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Welcome to Lecture- 5Welcome to Lecture- 5Profile of BD at a glanceProfile of BD at a glance

Presented byPresented by

Md. Abdullah-Al-HelalMd. Abdullah-Al-Helal

Lecturer, Centre for GEDLecturer, Centre for GED

Northern University BangladeshNorthern University Bangladesh

E-mail: helalabdullah@gmail.comE-mail: helalabdullah@gmail.com

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IntroductionIntroductionBangladesh! Yes, it is a nation, a country, a Bangladesh! Yes, it is a nation, a country, a

society which has a great history and society which has a great history and distinctiveness. Rabindra Nath’s distinctiveness. Rabindra Nath’s Sonar Sonar Bangla, Bangla, Nazrul’s Nazrul’s Bangladesh Bangladesh and Jibon and Jibon Ananda Das’s Ananda Das’s Ruposhi BanglaRuposhi Bangla all these are all these are the designations of the country. Many poets, the designations of the country. Many poets, singers and authors, since the very singers and authors, since the very beginning, have been voicing the separate beginning, have been voicing the separate entity of the land as reflected in their poems, entity of the land as reflected in their poems, songs and their writings. These are not, at songs and their writings. These are not, at all, exaggeration for Bangladesh. Rather, it all, exaggeration for Bangladesh. Rather, it has own distinctiveness and separate entity has own distinctiveness and separate entity toward the world. Let’s discuss the profile of toward the world. Let’s discuss the profile of Bangladesh from different aspects.Bangladesh from different aspects.

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Profile of BangladeshProfile of Bangladesh Profile of Bangladesh may be Profile of Bangladesh may be

discussed from different aspects as discussed from different aspects as follows:follows:

1.1. Geographical & Environmental Geographical & Environmental Aspect;Aspect;

2.2. Historical Aspect; Historical Aspect; 3.3. Political Aspect; Political Aspect; 4.4. Economic Aspect;Economic Aspect;5.5. Demographic Aspect;Demographic Aspect;6.6. Language, Literature & Language, Literature &

Educational Aspect; Educational Aspect; 7.7. Ethnic & Racial Aspect, Ethnic & Racial Aspect, 8.8. Religious & cultural Aspect; andReligious & cultural Aspect; and9.9. Social AspectSocial Aspect, ,

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Geographic and Geographic and Environmental AspectEnvironmental Aspect

Full name:Full name: People's Republic of Bangladesh People's Republic of Bangladesh Capital and largest city: Capital and largest city: Dhaka Dhaka

Area: Area: 147,570 sq km (55,598 sq miles) 147,570 sq km (55,598 sq miles) Major language: Major language: Bengali Bengali

Major religion: Major religion: IslamIslamMonetary unit: Monetary unit: 1 taka = 100 paisa 1 taka = 100 paisa

Main exports: Main exports: Garments, fish, jute goods, leather Garments, fish, jute goods, leather products products

GNI per capita: GNI per capita: US $690US $690

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Geographic and Environment Geographic and Environment AspectAspect

Bangladesh  has  six  marked  seasons  in  a  Bangladesh  has  six  marked  seasons  in  a  year  of which Winter (November-February),  pre-year  of which Winter (November-February),  pre-monsoon (June-September) and post-monsoon monsoon (June-September) and post-monsoon (October-November)  are  pre-dominant.  The (October-November)  are  pre-dominant.  The temperatures across the country ranges between temperatures across the country ranges between 24 and 390C during Summer months and between 24 and 390C during Summer months and between 18  and 230C  in Winter months. The annual 18  and 230C  in Winter months. The annual rainfall varies from 120 cm  in  the  western  part to rainfall varies from 120 cm  in  the  western  part to 250 cm in the South-eastern part. The highest  250 cm in the South-eastern part. The highest  average  rainfall of 508 cm recorded in some average  rainfall of 508 cm recorded in some north-easternnorth-easterndistricts. districts.

