Why should you choose the UK as study abroad destination?

It is a dream for many students to study at a renowned university abroad. However, study abroad aspirants have to face a big challenge when it comes to selecting a foreign country. While choosing a higher study abroad destination, a student has to consider many things. Below, I have shown the reasons why you should consider studying in the United Kingdom (UK) over other developed countries like the USA, Canada, Germany, Australia, etc.:

High-Quality Education:

Universities around the world are ranked based on several factors by Times Higher Education (THE), Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and many more. If we look at the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, we will see that out of the top 20 universities, three are from the UK. They have earned their place on the list due to their academic excellence and research output. Degrees obtained from UK universities are highly valued by employers globally.

Diverse Course Options:

UK universities offer a wide range of academic programs and courses across various disciplines. Whether you are interested in arts, science, business, or technology, you are likely to find a program that suits your interests and career goals.

Research Opportunities:

The UK is a hub for cutting-edge research and innovation. If you are passionate about research, studying in the UK gives you access to state-of-the-art facilities and the chance to work with experts in your field during and after your studies.

Multicultural Environment:

The UK is home to immigrants, thus making it a multicultural society. One can see the reflection of this diversity in UK universities. Studying in such a multicultural environment exposes you to different cultures, ideas, and perspectives, fostering a global outlook that can be valuable in today’s interconnected world.

Language Advantage:

Since English is the medium of instruction in UK universities, it will help you improve your English language skills. You will be able to speak with native English people besides your classmates. In that case, the UK provides an immersive experience.

Historical and Cultural Richness:

The UK boasts a rich history and culture, with landmarks, museums, and cultural events that provide a unique backdrop to your educational experience. Exploring the country can be both educational and personally enriching.

Networking Opportunities:

Students from different countries come to study at UK universities. Therefore, it will help you build a global network of contacts, including classmates, professors, and professionals. This network may prove beneficial for future collaborations and professional prospects.

Internship and Work Opportunities:

In the UK, a student, alongside studying, gets various internship and work opportunities. Many universities also have strong connections with industries, providing students with practical experiences that can enhance their employability.

UK universities place emphasis on getting students ready for the workforce. It often collaborates with industry partners, and many programs offer real-world experience or job placement. For this reason, more than 9o% of graduates either start working in their field of expertise or pursue further education within six months of their graduation.

Quality of Life:

Th UK offers a high standard of living, with well-organized public services, a rich cultural scene, and diverse recreational activities. Safety and healthcare services are generally good, contributing to a positive living and learning environment.

Gateway to Europe:

If you choose to study in the UK, you have easy access to other European countries, allowing you to explore different cultures and travel conveniently during breaks.

When it comes to making a decision about studying abroad, it is essential to consider your personal preferences, career goals, and the specific attributes of the universities and programs you are interested in. In addition, be sure to research visa requirements, costs, and any other practical considerations related to living and studying in the UK.

Who is the hero of Paradise Lost?

Paradise Lost, written by John Milton, is the best epic poem in English literature. There is a doubt whether a second epic poem of such a large scale has ever been written in English literature, and it is an invaluable asset of world literature. The biblical event where Adam and Eve are cast out of Paradise due to their falling prey to the temptation of Satan is essentially the main story of Paradise Lost. The topic that God does justice to human beings has come up repeatedly in this book. Ever since the book was published, there has been a great deal of debate as to who its main protagonist is. However, before thinking anything about Paradise Lost, we should keep in mind that although the story is written based on biblical events, it reflects the political situation of England at that time.

John Milton was a staunch supporter of Oliver Cromwell. Milton even became a Member of Parliament from the Puritan-supported party. So, Puritans led by Cromwell assassinated King Charles I and seized power, and put an end to the monarchy. Earlier, people would believe that the monarchy in England was a blessing from God, and overthrowing the monarchy would be considered the work of the devil. So, we have to keep in mind that John Milton was against monarchy and was a staunch supporter of Cromwell. However, after the death of Cromwell, his son could not become a good ruler, and as a result, King Charles II came to power again in 1637 AD, which is called restoration. After the restoration, the tyranny of the king came down on Milton. Milton luckily survived, and he tried to keep himself busy writing Paradise Lost.

In Paradise Lost, there are three characters: Adam, Even, and Satan. These three are important characters. At first, I want to talk about Adam. Adam is the most beloved man of God, and God has created him with love. God used to love Adam very much, and God always wanted Adam to live happily in the Garden of Eden. That is why God created a companion for Adam, whose name is Eve.

