stability and cultural values are degrading day by day. It is also creating problems of food, clothing, accommodation, health, education etc. There are crowds everywhere in buses, trains, markets, educational institutions etc. There is inflation. The problem of unemployment, growth of slums in the cities, diseases, beggary, corrupt practices, and the adverse law and order situation are the most prominent. So, socio-economic and political problems are created by population boom in Bangladesh.
We shall come forward to control our population. Education on planned and happy family is a must to understand this great problem and to implement the government plans and programme. Priority should be given to education of the masses. First of all, our women folks must be educated. Mass media should be used for wide publicity about the horrible after effects of high birth rate. To control population, fanaticism must be removed as early as possible. On the other hand, commerce and industry should be rapidly developed along with agriculture to gear up national production and meet the acute problem of unemployment. Side by side, more and more vocational training institutes have to be set up to produce a skilled manpower for various trades and professions.
Population growth in an alarming rate is a vital problem in our country. Therefore any further increase of population will certainly bring indescribable suffering and miseries to us. No progress is possible until this problem is solved. Hence we must control the growth of our population for our existence. Then the adverse effect of the population growth can be changed to pave the way of our national development.
OVER-POPULATION IN BANGLADESH
The area of Bangladesh is about 55 thousand square miles, and it has a population of about 130 million. Abut 2000 people live per square mile. It means Bangladesh is one of the densely populated countries in the world. There are more people than there is food for them. There are more people than there is space for them.
The weather and soil conditions have made Bangladesh very suitable for growing crops. The riverine soil makes it a fertile bed for agricultural crops. With little efforts peasants can produce bumper crops. For this easy fertility of the land people have settled in Bangladesh from the ancient time. Besides, near absence of family planning has multiplied its population.
If human resources are not rightly used then over-population makes a big problem. Otherwise, we know that a child is born not only with a mouth but also with two hands. But these hands are to be given jobs so that a child when grown up can earn his own livelihood.
China has the largest population, yet it is not a poor country. Anyway, China is a big country, and it can distribute its large population over places which were not inhabited before. But, what about Japan? Japan is the same size an Bangladesh, and its population is also nearly the same as ours. Japan today is a leading country to commerce and industry, whereas we remain one of the poorest nations in the world. The management policies in Japan have made good use of the population.
Explosion of population is rightly identified as the number one national problem. The baby boom every year has become worrying. The government is trying to implement family planning policies in all walks of life. It is also trying to raise the consciousness of the people about the problem of over-population. Women are also getting educated, and they prefer small families. But the result is slow to come.
To tackle the problem of over-population more education facilities and jobs ituations have to be created. There is no time to delay. At the same time people should be urged to marry late and keep the family small.
The conclusion is bound to be an unhappy one as we have not as yet shown any success in controlling the birth rate. While, due to better medical treatment child mortality has also lessened.
Population Problem in Bangladesh
Population of a country is an asset, but it becomes a problem when Me country can not afford to provide people with basic necessities life. Bangladesh is a small country. The total area of Bangladesh 1,47,570 square kilometres.. Our total population is about 120 illions. So, population problem is really a great malady for ouruntry.
ngladesh is a poor country but her population is still increasing y leaps and bounds. The rate of growth is about 1.48% every year. ur country cannot afford the necessary things such as food, helter, medicine clothings, housing and education for the creasing people. Naturally, the population of Bangladesh has rested a serious problem and it is also a burning question of the entry.
opulation in Bangladesh is increasing by geometrical progression whereas the agricultural production is increasing by Arithmetical progression. Our country mainly depends on her agriculture, but our n9ricultural production is still unsatisfactory on account of old and iinscientific methods of cultivation. Moreover, we find natural (olamities like floods, droughts, cyclones etc. every year, These boar poverty for the country. Besides, eighty percent of the population is illiterate. They know very little about family planning And cannot realize the tremendous effect of over population. It may be noted that illiteracy, polygamy, religious influences, custom of ,-,irly marriages are also responsible for population problem of Bangladesh.
ioper education and an idea of fair standard of living should be ven to the people. Newspapers, television and cinema are being (jularly used popularise the idea of birth control and family inning. As a result, they will be fully aware of the evil effects of population.
