#bangla phrase of the day

[cheezeybread]

Could I request headcanons for Scarabia + Pomefiore where they overhear their lover speaking in their native language with is neither japanese or english? Maybe they're cussing, maybe just talking to themselves, maybe singing, whatever. Here are the characters + some language samples:

Jamil - bangla: https://youtube.com/shorts/WF2LbzJDzD4?si=11V-UicSCLv8vySx

Kalim - mandarin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iUCZgObUDg&t=106s

Rook - egyptian arabic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsz0ou4VX2g

Vil - swahili: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpol4TKeJ14

Epel - welsh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufKf4eORcKA

So sorry it took me a while to get around to this request, I've had it gathering dust in my drafts as I brainstormed ideas for it, hehe!

︶︶︶︶༉‧₊˚

Jamil Viper

Jamil's first introduction to your language was when you burned yourself in the Scarabia kitchen. Touching a hot pot before he could warn you that it contained boiling soup, you cried out a foreign phrase to him

"Hauar pola!" You screamed, one hand clamping over your injured palm, applying pressure as you glared at the pot "Magir Puth!"

Despite his fretting noises as he grabbed the nearest first aid kit (of course with Kalim, Jamil had made sure there was a pack in every room) and fixed your hand, Jamil had to hide his laughter. He had just assumed that you were making up gibberish like Kalim used to do as a kid- gibberish to take place of curse words.

Once you explained to him that it was indeed an actual curse, in your mother tongue, he was a bit shocked. You mean you didn't originally speak what you were speaking now??

He'll definitely ask you to teach him some words in Bangla- mainly curse words, but if he can get his hands on a book for the language, he'll attempt to learn some "sweeter" words to use with you, if only to get a little bit closer to you...or make you feel closer to home.

Kalim Al-Asim

He's no stranger to different languages! Being in a merchant family, knowing many different languages was essential to business, and Kalim has had so many tutors teaching him so many languages- he's not entirely fluent in all of them since he never gets a chance to speak them, but he knows all the basics to have a simple conversation

He probably knew that you didn't originally speak the current language that you did in Twisted Wonderland, but hadn't really heard you speak in this "Mandarin" before.

But one day, while prepping for a party, he took a small break to ask you to show him a new dance- he wasn't particularly set on what sort of dance you showed him, he just wanted some new moves to use while dancing at the party.

To his utter delight, you grabbed his hands and tried to teach him a little dance that went to an old song you heard in your childhood- of course, since your song didn't really exist in this world, you had to hum and sing it out loud.

He's definitely going to insist that you not only teach him the song, but that you start giving him lessons on your language! He figures it'll be fun to converse to you in Mandarin, allowing the two of you to have conversations in secret, where no one else knows what you guys are talking about!

Rook Hunt

Ooh, la la!

He's going to run into you whilst you're in the library after class! You were sitting at one of the tables, half-closed eyes scanning over a textbook. Of course, you hadn't been getting too much sleep recently, so it was hard for you to actually read and digest the information you were supposed to. Which led to you mumbling to yourself instead in Egyptian Araibic under your breath.

Of course, Rook doesn't greet you at first, preferring to stay back and listen to your voice for a little while longer. He enjoys the cadence of it, the highs and lows of every word...it is truly beautiful for a language, is it not?

Once he helps you get to bed and can speak to you after a good night's rest, Rook inquires as to what you were saying earlier.

To hearing you say that you spoke a different language than this one, he was flabbergasted, but intrigued.

"Read me a poem in your own words, dear, in your mother tongue! Speak your mind, call me curses, list out your errand runs, just allow me to hear you speak once more!"

He's...strange. But he enjoys the foreign language very much

Vil Shoenheit

Hearing you sing to yourself while having a spa day with Vil left him speechless, for once in his life.

He had left you alone in the bathroom to soak in the warm, bubbling water, assuring you that he would be right back once he found a certain brand of oil that he suspected Rook had mistook as his.

Once he came back to the bathroom, your words sounded so...alluring. It made his hips sway with the beat you put out with a fist slapping the side of the porcelain tub. It was rather catchy, and he couldn't help but smile as he nodded his head to your tune.

"Oh, such a wonderful language, what is it?"

He's so genuinely curious about it all, and enjoys listening to you speak about it all- how you grew up, how you felt about your culture and language itself.

And don't worry, he'll be asking you to sing to him a lot more heheh

Epel Felmier

Another curser! Aah!

Epel absolutely loves the sounds coming out of your mouth as you lose your temper and let loose at another student bothering you in the courtyard, but curbs his excitement until he properly threatens the student with a good lickin' if he doesn't scoot out!

I'm not gonna lie, Epel seems like he'd speak Welsh if he weren't in Twisted Wonderland- it just seems to fit his character so well.

And, of course, he's going to ask you to teach him all of the swear you know, so that Epel can voice his grievances against Vil and some teachers without them being able to get mad at him (because, of course, Welsh isn't technically an existant language in Twisted Wonderland, soooooo the teachers/Vil can't prove it even exists unless you become a tattle-tail, hehe!)

Once he has his fun with cursing, Epel will try his best to learn some simple words/phrases from you so he can pass you secret notes in class and talk to you in private. He's...not the best at learning a new language, so be patient with him, but he's trying his hardest!

︶︶︶︶༉‧₊˚

[nitesh-123n]

Fun Ways to Practice Speaking Bengali on Your Own

Learning Bengali can feel like trying to navigate the bustling streets of Kolkata – exciting, overwhelming, and full of delicious surprises! But what if you want to hone your speaking skills without venturing out just yet? Fear not, fellow language learner, because this blog is your ticket to a one-way trip to Bangla fluency (well, almost)!

1. Talk to the Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Who needs a conversation partner when you've got yourself? Talk to your reflection! Introduce yourself, describe your day, or even plan your next Bengali adventure. The key is to speak out loud and don't be afraid to sound silly. The mirror won't judge (probably).

2. Shower Shonar Bangla (Golden Bengal in the Shower)

Can't find a quiet corner? Take your Bengali practice to the shower! Run through greetings, practice ordering your favorite Bengali dishes (Doi Machh anyone?), or sing along to Bengali rain songs. The acoustics might be interesting, but your pronunciation will be golden!

3. Be a Shadow Puppeteer, Bangla Style

Narrate your day in Bengali as it unfolds. Describe what you're doing, what you see, and how you feel. Bonus points for incorporating Bengali words for everyday objects – that mug in your hand becomes a "chhan" (cup) and your comfy PJs turn into a "lungi" (a traditional Bengali garment).

4. Cook Up a Conversation

Whip up a Bengali feast and narrate the recipe step-by-step in Bengali. Explain why you're adding "roshun" (garlic) and reminisce about your Bengali grandma's secret ingredient.

5. Binge-Watch, Bengali-fy!

Turn your Netflix obsession into a Bengali learning spree! Watch Bengali movies or TV shows with subtitles, then rewind and repeat key dialogues aloud. This is a fantastic way to pick up natural-sounding phrases and improve your listening comprehension.

6. Sing Your Bengali Heart Out!

Belting out Bengali tunes in the shower wasn't enough? Find Bengali music you love and sing along at the top of your lungs! Pay attention to the pronunciation and the rhythm – you might even surprise yourself with your newfound fluency.

7. Record Yourself and Become Your Own Guru

Record yourself speaking Bengali on your phone. Play it back and identify areas for improvement. Did you stumble over a particular word? Look it up and practice again. This self-assessment approach is a powerful tool for targeted learning.

8. The Power of Positive Self-Talk (in Bengali!)

Start incorporating Bengali into your internal monologue. Think about your to-do list, your plans for the evening, or even your deepest thoughts – all in Bengali! This subconscious immersion will solidify your grasp on the language.

Remember, language learning is a journey, not a destination. Embrace the fun, celebrate your mistakes, and keep practicing. Before you know it, you'll be holding full conversations and charming everyone with your Bangla!

[ghostfag]

world mother language day was a few days ago (feb 21) and my college's bangladeshi student association did an event for it and the whole time while i was helping them do setup and running errands for them, i kept thinking about how it needs to be more celebrated in the us. of course it's passed this year and all but i find it to be exceedingly relevant as a holiday in this current political climate. the origins of the holiday are honouring the bangla language movement and the 5 martyred student protesters at dhaka university in bangladesh, but as it honors all first languages and the right for them to be spoken and preserved, i cant help but think of how demonized arabic is. like. as a muslim born and raised post 9/11 i've experienced the anti-islamic rhetoric spread by fearmongering around common arabic phrases and watched as its increased through the years, especially now as its overlapping with anti-palestinian rhetoric and fearmongering. idk what im trying to say here just... look into the meanings of common arabic phrases. learn how they're used in day to day life, not just in islam. take the time to appreciate the beauty of the language, because it really is a gorgeous language. beyond that, knowing about these sorts of things also helps with critical thinking when it comes to targetted hatecrimes meant to frame swana peoples or muslims negatively.

[dbiinfotech]

🌐✨ Happy International Mother Language Day! 🗣️ Today, we celebrate the beauty of language, a reflection of our diverse world. Let's honor those who bravely stood up for their mother languages, preserving cultural identity. 🌍❤️

📜 "Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going." - Rita Mae Brown

🎨 Join us in embracing linguistic diversity! Share your favorite words or phrases in your mother language below. Let's weave a tapestry of languages together! 🌈✨

International Mother Language Day (IMLD) in Bangladesh, observed on February 21st, commemorates the sacrifices of language martyrs during the 1952 Language Movement. Here's a concise overview:

Historical Roots:

Originating from the 1952 Language Movement in Bangladesh, protesting the imposition of Urdu as the sole official language.

Language Martyrs:

Honors those who lost their lives on February 21, 1952, defending the Bengali language.

UNESCO Recognition:

Declared an international day by UNESCO in 1999, acknowledging its global importance.

Ekushey February Celebration:

Centralized at the Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, with people gathering to pay homage to language martyrs.

Cultural Events:

Inclusive of various languages, featuring poetry, songs, and plays.

Educational Initiatives:

Educational institutions organize programs to educate students about the significance of IMLD.

Digital Awareness:

Social media campaigns and online discussions amplify the importance of linguistic diversity.

International Solidarity:

Reflects solidarity with global linguistic diversity.

Language Movement Artifacts:

Museums showcase artifacts related to the Language Movement, preserving historical documents.

Ongoing Relevance:

A continuous commitment to preserving linguistic identity and heritage.

IMLD in Bangladesh stands as a symbol of cultural pride, remembrance, and a steadfast commitment to the diversity of languages globally.

#IMLD

#Bangla

#Ekushey

#MotherTongue

#LanguageMartyrs

#LanguageMatters

#LinguisticDiversity

#CulturalDiversity

#MotherLanguageDay

#InternationalMotherLanguageDay

[bongboyblog]

Bengali word of the day: ঠান্ডা (ṭhānḍā/Thaan-Daa)❄

English: cold, chilly

Derivatives:

ঠান্ডার সময় (ṭhānḍār sômôy) = another word for winter; literally: cold times.

Etymology: from Prakrit 𑀣𑀟𑁆𑀠 (thaḍḍha), 𑀣𑀤𑁆𑀥 (thaddha, “fixed, firm”), from Sanskrit स्तब्ध (stabdha).

