#dhaka best buffet

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Buffet at Jhal Café & Restaurant | Mirpur 11 | Dhaka | Family Tube

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Best Central Inn Dhaka: Your Ideal Urban Retreat

In the bustling heart of Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, finding a peaceful retreat can seem like a daunting task. However, nestled amid the chaos and energy of the city lies Central Inn Dhaka, an oasis of comfort and convenience. Whether you're a business traveler seeking a strategic location, a tourist exploring the cultural richness of Dhaka, or simply someone needing a quiet, restful stay, Central Inn Dhaka promises to deliver a home away from home. This article will take you through the many facets that make Central Inn Dhaka a standout choice for accommodation in the city.

1. Prime Location in the Heart of Dhaka

One of the key advantages of Central Inn Dhaka is its prime location. The inn is conveniently located near the city's central business district, making it an ideal base for both business and leisure travelers. Its proximity to major offices, shopping malls, restaurants, and tourist attractions offers guests easy access to the essentials, ensuring they spend less time commuting and more time enjoying their stay.

For international visitors, Central Inn Dhaka is situated not far from Shahjalal International Airport, minimizing the stress of long commutes after a flight. Additionally, its close proximity to popular landmarks such as the Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil, and the vibrant streets of Old Dhaka makes it an excellent starting point for exploring the city.

2. Comfortable and Elegant Accommodation

At Central Inn Dhaka, guests can expect to find a wide range of accommodation options designed to meet their varied needs. Whether you're traveling solo, with family, or in a group, there are rooms that cater to every type of guest. The rooms are thoughtfully designed to combine modern elegance with comfort, featuring contemporary furniture, tasteful décor, and cozy bedding.

Each room is equipped with essential amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions, air conditioning, and well-appointed en-suite bathrooms. Additionally, the rooms are designed to offer a sense of tranquility, allowing guests to escape the hustle and bustle of the city once they step inside.

Guests can choose from standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and suite accommodations, depending on their preferences. The suites, in particular, provide added space and luxury, making them an excellent option for extended stays or for travelers seeking a little extra indulgence.

3. World-Class Dining Options

A key highlight of any stay at Central Inn Dhaka is the culinary experience it offers. The inn boasts an in-house restaurant that serves a diverse menu of both local and international cuisines. Whether you’re in the mood for a traditional Bengali meal, a continental breakfast, or a light snack, the restaurant ensures that your palate is well taken care of.

Breakfast is typically served buffet-style, with an array of options including fresh fruits, pastries, cereals, and made-to-order hot dishes. The lunch and dinner menus are carefully curated to feature a mix of comfort food and gourmet dishes, with something to satisfy every craving.

For those who prefer to dine in the privacy of their room, the hotel also offers room service, allowing guests to enjoy their meals in a more intimate setting.

4. Business and Event Facilities

Central Inn Dhaka is not just a haven for leisure travelers; it’s also a preferred destination for business professionals. The inn is equipped with a number of business facilities, making it an excellent choice for those traveling for work. Whether you need a quiet space to conduct meetings, organize seminars, or host conferences, the inn provides well-equipped meeting rooms and event spaces.

These facilities come with the latest audio-visual technology and high-speed internet, ensuring that business meetings and events run smoothly. The professional staff at the inn are always available to assist with organizing events, catering services, and ensuring that everything goes off without a hitch.

5. Fitness and Wellness Center

For travelers who like to maintain their fitness routine while on the road, Central Inn Dhaka offers a state-of-the-art fitness center. Equipped with modern exercise machines, free weights, and cardio equipment, the fitness center ensures that guests can stay active during their stay.

In addition to the gym, the inn also offers wellness services such as spa treatments and massages, allowing guests to relax and unwind after a long day of work or sightseeing. The wellness center is designed to provide a tranquil atmosphere where guests can rejuvenate both their body and mind.

6. Exceptional Customer Service

One of the defining features of Central Inn Dhaka is its exceptional customer service. The staff at the inn are known for their warm hospitality and attentiveness to guest needs. Whether it’s arranging airport transfers, providing local recommendations, or offering concierge services, the team at Central Inn Dhaka goes above and beyond to ensure that every guest has a memorable and pleasant stay.

From the moment you check in to the time you leave, the staff are dedicated to making sure that all of your needs are met. Whether you require assistance with transportation, booking a tour, or simply need directions, you can rely on the friendly and knowledgeable staff to provide prompt and helpful service.

7. Security and Safety

Safety is always a top priority for travelers, and Central Inn Dhaka takes this seriously. The hotel is equipped with advanced security systems, including surveillance cameras and 24-hour security personnel. In addition, access to guest rooms is restricted to hotel staff and registered guests, ensuring that your stay is safe and secure.

For added peace of mind, the inn also offers secure parking for guests who are traveling with their own vehicles. The staff are trained to handle any emergency situations, and the hotel complies with all local safety regulations, making it a trustworthy choice for guests from around the world.

