BICN 21 Dec 2000 - 03 Jan 2001
Volume 4 Number 8
From the Editor
Feature Article
New Book - Just My Luck: Memoirs of a Police Officer
of the Raj
This Issue's Sponsors (Commercial
Advertising)
Ebenessel Intl School - Another
Educational Option for Expatriate Families in Dhaka
Employment Opportunity for Coordinator and English Teachers for EIS
English Medium
Offered For Sale - Easy Bangla
Software for Foreigners & Bangladeshi Children Abroad
Contemporary Bengali
Instruction
Ecotours to the Bandarban Hills:
Special Package for Dhaka Expats
Position Vacant - Secretary/
Receptionist Oxfam GB
Community Announcements
New Book: "We Live in Chittagong,
Bangladesh: A Personal Guide"
A Life-Saving Investment - Support
the ICDDR,B Hospital Endowment
Events Calendar, Dhaka & Beyond
Webby!
World Bank South Asia News Releases
More UK Stuff - Expatboxes.com
Non-Commercial Advertisements
Next issue submission deadline Tue
02 Jan 2001.
(c) BICN. Items may be freely reprinted with this attribution:
"Source: Bangladesh International Community News ( http://bicn.com
/ news@bicn.com )."
See end of message for un/subscription,
advertising, and other details.
From the Editor
I'm partied out and it's only 20 December! Happy holidays to all.
Feature Article
New Book - Just My Luck: Memoirs of a Police Officer of the Raj
By P.E.S. Finney, O.B.E. Dhaka UPL 2000. 275pp. Tk400 (USD7.50)
From the Foreward, by Chris Finney [the author's son and currently a water
resources planner in Bangladesh]: "Huge changes have, of course, taken
place [since my father's time in Bengal]. It is difficult to imagine, for
example, that in 1925 much of the area ... near Rajshahi, the fourth largest
city of Bangladesh, was thick jungle inhabited by aboriginal tribes and by
leopards, wild pigs, and other animals.... Reading the memoirs with a critical
eye, it seemed that they might be of interest to those with a taste for the
history of the Raj period....."
From Chapter 1: "Shortly afterwards [in 1926] I had another
communication from the India Office asking me to stipulate which Province I
would like to be sent to. I thought it was very nice of them to ask me. Most
people at the exam had recommended the Punjab as the best Province, so I put
that first.
"For other choices I had no idea which to nominate. By luck I happened
to see a copy of 'The Times' newspaper a day or so later. There was a lurid and,
I suppose, somewhat alarming account of terrorist activity in Bengal; the
Commissioner of Police, Sir Charles Tegart, had been shot and bombed; Mr. Day, a
civilian had been murdered, and so on. I sensed adventure and excitement. I
thought, 'This is the life for me, I shall be riding round on my horse with my
revolver dealing with terrorists.'
"I was about to Bengal as my second choice, when suddenly I felt caution
was necesssary. I got out my atlas and discovered the Province was about 22
degrees north of the equator. It couldn't be very hot! So down it went - a
decision that in the event I never regretted. I later found that all the
successful candidates had put Bengal last. I suppose someone in the India Office
thought that the silly mutt who put it so high on his list had better go there.
So, at the age of nineteen and a half I sailed for Bombay, along with all my
colleagues, on November 14th in the [thirty year] old P&O mailboat the SS
China . . ."
Copies may be available at Aarong or Folk Bangladesh, or email Chris at finney@bol-online.com
. If you are outside of Bangladesh, email books@bicn.com
with your order - BICN accepts payment by credit card via ProPay.com (offline or
secure online), USD/CAD/BDT check, and cash; payment pick up from reasonable
Dhaka addresses can be arranged. Books shipped internationally by well-wrapped
airmail normally arrive in reasonable time and condition, at reasonable cost.
This Issue's Sponsors
Ebenessel Intl School - Another Educational Option for Expatriate Families
in Dhaka
Starting next year, Ebenessel International School (EIS) in Bashundhara, also
known as the Korean School, is opening its doors to expatriate families of all
nationalities. We provide an American educational curriculum, based on a
Christian perspective, covering primary (grades 1-6) and secondary (grades 7-12)
levels. Currently EIS has eight excellent teachers, two Canadian and six
Bangladeshi, teaching 32 Korean and Indian students. For next year, EIS will be
recruiting more Western teachers and is planning to expand enrolment to over 40
students.
The curriculum consists of English medium instruction each morning for all
students, and national instruction each afternoon for students to study their
own language, history, etc.
Fees are very reasonable and bus transportation is provided.
