Gendaria: The Ancient Residential Area of Dhaka

Among all residential areas in Dhaka, Gendaria was a very old and famous area in the past. It is said that, once an English tourist went to the bottom of the iron-bridge riding on a horseback, and looking at surrounding scenarios, he said, “What a grand Area!” For this reason, the name of this area became ‘Grand Area’, which was later changed to ‘Gendaria’.

Besides, many people say, “A large amount of sugarcane used to be cultivated in Doyaganj and Mirhajirbag areas. And those sugarcanes were sold in Doyagonj and Ghuntighor. Since then this area has been named Gendaria.” Many historians and researchers have agreed to this theory.

Image Source

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, Gendaria was the first residential area of Dhaka in British India. It has somewhat lost its image of a residential area, but the luster is still there. There are famous Dhupkhola Math, Sadhana Aushadhalaya founded by Jogesh Chandra Ghosh, Simanto Granthagar and Simanto Khelaghor Ashor, Kisholoy Kochi-Kachar Mela, historical Kadam Rasul Mosque built during the Sultanate period and Asgar Ali Hospital of the recent time.

The ancient name of Gendaria is ‘Dolaiganj’. Historian Muntasir Mamun in his book ‘Dhaka: Smriti Bisritir Nogori’ (ঢাকা: স্মৃতি বিস্মৃতির নগরী) has talked about Gendaria. In one part of the book, he has written, “Dinanath Sen, Deputy Inspector of the schools in East Bengal, and two influential lawyers Rajanikanta Chowdhury and Ananda Chandra Ray jointly bought the vast area of Gendaria. Only Dinanath Sen built house for living. Dinanath’s house was built on 17 bighas of land. Dinanath inspired relatives and friends to build house in Gendaria, and Gendaria became a residential area for middle class people at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Dinanath Sen made the road (which is now Satish Sarkar Road) of going to the Gendaria rail station at his own expense. But he had one condition that “no one can set up drug shop or brothel by the side of the road made by him.”

By the way, it should be mentioned here that  Adinath Sen, son of Dinanath Sen, has written a book ‘Dinanath Sen and Totkalin Purba Banga’ (দীননাথ সেন ও তৎকালীন পূর্ববঙ্গ) in three volumes. The legendary film actress Suchitra Sen got married with his son Barrister Dibanath Sen.

One of the main roads in Gendaria is Dinanath Sen Road. Apart from this, other important roads are Distillery Road, Satish Sarkar Road, Rajani Chowdhury Road, K.B. Road and A K Das Road.

There is a rail line to the east of Gendaria. Train goes to Narayanganj from Komlapur through Gendaria. Kadam Rasul Mosque is to the North of the rail station. It is said that stone containing the holy footprints of the great prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SM) is kept here. There were two connecting bridges to the west of Gendaria. One bridge, named Lohar Pool (Iron bridge), is made of iron, brick and stone. Another one, named Kather Pool (wooden bridge), is made of wood post and wooden deck. But now these two bridges do not exist. The flowing canal under the bridges is now the busiest highway in the megacity Dhaka.

In 1926, the first women’s organization, Gendaria Mahila Samity, of the then India was formed in Gendaria. Revolutionary Ashalata Sen was the president of this organization. In 1971, during the liberation war, Ashalata Sen’s son Samar Sen was the permanent delegate of India in the United Nations.

Another old organization of Gendaria is Anjuman Mufidul Islam. This organization was formed to bury the dead bodies of the Muslim people died in riot in Kolkata. A branch of this organization was opened at Gendaria in Dhaka after the division of the country in 1947.

Simanto Granthagar and Simanto Khelaghor Ashor of Gendaria is not only a library. It is the name of a cultural movement. Nasim Ali, whose nick name is Kochi Bhai, is the founder of this library. He studied in Law department of the University of Dhaka. He was involved in left-wing politics. He started the library with a few books. This library has great contribution to many people including Imdadul Haq Milan in their becoming authors. Recently, the library has been modernized.