8. Exploring Dhaka: A Gateway to Adventure

While Central Inn Dhaka offers an array of amenities for guests to enjoy during their stay, its location also makes it a gateway to the many adventures that await in Dhaka. The city is a vibrant mix of history, culture, and modernity, and staying at the inn puts you in close proximity to some of the city’s top attractions.

For history enthusiasts, the Ahsan Manzil (also known as the Pink Palace) is a must-visit. This former residence of the Nawabs of Dhaka offers a glimpse into the opulent past of the city’s elite. Similarly, Lalbagh Fort is an iconic Mughal fort that boasts stunning architecture and historical significance.

The lively streets of Old Dhaka offer a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and flavors. From the bustling Sadarghat riverfront to the vibrant markets selling everything from spices to textiles, Old Dhaka is a place where the city’s history and culture come to life.

For a more modern experience, guests can visit the upscale shopping malls and restaurants of Gulshan and Banani. These neighborhoods are home to trendy cafes, fine-dining restaurants, and international brands, offering a contemporary contrast to the historical landmarks of Old Dhaka.

9. Sustainability Initiatives

Central Inn Dhaka is committed to sustainability and eco-friendly practices. The hotel has implemented several initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, including energy-efficient lighting, water conservation programs, and the use of environmentally-friendly cleaning products. Guests are encouraged to participate in these efforts by opting for towel and linen reuse programs, as well as being mindful of energy consumption during their stay.

These initiatives reflect the inn's dedication to preserving the environment while providing a comfortable and luxurious experience for guests. By staying at Central Inn Dhaka, guests can enjoy a guilt-free stay, knowing that the hotel is doing its part to protect the planet.

10. Affordable Luxury

One of the most appealing aspects of Central Inn Dhaka is the balance it strikes between luxury and affordability. The inn offers premium amenities and services typically found in high-end hotels, but at a price point that is accessible to a wide range of travelers. Whether you're on a tight budget or looking to splurge, Central Inn Dhaka provides value for money without compromising on quality or comfort.

Conclusion

Central Inn Dhaka offers an unparalleled experience in the heart of Bangladesh’s capital. Its combination of comfortable accommodation, prime location, excellent customer service, and world-class amenities make it a standout choice for both business and leisure travelers. Whether you're in Dhaka for a short visit or an extended stay, Central Inn Dhaka promises to deliver a memorable and enjoyable experience that captures the essence of Bangladeshi hospitality.

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.৯৩ পয়সায় বুফে | Cheapest Buffet in Dhaka @ .93 Paisa Per Gram । Salad Lovers । Bashundhara City Looking for the cheapest buffet in Dhaka, Bangladesh? Look no further! In this video, we take you on a culinary journey to some of the best budget-friendly buffets in the city. From traditional Bangladeshi dishes to international cuisine, we've got you covered. Join us as we explore a variety of restaurants and eateries that offer all-you-can-eat buffets at incredibly low prices. Whether you're a student on a budget or simply looking for a delicious and affordable meal, our guide will help you discover the best places to dine without breaking the bank. So, if you're ready to indulge in some mouth-watering food without spending a fortune, hit that play button and join us on our quest for the cheapest buffet in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more food-related content and leave a comment below to let us know your thoughts on our picks! ঢাকা, বাংলাদেশে সস্তা বুফে অন্বেষণ করছেন? আর অন্য কোথাও দেখুন না! এই ভিডিওতে, আমরা আপনাকে শহরের সবচেয়ে বাজেট-ফ্রেন্ডলি বুফে খাবার স্থান গুলির সাথে নেয়। পারম্পরিক বাংলাদেশী খাবার থেকে আন্তর্জাতিক খাবার পর্যন্ত, আমরা সবকিছু আপনার জন্য পরিচিত করে দিয়েছি। আমাদের সম্প্রতি নির্বাচিত হওয়া রেস্তোরাঁ এবং খাবার দোকানগুলি সমস্ত বিনামূল্যে সমস্ত খাবার বুফে সরবরাহ করে। আপনি যদি একজন বাজেট কনসাইউমার হন অথবা কেবল একটি স্বাদস্থলে স্বাস্থ্যকর এবং সস্তা খাবার খেতে চান, আমাদের নির্দেশিকা আপনাকে টানটান খাওয়ার জন্য সহায়তা করবে। তাই, যদি আপনি টাকা খরচ ছাড়াই মজাদার খাবার স্বাদ করতে চান, তাহলে ভিডিওটি দেখতে ��াকুন এবং আমাদের সবচেয়ে সস্তা বুফে ��াবার স্থানের জন্য সম্মত হয়ে সাবস্ক্রাইব করতে ভুলবেন না! আমাদের চ্যানেলে আরও খাবার সম্পর্কিত সামগ্রী পাবেন এবং আপনার মতামত জানাতে নিচে কমেন্ট করতে ভুলবেন না! #CheapestBuffetInDhaka #ঢাকাতেসস্তাবুফে #ঢাকাতেসস্তাখাবার #ঢাকাখাবারভ্রমণ #বাংলাদেশখাবারভ্রমণ #সস্তারেস্তোরঢাকা #বাজেটফ্রেন্ডলিখাবার #DhakaFoodGuide #BangladeshFoodTour #CheapEatsDhaka by moonbd tv

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The 7 Famous & must visit Restaurants in Dhaka!