If you are an expat family interested in finding out more about EIS for your
child, please contact Paul Lee, Principal, tel 8812922 / 8911254, email eis@bangla.net
or kpaullee@citechco.net .
Employment Opportunity for Coordinator and English Teachers for EIS
English Medium
EIS would like to recruit a Coordinator and English Teachers with the
following qualifications:
o Foreign passport holder o Native English speaker o At least one year
teaching experience o ESL, MK and International school experience & training
is an advantage o Expat spouses are encouraged to apply o Women are preferred
for the teaching positions
For more information, please contact Paul Lee, Principal, tel 8812922 /
8911254, email eis@bangla.net or kpaullee@citechco.net
.
Offered for Sale - Easy Bangla Software for Foreigners & Bangladeshi
Children Abroad
Easy Learn Bangla software by '212 Soft Bangladesh' will help you learn
Bangla by yourself at home in a short time. It is very user friendly and fun to
play with; foreigners who tested it for us gave us very positive responses. .
Features of the program include:
- Introduction to the Bangla language
- Bangla alphabet and numbers, with animated writing order, scientific
pronunciation, and automatic English-to-Bangla number conversion
- Easy Bangla Grammar, a simplified approach to Bangla Grammar
- Useful daily conversations - useful daily conversations such as greetings,
getting around, food and restaurants, asking directions, around town, making
hotel reservations, shopping, talking on the telephone, emergencies, Bangla
proverbs etc.
To run the software, you need to have a computer with Windows 95 +, Pentium
processor, 16Mb RAM, and 6 Mb free hard disk space.
To purchase, visit Aarong's Dhanmondi or Tejgaon outlets; or email aminulkc@bdcom.com
to arrange delivery to your home or office (by courier to international
addresses). Software price net of shipping is Tk1000 / USD18. For more
information, please contact Dr. Aminul Karim Chowdhury, 212 Soft Bangladesh,
S/25 Noorjahan Rd, Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh, tel +880(2)8115958, cell
018-239711
Contemporary Bengali Instruction
Nondita Chowdhury offers Bengali instruction to individuals and groups:
+Course 1, Survival Bangla - 20 2-hour sessions focusing on speaking and
understanding
+Course 2, Basic Bangla - 20 2-hour sessions with the introduction of reading
and writing
+Individual instruction - tailored to students needs
Courses run for five days per week over four weeks and cost Tk6000 per person
for groups of two to seven, or Tk7500 for one person, includes all materials.
Individualized instruction is also available at Tk400/hour per person. Ms
Chowdhury was principal of Heed Language Centre (1991-97), and has over 20 years
experience in Bengali instruction. Lessons given at her school in Gulshan or
learner's home or office. For more information, call Ms Chowdhury at 8020650, or
email bangla@bicn.com , include your name
& telephone number.
Ecotours to the Bandarban Hills: Special Package for Dhaka Expats
Dying to escape Daffy Dhaka? International vacation breaks worn you out? Join
us in the Bandarban Hills in southeastern Bangladesh and visit the easygoing Mru
people, boat along the Sangu river, walk through verdant hills, stay in a
hilltop cottage, imbibe a little moonshine, and sway to hypnotic Mru music!
Dhaka expats booking one month in advance in groups of 3-6 qualify for up to
25% discounts. Profits go directly to indigenous projects.
Contact Reng Yu, your tour coordinator, anytime at rengyu@bangladeshecotours.com
or mobile 018-318345, or click http://www.bangladeshecotours.com
Position Vacant - Secretary/ Receptionist Oxfam GB
Oxfam GB is seeking an experienced Secretary/Receptionist to support its
South Asia Regional Management Centre for approx 15 weeks commencing 14/1/00,
whilst our regular Secretary takes maternity leave. Key competencies for the
role include:
- Fluent written and spoken English; - Working knowledge of Bangla; -
Computer literacy (email, Internet, word processing, spreadsheet skills); -
Sound numeric skills; - Strong communication and interpersonal skills; -
Effective time management; - Commitment to the aims and objectives of Oxfam.
If you have a strong administrative or secretarial background, meet the
criteria above and would be interested to support Oxfam through this temporary
role, we encourage you to contact us in writing at the following address before
3/1/00: The Office Manager, Oxfam GB South Asia Regional Management Centre,
House 157, Block E, Road 12, Banani, Dhaka. . Please visit the website at
www.oxfam.org.uk before applying. Interviews will be held in early January.
Email oxfamrmc@bdmail.net
Community Announcements
New Book: "We Live in Chittagong, Bangladesh: A Personal Guide"
Chittagong International Women's Association proudly launched this their
first book in Chittagong in early December.