Population problem in Bangladesh is a number one national problem. It should be our only thinking that two children are enough for each family whether it be a male or a female. If the Government wid the people of our country are determined to implement birth control, we can hope that the present growth rate of the population will be reduced in near future.
POPULATION PROBLEM OF BANGLADESH
Bangladesh is an over populated country. Growing population in Bangladesh is the burning question of the day. There are many problems in Bangladesh. But no other problem is so threatening as the ever-increasing population problem of our country. Considering its dangerous effects for the nation in near future, it has been earmarked as a number one problem of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh, a country about 143,998 square kilometres is overburdened with nearly thirteen crore people. It is the most densely populated country in the world, with the exception of several city-states. The density of population per square mile is 1675. On a per square kilometre basis, it is three times more populated than India and seven times more populated than China. Bangladesh occupies the 9th position among the countries of the world in respect of population. The population is increasing in an alarming rate by geometrical progression. The present growth rate is 2.35% every year. It has come to a stage of population explosion. If this alarming growth rate continues, the population of Bangladesh will be double within the next thirty years and it will be more than 20 crore by the end of this decade. Thus the growth of population is a challenge to our existence as a nation.
Population is regarded as an asset of a country. But it becomes a problem when the country cannot provide the people with the basic necessaries of life like food, clothing, education, medicine and shelter. The area of Bangladesh is too small to support her vast population. As a result, it creates problems in supplying the basic necessaries of life. Thus an asset is turned into a burden.
The high rate of birth due to the climatic condition, early marriage, illiteracy, and poor standard of living of the people are responsible for such rapid population growth. On the other hand, the factors like undernourishment, lack of medical facilities and insanitary living condition of the poor people have led to the high rate of infant mortality. The poor usually like to have more and more children to overcome social insecurity. Again, in the rural areas there is shortage of recreation. So they have more children and it causes population growth.
The alarming growth rate of our population is creating problems and difficulties in every sphere of life. The standard of living, political stability and cultural values are degrading day by day. It is also creating problems of food, clothing, accommodation, health, education etc. There are crowds everywhere in buses, trains, markets, educational institutions etc. There is inflation. People have started suffering, miserable consequences also in admitting the coming generations to schools, colleges and universities. In the field of employment this condition is more hazardous. As corruption has found its way in almost all departments, adopting unfair means has been common. The problem of unemployment, growth of slums in the cities, diseases, beggary corrupt practices, and the adverse law and order situation are the most prominent. So, socio-economic and political problems are created by population boom in Bangladesh.
We shall come forward to control our population. Such a great problem should be learned well to take steps for immediate solution. Every member of the society should come forward to help in building up a planned and prosperous society. Education on planned and happy family is a must to understand this great problem and to implement the government plans and programme. Priority should be given to education of the masses. First of all, our women folks must be educated. A better-educated woman will surely try to keep her family small for the sake of prosperity and happiness. Students can also play a vital role in this respect. Everyone should be made to realise the goodness and idealism of a small family of two children only. Mass media should be used for wide publicity about the horrible after effects of high birth rate. The high birth rate should be stopped at any cost. As a small, developing country, Bangladesh can hardly afford to indulge in such a high birth rate of population. The people should be kept in pleasure to control population. Our population living in rural areas is religiously fanatic. To control population, fanaticism must be removed as early as possible. On the other hand, commerce and industry should be rapidly developed along with agriculture to gear up national production and meet the acute problem of unemployment. Side by side, more and more vocational training institutes have to be set up to produce a skilled manpower for various trades and professions.
Population growth in an alarming rate is a vital problem in our country. Therefore any further increase of population will certainly bring indescribable suffering and miseries to us. No progress is possible until this problem is solved. Hence we must control the growth of our population for our existence. Then the adverse effect of the population growth can be changed to pave the way of our national development.
