bangladesh student association

At 7:45 pm on 26th March 1971, Major Zia broadcast the message which became historic in the struggle for independence.

‘This is Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. I, Major Ziaur Rahman, at the direction of Bango Bondhu Mujibur Rahman, hereby declare that the independent People’s Republic of Bangladesh has been established. At his direction, I have taken command as the temporary head of the republic. In the name of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, I call upon all Bengalis to rise against the attack by the west Pakistani Army. WE shall fight to the last to free our motherland. By the grace of Allah, victory is ours. Joy Bangla.’

The People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a republic of southern Asia. It is located in the north eastern portion of the Indian subcontinent, bordered on the north, east, and west by India, on the southeast by Myanmar, and on the south by the Bay of Bengal. The area of the country is 147,570 sq km (56,977 sq mi). The capital and largest city of Bangladesh is Dhaka.

Geographically, historically, and culturally, Bangladesh forms the larger and more populous part of Bengal, the remainder of which constitutes the neighboring Indian state of Bangla.

Following the independence of India from 200 years of British rule and its partition in 1947, the area of Bangladesh became a province of Pakistan, known as East Pakistan. The people of East Pakistan Province declared their independence as the nation of Bangladesh on March 26, 1971, while fighting a savage war against the central Pakistani government. The fiscal separation from Pakistan took place, with aid from India, on December 16, 1971. Its independence was finalized on December 16, 1971, when Pakistani troops in the region surrendered to a joint force of Bangladeshi and Indian troops, forming what is now recognized as the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh. Bangladesh was soon recognized by most other nations, although Pakistan withheld diplomatic recognition until 1974 and China did not recognize the nation until 1976. Bangladesh was admitted to the United Nations in 1974.

The colors of the Bangladeshi flag are red and green. The red sun in the middle represents pride and the bloodshed the people of Bangladesh suffered during the war of independence. The body of green represents the lush field that fill the country.

Demographics: 2002

National Days: Mourning Day-February 21, lndependence Day-March 26, Revolution Day-November 7 and Victory Day-December 16.

Religion: Muslim 84.5%, Hindu 12%,Christian 2%, Buddhist 1%, Other Religion 0.5%.

Currency: The unit of the currency is the Taka. Notes are in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 Taka. Coins are 1, 5, 25, 50 & 100 Paisa. Par value of Bangladesh Taka : UK£ -Taka. 70.00 Variable slightly according to US $1-Taka. 54.00 daily rates.

Climate: Main seasons : Winter (Nov-Feb). Summer (March-June), Monsoon (July-Oct). Temp-max. 34°C. min. 8°C, Rainfall : Lowest 47′ and highest 136′.

Principal Rivers: Padda, Meghna, Jamuna, Brahmaputra, Madhumati, Surma and Karnaphuli.

Principal Crops: Jute, Rice, Tobacco, Tea, Sugarcane, Vegetables, Potato, Pulses etc.

Important Fruits: Mango, Banana, Pineapple, Jack-fruit, Water-melon, Green coconut. Guava. Litchis etc.

Major industries: Jute, Ready-made Garments, Sugar, Paper, Textile, Fertilizer, Cigarette, Cement, Steel, Natural Gas, Oil-Refinery, Newsprint, Power Generation, Rayon, Matches, Fishing & Food Processing, Leather, Soap, Carpet. Timber. Ship-Building, Telephone, etc.

Shahid Minar

The ‘Shahid Minar’. The Central Martyr’s Monument in Dhaka was erected in memory of those who laid down their lives for establishing the dignity and rightful place of Bangla as the national language on February 21, 1952. On this day every year, the people pay homage to the language martyrs and throng the monument in thousands in bare foot and it is bedecked with flowers and wreaths. The monument itself consists of five pillars. The central largest pillar represent the Mother protecting her children., which are represented by the four smaller pillars. The celebration is for the entire day in which the whole country participates. The day is also recognized world-wide as the International Mother Tongue Day.

Shapla

The Crescent Lake is a famous landmark in Bangladesh. The lake is covered by the ‘Shapla’ flower when during its season. The Shapla flower, or water lily, is the national flower of Bangladesh and the real flowers can be found in abundance in lakes and ponds. The majority of the lilies are white but there are some purple one that can be found throughout the lad. Both are captive and exotic in their beauty. In certain villages, the thick lily pads are used to serve food from street side venders. The ‘Shapla Chokor’, featuring the wonders of the white lilly, is situated in Mirpur, Dhaka.

Sriti Shoudho

The Sriti Shoudho was created in honor of memory of the lives lost in the War of Independence in 1971. It is a memorial visited by many to celebrate the lives courage of those lost in the war against Pakistan. Families often visit the site on December 16, Bangladesh’s national Day of Independence.

National Anthem