Phrases/Sentences:

আজকাল খুব ঠান্ডা পড়েছে।

ājkāl khub ṭhānḍā poṛeche.

(aaj-kaal khub Thaan-Daa po-Re-chhe)

Translation: These days it's getting really cold.

Note: In Bangla the weather doesn't 'become' cold, the coldness 'falls' (ঠান্ডা পড়ে). This might be confusing for some but just accept it as a set verb that goes with ṭhānḍā.

[barricadebops]

Hello!

Look, I just saw the post about "baenger chatha" meaning frog umbrella for mushroom and...

This is so cute. Like, really wonderful. Language really can hide some gems, but does Bangla have a lot of this kind of world? Because, in that case, I would find really interesting (more than I was interested before) to learn that language.

And there come my second question : Would it be difficult to learn? Knowing I'm just an english and french (and some other latin languages like Latin and Italian) speaker and I don't know if there's some "similarities"

Well... Thank you anyway, if you didn't mind answering this. I hope it was rude or bothering in anyway...

Learning new language is just such a great way to discover new cultures, I believe

Apologies again, for that novel I'm sending to you !

Hello anon!

I'm so sorry this took so long to get to! If I have to be honest, I was trying to think up more examples of phrases like "baenger chatha" and then of course my brain decided to blank on me and then I got busy with exams and all... I apologize for taking so long.

As for your question, yes there are plenty of hidden gems in the Bangla language! It's an absolutely wonderful, beautiful language, very poetic (although you might not think that way when you hear someone cursing in Bangla LMAO.)

I would absolutely encourage you to learn the language if you're interested! There's some really fantastic literature and poetry in Bangla, and I think everyone knows just how much I love Tagore's poetry. In terms of difficulty learning the language, I'd say that if you speak English and the Romance Languages, you may have some difficulty at first learning considering that Bangla is derived from a much separate and different root (it comes from Sanskrit, which is much different than the Germanic tones that English is derived of or the Latin that French comes from. The sounds of Bangla are quite different and the alphabet is much longer too. One of the biggest thing's I'd say is the written part of the language, which uses letters that look SO MUCH MORE different than the alphabets of English and French.)

But please don't let that scare you off! It's a wonderful language, and you'll be introduced to a whole new culture along with it.

I wish you all the best in your learning if you do end up learning the language!

(Also, don't worry anon, I never get annoyed by gettimg asks, they're so much fun to read and respond to. Have a fantastic day!)

[sylhetilanguage]

Why Should We Preserve the Sylheti Language?

Read this article in বাংলা 

SYLHETI STORIES

--the lives where a language lives

*all names have been changed to protect the anonymity of those who have chosen to share their stories

BILAL

A son to Sylheti parents, Bilal was born in the United States and grew up speaking to his friends and neighbors in English. He was able to understand Sylheti but could speak no more than a few basic phrases and his parents pushed him to learn Bengali instead, with no success. At the turn of his teenage years, Bilal reflected on the loss of his culture and heritage with regret, hoping to rekindle a connection with his ethnic identity. Language was a natural first step to reclaiming lost ties, but he struggled to find a place to start, citing difficulties with even feeling a connection to the culture. “My parents watched movies in Bangla but I could never understand them. I thought learning the language would help me connect to my roots but I got discouraged a few days after I started. It was like learning a new language; the culture --it felt distant as well. It wasn’t like how I’ve seen my parents or my relatives live.” Bilal is now 29 and a father of two children. When asked if his children knew how to speak Sylheti, he replied, “How can I teach them a language I can’t speak?”

AMITA

Amita was born in Bangladesh to a middle-class Sylheti family in the middle of a non-Sylheti community. Growing up, she felt ashamed of her linguistic and cultural background to the point of masking her heritage. Amita refused to speak Sylheti in public so that she would not be identified as Sylheti. Even at home, Amita spoke a very “Banglified” Sylheti, inserting influence from the majority language (Bangla) into her home language. Presently, Amita is well aware of the history of her native tongue and finds pride in it. However, she is unable to speak Sylheti properly despite her desire to fully embrace the language. Years of suppressing her Sylheti culture has smothered her ability to speak the language she has learned to love, and now her children have inherited her same struggles when it comes to speaking their heritage language.

KHALED & EMA

Khaled and Ema may have been born in two different countries but they share the same story. Both belong to Sylheti-speaking families, but neither of them are able to speak Sylheti themselves. Both of them admit that their parents took the initiative to teach them Bengali from a young age --the assumption being that Bengali would help them appear sophisticated, better cultured, and well-educated. Their families view Sylheti as a low-class, vulgar language. Speaking fluent Bangla brings pride and confidence to those who come from an undervalued background. Consequently, Khaled and Ema suffer a disconnect from their heritage and shoulder the shame their families associate with Sylheti as a language and as a culture.

SYLHETI: A PAST & A FUTURE

--the fate of a minoritized language

Following the birth of Bangladesh as a nation, the country sought to emphasize unity between its citizens. Among the measures taken was the Bengali Language Implementation Act (1987) which established Bengali as the official language of Bangladesh. Not only did this solidify Bangla’s status as the lingua franca of the region --and as a language of the elite and the educated-- it also devalued the minority languages that natively reside in Bangladesh alongside Bengali. It is currently punishable by law to conduct official Bangladeshi matters with any language other than Bengali unless it is a government recognized matter that requires the use of a foreign language. From here is a ripple effect of oppression and silencing of one of Bengal’s largest native minoritized languages: Sylheti. 

The culture that boasts of Bengali’s superiority and prestige is the same one that defames Sylheti as a lower-class “dialect” of Bengali in both Bangladesh and in India. Sylheti has been stripped of its status as a full-fledged language, contributing to the false idea that if Sylheti is merely a dialect of Bangla, Sylheti people are just a subclass of Bengali. Not only does this effect Sylhetis living in Bangladesh, but this also heavily affects Sylhetis living in India who are already alienated by the perception that they belong in Bangladesh instead of India. Failure to officially recognize Sylheti and its speakers has largely erased Sylheti cultural identity. Government offices, newspapers, and TV stations across the Bengal region regularly publish in Bengali and neglect Sylheti. Children also see this imbalance in their schools where Bangla is the language of the classroom. In place of the Sylheti script Sylheti children learn the Bengali writing system to write read and write Bangla, but also to read and write Sylheti (if they choose to communicate in Sylheti at all). The overall decline of the Sylheti language has been much more visible in West Bengal and Assam where Sylheti culture is often considered entirely foreign and seen as a Bangladeshi identity despite the fact that the Sylheti community is also native to parts of India. However, many Sylhetis on either side of the border claim Bengali heritage and speak Bengali at home in place of their parents’ language for the sake of assimilation and status within mainstream Bengali society.

The systematic erasure of Sylheti as a language has lead to its status as a minoritized language. Sylheti enjoys no legal privileges and receives little to no public recognition. Its speakers can barely find materials in Sylheti; people of Sylheti diaspora turn to Bengali as an alternative to Sylheti and face struggles as they’re mutually unintelligible. Sylheti script is also heavily endangered. While Sylheti largely remains as a domestic language among Sylheti communities, it still faces risks. Younger generations are beginning to lose Sylheti as they speak it less frequently than their parents and grandparents --many of them adopting a “Banglified” version if they do speak it. Still many have lost their ability to communicate in Sylheti altogether. As seen in the accounts above, the devaluation of Sylheti has also led to the deterioration of the Sylheti community identity, where Sylhetis feel invisible or ashamed of their heritage and feel compelled to separate themselves from the culture of their ancestors. Those that do choose to hang on to their cultures find it difficult to do so when there are no resources available and when so many of their neighbors discourage their choice to pursue knowledge on Sylheti. 

However bleak Sylheti’s current situation looks, the language is resilient and still has the opportunity to thrive. Between local organizations advocating for the protection of Sylheti and a growing number of materials for Sylheti being introduced on the internet, Sylheti has the support and tools it needs to be properly recognized and properly taught. Our mission with the Sylheti Language Preservation Project is to compile and create materials to educate Sylhetis and non-Sylhetis alike on the Sylheti language. We hope to inspire Sylhetis to reclaim their language and heritage, and also to spread awareness of Sylheti as a valuable and unique language that deserves recognition on a local and global scale. Together we can ensure Sylheti is here to stay for current and future generations!

[banglanotebook]

LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY CHALLENGE 2/6 অসমীয়া [Ôxômiya]  

INTRODUCTION Assamese is a language native to the Indian state of Assam, which is locate in the northeast region of India and neighbors West Bengal, where it is spoken as a prominent minority language. Approximately 15,328,790 people worldwide speak Assamese as their first language.

HISTORY Assamese is a member of the eastern part of the Indo-Aryan family and is descended from Ardhamagadhi Prakrit, making it a relative to Bengali and Odia. Assamese was born around the 7th century, but didn’t start making a distinctive mark in written literature until around the 13th and 14th centuries. Assamese has a vibrant oral tradition in the form of folk tales, children’s stories and songs in addition to its written art forms.

SCRIPT The modern Assamese script used today traces its origin to the Kamarupi script and strongly resembles the Bengali script, although it contains a couple different characters like ৰ and ৱ which help you distinguish Assamese from Bangla. It classifies as an abugida, like many other Indo-Aryan scripts. While other South Asian scripts developed round features so as to not tear the palm leaves they were written on (Odia, Telugu, etc.), Assamese had its own form of writing developed for texts written in tree bark. While Assamese spelling has been mostly aligned with Sanskritic standards with the introduction of the Hemkosh (a Sanskrit-based Assamese dictionary), it does contain some non-phonetic spellings from its earlier days.

FEATURES -SOV (subject-object-verb) word order -No grammatical gender -Has lexical gender for the third person -Adverbs can be created with verbs as their roots -Most verbs can be converted to nouns -Has a large number of classifiers for nouns (thanks to Sino-Tibetan influence) -Highly inflected

LEGACY AND CONTRIBUTIONS Assamese produced some of the finest 14th century works, with Saptakanda Ramayana being one of the crowning achievements. Written by Kaviraja Madhava Kandali, a beloved Assamese poet, the work is a rendering of the Ramayana, a famous Indian epic poem depicting the life of Rama. In the 16th and 17th centuries Assamese further contributed to Hindu literature. A wide array of technical literature covering topics like astronomy, medicine and mathematics has been penned in Assamese during these periods.

SAMPLE Below is a line from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: সকলো মানুহে স্বাধীনভাৱে সমান ঠাকুৰালি আৰু অধিকাৰে জন্ম লয় । সকলোৰে বিবেক আৰু জ্ঞান-বুদ্ধি আছে আৰু সকলোৱে এজনে আনজনক ভাই-ভাই হিচাপে ব্যৱহাৰ দিব লাগে ।

VIDEOS Here’s a music video for "Kong Seng” by Kussum Kailash and Neel Akash

Here’s a video of words and phrases in Assamese.

Here’s a cartoon video of “The Ugly Duckling” in Assamese.

[drsohinisastri]

Heritage and History of Poila Boishakh

 Poila/Pohela Boishakh  is the first day of the Bengali calendar which is also the official calendar of Bangladesh. This festival is celebrated on 14 April in Bangladesh and 14/15 April in the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, Jharkhand and Assam (Barak Valley) by Bengalis regardless of religious faith.