Gendaria Kisholoy Kochi-Kachar Mela is one of the leading children’s organizations of the country. Kisholoy Kamal Memorial Library belongs to this organization. Valiant freedom fighter, Mohammad Shafiur Rahman Dulu is the president of Kisholoy. Recently sitting in his office, he was saying, “It will be hard to find a family here, of which not at least a single member was member of Kisholoy.”

It is needless to say that Gendaria was once pioneer in cultural activities. This area was resounded with the walks of cultural personalities, authors, poets, journalists and athletes. Among them are Justice Aminul Islam, writer Hayat Mahmud, actor Syed Hasan Imam, Shawkat Akbar, Shuchanda, Babita, Champa, actress Shabana, Nina Hamid, Aly Zaker, ATM Shamsuzzaman, journalist Golam Sarwar, cricketer Aminul Islam Bulbul, sports commentator Abdul Hamid and many others.

Source:

Prothom Alo

Dramatic irony in Alcestis

Alcestis, written by Ancient Greek dramatist Euripides, was submitted in the competition of tragedies as the final part of the tetralogy. The play revolves around the character Alcestis. Alcestis’ husband Admetus, with the help of god Apollo, gets the opportunity to live beyond the time of his death, but for that he will have to find someone who will take his place when Death will come to claim him. Alcestis agrees to die in her husband’s place. However, in the end of the play, we can see that she comes back to life again. So, we can say that her character is ruled by irony. 

Image Source

Apollo was standing in front of the palace carrying bow on his shoulder. On seeing him, Death shouted with anger. He asked Apollo what he is doing here. He also asked Apollo if he is here to save Alcestis too. It is an ironic element because at the end of the play, we can see that Alcestis was also saved. Apollo presages Death how Alcestis will be saved. He said that Death will be defeated by a man who is coming to the palace during a stopover on a mission to capture the man-eating horses of Diomedes for Eurystheus. Here Apollo is referring to Heracles who will be entertained as a guest of Admetus and take woman from Death by force. Thus, Alcestis will be ultimately saved.

The chorus said, “Will someone come?”

We can also find the indication in Chorus’ speech that someone will come to save Alcestis. The chorus then requested Zeus and Apollo to find a way so that Alcestis could be saved. They agreed that only the son of Apollo, Asclepius, who had the power to raise the dead, could save her now. But he himself is dead, slain by the thunderbolt of Zeus.

Dramatic irony is also found through the comment of servant. Throughout the play, we can see that servants like Alcestis. They hail her as a mother figure. Because of their fondness towards Alcestis, they see things from Alcestis’ point of view. In telling the chorus the events of the day, the servant speaks entirely with sympathy for Alcestis, recalls what she has said and done and how she is becoming weaker and weaker. The servant does not mention Admetus until the chorus pointedly asks about him. In her reply the servant shows how Admetus is coping with the situation,

“Oh, yes, he weeps…Beseeching her not to desert him.”

At the beginning of the play, we can see that Alcestis agreed to die in her husband’s place. But here the irony is that he is asking his wife not to leave him. The servant says,

“But he asks the impossible.”

The servant and possibly Alcestis can see the unfairness of the situation. Alcestis is dying for Admetus and he is accusing her of deserting him.

The irony of the situation is deepened as Admetus asks, “Have you the heart to abandon me?”. This sentence shows the unfair demands Admetus is making. Alcestis is dying for him but this question makes it seems as though she is choosing to leave him for some other reasons. The servant is the only one who notices the irony of Admetus’ comments.

Heracles comes to the palace of Admetus during a mission to seize the four-horse chariot of Diomedes. Admetus comes out of the palace and greets him. Seeing him in mourning clothes, Heracles asked him about the reason. In response to the question, he said that he had to perform a burial. Heracles inquires about the death person and says that surely the person who has died is not his wife. We know that it is Admetus’ wife, Alcestis, who has died, but in order to be a proper host, he covers up the fact.

Heracles scolded the servant for treating him coldly and for worrying about a grief that did not concern this house. He said that the dead woman was not of this family and the servant’s master and mistress are both well. The servant then informed him of the death of Alcestis and told him that the household was attending to her burial in a tomb on the outskirts of the city. When Heracles came to know the truth, he decided to bring Alcestis back as a gratitude for his host.