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Historical backgroundHistorical background Europeans began to set up trading posts in the area Europeans began to set up trading posts in the area

of Bangladesh in the 16th century; eventually the of Bangladesh in the 16th century; eventually the British came to dominate the region and it became British came to dominate the region and it became part of British India. In 1947, West Pakistan and East part of British India. In 1947, West Pakistan and East Bengal (both primarily Muslim) separated from India Bengal (both primarily Muslim) separated from India (largely Hindu) and jointly became the new country (largely Hindu) and jointly became the new country of Pakistan. East Bengal became East Pakistan in of Pakistan. East Bengal became East Pakistan in 1955, but the awkward arrangement of a two-part 1955, but the awkward arrangement of a two-part country with its territorial units separated by 1,800 country with its territorial units separated by 1,800 km left the Bengalis marginalized and dissatisfied. km left the Bengalis marginalized and dissatisfied. East Pakistan seceded from its union with West East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan in 1971 and was renamed Bangladesh. Pakistan in 1971 and was renamed Bangladesh.

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Political AspectPolitical AspectSheikh Hasina became Sheikh Hasina became

Bangladesh's prime minister Bangladesh's prime minister for the second time in for the second time in January 2009. January 2009.

In general elections in In general elections in December 2008, her centre-December 2008, her centre-left Awami League won a left Awami League won a crushing victory over the crushing victory over the centre-right Bangladesh centre-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led Nationalist Party (BNP) led by her long-time political by her long-time political foe, Begum Khaleda Zia. foe, Begum Khaleda Zia.

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Politcal AspectPolitcal Aspect The Awami League-led alliance won more than The Awami League-led alliance won more than

250 seats in the 300-seat parliament. 250 seats in the 300-seat parliament. Politics in Bangladesh has long been Politics in Bangladesh has long been

dominated by the bitter rivalry between the dominated by the bitter rivalry between the two women. two women.

Hasina was previously prime minister from Hasina was previously prime minister from 1996 to 2001, while Khaleda was in power 1996 to 2001, while Khaleda was in power between 1991 and 1996 and again from between 1991 and 1996 and again from 2001 to October 2006, when she handed 2001 to October 2006, when she handed over power to a caretaker administration over power to a caretaker administration ahead of elections. ahead of elections.

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Political AspectPolitical Aspect The hostility between the women stems in part The hostility between the women stems in part

from differences over who played a greater role in from differences over who played a greater role in the country's independence struggle - Hasina's the country's independence struggle - Hasina's father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, or Khaleda's father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, or Khaleda's husband, General Ziaur Rahman. husband, General Ziaur Rahman.

Khaleda and Hasina sank their differences when Khaleda and Hasina sank their differences when military ruler Hossain Mohammad Ershad was in military ruler Hossain Mohammad Ershad was in power from 1982 to 1990. The two cooperated in power from 1982 to 1990. The two cooperated in the movement to oust Ershad. the movement to oust Ershad.

But their alliance ended with Ershad's departure But their alliance ended with Ershad's departure and they have been uncompromising rivals ever and they have been uncompromising rivals ever since on a range of issues. since on a range of issues.

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Economical AspectEconomical Aspect

Bangladesh is one of the world's poorest nations, Bangladesh is one of the world's poorest nations, with overpopulation adding to its economic woes, with overpopulation adding to its economic woes, and it is heavily reliant on foreign aid. The and it is heavily reliant on foreign aid. The country's economy is based on agriculture. Rice, country's economy is based on agriculture. Rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, and tobacco are the jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, and tobacco are the chief crops. Bangladesh is the world's largest chief crops. Bangladesh is the world's largest producer of jute. Fishing is also an important producer of jute. Fishing is also an important economic activity, and beef, dairy products, and economic activity, and beef, dairy products, and poultry are also produced. Except for natural gas poultry are also produced. Except for natural gas (found along its eastern border), limited quantities (found along its eastern border), limited quantities of oil (in the Bay of Bengal), coal, and some of oil (in the Bay of Bengal), coal, and some uranium.uranium.