 Processions, fairs, and family time are all part of the festivities. "Shubho Noboborsho," which literally means "Happy New Year," is the customary Bengali greeting for the New Year. In Bangladesh, the Mangal Shobhajatra festival is held. This festival, produced by the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, was designated as a cultural treasure of mankind by UNESCO in 2016.

 History and origin :

Nomenclature -

In Bengali, the word Poila or Pahela means 'first' and Boishakh is the first month of the Bengali calendar (Pahela Boishakh). Bengali New Year is referred to in Bengali as Nobo Borsho ,where 'Nobo' means new and 'Borsho' means year.

 Traditional roots :

Mughal references -

Land taxes were collected from Bengali people according to the Islamic Hijri calendar during the Mughal era. This was a lunar calendar with a new year that did not correspond to the solar agricultural cycles. According to some reports, the event began in Bengal during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar as a way to align the tax year with the harvest, and the Bangla year was dubbed Bangabda as a result. Fasholi shan was the result of Akbar's request to the royal astronomer Fathullah Shirazi to design a new calendar by merging the lunar Islamic calendar and the solar Hindu calendar already in use (harvest calendar). This, according to some historians, was the beginning of the Bengali calendar.

 According to Shamsuzzaman Khan, it could be Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, a Mughal governor, who first used the tradition of Punyaho as "a day for ceremonial land tax collection", and used Akbar's fiscal policy to start the Bangla calendar.

 Vikramaditya references -

According to some historians, the Bengali calendar was created by king Shashanka in the 7th century. The phrase Bangabda (Bangla year) is also found in two Shiva temples that are hundreds of years older than Akbar's reign, implying that a Bengali calendar existed before Akbar's reign. The Vikrami calendar was used by various kings whose territory reached into Bengal before to the 13th century. "Vikrama" and the months such as Ashvin are mentioned in Buddhist scriptures and inscriptions from the Pala Empire era, a system seen in Sanskrit manuscripts throughout the ancient and mediaeval Indian subcontinent.

The Bengali calendar is credited to "Bikromaditto" in rural Bengali communities in India, as it is in many other parts of India and Nepal. In contrast to these regions, where the calendar begins in 57 BCE, the Bengali calendar begins in 593 CE, implying that the starting reference year was changed at some point.

 Contemporary Bengali calendar -

However, in 1966, a commission led by Muhammad Shahidullah amended the traditional Bengali calendar, making the first five months 31 days long and the rest 30 days apiece, with the month of Falgun adjusted to 31 days in every leap year. Bangladesh formally accepted this in 1987. Since then, the national calendar has begun on 14 April, and the new year event has always occurred on that date. In 2018-19, the calendar was revised again, with Falgun now lasting 29 days in regular years and 30 days in leap years, in order to better match with the Gregorian calendar used in Western countries. The 14th of April, however, was kept as the date of the celebration.

Holiday customs:

House cleaning and shopping -

Visiting family and friends during Pahela Baishakh people visit their families and friends and spend time together. Pahela Baishakh is also known for uniting friends and family.

 Haal Khata -

According to best astrologer in Kolkata, Haal Khata is a holiday observed on the occasion of Pohela Baishakh to close the previous year's ledger and begin a new one. Bengali merchants, shopkeepers, and traders are aware of it.

 Red-White attire -

On this occasion, males are seen wearing red or white Panjabi with traditional designs on them, imprinted or embroidered. Women and young ladies wear red and white saree with blouses and put on flower crowns on their heads. Girls also dress in salwar kameez. They are seen wearing traditional ornaments and accessories along with their dress.

 Baishakhi meal -

Bengalis typically consume Panta Bhat, also known as poitabhat, a rice-based dish made by soaking leftover rice in water overnight. It's often served alongside Hilsha Fish and other curries.

 Locality :

Bangladesh -

Bangladesh observes the Bengali New Year as a national holiday. It is observed by both the Muslim majority and the Hindu minority, regardless of religion. The celebration, according to Willem van Schendel and Henk Schulte Nordholt, became a popular way for Bangladeshis to demonstrate cultural pride and heritage as they fought Pakistani domination in the 1950s and 1960s.

 Singing, processions, and fairs are all part of the festivities. Businesses often begin this day by opening a new ledger and emptying out the old, which typically entails inviting loyal customers and providing them with sweetmeats. Haal Khata is the name of the celebration. Traditional tunes to ring in the new year are performed by singers. Classical Jatra plays are popular.

 Dhaka -

The festivities begin early in the morning in Dhaka with Chhayanaut performing Rabindranath Tagore's song "Esho he Boishakh" under a banyan tree in Ramna (the Ramna Batamul). The Mangal Shobhajatra, a traditional colourful parade organised by students of the University of Dhaka's Faculty of Fine Arts, is an important feature of the festivities (Charukala).

 According to the history, the rudimentary step of Mangal Shobhjatra was started in Jessore by Charupith, a community organization, in 1985.

In Chittagong  -

According to famous astrologer in Kolkata, Pohela Boishakh celebrations in Chittagong are based on Dhaka's customs. The Mangal Shobhajatra procession is held throughout the city by students from Chittagong University's fine arts institute, and is followed by a day of cultural festivities.

 West Bengal -

The traditional New Year festival in the state is Pohela Boishakh, with the New Year being referred to as the Noboborsho. The event takes place on 14 or 15 April, depending on whether West Bengal uses its traditional Bengali calendar, which adjusts for the solar cycle differently than Bangladesh's, which has the festival on 14 April.

 Celebration in other countries -

Along with other groups, the Bangladesh Heritage and Ethnic Society of Alberta in Canada celebrate its Heritage Festival (Bengali New Year) in a spectacular manner. Bengalis in Calgary celebrate the day with traditional Bengali food, clothing, and culture. A Pohela Boishakh event is also held in the Sydney Olympic Park by the Bangabandhu Council of Australia.

[nitesh-123n]

How to learn Bengali at Home by yourself?

The lilting strains of Rabindra Sangeet weave a spell, or perhaps the allure of Bengal's vibrant culture beckons. Whatever your reason for wanting to learn Bengali, your home is the perfect springboard for this linguistic adventure. Fear not, language explorer, for this guide will equip you with the tools to navigate the path to Bengali fluency.

1. Mastering the Musical Script: Unveiling the Beauty of Bangla

Bengali's unique script, Bangla, with its graceful curves and logical structure, may appear intimidating at first. But fret not! Approach it like a captivating puzzle waiting to be unraveled. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the consonant and vowel sounds, devoting a portion of each day to writing practice. Remember, consistent practice is the key to etching those beautiful characters into your memory, and who knows, you might even develop beautiful penmanship in the process!

2. Befriending the Building Blocks: Building Your Bengali Vocabulary

Now that you can proudly write your name in Bengali (quite the feat!), it's time to expand your linguistic circle. Focus on acquiring everyday words and phrases first. Greetings, introductions, and expressing basic needs – these are the essential building blocks of conversation. Utilize flashcards, language learning apps, or create your own visual memory aids to solidify these new friends in your mind. Think of it as building a vibrant vocabulary village!

3. Tune into the Melody: Cultivating Pronunciation Prowess

Bengali is a language that sings. Mastering pronunciation is not just about being understood, but also about appreciating the inherent musicality of the language. Embrace the abundance of audio resources online – movies, songs, podcasts – and mimic what you hear. Don't be afraid to let loose and embrace the funny sounds at first; fluency starts with shedding inhibitions and embracing the joy of making new sounds!

4. Grammar Gems: Unveiling the Language's Secrets

As you progress on your journey, delve into the fascinating world of Bengali grammar. While it might seem complex initially, understanding sentence structure and verb conjugations will unlock a deeper comprehension of the language. There's a wealth of online grammar resources and textbooks available to guide you on this enriching exploration.

5. From Text to Context: Reading for Comprehension

Once you've grasped the fundamentals, it's time to explore Bengali in its written form. Start with children's books or comics that have simple illustrations to provide context. Gradually graduate to short stories, articles, or even Bengali translations of your favorite books. Imagine the thrill of unraveling a captivating story in a new language!

6. Speaking Up: Finding Your Bengali Voice

The magic of language truly comes alive when you use it! Don't be afraid to speak Bengali, even if it's just to yourself at first. Practice common phrases, narrate your day in Bengali, or find a language exchange partner online. The more you speak, the more comfortable and confident you'll become. Remember, even toddlers babble before they speak fluently!

7. Embrace the Culture: Immersing Yourself in the Bengali World

Learning a language is a gateway to a new culture. Immerse yourself in Bengali movies, music, and even delve into the culinary delights of Bengal! Surrounding yourself with the language in its natural habitat will not only accelerate your learning but also cultivate a deeper appreciation for the culture. Imagine the satisfaction of whipping up a delicious Bengali dish while conversing with a local in their native tongue!

8. Celebrate the Journey: The Sweet Rewards of Language Learning

The path to language fluency is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be days of frustration, but there will also be moments of pure joy when you understand a conversation or read a sentence flawlessly. Embrace the journey, celebrate your milestones, no matter how small they may seem, and most importantly, have fun!

9. Conclusion: Your Bengali Adventure Beckons

So, are you ready to embark on your exciting Bengali adventure? With dedication, the right resources, and a sprinkle of enthusiasm, you'll be conversing with the locals and singing Rabindra Sangeet like a seasoned pro in no time. Remember, the most important ingredient is your passion for the language – let it guide you on this enriching exploration of the vibrant world of Bengali!

[bongboyblog]

05-09-2020

[lifeinbdbelike-blog]

Chapitre 10 - Rideau

               Je pars dans une semaine.

                 J'ai commencé à préparer ma valise, je règle les derniers petits détails. Petite boule au ventre et léger poids sur la poitrine.

                 J'ai du mal à réaliser tout ce que j'ai vécu en cinq mois. En anglais j'aurai dit qu'y penser est overwhelming. Pour les non anglophones, la traduction la plus proche serait "écrasant". Je suis overwhelmed, submergée, bouleversée. Ça a l'air négatif comme ça alors que pas du tout. C'est juste que c'est trop fort. Je suis déjà nostalgique de tous ces moments incroyables.

                 Mi avril, on a fêté le nouvel an bangla. Suvo noboborsho ! Joyeuse nouvelle année 1424 ! Les célébrations sont comptées parmi l'héritage culturel de l'humanité par l'UNESCO. C'était beau. Le dress code était rouge et blanc, on a pu sortir nos jolis saris avec Maxine et Valentin a mis son panjabi. On était beaux.

               Le vendredi, Asif, sa femme (et le petit prince), Ishtiaq et Samia qui travaillent avec nous, nous ont emmené fêter le nouvel an avec eux. On est allé dans un endroit où il n'y avait pas trop de monde, beaucoup de gens avaient peur d'un nouvel attentat pendant les célébrations. Mais tout s'est très bien passé, aucun problème à déclarer ! On a fait beaucoup de photos, de la "grande roue" - et par grande roue, j'entends une petite roue en bois mise en mouvement par des gens motivés - et on a même eu droit à un charmeur de serpent.      J'ai même conduit la voiture d'Ishtiaq ! Bon ok, j'ai conduit sa voiture autour de mon immeuble. Et c'était une automatique. Mais ça compte un peu quand même. Asif m'a même dit que je conduisais bien. Pour quelqu'un qui n'avait pas son permis.