POPULATION PROBLEM OF BANGLADESH
Population Problem of Bangladesh Bangladesh is the most densely populated country in the world. About 1000 people live per square kilometre. Every year more than two million people are being added to our population. The problem has now moved out of control and it has now come to the stage of explosion.
The area of Bangladesh is too small to support the vast population. As a result, it creates problems, such as, food shortage, communication disruption, educational problem, shelter shortage, health hazards, lack of medicine, environmental pollution and
poverty. The present growth rate of population in our country is 21.6 per thousand. It is obviously a very high growth rate. Dogmatism, prejudice, early marriage and superstation are responsible for this high growth rate of population.
The population of Bangladesh is increasing by geometric progression. But the agricultural production is increasing by arithmetical progression. So the country’s production fails to feed the increasing number of people. Not only this, but also the job facilities are. Being unemployed, some people are becoming addicted to drugs and are being involved in terrorism. So the standard of living, political stability and cultural values are degrading day by day. There are crowds everywhere in buses, trains, bazars, schools and colleges. The prices of things are increasing by leaps and bounds. People can hardly make both ends meet. Over population is a hindrance to any kind of development. So necessary and constructive steps should be taken to reduce the high growth rate of population. Early marriage should be stopped. The introduction of family planning all over the country is essential. Newspaper, radio, television and other mass media can play an important role for educating and enlightening the common people about the disastrous effect of over population.
Over population is a serious threat to the development of our country. This situation will be aggravated if the present growth rate of population goes on unchecked. The people from all walks of life should come forward to co-operate with the government to solve this problem. Otherwise, all hopes and joys of the people of Bangladesh will be nipped in the bud.
POPULATION PROBLEM OF BANGLADESH
Bangladesh is the most densely populated country in the world. About 1000 people live per square kilometre. Every year more than two million people are being added to our population, The problem has now moved out of control and it has now come to the position of explosion.
The area of Bangladesh is too small to support the vast population. As a result, it creates problems, such as, food-shortage, communication disruption, educational problem, shelter shortage, health hazards, lack of medicine, environmental pollution and poverty.
The present growth rate of population in our country is 21.6 per thousand. It is obviously a very high growth rate. Dogmatism, prejudice, early marriage and superstitions are responsible for this high growth rate of population.
The population of Bangladesh is increasing by geometric progression. But the agricultural production is increasing by arithmetical progression. So the country's production fails to feed the increasing number of people. Not only this, the iob facilities are also unable to cope with this population. Being unemployed, some people are becoming addicted to drugs and are being involved in terrorism. So the standard of living. political stability and cultural values are degrading day by day. There are crowds everywhere in buses, trains, bazars, schools and colleges. The prices of things are increasing by leaps and bounds. People can hardly make both ends meet.
Overpopulation is a hindrance to any kind of development. So necessary and constructive steps should be taken to reduce the high growth rate of population. Early marriage should be stopped. Introduction of family planning all over the country is essential. Newspaper, radio, television and other mass media can play an important role for educating and enlightening the common people about the disastrous effect of overpopulation. Overpopulation is a serious threat to the development of our country. This situation will be aggravated if the present growth rate of population goes on unchecked. The people from all walks of life should come forward to co-operate with the government to solve this problem. Otherwise, all hopes and joys of the people of Bangladesh will be nipped in the bud
Power of Media: Mass Media and Politics
The word ‘media’ usually refers to newspaper, television, and radio which are used to communicate with the mass of the people. They are the most frequently and effectively used media devices for informing the public as a whole. In today’s world of rapid change and much activity, people need to be kept informed. And hence the need for the media is felt.
The press in America is sometimes referred to as the Fourth Estate. This term dates back to 18th-century Britain. It was meant to suggest that the press was a force in society and government equal to the three recognized “estates” of the time—the nobility, the clergy, and the commoners. Today the term still signifies that the press plays a special role in our system of government.
That role, however, is both ambiguous and controversial. Journalists, after all, are not elected by the people. They are not even appointed or confirmed by elected officials. What gives these private citizens, working mostly for private corporations, the right to an influential role in how the country is governed? One answer some journalists like to give is that their profession is actually mentioned in the Constitution. The First Amendment guarantees “freedom of speech and of the press.” This freedom, they say, reflects the Founding Fathers’ recognition of the special role of the press.