Adam has all the good qualities, but he has one weakness. That is, he is fascinated by the beauty of Eve, and he loves Eve very much. As a result, Satan tempted Eve, and after falling into Eve’s temptation, Adam ate the forbidden fruit and was banished from heaven. We can consider Adam a hero because he has good qualities, and everything is his good quality. He does not have much fault for disobeying the order of God because he fell to the temptation of Eve, just as Eve was tempted by Satan. However, Adam’s character is not that strong, and he is obedient to God. Milton may not have made his character strong deliberately because there was much scope for strengthening.

Eve is the wife of Adam, and the biggest quality of Eve is that she is very attractive to Adam. However, Eve is more or less intelligent, but she does not have a strong character, and she is not strong. In fact, there are not many reasons to consider her a protagonist, but those who are feminists may want to say that John Milton has portrayed the strong side of female characters with Eve. No matter how strong men are, they fall prey to the wiles of women. Women are attractive, and that attractiveness is their greatest strength, but we cannot consider Eve as a central character or hero. The last one is Satan.

It has already been mentioned earlier that the political history of England had an influence on the poem “Paradise Lost.” In general, Satan is mentioned as Satan in the Bible, and no good side of Satan has been shown. However, in Paradise Lost, we see that despite Satan having evil qualities, he has some good sides as well. The first thing is that although he disobeyed God, he had at the same time wisdom, intelligence, and strength of character. He went against the creator of the world, and he declared rebellion. We can compare this with the rebellion of Oliver Cromwell of England. Before Oliver Cromwell, everyone knew that monarchies could never be overthrown, no matter how bad the king was. When one king is overthrown, another will come. However, Oliver Cromwell abandoned the monarchy system and introduced a completely new system where there would be no king. So, Satan has strength in his character, and Satan is not afraid of his creator and human beings.

What I personally felt after reading Paradise Lost is that there is no real hero here. However, considering that aspect, Satan seems to be the closest hero, but Satan does not have such good qualities. In the traditional system, by hero, we mean the person who is the central character of the novel and who has good qualities. The one who has bad qualities may be the central character, but he is not the hero.

John Milton actually represented the biblical event in a new way, and that is why Paradise Lost has been so interesting. Many literary works have been written about biblical events in every age, but few have been as successful as Milton’s Paradise Lost.

Bhisti: A profession that is lost with the evolution of time

To protect himself from the attack of Sher Shah Suri at the battle of Chausa, Humayun, son of Mughal emperor Babur, jumped into a river that was flowing with a strong current. When Humayun’s life was at the last gasp by the strong current, a bhisti (water carrier) saved his life. Humayun promised him that if he ever could sit on the throne of Delhi, he would give that bhisti whatever gift he asked for. Later, when Humayun became the emperor, the bhisti asked for him the emperor’s throne. King Humayun put his crown on the head of bhisti and sat him on his throne. Then, the bhisti embraced the emperor and returned his crown and throne. The name of that bhisti was "Bhistiwala Nizam". 

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In the nineteenth century, there was a severe shortage of drinking water in Dhaka city. Like other regions of India, people in Dhaka city also had to rely on canals, rivers, or wells for drinking water. The same procedure was followed in Kolkata city too. So, the city dwellers had to travel far and wide for safe water. Usually, the citizens of Dhaka had to rely on the Shitalakshya and Buriganga rivers for safe water. Even the wells in the city had a scarcity of drinking water. Therefore, financially independent people would collect their water with the help of a special professional class of people. They used to hang a bag made of goat skin on their shoulders. With this bag, they used to supply water by going from house to house in exchange for money. They were called ‘Bhisti’ or ‘Sukka’. Shouting ‘Bhisti will come’ out loud, they would bring water to every house.

Once, not only Dhaka but also the streets of Kolkata and Delhi were reverberated with the loud call of ‘Bhisti will come’ by bhistis. With the rotation of time, we can no longer hear that loud call. That profession and the people associated with it have been lost in the womb of time. History is giving testimony that in the middle of the twentieth decade of the last century, there was the coming and going of bhistis on the streets of Dhaka.