               Le soir, on a enchainé avec une Gamucha party. Une gamucha, c'est une sorte de serviette portée et utilisée par les hommes en Inde et au Bangladesh et c'était le thème de notre soirée. Dans la suite présidentielle d'un hôtel, parce qu'on ne fait pas les choses à moitié à Dhaka. Tu comprends pourquoi je n'ai pas envie de partir haha ?

                 C'est vraiment la période où j'ai l'impression que tout s'est enchainé super vite. Alors que ça allait déjà beaucoup trop vite pour que j'arrive à suivre le rythme.

               Le Crou, déjà composé de Maxine, Valentin, Florent et Selim, moins Shad qui était parti, a été rejoint par Alizée et Chelsea, toutes les deux de passage sur Dacca. Alizée travaille au service économique de l'ambassade, et Chelsea a rejoint la coloc et travaille chez Grameen Danone. C'était de bonnes recrues ! On perdait notre statut de princesses avec Max mais on gagnait des copines donc c'était cool. Je ne sais pas si j'ai suffisamment mis l'accent sur l'importance du Crou dans ma vie ici. C'est mes meilleur.e.s copains.ines et sans elleux tout ça aurait été bien moins fun. Et rejoindre le Crou n'est pas donné à tout le monde, on a toute une batterie de tests et différents rites initiatiques de la plus haute importance. Non, en vrai il suffit principalement d'être cool et plein.e d'amour. À la fois, heureusement qu'on se supporte pas trop mal parce qu'on passe vraiment tout notre temps ensemble haha !

                 Un autre weekend marquant a été la soirée au Méridien qui était assez surréaliste. C'était censé être la plus grosse soirée de l'année à Dacca, organisée tous les ans par une boîte d'événementiel, la Hawaïan Party (parce qu'on n'est jamais assez kitch). Elle devait avoir lieu un jeudi soir sur le rooftop du Meridien, un hôtel très haut de gamme de la capitale. Je crois que je n'ai jamais passé autant de temps dans des hôtels de toute ma vie que ces cinq derniers mois au Bangladesh…

               Sauf que, c'est le Bangladesh justement et que ça fonctionne rarement comme prévu. Le jeudi soir, alors que le Crou + notre coloc Yaana était en train de profiter d'un petit before à l'appart, super excité à l'approche de la soirée, ascenseur émotionnel. À moins de deux heures du début, on apprend que tout est annulé pour raisons de sécurité. Voilà voilà. Grosse déception. Apparemment, la soirée est repoussée au lendemain, il faudra encore un peu patienter.

               Sauf que, deuxième annulation. La soirée est à nouveau reportée au samedi soir. Sauf que le dimanche, tout le monde travaille ici (papa, maman, désolée). On ne se laisse pas abattre (je viens de relire cette phrase et me rends compte de son énormité, pardonne moi). Les tickets étaient bien trop chers pour qu'on ne profite pas de cette soirée. Tout le monde se motive, du moins dans le Crou, la plupart des expats ne sont finalement pas venu.e.s et il y avait donc beaucoup beaucoup moins de monde que prévu. Mais soit, on est tout de même là pour s'amuser.

               Je t'épargnerai tous les détails de Valentin qui oublie son ticket, retourne à l'appart le chercher et casse le verrou en essayant d'entrer, laissant les quatre personnes y habitant, la copine de Yaana et Flo qui y avait oublié ses clés, sans maison. Heureusement, tout a été réparé avant qu'on ne rentre.

               On a beaucoup dansé, le cadre était assez dingue, j'ai essayé de convaincre tout le monde de venir à la piscine avec moi toute la nuit mais personne n'a cédé. Ce qui, rétrospectivement, n'était peut être pas une si mauvaise chose. Après, on a enchainé avec un after du futur. Aucune idée de qui nous a invité, mais on s'est retrouvé dans une maison digne du Parrain. Quatre étages, des aquariums géants dans les escaliers, et au dernier étage, une grande salle avec un bar, un billard, un babyfoot, une salle de sport et un sauna. On attendait juste de trouver une tête de chevale quelque part. C'était assez surréaliste.

               Le lendemain matin a été un tout petit peu compliqué. Tu demanderas à Valentin.

                 Alors, petite parenthèse. Comme je raconte plus souvent les moments où je fais la fête ou ceux où je pars en vadrouille, que mon travail, on a tendance à légèrement me railler à ce sujet (prends toi ce joli euphémisme dans les dents). Mais oui, il m'arrive aussi de travailler entre deux pauses. Mais te raconter comment je rentre les données de mes recherches de terrain sur Excel est un peu moins fun que te raconter mes bêtises. Fin de la parenthèse.

                 C'était déjà tout bientôt le départ de Maxine. Comment allais-je survivre ? C'est encore compliqué.

               Pour profiter des derniers jours, Asif et Ishtiaq nous ont emmené en moto avec Max et Matt un weekend. On est allé à 300 feet, c'est une sorte de marché avec pleins de trucs trop cool. Heureusement que j'aime beaucoup Ishtiaq et Matt, parce que j'ai passé tout le trajet entre les deux sur une moto, crois moi, ça rapproche ! On est passé par l'autoroute. Enfin, ce qu'iels appellent autoroute ici haha ! Parce que personne ne dépasse les 80 km/h. Mais c'était trop agréable, je me suis découvert une grande passion pour la moto ici ! Du coup, on a mangé là bas (manger = s'exploser le bide, évidemment) et j'ai bu ma première eau de coco de ma vie, plus grosse révélation du monde, meilleur truc de l'univers, rien n'est plus pareil dorénavant, je suis passée par une sorte de renaissance via l'eau de coco, tout est plus beau. Et j'exagère à peine.

               Dans la foulée, on a aussi organisé un petit diner d'au revoir pour Maxine, avec le Crou, Rob et Kate et Asif, Ishtiaq et Samia. Trop d'émotion. Pas autant que pour son dernier jour au bureau cela dit, où elle a passé la journée (au moins) à pleurer. Trop fragiles les gens.

               Pour son dernier soir, la veille de son départ pour la Thaïlande, il y avait grosse soirée au Dutch Club. C'était leur plus grosse soirée de l'année apparemment, la "King's Day Orange Party", où tout le monde était censé être habillé en orange. Bon, en fin de compte, il n'y avait vraiment que les hollandais pour porter du orange. Mais le truc ultra cool c'est que c'était une pool party. Et comme on est clairement des enfants, on a vraiment passé la soirée dans la piscine hahaha. C'était trop bien. Cette soirée était vraiment cool. Sauf vers la fin, quand tout le monde commençait à partir et que j'avais enfin séché, l'appel de la piscine a été trop fort, j'ai enlevé mon t-shirt et sauté à nouveau dedans. Mais en sortant, impossible de trouver le dit t-shirt. J'avoue que sur le moment, ce n'était pas ma plus grande préoccupation. Mais plusieurs personnes on tenté de me raisonner pour me dire qu'il n'était peut être pas très judicieux de sortir dans Dacca, au Bangladesh, en short et haut de maillot. Dans tous les cas, malgré une investigation for poussée, toujours impossible de mettre la main sur ce t-shirt. Heureusement, comme je suis gentille (ou comme je fais un peu pitié, je n'ai toujours pas tranché), une bonne âme sortie de nulle part s'est dévêtue pour me prêter son panjabi. Je n'ai jamais réussi à remettre la main sur ce jeune homme par la suite, j'ai donc gagné un panjabi fort joli.

               J'étais censée me lever à 8h le lendemain matin et Asif devait passer me chercher pour qu'on accompagne Maxine à l'aéroport. Sauf que, le Bangladesh tout ça. Après la soirée au Dutch, on a enchainé sur d'autres after avec Valentin et on est donc rentrés assez tôt. Il se peut donc que j'ai raté mon réveil. Peut être même que Asif a passé une demi heure à sonner à ma porte sans que personne ne l'entende. Je suis vraiment une mauvaise pote. Je me suis réveillée deux heures plus tard avec quelque chose comme dix sept appels et quelques douze milles messages sur mon téléphone. Et je m'en suis un petit peu voulue, j'avoue. Mais la pression n'était pas non plus énorme. Autant Maxine était trop ma coupine, autant je sais que je vais la revoir bientôt. Au mieux cet été, au pire le dernier weekend de septembre où je vais au Luxembourg pour fêter son anniversaire ! D'ailleurs Asif sera aussi là, et peut être même Matt, ça sera les jolies retrouvailles de la team Friendship !

                 En parlant de Matt, nouvel abandon. Il est parti juste après Maxine. Me laissant être la seule bideshi de tout Friendship ! Nouvel épisode de tristesse donc, il était trop chouette Matt, mais pareil, une fois en Europe, ce sera moins compliqué pour se capter de temps en temps !

               Et puis on l'a troqué pour une nouvelle recrue dans le Crou, Benjamin qui a débarqué à Dacca pour travailler à l'ambassade. On a mis plus longtemps pour l'accepter au sein du Crou parce qu'on trouvait au début qu'il ne remplissait pas suffisamment les critères (càd, être cool et plein d'amour). Mais finalement, ça va il est cool et plein d'amour aussi, c'est un peu le nouvel élément comique de cette équipe !

                 Dans la partie culture, j'ai pas mal enchaîné ce mois ci aussi. On est d'abord allé à Sonargaon avec Alizée, Chelsea, Flo et Val. À une heure de Dacca, c'est un ancien centre administratif et commercial du Bangladesh super touristique (pour le Bangladesh j'entends) situé dans le delta du Gange. On a même vu un éléphant sur le chemin ! On a visité l'ancienne ville de Panam City qui date de l'époque britannique et le Taj Mahal bangladais. Il faisait extrêmement chaud mais c'était rudement bien d'avoir un peu d'histoire !

               Après, on s'est enfin décidé avec Valentin à réorganiser notre trip à Sreemangal, annulé la dernière fois pour cause d'attentats. C'est une ville dans le nord du pays, dans la région de Sylhet, connue pour ses plantations de thé. On voulait y aller en train, sauf qu'on s'y est pris vraiment à la dernière minute pour acheter les billets (classique de cette grosse team). Du coup, le jeudi soir, veille du départ, on a appris à la gare que tout avait été vendu. On a essayé de voir si c'était possible d'y aller en bus, mais c'était beaucoup plus compliqué, soit plus cher soit les horaires ne nous convenaient pas. On s'est donc levé à 5h du matin le vendredi pour retourner à la gare y acheter des billets de dernière minute. On a réussi à en trouver, mais c'était évidemment des billets debout. Ça ne nous dérangeait pas vraiment de faire les quatre heures sans cabine ni clim mais c'était vraiment drôle parce que tout le monde dans le train venait nous demander pourquoi nous n'avions pas de siège, ils ne comprenaient pas que des bideshi puissent rester debout. Ah aussi Valentin a eu la bonne idée de me dire une fois dans le train, serré au milieu de tout le monde, qu'il faisait des crises de panique dans les transports en commun. Génial, paie ton trajet. Heureusement, passé les premiers arrêts, le train s'est énormément vidé et on a pu trouver des endroits où se caler de façon un peu plus confortable. Val avait aussi la merveilleuse idée de vouloir monter sur le toit du train comme font beaucoup de bangladais, sauf que personne ne nous a laissé faire (heureusement ?). Un des contrôleur nous a même sorti "if a Bangla dies ok, if a bideshi dies, not ok !", ce qui pourrait être traduit par "nous tenons énormément à votre sécurité". Au bout d'un peu plus de deux heures, on est passé en mode grand luxe, une des cabines s'était partiellement libérée, et on est venu nous chercher pour nous faire asseoir tranquillement sous la clim, bien moins roots que ce à quoi je m'attendais !