Heracles approaches with a veiled young woman whom he says he won in a public contest. Looking at the veiled woman, he said,

“Young woman, whoever you are, you have the same figure and height Alcestis had; you stand like her.”

Admetus was unaware of the fact that Alcestis herself was standing in front of him. When Heracles pulls off the woman’s veil and tells Admetus to look at her, he turns around and sees Alcestis. In his astonishment, he first thinks she is a ghost. Heracles tells him to embrace her. When Admetus does so, he realizes it is indeed Alcestis. Overjoyed and deeply grateful to Heracles, Admetus asks him how he was able to retrieve her. Heracles says he pulled her away from Death at the site of her tomb.

Importance of English in Different Fields: Part Two

It is the sequel of my previous article of the same name ‘Importance of English in Different Fields: Part One’. In this article, I have discussed elaborately the necessity of learning the English language and its impact on human beings in different sectors. English is likely to hold its supremacy for about a hundred years. Until and unless it is replaced by any other language, we will have to acquire this language to meet our daily needs.

Image Source

English in media:

Considering the use of English as the native language or second or foreign language, we can assume it as the highest spoken language around the world. For this reason, the English language has a great influence on the media in almost every country. Whether it comes to promote a product or run an awareness campaign, the English language takes the leading position. A news article or journal written in English is read by a large number of people. Taking the number of English newspapers, magazines and articles published both online and offline into account, we can say that almost all information is found in English, which proves the power of English in media.

Because the English language is understood by many people across the world, it has become the language of media. A movie, drama or documentary made in the English language gets access to a broad audience easily. It does not require any English subtitles, thus helping the filmmaker to compete with his movie in an international award ceremony, such as Oscar. If a movie is made in any language but English then it will have to add English subtitles. Otherwise, it will not be acceptable by everyone except the domestic audience. English has become so much dominant in media that even in local radio stations, RJs’ are found using the English language mixing with the standard Bengali language. So, we can say that English is the language of world media. 

English in management consultancy:

After completing graduation, one can pursue his or her career as a management consultant in any reputed company. It is regarded as one of the highest-paid jobs all over the world. But to be fit for this profession, one should have to be fluent in English. Having a deficiency in the knowledge of this certain language will make you unable to consult a foreign client. This job also compels the employee to visit the head office of the company he is working for. In a multilingual office, it is not possible to talk to everyone in their native language. In that case, the employee can use English confidently as a lingua franca.

English in economy:

English language skills can play a very important role in the field of economy. One of the sectors of Bangladesh's economy is remittance. Remittances from emigrant workers working overseas have a major contribution to our economy. According to the World Bank, Bangladesh is now one of the largest recipients of remittance with almost $20 billion as of November 2020. However, laborers sent from Bangladesh often complain that they do not get enough salary that they were supposed to be given. Even they do not get good jobs. According to experts in this related field, the reason behind this is their lack of English skills. Because of their deficiency of the English language, they are often marked as uneducated and unskilled workers. If this problem can be solved, they can contribute more to our economy. 

Our present government is giving more emphasis on tourism. Tourism can become an emerging sector of our economy. This sector requires knowing more English to promote tourist places and attract foreign clients. The more attention of more foreign clients you get, the more your business will flourish. The prosperity of the tourism sector means the development of other related sectors, such as hotel, tourist guide, estate agent, transport etc. English is now the only obstacle in the path of flourishing this industry. 

The main vision of the current government is to make ‘Digital Bangladesh’. Without making every service available online, the ‘Digital Bangladesh’ initiative cannot be implemented. With this change, the business has also changed from traditional to modern turning it online. Online-based business, which is also known as e-commerce, is now very popular in Bangladesh. Taking the advantage of selling products all over the world through online, many brick and mortar shops are now setting their foot in this new business trend. To reach more people, they need to post an image of their product and give a description. To do this business, the person behind the computer needs to have good command over the English language to communicate with clients from home and abroad. Even they need to provide a description of the product and responses to the comments in English. 

