27. The Liberation War
The name of our country is
Bangladesh. Before 1971 it was known as East Pakistan.
Then we were the part of then Pakistan.
They started to oppress us in many ways. They did not give our rights. On 25th
March 1971 the Pakistani army invaded our mother land. They killed many people
and injured a lot. Many women were tortured by them. Many people fled to India to
survive. But people could not bear any more. They made themselves ready to
protect the invaded army. Many common people, with the help of Indian
government, fought against them. They fought for Liberation. So it is called
Liberation War of Bangladesh. Then Sheikh Mujub was the leader and General
Ataul Gani Osmani was the Army Chief. People fought for nine month and after
nine month we received our liberation. But it took lives of more than thirty
lakh of people. Now we are a free nation. We remember the freedom fighter with
great respect.
28. Independence Day
26 March, our Independence Day, is the biggest state festival.
The day is celebrated every year in the country with great enthusiasm and
fervour. It is a national holiday. All offices, educational institutions, shops
and factories remain closed on this day. The day begins with 31 gunshots. Early
in the morning the President and the Prime Minister on behalf of the nation
place floral wreaths at the National Musolium at Savar. Then diplomats,
political parties, social and cultural organizations, and freedom fighters pay
homage to the martyrs. People from all walks of life also come there with
rallies and processions. There are several cultural programmes throughout the
day highlighting the heroic struggle and sacrifice in 1971. The country also
witness a smartly dressed parade of defense forces, border guards, police,
ansars and the VDP (Village Defense Party) at the National Parade Ground near
the National Parliament. In Bangabandhu Stadium, school children, scouts and
girl guides take part in various displays to entertain thousands of spectators.
The educational institutions also organize their individual programmes. Sports
meets and tournaments are also organized on the day including the exciting boat
race in the river Buriganga. In the evening, all major public buildings are
illuminated with colourful lights. Bangla
Academy, Bangladesh
Shilpakala Academy and other socio-cultural organizations
hold cultural functions. Similar functions are also arranged in other places in
the country.
29. Independence
Day
On 26 March, 1971 the independence of Bangladesh was declared and so this
day is regarded as our Independence Day. It is a red letter day in our national
history. The barbarous Pak army launched an inhumane attack on the innocent and
peace-loving citizens of Bangladesh
on the 25 March, 1071. They killed thousands of men and women and raped
innumerable women. They also killed hundreds of intellectuals of the country.
Hundreds of villages were razed to the ground and a large number of schools and
colleges were destroyed by the occupation army. Our roads, railways, water-ways
and air-ways were disrupted. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was taken to an
unknown place of west Pakisthan. The Bangladeshis realized their actual
position when the independence of Bangladesh was declared on 26 March
1071. After nine months’ hard struggle, Bangladesh emerged as an
independent country. On this day we pay profound tribute to the memory of the
martyrs who laid down their lives for the sake of our independence. The
government, different organizations and institutions chalk out various
programmes to celebrate the day. Every year the day is observed in a befitting
manner. The national flag is hoisted on all important offices, buildings,
institutions and shops. All important places are well-decorated. In different
places of Bangladesh,
I think 26 March, 1971 initiated the Liberation War of Bangladesh. This is a
symbol of our determination to survive as a prestigious nation. So, 26 March
will be ever remembered and celebrated as the Independence Day in the history
of Bangladesh.
30. May Day
May Day or International Workers Day
is observed on May 1 all over the world today to commemorate the historical
struggle and sacrifices of the working people to establish an eight-hour workday.
It is a public holiday in almost all the countries of the world. Since the
Industrial Revolution(1) in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and the US, the
workers in mills and factories had been working a long shift, fourteen or even more
hours a day. On May 1st in 1886, inspired by the trade unions(2), half of the
workers at the McCormic Harvester Company in Chicago went on strike demanding an
eight-hour workday. Two days later, a workers’ rally was held near the McCormic
Hervester Company and about 6000 workers had joined it. The rally was addressed
by the labour leaders. They urged the workers to stand together, to go on with
their struggle and not to give in to their bosses. Just at this moment some
strikebreakers started leaving the meeting place. The strikers went down the
street to bring them back. Suddenly about 200 policemen attacked them with
clubs and revolvers. One striker was killed instantly, five or six others were
seriously wounded and many of them were badly injured. The events of May 1,
1886 is a reminder that workers will continue to be exploited until they stand
up and speak out to gain better working conditions, better pay and better
lives.
31. Water
Pollution
Water pollution has become an
important issue now a day. We know that water is one of the most important
elements of human life and living being. But this most important water is
polluted in various ways. Though water is most important for human beings, they
are responsible for water pollution. Man pollutes water by throwing waste into
it. There are many mills and factories in our country and most of them are
situated near any river. They throw their waste products into rivers and
pollute water. Bush and rubbish of urban area are also thrown into river. Water
vehicles have no good sanitation system. They throw their human waste and other
waste into water. At the same time many super tanker are damaged and water is
polluted seeping water in the river. In country side and river ride, many
latrines are hanging on the river. This is also the reason of water pollution.
Farmers use chemical fertilizers for more production. These chemicals get mixed
with rainy water and fall into river, canal and pond. For producing more
fishes, people use cow dung and chemicals in the pond. It is also responsible
for water pollution. But we should not remain idle in this situation. Because
water is a must for human life. We all should be careful to keep our water
pollution free.
31. The Six Blind
Men
Once there were six men. They
were very curious to unknown things. But unfortunately they all were blind. One
day they were passing through a jungle. There they met a teacher. They
requested the teacher to teach them some thing. The teacher had an elephant.
The blind men wanted to know what an elephant is and they wanted to feel it by
touching. The teacher took them to the elephant. One of the blind men touched
the leg of the elephant. He thought that an elephant is like tree. Who touched
the ear, he thought that an elephant is like a fan. Who touched the trunk he
thought that an elephant is like a pipe. By this way the six blind men received
six types of ideas about an elephant. Next the teacher explained them that all
of them were right but none of them could feel the real elephant because it was
too big.
33. The Magician
Once there was a famous magician
named Frankel. He had a student named Hans. Hans was only 18 years old. Frankel
wanted to teach Hans. He advised Hans to be patient and to do his work
attentively. His duty was to clean the room. But Hans was very anxious. He
wanted to learn magic soon. One day Hans entered the laboratory and found
nobody. He thought of applying some magic though he had little knowledge. He
took an object and followed the instruction from a book. Suddenly there came a
brush which had legs and hands. The brush fetched water and flooded the floor.
Hans ordered the brush to stop but it didn’t. Then Hans cut the brush into two
pieces. The two pieces got new legs and hands. Next the two brushes became
four. Hans was very afraid. The brushes were not following his instruction.
Suddenly Mr. Frankel came there and took the situation under control. He again
advised Hans to be patient and taught him that ‘a little learning is a
dangerous thing’.