               Une fois sur place, Valentin avait réservé une super guesthouse qu'on lui avait recommandé au boulot. C'était tellement agréable d'être en dehors de Dacca, à la campagne, dans le calme des plantations de thé ! Tout était vert et paisible, c'était incroyable. La guesthouse était géniale, c'était des petites maisons trop mimi sur pilotis au milieu de la nature. On a été super bien accueilli, le propriétaire était adorable et on a pas mal discuté avec lui. Et la bouffe grands dieux ! Ca faisait longtemps que je n'avais pas parlé nourriture mais c'était formidable ! Du coup on a passé deux jours à se promener, dans les villages alentours, dans les plantations de thé, autour d'un lac et dans la jungle. C'était la première fois que j'allais dans la jungle c'était fou ! Trop de bruits d'animaux ! Bon c'était la jungle balisée avec un petit chemin pour touristes mais même ! Une famille nous a invité à prendre le thé chez elleux aussi, c'était beaucoup trop gentil, on a rencontré tout le monde pendant une petite heure dans leur maison, ça a fait l'attraction dans tout le quartier. On a aussi eu droit à l'orage pendant la nuit, ultra impressionnant, grosse pluie et plein de tonnerre et d'éclairs, plus d'électricité et plus d'eau le lendemain matin. Le truc le plus fantastique de ce weekend qui a révolutionné ma vie à peu près autant que l'eau de coco, a été de découvrir comment poussent les ananas. T'es tu jamais demandé comment poussait un ananas ? Je ne crois pas et moi non plus. Et bien c'est DINGUE. Et je pèse mes mots. Il y en avait partout, j'étais un peu plus émerveillée chaque seconde. On a malheureusement dû rentrer le samedi soir, on a pris un bus vers 17h parce qu'il n'y avaient plus de trains et on est arrivé vers 21h à Dacca, juste avant d'aller s'écrouler pour retourner au boulot le lendemain. Et il faisait un milliard de degrés aussi.

               On s'est pas laissé abattre par ce weekend intense et dans la semaine qui a suivi, on est reparti pour Chittagong, la deuxième ville du pays, parce que c'était férié. On a pris le bus de nuit le mardi soir. Je t'épargnerais aussi les commentaires de Valentin à coup de "mais non on est large" et "c'est le Bangladesh, ils sont tout le temps en retard" qui nous ont fait rater ledit bus. Ouais, on a réussi à être plus en retard que le Bangladesh. Heureusement, on a pu à le récupérer à l'arrêt suivant car la compagnie a eu trop pitié de nous et l'a appelé pour lui demander de nous attendre. C'était super drôle aussi parce que quand on monte dans un bus ici, ils passe avec une caméra pour filmer chaque passager un par un. Au cas où le bus ait un accident et que les corps ne soient pas identifiables. Parfait. On a voyagé léger, on n'avait même pas de sac à dos, le top de l'organisation pour changer haha !

               On est arrivé un peu avant sept heures le matin (c'est à moins de 300km, juste pour préciser) avec assez peu d'heures de sommeil dans les pattes. Sauf qu'en fait on ne s'est pas arrêté au bon endroit. Oui, j'ai oublié de te prévenir que c'était la journée de l'échec un peu. Nous on voulait descendre à Chittagong la ville, quand on est descendu, que le bus est parti et qu'on était au milieu de la campagne tout seuls, on s'est dit qu'il y avait un problème. En fait, on était descendu à Chittagong mais le district, soit bien 25 bornes du centre ville. Et dieu sait ce que ça représente 25 bornes dans ce pays. Donc face à ce premier échec cuisant, on a décidé de prendre un CNG pour aller déjeuner au bord de mer. On a pris le CNG, on s'est pas du tout retrouvé au bord de la mer et on est finalement revenu au point de départ. Face à ce deuxième échec cuisant, on a pris un bus local pour atteindre notre objectif principal, les chantiers de démolition navals. Ce sont parmi les plus gros du monde, c'est ultra sympa parce que le principe c'est que les bateaux de peuvent pas être détruits en Europe par exemple, ça coûte trop cher et les normes sont trop restrictives. À Chittagong, la main d'œuvre est parmi la moins chère du monde et les normes n'existent pas. Du coup les conditions de travail sont horribles et la pollution l'est tout autant. C'est ultra impressionnant et on voulait absolument voir ça. Donc on se retrouve dans ce petit bus local avec aucune idée de l'endroit où on devait descendre (les arrêts de bus ça n'existe qu'en France les enfants). On a donc demandé à un monsieur à côté de nous s'il pouvait nous aider. Et il s'est avéré être d'une extrême gentillesse (bon c'est un peu une norme par ici, ça fait bizarre). Il nous a accompagné toute la matinée plutôt que d'aller au travail. Il a appelé des copains à lui pour nous donner un coup de main, a payé tous nos trajets en bus/CNG et notre petit dej, et nous a emmené jusqu'au cimetière des bateaux. On a essayé plusieurs chantiers mais à chaque fois impossible de rentrer sur place malgré toute la diplomatie du monde. Ils ne voulaient pas qu'on prenne de photos pour montrer ce qui s'y passe une fois rentré en Europe. On a beau eu leur dire que tout le monde était déjà au courant et que personne n'en avait rien à faire, ça c'est toujours soldé par des refus. On a pu prendre quelques photos de loin tout de même mais après une matinée entière à négocier et à mourir de chaud, on a fini par bouger vers midi pour prendre un bus direction le centre ville.

               Après une petite heure de bus fort agréable (non) où mon bras droit à eu l'exclusivité de bronzer à la fenêtre, rendant le gauche bien jaloux, on est enfin arrivé dans Chittagong. C'était horrible. Je ne pensais jamais dire un jour que je trouverais Dacca agréable, mais à côté de Chittagong c'était le Vè arrondissement un dimanche matin. Enormément de monde, énormément de mendicité, un bordel pas possible et impossible de se repérer. On a fini par trouver un café pour se poser un peu, histoire de se sécher et de faire pipi ailleurs que dans la nature (toujours plus agréable je trouve). On avait quand même bien faim mais aucune idée d'où manger. On a demandé à un mec dans un magasin où on s'était arrêté acheter de l'eau de nous conseiller un restau, on a rien compris à ce qu'il nous racontait, on lui a demandé d'expliquer tout ça à un rickshaw et on est enfin arrivé à bon port.

               Après ce semi succès et avec nos ventres pleins, on est allé au Radisson, l'hôtel de luxe de Chittagong, pour profiter de la vue au 20è étage. On a hésité à prendre une bière mais à 7€ la canette d'Heineken, on s'est dit qu'on pourrait s'en passer. On a par contre profité du service de conciergerie, en leur disant qu'on était plus ou moins clients de l'hôtel. Ils nous ont donc expliqué ce qu'il était le mieux de faire dans les alentours étant donné le temps qu'il nous restait. Manque de bol, c'était raté pour les deux autres trucs qu'on voulait faire : l'usine de sel était trop loin et il était trop tard pour le marché aux poissons. Suivant leurs conseils, on est parti visiter un lac, qui s'est avéré être un pseudo parc d'attraction ultra glauque. Tu vois, honnêtement, tu peux retirer ton rêve de te retrouver seul dans un parc d'attraction sans la foule parce que c'est vraiment le truc le plus triste du monde. On a quand même fait le petit tour d'une demi heure en bateau, parce qu'au point où on en était sur l'échelle de l'échec… On s'est bien moqué de nous-mêmes et d'à quel point on était des pigeons quand même, t'as pas besoin de t'y mettre.

               Après ça, on s'est dépêché d'aller à la plage pour voir le couché de soleil. C'était blindé de monde mais j'ai eu mon eau de coco donc j'étais contente. C'était vraiment le moment super cool de la journée qui a rattrapé le reste, au moins on ne s'est pas arrêté sur un échec absolu. Et on est reparti pour prendre notre avion et rentrer à la maison, puants et exténués. Je ne saurais pas te dire si on puait plus ou si on était plus exténués. Gros level des deux côtés. Il m'a fallu à peu près une demi seconde pour m'endormir ce soir là (après la douche). Donc voilà, c'était un peu une journée de galérien mais c'était l'aventure, no regrets. Ah et aussi, en une journée, on a fait car, bus, CNG, rickshaw, bateau, avion et voiture, OK côté emprunte carbone on n’était pas top mais c'est quand même cool à dire !

               Pour le dernier jour de Val, j'avais demandé à Asif et Ishtiaq de nous emmener faire de la moto comme on avait fait avec Maxine et Matt. Du coup on s'est bien promené c'était une chouette journée. On a bu plein d'eau de coco donc ça ne pouvait qu'être bien de toute façon.

               Surtout c'était la partie cool de mon weekend parce que le lendemain Valentin est parti et j'ai du m'attaquer à mon rapport de stage. Il se trouve que je ne m'y suis pas particulièrement mise à l'avance. Surtout pour la partie Serbie que j'avais commencé à Belgrade et que j'avais arrêté en sachant très bien que j'allais me détester six mois plus tard. Je me suis détestée. Je me suis donc retrouvée à rédiger mes 36 pages (soit 14605 mots, soit 71218 caractères sans compter les espaces) de rapport de stage en une semaine. En vrai c'était plutôt drôle, j'avais l'impression d'écrire le guide du routard. J'ai quasi copié-collé des passages de ce blog dedans. Si ça t'intéresse, il sera disponible au 13 rue de l'Université, Service Carrière de Sciences Po.

               Ca m'a pris un peu de temps sur mon boulot à Friendship. Sachant que j'ai mené cette semaine là une mission de la plus haute importance. Runa n'était pas au bureau et une conférence allait être tenue avec des gens d'Europe où quelque chose comme ça. Du coup j'étais la seule personne de l'ONG avec un passeport étranger. On m'a donc emmené dans une warehouse pour acheter de l'alcool. C'était cool, pour une fois qu'on reconnait mes vraies capacités, je me suis sentie réellement utile à cette organisation haha !

               On était début mai, j'ai aussi réalisé que ça faisait exactement un an que j'avais fini mes examens de deuxième année et donc mes cours de licence. Ca faisait bizarre un peu. L'année dernière j'avais du mal à réaliser que la prochaine fois où je poserait mon arrière train dans une salle de cours je serai en master. Et bien pour rassurer mon moi d'il y a un an, à deux mois de la rentrée, ça ne s'est pas arrangé.