This glossy book is a combination of practical information and personal
experiences from women who have lived and continue to live in the port city. It
contains original colour and B&W artwork by Jane Riles, as well as colour
photographs by Caroline Bauer.
Members from 18 countries contributed to the book on a wide range of topics
includingn poverty, food, and recreational activities. The book contains
invaluable information for anyone planning to visit or live for any length of
time in Chittagong, or in fact, anywhere in Bangladesh. All profits will go to
charity. Price Tk600. For more information or to order a copy, email jodi@abnetbd.com
or caroline@spnetctg.com
A Life-Saving Investment - Support the ICDDR,B Hospital Endowment
Local expatriates and Bangladeshi community are invited to help the
"Cholera Hospital" remain open for the free medical treatment of
patients with severe diarrheas and malnutrition. At a cost of USD10 to USD15 per
life saved at the ICDDR,B hospital, your contribution is a LIFE-SAVING
INVESTMENT!
- Raffle tickets - Buy bundles of them for your house and office staff!
Contact Jennifer Breiman at 882-5658 or jmbreiman@yahoo.com
. Prizes include airline tickets from GMG, Singapore, Thai, Northwest, and
others as well as restaurant meals, bicycles from Nitol, China sets from
Bengal Ceramic and Mono, boat cruise seats with Luna and Yves and Guide
Tours, and luxury handicrafts from Folk, Aarong, Kumudini, Aranga, Sally Ann
Shop. For 25 taka each, this is an affordable way to help health care and
get a chance at a prize!
- Saturday January 20 River Cruise to Matlab - For families to see the great
rivers and visit the river port town where the most famous health
interventions and demographic surveillance has been conducted over the past
35 years. Included: all food, village tours, weekend market, fishing,
speedboat rides, sports, 7am - 9pm! Tickets are Tk1500 each, available at
the US Commissary and Folk Bangladesh (Road 104) or e-mail jsack@citechco.net
. There is a limited number available so we suggest you include them on your
Christmas lists!
- Friday 2 February ICDDR,B Ball at the Sonargaon - Tickets are available
for purchase now. Because most people prefer to reserve tables for their
friends or office, these are available only from ICDDR,B and must be paid
for in order to be collected, at Tk1500 each. Contact Vanessa's office to
reserve and send payment: 988 1626 vbrooks@icddrb.org
- Friday 2 February Silent Art Auction: Art objects are being donated by
famous artists for a Silent Auction prior to the Ball. If you have paintings
or sculpture you would like to share, contact Asem Ansari at ICDDR,B 881
1751-50, ext. 2123. Thank you to Pierre Cloquin and Ian Lockwood for their
photographs, Joy Charlton(Victoria Deppert's mother) for etchings, and the
DIT 2 shops for antiques and paintings contributed for this part of the
fundraising. More is needed to make this a success.
Contact Jean Sack, jsack@citechco.net
for more information on how your donation can be a tax-deductible contribution
in the UK or USA.
Journal of Bangladesh Studies Call For Papers
Journal of Bangladesh Studies (JBS) is inviting academics and experts in
various fields to send scholarly papers for publication in its next issue in
June 2001. JBS is a peer-reviewed journal published by Bangladesh Development
Initiative (BDI) and the Association for Economic and Development Studies on
Bangladesh (AEDSB). The main purpose of the journal is to promote the
development of Bangladesh. JBS is directed at individuals who are educated,
involved, and interested in development issues. It targets a wide base of
readers including academics, students, researchers, policy-makers,
administrators, practitioners, donors and their agents, and anyone else who is
interested in Bangladesh and its pursuit of development.
Articles are solicited from authors and experts engaged in a variety of
fields including economics, political science, sociology, psychology,
management, agriculture, engineering, basic sciences, education, anthropology,
and related fields. Articles should address the country's development problems
and prospects from a theoretical or analytical perspective prevalent in academic
disciplines. Authors are encouraged to prescribe actions and measures that are
meaningful, practicable, and amenable to the sector(s) or issues they address.
Articles must also be comprehensible to the wide target audience. Thus, while
the articles must be grounded in theory, analysis, and referenced work, they
must also reach an audience outside the specific disciplines of the authors
without being perceived as popular, journalistic writing.
Both short communications and full-length articles may be submitted. For more
information and submission detailes, email the editor at ssa4@psu.edu
.
Events Calendar, Dhaka & Beyond
To have your Bangladesh-related event - in Dhaka or anywhere else in the
world - included in the next Event Calendar, please email the time, date, place,
description, and email contact address to news@bicn.com
by Tues 14 Nov 00.
