Bangladesh Government Abandons Women’s Rights Policy
The government of Bangladesh retreated from a policy that would have given women equal property rights. Last week, the military backed government introduced a policy that would give women equal rights to inherit property. However, Agence France Presse (AFP) reports that Muslim clerics protested the policy, claiming it violates sharia law. (more…)
From our participant Rebecca Khan, Enjoy!
It has been a good few weeks since I returned from my most recent trip to Dhaka and Bangkok and I cannot seem to shake off feeling down and out about being back to cold, dreary Canada.  I knew that besides the sappy grin on my husband’s face, it was the snow-covered ground and sub-zero temperature that would await me.
I wonder why my depression from being back this time is more intensified than others? Is it because of all the fun-filled days leading up to my cousin’s wedding extravaganza, the days and nights spent at their house with all our other relatives, watching them rehearse for the “gaya holud†song and dance numbers, helping wrap the mishti to be sent to the girls’ home, assisting in other little ways, whatever it was, it was always a communal effort, amidst the fun, jesting, and above all lots of laughter, boy was their laughter! There were myriads of people coming and going in rotation at the “biye bariâ€Â - nanis, dadis, khalas, chachis, cousins, phuppis, friends, other hosts of relatives and of course the ever present house staff, who can forget about them? Those days of family fun brings a smile on my face when I sit in silence at home alone when my husband is off to work. I thought I would take it slow and easy before looking for my next consulting assignment but now I’m thinking I’ll speed up the process! (more…)
We wish everyone an inspiring International Women’s Day. Today is also a significant day for adhunika as we turn six this year. In 2002 few of us took baby-steps on-line, and formed adhunika, and six years later that number has grown into hundreds. We would like to thank every volunteers, friends and well-wishers for your continuous support.
On this special occasion we like to know if today means anything special for you as a woman.
Protibha Mutsuddi - a pioneering woman
“I would have died in peace if I could have left behind a Bangladesh that was non-communal, democratic, happy, and, prosperousâ€: Language freedom fighter Protibha Mutshuddi is still dreaming of that Bangladesh.
Although originally from Chittagong; Protibha Mutshuddi is better known as the dear friend of the people of Mirzapur. In 1963, she started working at the prestigious Bharoteshwari Homes as a lecturer of Economics. Starting in 1965, she was the acting principal of Homes for the next two years. From 1967 to 1998 she was the principal of Bharoteshwari Homes and retired after that. She received the prestigious ‘Ekhushay Podok’ in 2002 for her contributions in the educational field. Currently, she serves as an Educational Advisor for the Kumudini Trust Foundation. Aside from the ‘Ekhushay Podok’, she is the recipient of numerous other prestigious awards. Some of those are- Annanya top 10 Award, Lion Nazrul Islam Award, Rotary Foundation Award, Buddhist Academy Award, and, Chittagong Lions Club Award in 1995 and Bishudananda Gold Medal in 2006. (more…)
I would like to recommend a recent movie on Women of the Bangla Language Movement called Bhashajoyita by Shabnam Ferdousi. Following is an excerpt on the movie from a post by Ihtisham Kabir at ‘Back to Bangladesh‘.
“The movie itself is priceless because it has a lot of interview footage with, and about, the role of women in the Language Movement. It weaves the story of the Movement with these interviews, historical footage and location shots. It becomes clear, for example, how hard it was for women at that time to participate in political movements. In retrospect it looks like the obvious thing to do, but breaking the 144-Rule (against congregating in groups) on Feb 21, 1952, was not an easy decision. Only a handful of the women students in the university had the guts to do it… (more…)
Omor Ekushey: International Mother Language Day
21 February was proclaimed the International Mother Language Day by UNESCO on 17 November 1999. Its observance was also formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution establishing 2008 as the International Year of Languages.
International Mother Language Day originated as the international recognition of Language Movement Day, which has been commemorated in Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan) since 1952, when a number of Bangladeshi university students were killed by the then East Pakistan police and army in Dhaka, formerly Dacca.