According to various sources, ‘bhisti’ means a leather bag used for carrying water. This word has come from the Persian word ‘behesta,’ which means heaven. Husayn ibn Ali (R), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (S), ascended to heaven after being wounded by an arrow while carrying water during the war at the field of Karbala. It is believed to have been named after that incident. Those who used to supply water with a black leather pillow-like ‘mashaq’ are called bhisti, which means water carrier. Many people also called them bhistiwala.

Once, there was no system to supply water through pipelines in cities. Then, city dwellers had to depend on water carriers. They used to fill a kind of bag made of goat skin with water and deliver it from one end of the city to another. This specially made bag was called a ‘mashaq’. Water in the mashaq of water careers would remain cold. We already know that the word ‘bhisti’ is derived from the Persian word ‘behesta,’ which means heaven. According to the culture of West Asia, heaven is thought to have many rivers, canals, and gardens. There was a time when people used to believe that water carriers would bring water from heaven. They were also called angels of heaven because they would deliver the water of heaven to people.

In earlier days, water carriers would use mashaq to store water during war. During the British colonial rule, they used to supply water at the forts with mashaq. A mashaq filled with water used to be kept in Dhaka’s Tomtom car (a horse-pulled chariot). The relationship between water careers and Kolkata is very old. With mashaq on their shoulders, they used to roam the streets of the metropolis in the early morning. The water supplied by them was used for cooking and bathing. Till 1940–50, they were also used for washing some roads in Kolkata. Kolkata and Dhaka had separate villages for water carriers.

However, the situation has changed now. With the help of a motor pump, the corporation’s water is reaching houses in Kolkata. In keeping pace with time, water carriers are also choosing other professions.

Water carriers are famous in history as ‘The Last Waterman’. They were called ‘Saqqa’ in the Persian language. Their habitation was in Sikkatuli in old Dhaka. We do not find it hard to understand that Sikkatuli has come from the word ‘Sikka’. These professionals were also in Delhi. There is also a Sakke Wali Gali. Traces of water carriers with a snub nose, kisti tupi (one kind of cap) on the head, and a massive black beard covering the whole cheek and chin are also found in literature.

Water carriers had a significant influence in old Dhaka. They used to live in a separate panchayat (a village council) system. The chief of panchayat used to be called ‘Nawab Bhisti’. While reminiscing about water carriers, Ametul K. Bagum, daughter of the landlord of Jindabahar Chowdhury Bari, wrote: “In the morning, a water carrier would come with a mashaq filled with water hanging on the shoulder... What a loud voice the water carrier had! Opening the cap of the mashaq, they used to hold it down and pour water into the pitcher. Water used to be kept in those very big pitchers and large earthen pots too. Their bags were made of leather. Those bags were originally made of goat skin.”

From the book titled ‘Company Amale Dhaka’ (কোম্পানী আমলে ঢাকা), we come to know that the Magistrate of Dhaka, Henry Walter, in his 1830 census, ‘Census of the City of Dhaka,' made an occupation-based list of the Muslims, where there is mention of 10 houses occupied by water carriers. Water carriers were the followers of Sunni. Despite being Sunni, during the Muharram procession at that time, water carriers would distribute water among the waiting and sun-exhausted visitors on both sides of the road. Azim Bakhsh, the director of Dhaka Center, while reminiscing about the memory of water carriers, said, “Every day, in the morning and afternoon, they used to water the roads with large water-filled leather bags on their backs so that dust did not fly. They used to hang a mashaq made of goat skin on their shoulders. With this mashaq, they used to supply water by going door to door in exchange for money. Their activities continued until the 1960s. Then it disappeared.’

Later, in 1874, paying attention to the lack of safe water for the residents of Dhaka, Nawab Khwaja Abdul Ghani made a donation of BDT 200,000 for the establishment of water workers at Chadnighat. In 1878, due to his generosity, the modern facility of water supply at houses was established in Dhaka municipality. Later, when Dhaka WASA was established in 1963, the concern of the city dwellers about safe water was removed. With this, the professional lives of water careers practically came to a halt. The appeal of water carriers started decreasing. They were also forced to get themselves involved in other professions, but water carriers are still seen in Kolkata.

Dhaka has changed a lot, but in modern Dhaka, there are now modern water carriers. They supply water to houses through pipelines. Now, there is no use for water carriers, but there is still the work of water supply. People in Sadarghat, Islampur and Patuatuli call water suppliers ‘Bharwala,’ which means load bearer. They carry the water-filled tin jars across their shoulders on a bamboo pole. There is a small mill next to Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA) in Waizeghat. From here, the load bearers take water and supply it to shops in Sadarghat, Islampur and Patuatuli.