                 Dans la parenthèse culture aussi, on est allé visiter une station de traitement de l'eau gérée par Suez avec Alizée et c'était super intéressant. Même si je n'étais pas au top de ma fraicheur ce matin là. Je t'épargnerais le nombre de ce soirée que j'ai enchainé ce weekend là, même si j'en suis tristement fière. Mais comme quoi ça ne m'empêche pas d'être productive et de passer une matinée à me faire expliquer les infrastructures liées à l'eau et tous les traitements que ça implique au Bangladesh !

                 Le weekend après ça, on est parti avec Alizée, Chelsea, Florent et Shounaq à Cox's Bazar, la plus longue plage du monde, pour un petit weekend. Encore une fois on a choisi l'option intensité. On est parti en bus le jeudi soir (et on ne l'a pas raté cette fois ci), sauf Chelsea qui a été obligée de prendre l'avion par sa boite pour raisons de sécurité. On était censé arriver vers 10 ou 11h le lendemain matin. C'est à 400km. Mais, comme d'habitude, le Bangladesh, le trafic, tout ça. Du coup, on lieu de faire le trajet en 10-12h comme c'est le cas d'habitude, on en a mis 17. Dix sept heures. Pour faire quatre cent kilomètres. Tu me diras, c'est toujours mieux que les 21h de Valentin… Sauf que j'ai fais le retour en bus aussi. Avec Shounaq juste, parce que les autres lâches nous ont abandonné pour prendre l'avion. J'ai donc fait 28h de bus en un weekend, arrivant à 7h le dimanche matin à Dacca, juste le temps de repasser à la maison prendre une petite douche avant de repartir au boulot, fraîche et dispo.

               Entre temps on a fait plein de trucs trop cool ! On est allé se promener à la plage, profiter du coucher de soleil. C'était super frustrant parce qu'on ne pouvait pas se baigner, rapport au fait que c'est le Bangladesh. Et perso comme j'ai six ans, si je suis à la plage mais que je peux pas jouer dans les vagues ou faire des pâtés de sables, je suis un peu triste. On a mangé dans des super restau aussi, ça va me manquer ça. Le lendemain, on a visité des temple bouddhistes et c'était assez surprenant de voir ça là. Certes, tu me diras le Bangladesh est toujours plein de surprises. On a fait beaucoup de CNG et on a bu des litres d'eau de coco aussi. À défaut de pouvoir profiter de la mer, on s'est baigné dans la piscine de l'hôtel. Gênance un peu parce qu'on était en maillot et que tout le monde se baigne complètement habillé ici. Ca nous a permis de bien cramer et de rentrer à Dhaka sur une thématique vanille-fraise. L'eau de la piscine était tellement chaude aussi, s'en était désagréable, au bord de la cuisson, j'te jure. En fin de journée, avant d'aller reprendre le bus, on a pu profiter à nouveau de la plage avec Shounaq, c'était super agréable parce qu'il allait y avoir un orage du coup il faisait un peu plus frais. C'était rudement chouette de pouvoir bouquiner sur un transat au bord de la mer.

               Dans la nuit du retour, c'était le début du ramadan aussi. Fin du fun à Dacca, plus de grosses soirées, et début des déjeuners en tête à tête avec moi-même au bureau. J'exagère en vrai, il y a encore des soirées et je ne suis pas la seule à ne pas jeûner, mais ça crée une ambiance particulière quand même. Genre la ville se vide au moment de l'iftar, c'est assez impressionnant de voir Dacca sans personne dans les rues ! Surtout, c'est une période qui faisait un peu peur à pas mal d'expat à cause de l'attentat de l'année dernière et apparemment la sécurité à été renforcée en ville. Après globalement ça ne nous a pas trop changé la vie.

               Sinon, en vrac, c'est enfin la saison des mangues ! Du coup je me pète le bide sur une base quasi quotidienne à base de mangues, de litchis et d'ananas. Un peu plus glam que tes pommes et tes poires hein !

               Mon frère passe son bac. Je m'en remets pas. Qui lui a dit qu'il avait le droit de devenir grand d'un coup là ? C'est mort. Personne m'a demandé mon avis et je suis pas du tout d'accord.

               On a eu une nouvelle coloc, Gargi, à l'appart mais juste pendant une semaine parce qu'après elle a trouvé un truc plus cool. C'était trop triste parce qu'elle était vraiment géniale. Elle préparait son doctorat sur un truc autour de la nutrition et de l'économie donc a discuté de plein de choses hyper intéressantes. Et en plus elle faisait des massages du crane géniaux. Ah oui j'ai oublié de te raconter. Un mec a remplacé Valentin à l'appart, il est vieux et un peu relou. Surtout il ne nous fait pas à manger tous les soirs. Malgré ça, et bien qu'on avait peur de mourir de faim avec Chelsea quand notre cuisto est parti, on se porte bien. Promis on ne commande pas et on cuisine tous les soirs. Et c'est bon. Et on arrive à changer le bidon d'eau toutes seules. Même si c'est lourd. Et on est fières de nous.

               J'ai (enfin) fini mon rapport pour mon étude sur les impacts sociaux des projets menés par mon équipe de Sustainable Economic Development ! Bravo moi ! Je le présente bientôt devant les gens qui pèsent à Friendship, grosse pression. En vrai, je ne suis pas hyper satisfaite de ce que j'ai fait parce que j'ai fait plein d'erreur que je n'ai réalisé qu'après coup, mais j'ai appris énormément en le faisant et je me dis que c'est le principal. En discuter avec Gargi a été vraiment cool aussi parce qu'elle fait de la recherche et qu'un soir où je râlais, elle a passé vingt minutes à me dire que c'était normal que je ne gagne pas de prix Nobel pour la première étude que je réalisais, que c'était normal de faire des erreurs et d'être frustrée et que c'était comme ça qu'on apprenait.

               On a échappé au cyclone à Dacca, on pensait que ça allait venir jusqu'à nous, j'ai même reçu un petit texto de l'ambassade me disant de faire attention. Finalement ça a juste frappé le sud et on a eu un peu de pluie. C'était un mélange de soulagement et de déception haha !

               Un petit nouveau est arrivé à Friendship ! Il s'appelle Armand, il ne reste qu'un mois, et je croyais que c'était encore plus un bébé que moi alors qu'en fait non, je suis déçue. Mais au moins je ne suis plus la seule bideshi au bureau !

               Dernière parenthèse culturelle, je suis retournée faire Old Dhaka avec Alizée, Chelsea, Ben et Armand. On n'avait pas le même guide que la dernière fois, du coup c'était intéressant de voir les choses un peu différemment. Et puis je pouvais me la péter parce que je connaissais déjà certains trucs hehe ! On a refait le chantier des bateaux (comment vais-je survivre sans bateau après Dacca ? Je ne sais pas…), le Pink Palace, l'église arménienne, la mosquée, le quartier hindou , le marché aux épices et on a beaucoup trotté ! Alizée, Ben et Armand sont rentrés en fin d'aprem et avec Chelsea on a demandé au guide de nous emmener faire l'iftar dans un endroit cool. Parce que Chelsea est devenue ma grande comparse de bouffe, on a toutes les deux cette fâcheuse habitude d'aimer un peu trop ce qui se mange, du coup on déculpabilise ensemble (mes jeans sont pas persuadés que ce soit une bonne idée) (non j'rigole, on met pas de jean ici il fait trop chaud !).

               En parlant d'iftar, je suis aussi aller le faire avec mes collègues et iels m'ont offert une trop jolie kameeze aussi pour mon départ !

               Il me semble que c'est tout, je t'ai épargné quelques soirées et après midi tranquilou à faire de l'éco (me juge pas stp) ou à traîner à la piscine mais t'as eu droit au principal de ces derniers mois. Et du coup à l'ensemble de mes aventures bangladaises. T'imagines même pas la tristesse d'écrire ce genre de phrases…

               L'autre jour, un copain m'a demandé quel serait le truc sur Dacca dont j'allais le plus parler à mes ami.e.s en rentrant. J'ai trouvé ça aussi intéressant que complexe comme question. Du coup j'y ais vraiment réfléchi (ça m'arrive). C'est forcément difficile de nommer une unique chose marquante. Je pense que c'est impossible. J'aimerai de toute mes forces donner une impression de l'atmosphère ici et de tout ce qu'implique vivre au Bangladesh. Mes talents littéraires sont bien trop limités pour que je parvienne à te retranscrire mon monde ici. Mais je veux garder en mémoire tous les bons côtés, la coolitude d'Old Dhaka, l'inattendue vie sociale de Gulshan et ses soirées, l'eau de coco et les mangues, tous les trucs auxquels on n'a pas accès en France comme les maids et les drivers, la gentillesse et la chaleur des gens, la bouffe épicée et les rooftops, les trajets en bateau et la pluie. Je ne veux pas oublier pour autant tout ce qui était plus compliqué, les routes aléatoires, les heures passées dans le trafic, les problèmes de sécurité et les attentats, la pollution, la pauvreté et les inégalités, le manque de libertés qui nous semblent ridicules en France comme porter des robes et des shorts, la barrière de la langue ou le poids des traditions. J'aimerai que tu te représentes la chaleur et l'humidité, le soleil et les odeurs, les couleurs et toutes les émotions et les impressions qui existent quand on habite ici.

               Je ne vais pas te mentir, je suis contente de partir. Il me tarde de pouvoir aller me promener tranquillement, porter les fringues que je veux, manger un peu plus varié et avoir un mode de vie plus écolo. Mais je suis aussi sincèrement triste de m'en aller. Je suis déjà nostalgique de tout ce que j'ai vécu ici et tellement heureuse en y pensant à la fois.

               J'avais super peur avant de partir. Genre vraiment peur. Mais à la fois j'adore ça. Je me disais que je serai super fière de moi en rentrant, d'avoir réussi à vivre tout ça. J'ai complètement oublié que je m'étais dit ça au fil des mois et j'y ai repensé récemment. En vrai, je ne suis pas du tout fière. Parce que tout a été beaucoup trop facile. Tout s'est tellement bien passé et j'ai été si bien accompagnée que je n'arrive même pas à être fière de moi. Mais je suis profondément heureuse de tout ce que vivre au Bangladesh m'a appris en terme de culture mais aussi sur le fait de me faire davantage confiance. Je sais que c'est une expérience qui me servira et me poussera à continuer à sortir de ma zone de confort.

               J'allais écrire que le retour à la normale allait être compliqué. Mais je ne suis pas sure d'avoir envie que Paris soit la normale maintenant.

                 Promis le passage pseudo-poético-émotionnello-touchy-feely-cheesy est terminé. J'aurai pu enchainer sur une histoire de vomi mais je n'ai plus été malade depuis la dernière fois….

               Par contre je peux te parler des plans pour la suite (promis après je m'arrête).

               C'est ma dernière semaine à Dacca donc le planning est plutôt chargé ! Je compte faire des trucs tous les jours pour profiter au maximum évidemment. Par "trucs" j'entends principalement dîners, ça me parait évident. Et samedi départ pour Bangkok !