International Mother Language Day is observed yearly by UNESCO member states and at its headquarters to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. (more…)
Thoughts on Pohela Falgun & Valentine’s Day by our regular participant Moutushi Islam. Enjoy!
Love actually: Flowery as it can be?
The time of the year has come again to the singing and dancing, creating rainbows of saffron, yellow, and red, girls giggling, 
vibrant sarees by white punjabis, sudden glimpses of roses and hands, candies and chai- the festive ‘Bangalees’ are out again in the road, celebrating life, sharing their tales on the Pohela Falgun. Despite all our misfortunes either political or social or the climate catastrophe, we the Bengalis, have always been the agent of celebration. The recent popularity added to Pohela Falgun, is the Valentine’s Day, it’s the day to express one’s love to their loved ones, to the lover or the friend or the family. Be it the first day of the Bangla month of Falgun or the Valentine’s Day, like a long awaited lover of festivity, Bangladeshis are blowing their whistles loud, happiest and hopeful diving into the spirit of life. (more…)
Pride My Friends, Is’nt Always A Bad Thing…
The following article is written by our regular participant Priyobhashini. The following account was her reaction to Syed Badrul Ahsan’s article titled ‘The Mangled Bangla That We Speak‘ - which was published at The Daily Star. Enjoy!
My reaction to Badrul Bhai’s article is a very deep “WOW”. And American as it might be, that’s the best way I know how to explain my reaction. I agree with almost everything Badrul bhai has said in his article, where did we get mangled is what I ask often too. And not only in the language spectrum!
We are such elitists (or purists) that we have no pride of our own sometimes. Many a times it is borrowed, be it in the form of a “accent” or a piece of garment. If you don’t speak pure Bangla but “Benglish” at a shop, to hail a cab or even across the counter of a bank…it helps to be very honest. Because I have seen people who do that get a quicker and more positive response. You are served with finesse swifter than what the ordinary customers get. Like I said, it helps. What helps, catches on just like what doesn’t really help. (more…)
A post by our participant Nuzhat Karim Himi, Enjoy!
As cardiovascular disease is America’s No. 1 killer, the month of February has been proclaimed American Heart Month. According to the American Heart Association, each year, heart disease kills more than 6,000 women in the 35-to-44 age range, and 10,000 women between the ages of 29 and 44 have a heart attack, in the US.
I came across this personal heart health assessment in a magazine published by CVS Pharmacy a few days ago. As we celebrate American Heart Month, I thought that filling out this evaluation would be a good way to get jump started on starting to take care of our hearts. Knowing how much we are at risk, will make us more aware of the possible outcomes and find out ways for early detection and prevention.
The more boxes you check in this evaluation, the greater your risk for heart disease. If you check more than 3 boxes, you should see your doctor to review the results and schedule a complete medical evaluation. (more…)
Following article is by our regular participant Labiba Ali. Enjoy!
I am on the phone with Amma and conducting our weekly trans-Atlantic, trans-EuroAsia telephone conversation. Amma updates me on the happenings of our extended family in Dhaka: Nani needs a new bed, my cousin got caught bunking class, Choto Khala and Khalu are going on their 15th honeymoon and so on. Just before ending the call, Amma slightly hints if I’ve met anyone yet. I innocently ask her what she means by that: I am always meeting people; after all I live in NY “ home to gazillion people. Of course I know exactly what she means but I love playing these silly pranks on her. She is referring to if I have me˜The One. I gently tell her, ˜No, not yet. The time isn’t right.” In turn, she delivers an eloquent lecture on the merits of marriage and how the time has already come and is walking out the door as we speak. Since I am in my late twenties I am getting beyond marriageable age. Soon I will have to be retired and put on the back shelf like an old toy. This is what I call major Generation Gap. My mother thinks twenties is the time to settle down, marry and raise kids. And I say that life is only just beginning and it’s time to celebrate the single life! (However, it would be ungrateful of me if I didn’t footnote here that I am privileged to have parents who for the most part have let me live my life as I have dreamed.) (more…)