Water bearers get the price of water depending on the size of the container. They also supply water on a monthly contract basis. In a water mill at Hemendra Das Road in Sutrapur, it was seen that pitchers were kept in a row, but there was no one around. After inquiry, it was found that water comes to the supply pipe after 12 p.m. At that time, pitchers are filled one by one. Pitcher-bearers do the work of delivering them. There are pot-bearers in the markets of the city. Their work is to supply water to fish and vegetable vendors in the market. People in this profession supply water by loading tin containers. The price per tin jar of water is BDT 5.

Meanwhile, some water carriers still regularly supply water to a few households and shops in central Kolkata. About 40 water carriers in Kolkata have still kept their family profession alive. Most of them live in the Katihar district of Bihar. They live in a rented house in central Kolkata. At least ten people adjust in each room. Some people still buy water from water carriers like Mohammad Zariful and Mohammad Rezaul. Their water also goes to hotels. In the morning and afternoon, they fill the mashaq with water from taps and tube wells of the municipal and supply them ignoring storms, rain and sun heat. Each mashaq contains nearly 30 liters of water. Each water carrier delivers water twice a day to approximately 30 houses, combining Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Vrindavan Das Lane, Marquis Street, Elliot Road, and the houses and shops of Marquis Street. For this, each family spends about Rs. 400 per month.

In Bengali literature, we can find evidence of the existence of bhistis in the works of Rabindranath Tagore, Sukumar Ray, Shamsur Rahman and Humayun Ahmed.

There is a mention of them in ‘Smritir Shohor’ written by Shamsur Rahman. Shamsur Rahman, while recalling his childhood memories, has portrayed bhistis this way: “Every day, filling mashaq, they would supply water to our house twice. On their backs, they would carry mashaq, which were swollen like the belly of a black buffalo. Then, opening the cap of the mashaq, he would pour the water into the clay- or brass-made pitcher. I still remember his snub nose, kisti cap (one kind of cap) on the head, massive beard covering the whole cheek and chin and a wet towel wrapped around his waist."

Comment on the last part of Absalom and Achitophel

Absalom and Achitophel, written by John Dryden, is one of the best political satires in English literature. In it, a particular time in the political situation of England was published, and it is assumed that the then King Charles II personally requested Dryden to write a poem in his favor. Accordingly, Dryden wrote it in favor of King Charles II and against his enemies. Enemies of King Charles II tried to overthrow him and put his illegitimate child, the Duke of Monmouth, in power. In this poem, Dryden tried to undermine the enemies of King Charles II and glorify the king. In this poem, he presented allegories resembling the Bible, and King Charles II is called King David.

In the last part of the Absalom and Achitophel poem, we mainly observe the speech of King David or King Charles II. In his speech, he explains his logic for why he will have to stop his illegitimate son and punish his enemies. Before that, Dryden mainly presented the political situation of that time, where on one side were the supporters of King David or King Charles II and on the other side were the enemies of King Charles II. The main leader of the enemies is the Earl of Shaftesbury, and in this story, he is known as the character named Achitophel. He tried to influence Absalom, or the Duke of Monmouth, to rebel against his father, King David.

King David said something about his illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth. He said that the Duke of Monmouth considers himself Samson, and he dreams that he will shake the foundation of the throne like Samson. Though the Duke of Monmouth was the illegitimate son of King David, he liked his son very much and felt that there was a limit to everything. The Duke of Monmouth is affectionate towards him, but he exceeds his limit. So the time has come to punish him.

Not only the Duke of Monmouth but much more than that, the Earl of Shaftesbury and other enemies who thought that the King had become old and had no strength like before, King David tried to explain his logic behind suppressing them with a strong hand in the last stanza of this poem. He said it was not fair for the country to consider him weak because the law-and-order situation as well as the dignity and power of the king should be protected. So, he is determined to punish state enemies, and he has explained this justification to his allies.