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Economic AspectEconomic Aspect Dhaka and Chittagong (the country's chief port) are Dhaka and Chittagong (the country's chief port) are

the principal industrial centers; clothing and cotton the principal industrial centers; clothing and cotton textiles, jute products, newsprint, and chemical textiles, jute products, newsprint, and chemical fertilizers are manufactured, and tea is processed. In fertilizers are manufactured, and tea is processed. In addition to clothing, jute, and jute products, exports addition to clothing, jute, and jute products, exports include tea, leather, fish, and shrimp. Remittances include tea, leather, fish, and shrimp. Remittances from several million Bangladeshis working abroad from several million Bangladeshis working abroad are the second largest source of foreign income. are the second largest source of foreign income. Capital goods, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, Capital goods, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, food, and petroleum products are the major imports. food, and petroleum products are the major imports. Western Europe, the United States, India, and China Western Europe, the United States, India, and China are the main trading partners are the main trading partners

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Demographic AspectDemographic Aspect Population:Population:16,22,0000016,22,00000 GGrowth rate:rowth rate:1.292% 1.292%

(2009 est.)(2009 est.) Birth rate:Birth rate:24.68 24.68

births/1,000births/1,000population (2009 est.)population (2009 est.)

Death rate:Death rate:8 deaths/1,0008 deaths/1,000population (2009 est.)population (2009 est.)

Life expectancy:Life expectancy:60.25 60.25 years (2009 est.)years (2009 est.)––male:male:57.57 years57.57 years––female:female:63.03 years63.03 years

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Demographic AspectDemographic Aspect

Age structure:0-14 years:Age structure:0-14 years:34.6% (male 34.6% (male 24,957,997/female 23,533,894)24,957,997/female 23,533,894)

15-64 years:15-64 years:61.4% (male 61.4% (male 47,862,774/female 45,917,674)47,862,774/female 45,917,674)

65-over:65-over:4% (male 2,731,578/female 4% (male 2,731,578/female 2,361,435) (2006 est.)2,361,435) (2006 est.)

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Independent JudiciaryIndependent Judiciary The highest judiciary in the country is the The highest judiciary in the country is the

Supreme Court headed by  the Chief Supreme Court headed by  the Chief Justice. The Supreme Court comprises the Justice. The Supreme Court comprises the Appellate Division  and  the High Court Appellate Division  and  the High Court Division. There are also courts at the  Division. There are also courts at the  district  level to try civil and criminal cases. district  level to try civil and criminal cases. The entire judiciary  is enjoying The entire judiciary  is enjoying unprecedented freedom in the dispensation unprecedented freedom in the dispensation of justice under the present democratic of justice under the present democratic government. government.

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Foreign RelationForeign Relation The country follows a forward looking, positive and The country follows a forward looking, positive and

constructive foreign  policy  based  on  friendship to all and constructive foreign  policy  based  on  friendship to all and malice towards none. malice towards none.

An active member of the United Nations, Non-Align An active member of the United Nations, Non-Align Movement, Organisation of Islamic Countries and the Movement, Organisation of Islamic Countries and the Commonwealth, Bangladesh  pursues a policy of peace, Commonwealth, Bangladesh  pursues a policy of peace, stability and development in the world. stability and development in the world.

Bangladesh  believes that a balanced economic Bangladesh  believes that a balanced economic development of all countries  of  the  world is a prerequisite development of all countries  of  the  world is a prerequisite for global peace and stability. It has,  therefore,  actively for global peace and stability. It has,  therefore,  actively participated in efforts to create a more equitable and just participated in efforts to create a more equitable and just economic order, particularly keeping   in  mind  the  economic order, particularly keeping   in  mind  the  requirements  of  the  least  developed countries.requirements  of  the  least  developed countries.