In this era of modern technology, freelancing can become an important sector in our economy. It can also create many job opportunities for unemployed educated people. Those who have good English skills and Internet literacy can do well in this field. Staying home, they can work with different companies at different times rather than being permanently employed by one company. Those who do freelancing jobs are called freelancers. Freelancers can earn money online. It can contribute a lot to the economy. By doing this work, one can bring money from abroad. We can mention the names of India and the Philippines as examples. They are now earning billions of dollars in this sector. 

English language in Exam:

To have sufficient knowledge of English is the first criterion for an immigrant to work in English-speaking countries like the US, Europe and Australia. Whether you try for a labor visa or student visa, you should have to obtain a minimum score in examinations, such as IELTS, TOEFL, etc., and we all know that these exams are taken to test the English skills of the candidates. If they pass those tests, they will be able to enter their dream country. These tests are also necessary for a student who wants to study in a foreign school, college or university. It has been shown in various researches that students who do well in academic English language examinations are most likely to perform well academically. 

In our country, in Bengali medium schools, we are taught English as subject. So, we have to give exams on this subject in each class of our academic life. English course is divided into two parts: English 1st (communicate) paper and 2nd (Language and Literature) paper, each containing 100 marks apiece. Those who study in English medium schools, have to sit for Ordinary Level (O-Level) and Advanced Level (A-Level) exams. These exams are held and marked internationally. Students have to give answers in English. 

English skill is also required for getting a government job. When we talk about government jobs, the first thing that comes to our mind is Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS), Bangladesh public service commission. Eligible candidates across the country have to be able to sit for this exam through which very few qualified candidates are selected. The exam question paper consists of different sections. One of the sections is English. The most important criterion of this examination is that candidates will have to get a pass mark in English section. If a candidate does well in English then his possibility of being selected as BCS Cadre increases. The same thing can be said about admission examinations of public universities. Despite having GPA 5 both in Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC), most of the students fail to make their places on the merit list because of their poor performances in the English part. 

In the end, we can say that English is necessary for one’s own benefit. Having skilled in English means having high prestige in society. It also widens one’s opportunity of earning money. For a businessman, English becomes an essential instrument for turning business into international business. English language skills also help people to communicate globally. Skills of this particular language can contribute to one country’s economy. So, our government should give more focus on English education. 

Three important decisions in Alcestis

Alcestis is an important play in the history of ancient Greece. This play is based on mythological event and includes characters like Alcestis, Admetus and Heracles. The play revolves around the incident of Admetus cheating on death once but then Alcestis taking her place. Three important decisions have serious impact in the plot of the play. These three decisions taken by three different characters caused unexpected development in the drama. 

Image Source

The first decision took place long before the start of the play. The husband of Alcestis, Admetus, could please god Apollo. That is why, Apollo played a trick with the Fates and as a result, Admetus got the opportunity to cheat death. But there was a condition to this matter. Admetus would be able to escape death only if someone else agrees to take his place. Admetus requested his father but he was not ready to die in the place of his own son. However, Admetus’ wife Alcestis agreed to take his position in death. 

This is the background of the drama. Now, the time of Admetus’ death has come and Alcestis is going to die in his place. Alcestis was still a young woman but she decided to do this sacrifice because she loved her husband and she also did not want her children to become fatherless at a very young age. It has shown that in ancient Greece women were supposed to do any kind of sacrifice for their husbands. There is no doubt that Alcestis is a very loving and carrying wife. 

The second decision that had a lot of impact on the development of the drama was that Admetus decided to keep the news of Alcestis’ death a secret from Heracles. Heracles was the strongest human being in Greek mythology. He was very brave and even not afraid to fight with gods. Admetus decided to keep the death of Alcestis a secret because he thought that Heracles has come to his house as a guest and should not see the mourning. Instead Admetus broke his promise to his wife and started drinking with Heracles. This decision of not informing Heracles about the death of Alcestis is important for two reasons. First of all, it shows that Admetus was a generous host and did not want Heracles to suffer. Second of all, it helped Admetus unknowingly as Heracles took the third important decision of the play. 