All events are in Dhaka unless otherwise noted. Entry to some events is
restricted, eg to members - contact event organizers for more information.
Late December
17-23 Dec - Chobi Mela Photography Exhibition, Nepal by Nepalis, at Shilparag,
House 15, Road 16, Dhanmondi, 10am-4pm every day, opening 3:30pm.
17-23 Dec - Chobi Mela Photography Exhibition, Saibal Das- Circus Women, at
Russian Cultural Centre (House 510, Road 7, Dhanmondi) 9am-4pm everyday,
opening- 3:30pm
17-31 Dec - Chobi Mela Photography Exhibition, John Kippin- My Work , at
Gallery Chitrak (House 21, Road 4, Dhanmondi) 10am-8pm everyday, opening-
3:30pm.
17-31 Dec - Chobi Mela Photography Exhibition, Héloïse Blier- My Sister
Morgane: Why Her And Not Me?, at Alliance Francaise (26, Mirpur Road, Opposite
to Science Laboratory) 9am-noon, 5pm-8pm everyday, opening 3:30pm.
17-31 Dec - Chobi Mela Photography Exhibition, Out of Focus- 'Monoronjon Noy,
Obhijatra', & Launching Ceremony of Calendar 2001- Photos In 'Our' Language,
at Shishu Academy (Opposite to Curzon Hall, Dhaka university Campus), 11am-7pm
everyday, opening 3:30pm.
Thu 21 Dec - First Christmas Re-enactment. Ever wondered what it would be
like to be in Bethlehem, Year 0? You are encouraged to invite friends to
participate (yes, dress up)) for this re-enactment. Free tickets (attendance
limited to 120) are available from Grace International School or Dhaka
International Christian Church (meets 4:30pm Fridays at the Korean Church).
Tickets give full details.
Thu 21 Dec - Jamat-ul-Bida (Bangladesh holiday, subject to moon).
Fri 22 Dec - Fourth Advent Church Service, Dhaka International Christian
Church, meets at the Korean Church, Bashundhara, 4:30pm.
Fri 22 Dec - Hanukkah
Sun 24 Dec - Shab-e-Qudar (Bangladesh holiday, subject to moon).
Sun 24 Dec - Singing by Candlelight, at the Australian High Commission Club.
Bring your own candle & wax guard.
Sun 24 Dec - DICC Christmas Eve Open House, 7:30pm after AHC carolling.
Private residence, email rgamble@pradeshta.net
for venue.
Mon 25 Dec - Christmas (Bangladesh holiday).
Mon 25 Dec - Christmas Day Service, 10:30am, venue TBA. Bring a plate of
sweet eatables to share. Email rgamble@pradeshta.net
for more info.
Wed-Sat 27-30 Dec - Eid-ul-Fitr (Bangladesh holiday, subject to moon).
December: Convention, TechTransfer-2000:Bangladesh (TT2000:BD). See BICN V4
N3 for details. Info email tt2000bd@techbangla.org
.
Early January & Beyond
Tue 2 Jan - Submission deadline for next issue of BICN.
Sat 6 Jan, New Orleans, LA - Association for Economic Development Studies on
Bangladesh (AEDSB) session at the Allied Social Science Associations meeting
January 5-7. AEDSB session title, "Efficiency vs. Equity: Emerging Issues
in Capital and Labor Markets in Bangladesh." Presiding: Erik Thorbecke,
Cornell University, M. Kabir Hassan, University of New Orleans, Anisul M. Islam,
University of, Houston - Downtown, and Syed Abul Basher, York University,
Canada.
Sat 7 Jan - Orthodox Christmas, services at the Armenian Church in Old Dhaka.
Sun 10 Jan - BWA Monthly Meeting at 3pm, talk by Angie Roques from the
British Council about nursing in Bangladesh. Email bwa@bicn.com
for venue.
Sat-Tue 14-16 Jan - UK Trade & Education Fair 2001. Dhaka Sheraton. For
trade info email Jon Geddes, Commercial Section, British High Commission Dhaka, jon.geddes@dhaka.mail.fco.gov
. For education info, contact Ripa Walie, education Promotion Manager at British
Council Dhaka, ripa.walie@bd.britishcouncil.org
.
Sat 20 Jan - ICDDR,B Hospital Endowment Fundraiser, River Cruise to Matlab.
Tk1500/person, families welcome. Day will include speed boat rides, bazaar
shopping, fishing, and other family fun. Leave Mohakhali at 7am, return 9pm.
