Tragedy - Again!

Well readers if the country isn't suffering enough with the petty political fighting going on, war crimes tribunals and general hard line islamic pressure which is hampering business and the people, a new tragedy hit Bangladesh - a building in Savar which housed a number of garment factories collapsed.

Well it has happened again.  A building which had 2/3 extra floors built onto it illegally, and from what can initially ascertained had illegal generators on upper floors, basically shook the building down.  Initial counts are that over 900 people are dead.  How?

In late November 2012, a fire in the Tazreen garment factory killed over 100 people mainly women, which then was regraded as the tragedy.  In that instance, the building of course did not have the requisite fire exists etc and placed the whole aspect of safety onto the radar of the government and further afield.  Obviously no-one took any heed.

Roll onto April 2013 and the whole sector and country is in the international spotlight.  The international community offered specialist aid and support but that was turned down by the government.  Cracks were seen in the building the day previous, but managers made people work on.  The building was cleared by engineers days previously.  Floors were added illegally.  The litany of negligence and incompetence mixed with corruption is becoming endless and the sector seems to be rife with it.  Questions need to be asked of all levels of the regulatory regime never mind the supply chain.  

Bangladeshi's I know are angry and want to know what can be done.  They are sick of the tiresome political infighting and corruption.  This is pervading all corners of society. This story will no doubt get worse.  Another day in Dhaka?  Hopefully after this no-more.

Happy New Year - Bengali Style

Well its April readers and that means one thing in Bangladesh - Bengali New Year or Pohela Boishakh on the 14th April.  The Bengali year is now 1420 - I dunno either.  Its either the culture is over 500 years behind the conventional calendar or they do things back to front and in fact they are a year ahead of us and its 2014.  Eh?

Well, the Bengali calendar is loosely tied with the Hindu Vedic solar calendar, based on the Surya Siddhanta. As with many other variants of the Hindu solar calendar, the Bengali calendar commences in mid-April of the Gregorian year. The first day of the Bengali year therefore coincides with the mid-April new year in Mithila, Assam, Burma, Cambodia, Kerala, Manipur, Nepal, Odisha, Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu and Thailand.  Clear?  Well you did ask.

So how do they celebrate it then I hear you cry?  Well colour colour and more colour, with parties with your chums during the day with lots of sweet things.  The colour is Red and you see everyone wearing the obligatory red.  White is also acceptable.  So why does this involve the TS I hear you cry?

Well Madam and I were invited to a Bangladeshi New Year party by a charming couple.  This meant we needed the right dress.  Madam a Sari and myself a Punjabi.  The saga starts...

Phase One - the clothes.  Madam's sari, is not as simple as popping into a shop finding one in the right size and purchasing it - oh how I wish it was that simple.  The challenge was laid and Madam's executive assistant - Little Big Boss (LBB) (well she is four foot something or like that) took control and duly bossed us around going to various shops for numerous bits, material, bling etc and then end up finally at a tailor to get measured and get it duly turned into something special.  

I am not sure if LBB enjoyed me being there.  I was enjoying the whole choosing the fabric bit, and she seemed to not like my input and discussion over whether one colour was better than the other.  I will need to speak to Madam when she next does her appraisal.   Anyhow, with me, far more simpler - find the shop, get one in my size and low and behold I was kitted out.  That was phase one completed readers.

Phase Two and the most critical - Madam realised on the morning of the event - how do you put a sari on.  Now even judicious use of You Tube, websites and lots of safety pins resulted in a stressed Madam having to make phone calls to various salons (well they were closed as it was New Years Day) to assist in the process.  In actual fact most salons will provide this service.  Well after gnashing of teeth and persuading the Nordic Club to assist, even though they were not sure themselves, all was sorted - phew!

Phase Three - The Party.  Well it was a brill party - a very family and friend gathering with lots of Bengali people.  It was our first proper Bengali party.  Ironically I got chatting to a Bengali who immediately spotted I was Scottish.  He then proceeded to tell me he used to work for an old family Scottish company Finlays Teas as their tea taster, buyer etc.  only to return to Bangladesh a few years ago and take up a new job - small world!  He know Scotland well.  He knew whisky very well!

I can honestly say it was a very Happy New Year indeed and has already got me thinking me about next year!  Everyone Pohela Boishakh.