Heracles drank a lot of wine with Admetus and became drunk. One servant could not control her frustration and told Heracles with annoyed that it was Alcestis who had died. Heracles became totally ashamed after getting the truth and decided to do something about it. He ambushed death and brought back Alcestis to the world again. This decision of Heracles changed everything. 

The three decisions perhaps show us that life is a series of events interconnected. May be something happened long time ago and we feel that it is gone and have no relationship with our life anymore. However, the dramatist in Alcestis showed us that whatever you do in the past can come back strongly. It can affect you good way or bad way. Also, at crucial moments, we have to decide and act or else, we will lose a lot in life. Heracles took a bold decision and fought with death. Because of this, we have a fairy tale finish to this drama. 

Alcestis is a tragicomedy. It starts with a sad note and ends with a happy incident. The story starts with Alcestis’ preparation for death and ends with her coming back to life again. We feel very happy when we find something that we lost many days ago. Same thing happened to Admetus when he got his wife back to life. 

Necessity as the basis of the play Alcestis

Alcestis is a play based on the time and setting of ancient Greece. Life in Ancient Greece was tough and challenging. Often there were civil wars or fighting with foreign countries. There was hardly security and stability for common people. Believing in Gods and Goddesses of Greek mythology was a common matter. People lived their life because of necessity and had to accept many things because of necessity. Thus, it is natural that necessity acts as the basis of the play Alcestis.

Image Source

Death is the most obvious necessity in human life. We all have to die even if we don’t want. The Fates must capture our souls and this is their necessity. The Gods are higher than human so they don’t suffer from death. Death is not a necessity for Gods. God Apollo was a friend of Admetus. So, Apollo tried to find a way that Admetus could overcome death. Apollo found a way and cheated the Fates. 

Alcestis wanted to take the place of Admetus because she did not want her children to lose their father at a very young age. This is another example of necessity. The father of Admetus did not want to die because no one wants to die even one day earlier. 

We can also see social structure in the play. The man is higher and woman is lower. So, the sacrifice of Alcestis is not that great to the chorus. They just describe the situation as a part of necessity. Alcestis has agreed to die in the place of her husband- so she must die. This is natural. This is a form of suffering and perhaps slavery. Gods do not have to suffer from slavery either. 

After death, life must go on. Life does not stop for the death of one person. Alcestis died but life must go on for everyone. So, the Chorus was unshaken, Admetus was entertaining Heracles. If death is a necessity then mourning for the dead is a necessity too. The servants were sad and mourned from their heart. That is why, they got annoyed with Heracles. 

After hearing the story, Heracles felt that he must use his strength and save Alcestis. It was like a necessity too. He tried his best and because of it, Alcestis got saved and came to life again. 

In the prologue of the play, there is information about Apollo's humiliation as a common laborer for a mortal, Admetus. His abasement was the result of a conflict with Zeus, the king of the Olympian gods. Zeus killed Apollo's son, Asclepius, for challenging the authority of necessity. Asclepius had the power to raise the dead. Because of his power, Death was deprived of taking the souls of human beings by Asclepius. The chorus said, "For he raised up the dead." 

The play is about death, the interference of the gods and how mortals come to terms with necessity. 

Alcestis is dying in her husband's place. Thus, Admetus has got the chance to escape death. But at the end, he feels sad as his wife is leaving him alone. He admits that he cannot live without his wife. In the end of the play, they come to know how to appreciate one another and how necessary each other's lives are.

Narration: Assertive Sentence Part One (1)

Narration is considered one of the most difficult parts of English grammar. Most of the second language learners make mistakes when they try to change the speech from direct to indirect. Here, in this post, I am providing you the solutions of some exercises about assertive sentences. I think both students and job seekers will be benefited by it.

1.   Rashed said, “I ate my meal.”

Answer: Rashed said that he had eaten his meal.

2.   He will say, “I shall do the work tomorrow.”

Answer: He will say that he will do the work the next day.

3.   My friend said to me, “I have already finished my work.”

Answer: My friend said to me that he had already finished his work.