               Oui, je me suis fixée sur la Thaïlande finalement. Vingt jours pour profiter tranquillou. Flo a pris une semaine de vacances pour l'aïd du coup je ne serai pas toute seule la première semaine, j'aurai un ptit morceau de Crou avec moi ! Ca va être trop bien, on n'a rien prévu mais je suis ultra impatiente.

               Du coup, je rentre mi juillet à Paris. D'ailleurs, si par le plus grand hasards, tu connaissais un plan pour 4 pièces dans les 2100€ autour de Sciences Po, tu ferais trois heureuses ! Je dis ça, je dis rien (mes copains.ines ont voté pour m'interdire d'utiliser l'expression "jdcjdr", je suis encore vexée). Après on verra bien pour la suite mais tout va s'enchainer très vite, c'est flippant, c'est excitant, j'aime bien quand c'est comme ça.

                 En attendant,

                                                                         RIDEAU

[banglanotebook]

LANGUAGE LEARNING SCHEDULE

Hey babes!

So I realized that I probably need to try being a little more disciplined when it comes to learning Bangla and that I need to do more than just make daily word posts and I need to stop neglecting other forms of learning. To solve this I’ve devised a learning schedule that will touch on a different method of study every day! Most days will include different posts too, so this should diversify your feed so you can see all the different ways you can engage with Bangla (or any language, really), and it will motivate me to commit to practicing. Of course I may change things within the first few weeks just because this is new to me. And I may still have days where I slack of due to work and life things, so just keep this in mind. Otherwise I’ll try my hardest to adhere to this schedule. 

Each day will be centered around a different method of learning, either learning new concepts, immersing myself in the language, or practicing what I’ve learned. I want to try to use a variety of media so I get a well-rounded experience and sharpen my skills evenly. Below is my plan for the schedule so you know what to expect, and perhaps you can even adapt these habits yourself!

Rachel xxx

SUNDAY STUDIES

Sundays are for research and practice, which can be anything from using study cards to iron out last weeks kinks to studying a new topic. Sunday’s research may also result in lesson posts being prepared so I can explain the new things I learn. You can use Sundays to establish a theme for the week, such as practicing specific verbs for the week, or focusing on school-related conversation for the week. In a way, Sunday is a transitional day from the concepts of last week to fresh concepts for the upcoming week.

Goals/Ideas -Study trouble vocabulary -Go over rusty topics and old notes -Establish a goal/theme for the week -Research/study a new topic *Prepare/post new lessons, if applicable

MANGO MONDAY

Mondays are for practicing with the Mango app and making corresponding notes/posts for the new chapters I learn. There might be weeks where It’ll be more useful to cover old units instead of starting new ones. Monday is an easy day --app-led learning and focusing on common phrases.

Goals/Ideas -Learn a new Mango chapter -Brush up on old chapters -Learn common phrases *Make Mango posts

TRANSLATION TUESDAY

Tuesdays are for translating any interesting materials in my target language. This will provide exposure to different media --songs, dialogue, quotations, excerpts, etc.-- which can cover reading, writing, and listening. Translation is also a great way to challenge yourself by using the knowledge you’ve retained while also seeing where you have room to improve. Tuesdays are mentally challenging days to test your recall and comprehension in your target language.

Goals/Ideas -Translate from native language to target language -Translate from target language to native language -Get comfortable with different forms of media *Post translations (once confident, of course)

WORDY WEDNESDAY

Wednesdays are word-focused days for meaningful vocab building. Identify new words or trouble words (Tuesday might help point these out!) and try to practice using them. Some people may have a hard time with vocab, but I find I learn new words with ease so Wednesdays are easy days where I can learn and engage with new vocab.

Goals/Ideas -Focus on new or difficult words -Make vocab lists/flashcards and review them -Create examples using key vocab -Write journal entries using a vocab list/theme *Make “word of the day” posts for queue

IMMERSIVE THURSDAY

Thursdays are for exploring your target language through a variety of media so you get accustomed to reading, writing, and listening. You can rotate your media each week, or you can focus on what you feel needs work. Thursdays are creative or experimental days where you can play with your target language and practice using it.

Goals/Ideas -Watch films/TV -Converse (messaging or actually talking) -Read a book -Listen to music (and try to sing along!) -Write creative literature (poetry, a story, etc.) -Play a word game/puzzle *Post the chosen exercise for the day

FREE FRIDAY

Fridays are free days where you can take a break from exercises and learning for a day. Although, sometimes if you feel productive it wouldn’t hurt to do something if you feel up for it, just don’t feel like you have to! Fridays are mental health days so you don’t overload yourself.

Goals/Ideas -Relax! Enjoy your day off!

SATURDAY SUPPLEMENTS

Saturdays are for recapping information you’ve been exposed to throughout the week, and they are also good for strengthening your weak points. For example, verbs aren’t my strong suit right now, so on Saturdays I might spend time focusing on verb charts and practicing writing sentences. You might find your Saturdays will be a repeat of one of the other days of the week and that’s okay! Sometimes you need to spend more than one day on a concept! These are also days you can use to make up for a day you missed too. Saturdays are the miscellaneous days that give you an opportunity to focus on concepts that need attention.

Goals/Ideas -Study verb charts -Practice writing -Conversing in target language -Doing worksheets/puzzles -Do research on an area you need help with/are curious about -Ask a native speaker about things you need help with *Post the day’s language activity

Remember, if you run into trouble words or are confused about things throughout the week, write them down so you can take notes or make flashcards later! Also keep in mind that if you’re having a hard time, don’t feel bad doing minimal work. If you can’t do a whole vocab list on Wednesday, at least write down a new word on a flashcard. If you can’t watch a whole movie on Thursday, maybe listen to a song on your commute to work/school. Always try to do something, even if it’s small.

If anyone has any questions, ideas, or comments, please drop by my ask box or leave a comment!

[hannahwayward-blog]

Kolkata Day 4: “All This Weird Beauty, Thrown Right at Me”

Tuesday, my fourth day in Kolkata, dawned far too early as I had fallen asleep at 4:00 the previous afternoon. After unsuccessfully trying to sleep, I finally made my way downstairs for the hotel’s breakfast around 8:30. Much to the enjoyment of the waiter, I ordered a “real Indian breakfast” of tortilla-like breads and potatoes in sauce. Taking my banana for the road, I headed to New Market for some retail therapy, which I felt was well-deserved after the long journey to Dakshineswar on Monday.

New Market is the oldest indoor shopping mall in the world, built around the S. S. Hogg meat market. Going as a Caucasian Westerner is intimidating, even in a group, but going alone was exhausting. As soon as I arrived after the quick walk from my hotel, I was accosted by porters telling me to follow them to the best shops, saying that they would give me the best prices, vying for my patronage. I shunned them, but one relentless older man followed me, and so I let him lead me to an “emporium.” This shop turned out to be the same shop from which I’d bought scarves, a ring, and a tapestry during my last trip to Kolkata, and which had benefited greatly from my DukeEngage group’s almost-weekly visits. Notorious amongst us for the insane prices they tried to charge and aggressive haggling required, I declined to buy anything here and asked my porter to show me to a place to buy shoes. The shop seemed familiar, and may have been the place from which I bought handmade flats last time. I was looking for a pair of leather, closed-toe sandals to add to my travel wardrobe, since the only shoes I’d packed were my trusty Chacos. I found a pair I liked, and after some back and forth, paid Rs. 1900 for them - about $30 USD. This was more than I’d intended to spend the entire day, but I liked the shoes and lacked the strength in numbers to feel empowered to haggle more.

From the shoe shop we went to a store selling pants, scarves, skirts, and other fabrics. I knew I wanted a pair of black pants and a black “om” scarf, similar to the white and red one I’d bought during my first visit. Somehow I ended up paying Rs. 1500 for the pants (WAY too much, and I don’t even like the pants that much - they’re way too ~white girl visits India ~ with multicolored elephants and bells on the drawstrings) and Rs. 1000 for the scarf. Feeling elated, but also a little defeated, I left the market accompanied by the porter and paid him my balance after visiting an ATM.

I wanted to take photos inside the market, so after he set me on a course back to Sudder Street I turned around and headed back inside. I spent probably 15 minutes taking photos of the meat market and the surrounding streets before a young man began following me. Usually I can deter the followers by a shake of my head, a stern “na,” or simply ignoring them, but this man was not to be dissuaded. He kept asking for a “shelfie” with me, which I declined, and continued to tail me as I wove through the meat stalls. I was feeling a bit unsettled, when I saw what I thought would be salvation - a mid-20s, Caucasian man buying beef. I hustled over to him and struck up a conversation, but the man was more of a boy, and totally oblivious to the hints I was dropping that I was being followed. My “daddy,” he told me, “works for Exide, the battery company, and we’ve lived here a year and a half. Enjoy your time here” And with that, I was left with my trailing Bengali man again. Luckily, my porter soon found me and I told him I was being tailed. He quickly ushered me out of the market, told me I shouldn’t be there by myself, and sent me on my way yet again.

Again feeling defeated, I made my way over to Cafe Coffee Day with the help of the map on my phone (and no help from my porter or any locals, who didn’t seem to know what it was). There, I had a latte, and spoke very bad Bangla with the waitress and the host. After spending some time collecting myself, I decided to head over to the Mother House. It appeared that the walk would take about an hour, and I pulled out my camera and went on my way 

The walk was pleasant -- there had been a tremendous thunderstorm on Monday night, and the day was cooler (still in the 100s, but cooler) and cloudy. I took pictures of beautiful, crumbling colonial palaces, walked by shop after shop selling foods and drinks and sweets - and stopped for my favorite Bengali sweet, the dripping, luscious gulab jamun - and felt completely at home amidst the heat and the filth and the bustle. When I arrived at the Mother House, it turned out I had stopped at the wrong place, it was actually a branch of the Missionaries of Charity; the Mother House was further down the road. A young street girl, 19 years old when I asked her age, offered to walk me to the real Mother House. I knew as soon as we started walking that this was going to end in a scam, but I was exhausted from fending off beggars and yellers and askers and attention-grabbers and so I let it happen.

Her name, she said, was Kokomoni. She was married with a one year-old child, she said, and her husband, much older, had fallen out of love with her and was interested in another woman. She worked at a hotel as a cleaner. Recently, she hadn’t been able to produce enough milk for her child, and so “please, ma’am,” she asked, “please buy me some powdered milk. No money, just milk.” Sigh. Upon doing some research once I arrived at the Mother House, after buying her the milk (which cost Rs. 350!!), I did some research. Apparently this is a classic scam, and the milk is shortly exchanged for cash, of which the shop owner takes a cut.

Not only had I just been ripped off, but the Mother House was closed. Double sigh. And my phone had just run out of rupees. Triple sigh. I was exhausted - tired of being stared at whistled at and yelled at, tired of sticking out. I sat on the stoop of the House for a bit, collecting myself yet again, and then decided to go down to my old neighborhood.

From Park Street, I took the metro down to Kalighat. My first order of business was to purchase a chicken egg roll from our beloved Bavarchi, one block up from our old home. To my dismay, Bavarchi was closed! There were two new restaurants in its place, one Chinese and one offering rolls. I got a chicken roll, which was almost (but not quite) as good as the ones I was used to. Chicken rolls in West Bengal aren’t the Chinese type that comes to mind, but deep fried naan-esque bread rolled around kabaab-cooked chicken and veggies. I ate it as I walked through the neighborhood and made my way down to Rabindra Sadan Lake, where I spent an uneventful hour or two walking the lakeside path.