In the last part of this poem, from King David’s speech, we get Dryden’s semblance of thought about erstwhile government policy. At that time, the parliament was on one side and the king’s allies were on the other. Most of the parliament members wanted to reduce the power of the king and increase the power and scope of work of the parliament, especially in economic affairs and managing the country. On the contrary, the king was not willing to accept it because monarchy had prevailed for decades in England, and the power and honor of the king were the highest. Dryden was the king’s personnel, and he was suspicious of parliament members. So, he tried to express it through David’s mouth that the king must be strong and firm in need. If the king is not strong, there will be anarchy in the country. The king should remain in power for the betterment of the country.

In the last part of the poem, in David’s speech, we again see the statement that the king must be strong and suppress everyone with a strong hand. The enemies of the king had been plotting for a long time, and if the king was not strong then there would be some kind of unrest in the whole country. King David also said that he is kind-hearted and loves to forgive everyone. He forgave many people, and if it continues, it will not bode well for the future. So, the king must suppress this revolt with a strong hand. The orders and instructions of the king must be abided by his enemies and the people of the country because king is the most powerful person. A king’s duty is to rule the country, and while doing this, many things may be pleasant or unpleasant to somebody. But if obstacles come in every matter, then it will bring misfortune to the people. Dryden mainly tried to say this back and forth.

Though Dryden has written Absalom and Achitophel taking one side, it is one of the best political allegories in English literature and one of Dryden’s best works. This is because Dryden did not only write well but also tried to present beautiful logic for his side. From this, we get an idea of his talent and skill as a poet.

Books enhance the periphery of our knowledge

Books develop the latent genius of human beings. To be an eminent person, it is essential to keep in touch with books. A creative writer expresses his inherent thoughts through writing. The greatest wealth of a human being is books, which cannot be compared with any worldly wealth. One day all terrestrial wealth will be lost, but the knowledge acquired from an enlightened book is endless; rather, it will illuminate the light of wisdom forever. 

The first letter of the holy Quran is ‘Iqra,’ which means read. Emphasis on reading is given here first. A mode of reading is a book. Just by reading a few selective books on the syllabus and achieving an institutional degree, you cannot acquire proper knowledge. Rather, one should read various types of books to acquire versatile talent and enhance the scope of diverse knowledge. There is no limit to books or time for acquiring knowledge. There is a saying that you acquire knowledge from cradle to grave.

Litterateurs and writers engage their whole knowledge in books. It is possible to acquire knowledge only by reading their books. The future of the country and nation will remain safe to book lovers. It is very surprising that children and jubilant are growing up enjoying the internet and social media. Which way is the future of the country and the nation going?

Where are those people now who dedicated themselves to reading books, embraced sleep while reading, and again started reading after waking from sleep, collecting books beneath their pillows? Where is their ideology? So, have we been able to become their real successors? Those who know themselves as renowned writers, have we been able to become good readers like our former illustrious writers?

What is even more surprising is that those who do not read a single page in a day are writing big columns on social media. On the other hand, many book lovers who have a fascination with social media are accustomed to reading their reviews. It is a matter of big loss. If you want to gain knowledge then there is no alternative to reading books. All the wisdom of the world is hidden inside books. So, one must read books to step into the kingdom of sagacity. You have to read books if you want to know yourself and the world. Moreover, those who want to be great need to read more and more books. Keep in mind that the more books you read, the better. A book not only provides information but also creates a ground for questions and teaches us to think in a new way. One can float in the sea of wisdom if one can make him book warm. He can be a milestone for all.

There is a different charm in reading books. I regret to say that reading habits are being deteriorated day by day in today’s information and technological era. Our reading habits almost turn into mechanical means. There is no space for paper books in the age of information and technology. Someone said that reading is important. What is the need for the touch or smell of books? But they do not know that the charm of reading books lies in their smell. A writer said, "The interest in reading original books has been lost after e-books and e-papers of national dailies have come out. Many people only read e-books and PDFs." In this context, my opinion is that true book lovers do not get the same feelings from reading e-books as they do from paper books. Books are such materials that can be embellished after reading. Books can be read generation after generation. Those who are authors express their vast experience of long days on every page of a book, and we get the opportunity to enrich ourselves by being enlightened by that knowledge. So, please let us read and love books. 

Lalakhal: A place where green hills and crystal-clear water river meet together

Lalakhal is one of the favorite tourist spots in Bangladesh. The location of this popular tourist destination is in Jaintiapur Upazila of Sylhet district. The scenic view of the Shari-Goyain River flowing beside Lalakhal attracts visitors from across the country. Numerous curves in this river, seen from a bird's eye, may look like a giant blue snake. There are hill forests, tea gardens, and various types of trees on both sides of the river. 