4.   He said to me, “You study sincerely and may stand first in the examination.”

Answer: He advised me to study sincerely and I might stand first in the examination.

5.   He said to you, “I live here in Chittagong.”

Answer: He said to you that he lived there in Chittagong.

6.   Sagar said to Anwar, “I have passed the examination.”

Answer: Sagar said to Anwar that he had passed the examination.

7.   He said, “I have been working since sunrise.”

Answer: He said that he had been working since sunrise.

8.   Dolly said to me, “I want to go to school now.”

Answer: Dolly said to me that she wanted to go to school then.

9.   Moin said to him, “I shall go to Chittagong tomorrow.”

Answer: Moin said to him that he would go to Chittagong the next day.

10.                The teacher said, “The moon shines at night.”

Answer: The teacher said that the moon shines at night.

11.                Ali says, “I did not play yesterday.”

Answer: Ali says that he did not play the previous day.

12.                Salim said to me, “I was ill.”

Answer: Salim said to me that he had been ill.

13.                My father said to me, “We are going there tomorrow.”

Answer: My father told me that they were going there the next day.

14.                Amina said, “Father, I shall go to bed now.”

Answer: Amina said to her father that she would go to bed then.

15.                Zaman said, “Man must submit to destiny.”

Answer: Zaman said that man had to submit to destiny.

16.                He said to Ratul, “You were merely a boy when I saw you last.”

Answer: He said to Ratul that he (R) had been merely a boy when he (speaker) had seen him last.

17.                The teacher said, “Time and tide wait for none.”

Answer: The teacher said that time and tide wait for none.

18.                The teacher said to the students, “The more you read, the more you learn.”

Answer: The teacher said to the students that the more they read, the more they learnt.

19.                You said to me, “You do not do your duty.”

Answer: You said to me that I did not do my duty.

20.                The old man said to the girl, “I know you and your father.”

Answer: The old man said to the girl that he knew her and her father.

21.                Fahim said to me, “I am drawing a picture for you.”

Answer: Fahim said to me that he was drawing a picture for me.

22.                Sadique said, “I saw Mohammed near our school.”

Answer: Sadique said that he had seen Mohammed near their school.

23.                Farid said to me, “You are not sincere and therefore I do not trust you.”

Answer: Farid said to me that I was not sincere and therefore he did not trust me.

24.                I said to him, “I am sick and I cannot attend the meeting.”

Answer: I said to him that I was sick and could not attend the meeting.

25.                The teacher said, “All men are equal in the eye of law.”

Answer: The teacher said that all men are equal in the eye of law.

26.                Karim says, “I did not go because I was ill.”

Answer: Karim says that he did not go because he was ill.

27.                He said, “The train reached at nine.”

Answer: He said that the train had reached at nine.

28.                The teacher said to Camelia, “You must listen to what your parents say.”

Answer: The teacher said to Camelia that she must listen to what her parents say.

29.                The girl said, “Sir, I know the answer of this question.”

Answer: The girl addressing as sir said that she knew the answer of that question. 

Happy Victory Day

On December 16, 2019, Bangladesh has become 48 years old. On this day in 1971, Bangladesh, under the guidance of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, achieved its victory from Pakistan after a nine-month-long bloody liberation war. Since its emerge as an independent country, this day has been observing as the Victory Day, a national holiday. 

The Victory Day, which is known as the most precious day of the Bangladeshi people, starts with a 31-gun salute. Then people across the country pay respect to the martyrs of the liberation war by placing wreaths at the monuments and Shaheed Minars with the sun rise. On this day, national flag is raised atop all organizations, including government, semi-government and private offices as well as offices of autonomous bodies across the country. 

In remembrance of the greatest children of the nation, a number of cultural programs are organized by different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions. Dramas and programs about freedom war are broadcast on several TV channels. 

To become today’s Bangladesh from the then East Pakistan, it required the lives of three million martyrs and the honor of almost half a million women. We should keep one thing in mind that independence is hard to defend than achieving it. Our ancestors have given us an independent nation. Now, it is our duty to keep this country free from enemies and bring economic solvency. The more we will become economically solvent, the more we will progress towards a developed nation.