Bangladesh
National symbols
...emblem:
National flower Shapla (water Lily) surrounded by two sheaves of rice, four stars and a bud with three tender leaves
...flag: Jatiyo Potaka
The green of the fertile land with the red blood of the martyrs of Muktijuddho (1971 Liberation War)
...parliament: Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban
Situated at the center of Dhaka city, it is an architectural wonder. Designed by famous Jewish-American architect Louis Isadore Kahn and his Bengali student Muzharul Islam
...memorial: Shaheed Minar
Commemorates Bhasha Andolon (Language Movement of 1952). Third version after first two destroyed. Ekushey February is UNICEF's International Mother Language Day
...monument: Jatiyo Smriti Shoudho
Reminder for those who sacrificed their lives for the independence. Situated at Savar, north-west of Dhaka
...flower: Shapla (Water Lilly)
Found in almost every water body in the country
...fruit: Kathal (Jackfruit)
Thorny in outlook this fruit is big in size. It's juicy and delicious but very sticky
...animal: Royal Bengal Tiger
Finds its home in mangrove forests of the Sundarbans in the south-western part of the country. Slowly becoming extinct due to poaching
...bird: Doel (Magpie Robin)
Famous for its sweet look and melodious whistle, the Doel is found everywhere especially in rural Bangladesh
...sport: Kabaddi (a.k.a. Hadudu)
Football, cricket, badminton and karrom are more popular though.
Jatiyo Sangeet (Bangladesh national anthem)
Amar Shunar Bangla (My Golden Bengal)
- Created by Rabindranath Tagore in 1905 to unify Bengalis post Partition of Bengal ("Bongobhanga") into East Bengal (mainly Muslim) & West Bengal (mainly Hindu) by British Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, in 16th October 1905
- Original music by Indira Devi, Tagore's niece, Satyendranath Tagore's daughter, jotted down the musical notation after hearing it from Tagore himself
- English translation by Syed Ali Ahsan
- First used in 1972
- Hasani? Didn't know that! Only the first 10 lines of this song constitute the national anthem of Bangladesh. Robindronath is the only person ever to have written two national anthems (including India's Jana Gana Mana)
In Bangla
Transliteration
Amar sonar Bangla,
Ami tomae bhalobashi.
Chirodin tomar akash,
Tomar batash,
Amar prane bajae bãshi.
O ma,
Phagune tor amer bone
Ghrane pagol kôre,
Mori hae, hae re,
O ma,
Ôghrane tor bhôra khete
Ami ki dekhechhi modhur hashi.
Ki shobha, ki chhaea go,
Ki sneho, ki maea go,
Ki ãchol bichhaeechho
Bôţer mule,
Nodir kule kule!
Ma, tor mukher bani
Amar kane lage,
Shudhar môto,
Mori hae, hae re,
Ma, tor bôdonkhani molin hole,
Ami nôeon jôle bhashi.
In English
My Bengal of Gold,
I love you.
Forever your skies,
Your air set my heart in tune
As if it were a flute.
In spring, O mother mine,
The fragrance from your mango groves
Makes me wild with joy,
Ah, what a thrill!
In autumn, O mother mine,
In the full blossomed paddy fields
I have seen spread all over sweet smiles.
Ah, what beauty, what shades,
What an affection, and what tenderness!
What a quilt have you spread
At the feet of banyan trees
And along the banks of rivers!
O mother mine, words from your lips
Are like nectar to my ears.
Ah, what a thrill!
If sadness, O mother mine,
Casts a gloom on your face,
My eyes are filled with tears!
Bangladesh Government
Official website: www.bangladesh.gov.bd
Prime Minister of Bangladesh website: www.pmo.gov.bd
President of Bangladesh website: www.bangabhaban.gov.bd
Election in Bangladesh
- Name of Parliament Jatiyo Sangshad
- Parliament housed in Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban
- Term duration 5 years
- Members of Parliament (MP) 345: 300 chosen by public vote, 45 reserved for women chosen by ruling party.
- Last election (2008) result Awami League 230 seats
Bangladesh National Party 29 seats
Jatiya Party 27 seats
Jamaat-e-Islami 2 seats - President (Rashtopoti) Elected by Parliament
- Current Speaker of Jatiyo Sangshad Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury
Bangladesh currency
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