Contact jsack@citechco.net for tickets.
These tickets make great holiday gifts!
Sun 21 January - UNWA newcomer's tea, 10.30am. Email unwa@bicn.com
for venue.
Fri 2 Feb - Annual ICDDR,B Endowment Fund Ball, Sonargaon Hotel.
Tk1500/person. Reserve a table of 10 now by contacting ICCDR,B External
Relations at 988-1626. Raffle tickets @ Tk25, book of four @ Tk100 will be
available and announced shortly. Raffle tickets make great holiday gifts!
Wed 7 Feb - BWA Annual General Meeting at 3pm. Talk & photo exhibition -
details to be finalised at a latter date. Email bwa@bicn.com
for venue.
February - Street Children's Party, BAGHA Club.
Wed 7 Mar - BWA Monthly Meeting. Email bwa@bicn.com
for details.
Webby!
World Bank South Asia News Releases
World Bank South Asia news releases, including those for the Bangladesh
Country Assistance Strategy and the Bangladesh HIV/AIDS Prevention Project, can
be found at:
http://www.worldbank.org/sarprojects
More UK Stuff Online - Expatboxes.com
"We aim to serve British expats by sending them the things they miss -
no more lugging 20kg of hand luggage crammed with marmalade, Branston etc. Great
gift idea for relatives and friends back in the UK to send to you. All your
precious items packed carefully in top quality attractive boxes." At:
http://www.expatboxes.com/
Non-Commercial Advertisements
Always free in BICN - personal classified ads, this means ads to buy or sell
personal household items, to hire or place household staff. For security/privacy
reasons, ads contain only names and email addresses - residential addresses and
phone numbers are not normally published.
FOR SALE: "I have a quarter size child's violin that I would like to
sell. This instrument is a Suzuki No. 220, manufactured in 1996, and purchased
new in London by AIS/D music teacher and musician Teri Khan for over USD300. I
purchased it from her in 1999 for USD250 and my daughter Ariel used for one year
under Philip Hazra's instruction 1999-2000. Ariel has moved on to the piano, and
it seems a shame to leave the violin lying idle if there is a child that would
like to take violin lessons. The price is Tk12,000, email sbennett@bicn.com
to make arrangements to see the instrument. Includes violin, bow, rosin, chin
rest, all in a hard shell case with zippered canvas weather cover." Email sbennett@bicn.com
.
FOR SALE: Nordic Trak Pro cross-country skiing exercise machine. Like new
condition, asking USD500. Email sbennett@bicn.com
.
EMPLOYMENT SOUGHT: If you need a bearer/cook, I'd like to find my
hard-working day member of staff new employment. Shahajada is a pleasant,
hard-working, honest and responsible individual who undertakes household tasks
well. He understands English well and can read and write. Contact Mahmood on 018
220814 or by email at m_noman@hotmail.com
TRACING A FRIEND: "I am trying to trace my best friend's whereabouts. I
have not seen him for 26 years, I miss him very much as he was more than a
brother to me. His name is Kawsar Ali (Ranju), and he was my best friend while I
attended Dhaka University in 1967-72. "Ranju, if somehow, you get this
e-mail, please contact me at email Mir.Shahidullah@WellsFargo.com
, tel +1(612)677-5419, fax +1(612)667-9712, or write me at Wells Fargo Equipment
Finance, Investors Building, Suite 300, 733 Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN
55402, USA."
COMPUTER MONITOR WANTED: Colour or B&W 14/15 inch monitor in workable
condition wanted, to be fitted to an old 386 PC. If you have such a monitor for
sale, email tidp-tan@fsbd.net .
FOR SALE: Basketball backboard (slightly smaller than regulation), hoop and
net (both regulation). Brand new. Would make a great Christmas gift. USD50 or
Tk2700. Email for more information: devries@citechco.net
.
FREE TO GOOD HOME: three healthy well-groomed dogs to be given away. One 18
month old female, fully vaccinated. Two males, one 18 months old, one five
months old, both fully vaccinated, older one is neutered. They come from a good
home and wish to give them to a good home. Email stuart@dhaka.agni.com
.
SUBSCRIPTION, ADVERTISING, & OTHER DETAILS
BICN is a free email newsletter published first & third Wednesdays,
September to May, from Dhaka Bangladesh. Sara Bennett, Editor.
Contact Info - Email all inquiries & items to news@bicn.com
. BGD tel +880(2)988-1708, USA fax +1(978)418-8132, mail H28 R4 Blk C, Banani
Dhaka.
Always Free -
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