When I left the lake, I decided to head to the Gariahat street market to get mehendi (henna), since I remembered having it done outside the Spencer’s grocery store there six years back. As I waited beside I chai stall to cross the street, I saw teeny little kittens darting around the stall’s wheels. I squealed, and a older lady sitting on one of the benches grinned. As I knelt down to try to entice one of the kittens to come closer, the woman was more successful, and lured a kitten to her only to snatch it up by the scruff of the neck and hold it out to me. Thrilled, I cuddled the distraught kitten for a moment before setting it down, thanking the kind lady with “dhono badh” (that’s a very butchered, phonetic spelling), and crossing back up to Rash Behari road.

I walked through Kalighat and the fruit and veggie market, then through rows and rows of saris and salwar kameez and backpacks and umbrellas before finding an entire row of mehendi stalls. I plopped down on one and told them I could spend 100 Rupees only - last time we got mehendi we got gloriously swindled into paying like 1500 apiece - to which they agreed. Apparently, each side of a hand costs Rs. 50, so I got the palm of each hand painted and then sat with the stall owners, Olima and Ashok, for a bit while my hands dried. They laughed with me as I sputtered out different phrases in broken Bangla, and taught me the words for big cat and little cat as we watched a cute orange and white kitten weave in and out of the stalls. The neighboring stall sold hair clips and bindis, and the young boy running the stall watched in amusement as I worked on “choto biral” (small cat) and “bolo biral” (big cat).

I took the metro back up once my mehendi was dry-ish, used another roadside bathroom stall for Rs. 2, and arrived back at my hotel around 6:00. My plan was to sleep early since I had been awake so early, but I was super hungry. Begrudgingly, I ordered the overpriced room service, and called it a night pretty late. 

The phrase that kept repeating itself during my self-guided walking tour of the city was (don’t judge me) Lady Gaga’s “Beautiful, Dirty, Rich.” Kolkata is the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen, and it’s difficult for me to describe why to people who haven’t been. The old world colonial buildings are streaked with dark lines from years of torrential downpours, and the newer buildings are painted in bright reds and blues and yellows. All of this clamors for space amidst the jungle, which fights against the city to overtake it, striking a tenuous balance of lush and green and industrial and manmade. The city  busy and loud, and no one can argue that it’s clean. Excrement from hordes of homeless people and from goats and cows and cats and dogs, garbage and food due to the lack of a strict municipal garbage system; the aromas of street food and sweets; and the sweat of millions of bodies all mix together to create an aroma that is, at best, disturbing, and at worst, gag-inducing. Piles of garbage line the streets and the air is full of haze from the gasoline of thousands of taxis and autorickshaws and motors and cookfires. And yet - every person, especially the women, greet me with a smile. People talk loudly and animatedly and argue and hold hands and sing. Indian music blares from car radios and the speakers of the shops. It’s intoxicating. It’s beautiful, dirty, and rich in every sense except for financially. There’s nowhere else like it. I’ve said hundreds of times that it’s exhausting, and it’s even moreso traveling there alone. Without the solidarity of travel companions, I stand out that much more. I am never alone and never not being stared at. I never blend in. As a friend in Bangalore helped me articulate, I know the city, but the city doesn’t know me. It’s almost unnerving at times, but still, the city has its hooks in me. I love it more than I’ll ever be able to convey, even when I hate it - and sometimes, I loathe the filth and the heat and the crowdedness. But I still love it, and it will always feel like another home.

[bharatiyamedia-blog]

With iOS 13, Apple delivers new options to court docket customers in India – TechCrunch

http://tinyurl.com/y3jbscu2 Apple has lastly listened to its small, however slowly rising person base in India. The iPhone-maker right now introduced a range of features in iOS 1three which might be designed to appease customers on this planet’s second largest smartphone market. First up, the corporate says Siri now gives an all new and “extra pure” Indian English female and male voices. The corporate has additionally launched a bilingual keyboard, that includes assist for Hindi and English languages. The keyboard additionally gives typing predictions in Devanagari Hindi that may recommend the following phrase as a person varieties and it learns from typing over time. Moreover, the keyboard in iOS 13 helps 15 further Indian languages, up from seven earlier. The brand new languages are Assamese, Bodo, Dogri, Kashmiri (Devanagari, Arabic), Konkani (Devanagari), Manipuri (Bangla, Meetei Mayek), Maithili, Nepali, Sanskrit, Santali (Devanagari, Ol Chiki), and Sindhi (Devanagari, Arabic). The addition of those options comes as Apple grows extra critical about India, a market the place it has about 1% of the smartphone market share, in response to analysis agency Counterpoint. Customers in India have lengthy complained about Apple providers not being fully optimized for Indian local conditions. Siri, as an example, has to this point supplied restricted functionalities in India. And plenty of Apple providers reminiscent of Apple Pay and Apple Information should not accessible within the nation. The upcoming model of iOS, which can ship to a spread of iPhone handsets later this yr, additionally consists of 4 new system fonts in Indian languages — Gurmukhi, Kannada, Odia, and Gujarati. These will “assist ship higher readability and ease when studying in apps like Safari, typing in Messages and Mail, or swiping by way of Contacts,” the corporate stated. Moreover, there are 30 new doc fonts for Indian languages Hindi, Marathi, Nepali, Sanskrit, Bengali, Assamese, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Kannada, Gurmukhi, Malayalam, Odia, and Urdu. Apple says iOS 13 may also allow improved video downloading possibility for patchy networks. It says customers can now set an optimized time of the day in apps reminiscent of Hotstar and Netflix to obtain movies. Consumption of video apps is more and more skyrocketing in India. Simply final week, Alibaba stated it was investing $100 million in its short video app called Vmate within the nation. In current months, Apple has additionally improved Apple Maps in India. Earlier this yr, Apple Maps added assist for turn-by-turn navigation, and commenced to permit customers to ebook a cab — from Ola or Uber — straight from inside the app. The corporate has additionally been aggressively hiring folks to broaden its Maps and different software program groups in  the nation, in response to job postings on the corporate’s web site. Source link

[marilynngmesalo]

TIGHT SECURITY: Donald Trump en route to Vietnam for summit with Kim Jong Un

TIGHT SECURITY: Donald Trump en route to Vietnam for summit with Kim Jong Un TIGHT SECURITY: Donald Trump en route to Vietnam for summit with Kim Jong Un https://ift.tt/2Nq8iiU

HANOI, Vietnam — With North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on an armoured train barrelling through China toward Vietnam’s capital, and U.S. President Donald Trump en route to Hanoi, Vietnamese officials scrambled Monday to finish preparations for a rushed summit that will capture global attention.

Officials in Hanoi said they had about 10 days to prepare for the summit — much less than the nearly two months they said Singapore was given for the first Trump-Kim meeting last year– but still vowed to provide airtight security for the two leaders.

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“Security will be at the maximum level,” Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung told reporters at a briefing meant to showcase the nation’s efforts to welcome Kim and Trump.

Another official, Nguyen Manh Hung, the leader of the information ministry, said the 3,000 journalists from 40 countries expected in Hanoi could rely on his agency as “you’d count on a family member.”

The world will be watching as Trump and Kim deal with one of Asia’s biggest security challenges: North Korea’s pursuit of a nuclear program that stands on the verge of viably threatening any target on the planet.

Although many experts are skeptical that Kim will give up the nukes he likely sees as his best guarantee of continued rule, there was a palpable, carnival-like excitement among many in Hanoi as the final preparations were put in place.

T-shirts were being sold bearing Kim’s face along with the phrase “Rocket Man,” a nod to the insulting nickname Trump gave Kim in 2017, when North Korean weapons tests and back-and-forth threats by the leaders had many fearing war. Kindergarteners dressed in traditional Korean Hanbok were practicing songs meant to welcome Kim. Grinning tourists were posing in front of the hundreds of U.S. and North Korean flags around the city.

The ultra-tight security will be appreciated by North Korean authorities, who are extremely vigilant about the safety of Kim, the third member of his family to rule the North with absolute power. Kim’s decision to take a train, not a plane, may have been influenced by better ability to control security. When Kim flew to Singapore, North Korea borrowed a Chinese plane.

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Vietnam is eager to show off its huge economic and development improvements since the destruction of the Vietnam War, but the country also tolerates no dissent and is able to provide the kind of firm hand not allowed by more democratic potential hosts.

Take the reaction to two men impersonating Kim and Trump who’d been posing for pictures with curious onlookers ahead of the summit.

Last week, the Kim lookalike, whose name is Lee Howard Ho Wun, posted on Facebook that about 15 police or immigration officers demanded a mandatory “interview” and threatened him with deportation. He said officials later told him that his visa was invalid and he had to leave the country.

“I feel a little bit annoyed,” the Hong Kong-based impersonator, who uses the name Howard X, said as he checked out of his hotel. “But what is to be expected of a one-party state with no sense of humour?”

Howard X, right, an Australian impersonating North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, waves as Russel White, a U.S. President Donald Trump impersonator, gestures from a car outside La Paix hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019.

Vietnam has also announced an unprecedented traffic ban along a possible arrival route for Kim. The Communist Party’s Nhan Dan newspaper quoted the Roads Department as saying the ban will affect the 169-kilometre (105-mile) stretch of Highway One from Dong Dang, on the border with China, to Hanoi.

Hundreds of soldiers guarded the area near the Dong Dang railway station on Monday ahead of Kim’s expected arrival. Kim may get off his train in Dong Dang and finish his journey to Hanoi by car.

“Dong Dang station will receive leader Kim Jong Un’s train, after it passes the Vietnam-China border, starting his official visit to Vietnam and attend USA-DPRK summit,” Vietnam’s Government Office said in a statement. DPRK is an abbreviation of North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Preparations continue as security is strengthened at Dong Dang railway station ahead of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s arrival on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 in Lang Son, Vietnam.

There are high expectations for the Hanoi summit after a vague declaration at the first meeting in June in Singapore that disappointed many.

In a meeting with senior aides in Seoul, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Monday that the Trump-Kim talks would be a critical opportunity to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Moon, who met Kim three times last year and has lobbied hard to revive nuclear diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea, is eager for a breakthrough that would allow him to push ambitious plans for inter-Korean engagement, including lucrative joint economic projects that are held back by U.S.-led sanctions against the North.

“If President Trump succeeds in dissolving the world’s last remaining Cold War rivalry, it will become yet another great feat that will be indelibly recorded in world history,” Moon said.

Trump, via Twitter, has worked to temper those expectations, predicting before leaving for Hanoi a “continuation of the progress” made in Singapore but adding a tantalizing nod to “Denuclearization?” He also said that Kim knows that “without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World.”

North Korea has spent decades, at great political and economic sacrifice, building its nuclear program, and there is widespread skepticism among experts that it will give away that program cheaply.

South Korean media have reported that Trump and Kim might strike a deal that stops short of a hoped-for roadmap for full North Korean denuclearization.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on “Fox News Sunday” that he was hoping for a “substantive step forward.” He cautioned, “it may not happen, but I hope that it will.”

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