http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/ en 2013-05-22T05:13:17-05:00 hourly 6 2013-05-22T05:13:17-05:00 http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/bgtf-promoting-theater-in-bangladesh 2013-05-22T05:13:17-05:00 en Editor Features Established in November 1982 at the University of Dhaka's Teachers-Students Center, the main goal of the Bangladesh Group Theater Federation (BGTF) was to develop a unified organization to expand theater groups throughout Bangladesh. Today this nonprofit organization represents all active theater groups in Bangladesh, ensuring that all who make their living in the theater receive the necessary training and have access to opportunities to develop their skills. The organization also undertakes to keep theater and drama free from bureaucratic control; to bring social issues to the attention of the public through theater; to publish information relating to theater; to arrange workshops both nationally and internationally; to put in place welfare programs to benefit people working in Bangladeshi theater; and to arrange theater festivals throughout Bangladesh. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/leisure-and-entertainment-at-dhanmondi-lake 2013-05-08T01:38:58-05:00 en Editor Travel Located in the middle of Dhaka city, within the prosperous Dhanmondi residential area, Dhanmondi Lake is a popular tourist attraction, with lush green vegetation, a lakeside walkway and benches for visitors to sit and relax on. Some residences of Dhanmondi are built on the water's edge, with one of the most interesting being a house in the shape of a boat. This well-known landmark in the area seems appropriate seeing as Dhanmondi Lake is used extensively for boating. The open-air amphitheater, Rabindra-Sarobar, is also located on the banks of Dhanmondi Lake and is the venue for concerts, dramas, theater performances and a variety of cultural programs, festivals and holiday celebrations. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/bangladeshi-crafts-papermaking 2013-04-24T06:23:08-05:00 en Editor Features The age-old traditions and crafts of Bangladesh continue to thrive even as the country moves ahead with the times. Skills and know-how have been passed down through generations, and by using ingenuity and marketing many Bangladeshi artisans continue to make a living out of traditional crafts such as wood carving, bone carving, textile manufacturing, leatherwork, ceramics, basket weaving, conch and shell craft, handmade paper, metal-craft, jewelry and embroidery, among others. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/fmbc-highlights-importance-of-sustainable-fishing 2013-04-10T01:55:57-05:00 en Editor Features With the growing population in Bangladesh relying on fish as their main source of animal protein, sustainable fishing practices are of utmost importance. With this in mind, in 2011 the Bangladesh Agriculture University in Mymensingh joined forces with scientists from Stirling University's Institute of Aquaculture in Scotland, to establish the Bangladesh Fish Museum and Biodiversity Center (FMBC). In addition to exhibits highlighting the importance of maintaining biodiversity for the future, the center aims to teach fishermen in rural areas the importance of conserving the aquatic species of Bangladesh, while at the same time making a living out of fishing. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/take-a-stroll-through-dhaka-s-ramna-park 2013-03-27T02:07:29-05:00 en Editor Features Located in the heart of Dhaka, alongside the elegant Dhaka Club, Ramna Park covers an area of nearly seventy acres, featuring a lake, landscaped gardens, pathways and areas for recreation and relaxation. Five gates offer access to the park from different points and locals and tourists alike enjoy the many species of trees, shrubs and flowers, some of which bear fruits and others having medicinal qualities. With a history going back to the early 17th century, Ramna Park has long been a green oasis in the bustling capital city of Bangladesh. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/drink-to-your-good-health-at-sylhet-s-tea-gardens 2013-03-13T02:39:26-05:00 en Editor Features The scenic Sylhet Division in Bangladesh is well-known for its flourishing tea plantations and tea gardens, serving up the delicious and refreshing brew that is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. It is widely accepted that tea originated in the Yunnan province of China at the time that the Shang Dynasty was in power, between 1500 and 1046 BC. But the first verifiable record of drinking tea for medicinal purposes dates back to the 3rd century AD in China. Portuguese traders are believed to have been the first to take tea out of China in the 16th century and over the years the popularity of tea continued to grow along with its geographical distribution. In 2012 Bangladesh produced a record 63.85 million kilograms of tea as reported by the Bangladesh Tea Research Institute. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/explore-the-sights-of-khulna-city 2013-02-27T02:45:06-06:00 en Editor Features Lying on the banks of the Rupsha and Bhairab Rivers in the Khulna district of Bangladesh, Khulna is the third largest city in the country, and is one of the country's important industrial and commercial hubs. With a population of more than one million people, the city has a strong infrastructure and numerous education institutions. Visitors to Khulna will find a host of interesting places to explore, including the Fultala Zoo, Wonderland Shishu Park, Rupsha Bridge, Gollamari Memorial, Prem Kanun, the former home of Khan E Sabur and the landscaped gardens of Khulna University. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/the-beautiful-butterflies-of-bangladesh 2013-02-13T01:30:15-06:00 en Editor Features Butterflies are essential indicators of the health of the environment, and in the past decade or so a number of scientific inventories have been compiled, listing up to 500 species of butterflies in Bangladesh – although it is likely that there are far more in more remote areas which have not yet been documented. Butterflies fill an essential role as pollinators in food production, making them important to the country's economy and to its citizens. They are vulnerable to changes in the climate, which can make a significant difference to their breeding patterns and habitat range each season. Because butterflies respond rapidly to even small changes in the environment, they can act as an early warning system for environmentalists and are carefully monitored around the world, including in Bangladesh. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/enjoy-the-tranquil-beauty-of-birishiri 2013-01-30T03:11:08-06:00 en Editor Features Located around 200 km north of the city of Dhaka, close to the border between Bangladesh and India, Birishiri in the Netrokona District is gaining favor with travelers who appreciate natural beauty and enjoy visiting places off the beaten track. With the spectacular Durgapur ceramic hills as a backdrop, the Shomeshwari River is the centerpiece of the area's scenic surroundings. The color of the river's water changes as the level rises and falls through the seasons and it is always a delight to see. In the drier months, the river can be crossed on foot, while in the rainy season it swells in size, but is still relatively slow-flowing and boats are available as transportation to cross the river. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/bara-katra-architectural-and-historical-monument-in-dhaka 2013-01-16T00:55:07-06:00 en Editor Features Built between 1644 and 1646 as the official residence of the second son of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan - Shah Shuja – the palatial building known as Bara Katra is located near the north bank of the Buriganga River in the Bangladeshi city of Dhaka. Today it is considered to be a significant architectural and historical monument from the era of the Mughal dynasty in the Bengal region.