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Description:

Lalakhal is situated just below Cherrapunji, which is regarded as one of the most preferred tourist attractions in India. This river is born in the Cherrapunji Hills and then flows through Bangladesh. The color of the water of the Lalakhal River is blue. For this reason, it is known to the nearby residents as ‘Nilnod,’ which means blue water river. Basically, the color of the water in this river is like this because of the minerals mixed with the flowing water from the Jaintia Hills and the sandy surface of the river instead of mud. One can see a lot of curves in the Lalakhal River.

History:

The traveler Ibn Battuta came to Bangladesh through this river. Though the word ‘canal’ is attached to the name of the place, it is part of a river named Shari. It is because the water coming down from Cherrapunji Hills flows through Lalakhal. The reason for naming this place ‘Lalakhal’ is not yet known.

Environmental adversity:

Paying no attention to government regulations has put plant diversity under threat. Also, the lifting of stones without permission has threatened the lands of the river and river basin. Due to the cut down of a large number of trees by the intervention of influential people in the area, outbreaks of various diseases are often observed. Moreover, the navigability of the river has decreased due to the siltation of stones and sand coming down from upstream. As a result, the lives of the people in the nearby areas are being affected by the sudden downpour from upstream. 

How much suitable is Dhaka city for electric vehicles?

Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh, but it is known to others as one of the most densely populated cities in the world. This city, with more than 21 million people, is continuously facing various obstacles. These include air pollution, traffic congestion, and the lack of reliability in the public transportation system. In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) have been considered an implicit solution to these problems. These vehicles are considered a cleaner and more effective alternative to conventional gasoline-powered vehicles. 

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The usage of electric-powered vehicles in Dhaka is still in its initial phases. The number of electric vehicles on the street is still very low. There are a few privately owned Tesla cars, but until now, electric vehicles have not been included as a category to be registered under the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

Still, Audi Bangladesh has launched its e-tron electric SUV and has become the first Bangladeshi automotive brand to officially unveil a Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV). At the same time, they have taken the official recognition of BRTA in the EV category as the first marketer.

It is an indication of a positive change in the attitude of the regulators towards EVs. However, is Dhaka ready to embrace this type of vehicle?

One of the biggest benefits of EVs is their low emissions. Electric motors in EVs do not produce any carbon emissions, which is an attractive option for a city like Dhaka that suffers from air pollution.

According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution in Dhaka city is the cause of death for 12,000 people every year. As a result, it has become a serious problem for public health. If we move towards EVs, air pollution in Dhaka city will decrease significantly, and the health of its dwellers will improve.

Effectiveness is another positive side of EVs. Electric motors are more effective than internal combustion engines, meaning that EVs can go farther using the same amount of energy. As a result, this type of car is suitable for Dhaka’s congested roads, where most of the time, vehicles move very slowly, and gasoline-powered vehicles at this time burn a lot of fuel.

Moreover, EVs will become fully charged overnight. That means they can start their journey to their destination without stopping at any gas stations in the morning.

However, to become a reliable vehicle for Dhaka dwellers, EVs will have to overcome several obstacles. In that regard, one of the biggest challenges is the lack of infrastructure with charging facilities.

At present, there is no public charging station in Dhaka city, which has made it difficult for EV owners to charge their vehicles. According to the information received in December 2020, there are only 14 EV charging stations with a joint capacity of 278 kW across the country.

Fast charging through direct current commercially is not yet readily available in Bangladesh. A very small number of vehicles that are currently in operation are being charged this way with the residential charging arrangements.

For charging EVs at houses, it is possible to increase the number of high-voltage electrical lines. However, after the launch of the line, the users are paying a high price. Moreover, EV users would have to pay the bill at the rate of commercial establishments, which is much higher than that of residential buildings.

Another impediment is the high price of EVs. At this time, EVs are more expensive than conventional fuel-powered vehicles, putting them out of reach for many people in Dhaka. This is partly because of the high price of batteries, which make up a large part of the cost of EVs. However, as battery technology advances and the economic target is met, the financial cost of EVS is expected to fall.