These days the press is often referred to as the media. Like “Fourth Estate,” the term “media” reflects a certain understanding about the role of the press in society. Media, the plural of medium, literally means the various technologies that convey information—from ink on paper to telephones and television to the Internet.
Journalists themselves have contributed to this confusion by sometimes suggesting that they, unlike ordinary people, have a special duty and a special gift to draw no conclusions and have no opinions about the matters they cover. Of course they do not have such a gift—and therefore they cannot have such a duty. In many European countries, journalists and journalistic institutions have overt political labels. In a way, this is more honest. It doesn’t relieve the journalist of the duty to be fair and objective. But it does relieve him or her of the pretense of having no opinion. And it allows the reader or viewer to know what predisposition the journalist brings to the story.
Issues of press responsibility, bias, and invasion of privacy have all been sharpened by the arrival of the Internet as a new force in the media. The Internet has changed things in at least two ways. First, it has speeded up the so-called news cycle—the time it takes for new developments to be reported. Second, it has lowered the barriers to entry: anyone with a computer and a modem can be a media mogul.
These developments have increased competition in the press and, some argue, have lowered standards of reporting. Accuracy suffers from the rush to beat the competition, especially when beating the competition is a matter of minutes or seconds rather than hours or days. Increased competitive pressure also makes it harder for the media to maintain traditional taboos on subjects like the sex lives of politicians. New arrivals may not have the same standards of accuracy or discretion as traditional news media have had. Yet, once a piece of information is out on the Internet, it becomes hard for the media to ignore it. The Internet, as the newest powerful Fourth Estate in our society, is making information and argument more plentiful than ever.
Media plays the effective role in building awareness among people. Programmes on public health, family planning, and sanitation are covered on media for the betterment of the nation. In the modern age the media have a close connection with entertainment. Various cultural and recreational programmes covered on media are very entertaining to people of various classes and ages. Important information like weather forecast, news about business world can easily reach people through media. Media is also the most effective weapon of the government’s propaganda and circulations. Thus media plays a significant role in our every moment of life. In today’s world we cannot conceive of a day when we do not come in contact with a television or radio programme or read some columns of some newspapers.
Present Life Is Better Than the Life of 30 Years Ago
Changes are inevitable and over time the way of people live changes and so do the culture and tradition of a country. There is no doubt that today’s life is easier and more convenient than the past. By entering and blooming technology, the life’s style of people has improved remarkably. At present, people have access to many resources better than past, and they can get in touch easier than before.
People used to live in individual houses rather than in apartments. No tall building or big shopping complex could be found in the downtown area of the city. Nowadays, you can find skyscrapers where people live and run their business and offices around the city. At present technology has made houses cozier and more comfortable. Nowadays many people are benefiting from clean and convenient gas distribution system in their houses and they experience warm and peaceful winters in their houses. People had to do their laundry by hand, walked from one place to another by feet. They could at best listen to the radio or perhaps watch a black-andwhite movie for pleasure. Today, we launder our clothes with washing machine, uses buses, subways, or cars to move around. We also enjoy home theater systems, DVDs, and video games.
Previously people had to work in the field all day long without any modern tool even without resting on weekends. But people today have more leisure time than they did before. They go to the movies, go to the gym, or take trips. All these activities have positive effect on their quality of living.
There is scarcely anyone who does not use a smart phone and have the Internet connection. Things were different in the past. In the early 1980’s computers were unknown to people while this is a very common device in every household these days. Younger generation use social media to know what is happening around the world with just one simple click. Many people now have the automobiles though most people had to rely on public transportations before.
In conclusion, I have witnessed many changes in terms of people’s lifestyle in my country and those changes include family structure, people’s acceptance of technological development, increasing competition and loosely social bonding. People today have more comfortable and easier lives than in the past. This is the results of technological developments and the extra leisure time available. These factors will make our live even more comfortable in the future.