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LanguageLanguage

Official language: Official language: BengaliBengali (also known as Bangla) (also known as Bangla) Dialects: Dialects: ChittagonianChittagonian and and SylhetiSylheti Tribal languages: Tribal languages: Bishnupriya ManipuriBishnupriya Manipuri, ,

ArakaneseArakanese,,ChakmaChakma, , GaroGaro, , HoHo, , KokborokKokborok and and KurukhKurukh

Other languages: Other languages: EnglishEnglish (spoken and known (spoken and known widely in upper-class & politics)widely in upper-class & politics), , ArabicArabic (spoken by (spoken by many Muslims)many Muslims), Urdu , Urdu (understood by some, and (understood by some, and spoken by spoken by BiharisBiharis)')'

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LiteratureLiterature The history of Bangladeshi and Bengali literature goes The history of Bangladeshi and Bengali literature goes

back hundreds of years. While it is impossible (and back hundreds of years. While it is impossible (and undesirable)  to separate the literary trends of the two undesirable)  to separate the literary trends of the two Bengals during the pre-independence period, post Bengals during the pre-independence period, post independent Bangladesh has given birth to it's own independent Bangladesh has given birth to it's own distinct set of literateurs and literature.distinct set of literateurs and literature.

The earliest available specimen of Bengali literature is The earliest available specimen of Bengali literature is about a thousand years old. During the mediaeval period about a thousand years old. During the mediaeval period Bengali literature developed considerably with the Bengali literature developed considerably with the patronage of Muslim rulers. Chandi Das, Daulat Kazi and patronage of Muslim rulers. Chandi Das, Daulat Kazi and Alaol are some of the famous poets of the period. Alaol are some of the famous poets of the period.

The era of modern Bengali Literature began in the late The era of modern Bengali Literature began in the late nineteenth century. Rahindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul nineteenth century. Rahindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Michael Madhusudan Datta. Sarat Chandra Islam, Michael Madhusudan Datta. Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyai, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyai, Mir Chattopadhyai, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyai, Mir Mosharraf Hossain and Kazi Ahdul Wadud are the Mosharraf Hossain and Kazi Ahdul Wadud are the pioneers of modern Bengali Literature. pioneers of modern Bengali Literature. inition: age 15 and inition: age 15 and over can read and write over can read and write

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Cultural AspectCultural Aspect The multi dimensional cultural heritage of The multi dimensional cultural heritage of

Bangladesh encompasses within itself the Bangladesh encompasses within itself the cultural diversity of different social and cultural diversity of different social and religious groups of Bangladesh. Bangladesh religious groups of Bangladesh. Bangladesh has a composite culture, in which the has a composite culture, in which the influences of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity influences of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam have been assimilated. It is and Islam have been assimilated. It is manifested in various forms, including music, manifested in various forms, including music, dance and drama; arts and crafts; folklore and dance and drama; arts and crafts; folklore and folktales; literature, philosophy, fairs and folktales; literature, philosophy, fairs and festivals as well as in a distinct cuisine and festivals as well as in a distinct cuisine and culinary tradition. The indigenous communities culinary tradition. The indigenous communities of Bangladesh have their own culture and of Bangladesh have their own culture and tradition full of colorful diversity. tradition full of colorful diversity.

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Cultural AspectCultural Aspect

The indigenous communities of Bangladesh have The indigenous communities of Bangladesh have their own culture and tradition full of colourful their own culture and tradition full of colourful diversity. The riverine landscape and the monsoon diversity. The riverine landscape and the monsoon climate are intimately related to the cultural climate are intimately related to the cultural practices of this country. This site is an endeavor practices of this country. This site is an endeavor to focus on the country's noteworthy cultural to focus on the country's noteworthy cultural features including the lifestyles and culture of the features including the lifestyles and culture of the indigenous people. This site has been structured indigenous people. This site has been structured to highlight six major areas of the country's cultural to highlight six major areas of the country's cultural aspects in a simple manner for convenience of the aspects in a simple manner for convenience of the tourists of both home and abroad while they tourists of both home and abroad while they prepare their itineraries to explore this country. prepare their itineraries to explore this country.

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