Despite these drawbacks, in Dhaka city, the authority is taking several steps that will serve as a promotion to increase the use of EVs. For example, in recent times, the Bangladesh government has formulated a new automobile policy that aims to include more eco-friendly vehicles in the transport system. The government has set a target of at least 15% of registered vehicles being electric by 2030.

In the draft of the Automobile Industry Development Policy-2020, it has been said that a tax holiday has been recommended for investments made in the production of energy-efficient vehicles (EEVs).

Walton, one of the country’s marketers, has recently unveiled its e-bike lineup and is likely working on introducing an electric city bus.

Apart from Walton, several other organizations in the country are preparing to introduce locally manufactured two-wheeler EVs to the Bangladeshi market.

Indian automaker Omega Seiki has recently announced an investment of one billion rupees for the convenience of marketing electric vehicles in Bangladesh. Local auto manufacturer BD Auto is planning to manufacture three-wheelers for the domestic and international markets. 

Palanquin: A mode of transport for elite people

A palanquin is one kind of luxurious transport in which generally rich people travel from one place to another. Being a wheelless vehicle, a few people carry a palanquin on their shoulders from one place to another. The person who carries the load of a palanquin is called the bearer. Initially, such vehicles are believed to have been created to carry the gods and goddesses or their idols. Many temples contain sculptures depicting scenes of deities being carried by palanquins. Later, the noblemen and ladies of the European upper class mainly used it to travel until the introduction of railways in the Indian subcontinent. In the modern age, there is no use for the palanquin. However, in the Indian subcontinent, it is used on a limited scale for weddings, pilgrimages, etc. 

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Other names of palanquin:

The palanquin has been known as Lectica in ancient Rome, Jiao in China, Kieu in Vietnam, Sedan chair in England, Litera in Spain, Palanquin in France, Liteira in Portugal, Wo in Thailand, Gama in Korea, Norimono in Japan, Tahtirevan in Turkey, etc.

Construction Style:

In Europe, palanquins were made either open or closed suitable for lying. With the help of two poles attached to the opposite sides of the palanquin, palanquin bearers or draught animals pulled the palanquin. The palanquin is thought to have evolved from the concept of a sledge-driven vehicle. It has been manifested in Egyptian paintings. Later, it was also used in the Persian Empire. These issues have been highlighted in books related to Isha. This vehicle is known as a palanquin in eastern countries.

Originally, palanquins were reserved for people of noble descent and high status, like empresses and wives of senators in ancient Rome, but for common people, the use of this vehicle was prohibited. In the seventeenth century, there was an adequate number of palanquins in Europe; both poles of the palanquin were covered in leather for better protection and to maintain privacy. Later, seriously ill patients and injured people were permitted to use palanquins.

Usage:

In London, a palanquin is called a sedan chair. This type of palanquin is designed to accommodate a person with a chair or a cabin with a window. It was carried by at least two people, in front and behind. The bearer came to be known as a porter chairman. It was much less visible in the 19th century, but it was used for centuries as a dignified form of transport in which confined women were passengers. At night, a link-boy with a flaming torch would guide the way from the front of the palanquin. In the 1970s, John Cunningham, an entrepreneur and a resident of Bathwick, briefly brought back the sedan chair.

In China, sedan chairs have some utility in the traditional style. Generally, these are hired and used in the marriage ceremony. The bride is brought wrapped in red silk. Once, sedan chairs were used in public in Hong Kong. Chairs used for public use had to be registered. Taxes had to be paid as well. The user of a private chair or palanquin was considered a person of high status. Government officials used to determine the number of bearers that might be required for this palanquin.

In South Asia, the word "palanquin" has come from the Sanskrit word "palayanka," which means a traveling bed. Around 250 BC, there is a mention of a palanquin in the Ramayana. Wheel-driven rickshaws came into use in the 1930s. As a result, Palanquin started to lose its importance.

The Java community of Indonesia continues the tradition of riding palanquins. The bearers carrying the generic palanquin (known as “Joli” in Javanese society) on their shoulders would transport the passenger, and any passenger could travel in exchange for money.

The song of the palanquin bearers:

Old palanquin bearers used to sing a song, “Master’s skin color is black; mistress is a jolly person. Heave ho! careful as we go.” While taking the master somewhere, the bearers would sing, “Heave ho! Steady as we go through the narrow road. Our master is a generous fellow and would pay us well.” 

Heiyo (হেঁইও), which means "heave ho" in English, is a call to exertion in heaving.