There are a lot of renowned eateries in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. This energetic metropolis offers everything in between, from well-known fast-food chains to food stands along the road. The majority of people's time is spent away from home in Dhaka due to their extremely active lifestyles. The well-known restaurants in Dhaka also significantly contribute to elevating their moods by serving delectable food in a serene setting despite their hectic daily schedules. Bangladesh is an undervalued tourism destination, as I usually repeat. Despite having several stunning tourist destinations, this nation struggles to draw in a sizable number of visitors. However, visitors to the nation have always praised Bangladeshi cuisine. And full credit goes to the diligent restaurant proprietors who serve the top delicacies on their menus. In Dhaka, almost every renowned eatery offers a unique offering. Additionally, some eateries feature unique menus with their very own recipes that you won't find anywhere else. Let me stop trying your patience now since you might already be eager to learn about the best restaurants in Dhaka. 1. The Green Lounge The Green Lounge is not only a well-known dining establishment in Dhaka, but it also has the biggest rooftop dining area. The Green Lounge is the spot for you if you're seeking for a distinctive dining experience away from the hectic city life. The restaurant's lovely décor, which is adorned with plants and bamboo, will make you feel refreshed. There is a multi-cuisine buffet and a barbecue on the menu. Location: 114 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Banglamotor, Dhaka, 18th floor of the Rupayan Trade Center Opening Times> Daily | 12 pm to 10 pm 2. Chef’s Table Courtside In Dhaka, there is a food court called Chef's Table Courtside. It is renowned for its tranquil atmosphere. At the location, there is a mini-park, a football field, a kids' play area, and a seating area. There are about 35 well-known fast-foodfood restaurants here, including Pizza Guy, CRISP, El Dorado, and Chittagong Bulls. Although the price is a bit high, the food quality is excellent. But altogether, because of the serene surroundings, it's a terrific site to visit. With your friends and family, you can go here, host events, and take some lovely photos. Location: United City, Madani Avenue, 1212 Dhaka, next to United International University Hours of Activity: Sunday through Thursday, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm Saturday and Sunday | 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 3. The Atrium Restaurant The Atrium Restaurant, one of Dhaka's most well-known eateries, has been serving up mouthwatering Thai and Indian cuisine to diners for more than a decade. It offers a dining experience that is unmatched because of its tranquil interiors and beautiful grounds. The cheapest of their four buffet options costs 800 BDT. The menu can also be altered to suit your preferences by adding or removing certain things. Location> J Block, Baridhara, Dhaka, 50 & 52 Pragati Avenue Opening Times> Daily | 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Daily | 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 4. Khana’s Founded in 2015, Khana's is a fast-food enterprise based in Bangladesh. In actuality, it was the first fast-food-focused restaurant franchise in Bangladesh. There are 6 Khana’s locations spread across Dhaka. The main menu items of Khana's include sub sandwiches, potato wedges, and several kinds of chicken, and iced coffee. On the menu, however, are delectable cross burgers, shakes, and hot beverages. Don't forget to try their renowned cold coffee if you ever decide to visit this eatery. Yes, the food is of high quality, and the pricing is fair. Location of branches> Bashundhara Rd., Ka-9, Hazi Abdul Latif Mansion 9/KA, Manson, R/A, Dhaka 1229 House No. Y, 8 Noorjahan Rd, Dhaka-1207, 397/B Malibagh Chowdhury Para Road, Shahid Baki Rd, Dhaka-1219 Block C, Avenue 5, Dhaka-1216, House: 146/D (Old), 42(New), Road, 2 Satmasjid Road Opening Times> Saturday through Thursday | 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday | 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. 5. Baton Rouge Restaurants A buffet-style restaurant with 450 seating capacity, Baton Rouge offers 101 dishes. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that there is large seating space. Its menu features both domestic and foreign cuisines. Reservations can be made for conferences, workshops, private/corporate meetings, and seminars. Location> Gulshan Pink City Shopping Center, 7th Floor, 15 Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka 1212 6. Kabab Factory The greatest kebabs can be found at Kabab Factory, which is well known for its barbecue meals. They start off by offering a variety of soups and salads on their menu. However, their Reshmi Kabab, Bihari Kabab, and Afghan Kabab are the highlights of their menu. Additionally, this restaurant features a lovely atmosphere and a cozy seating area. Location: Sector 7 Uttara, House 14, Lake Drive Road, Dhaka Opening Times> 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday 7. Barcode Café Barcode Cafe is the ideal destination for foodies looking for a delicious selection of cuisines and a fantastic setting to spend time in. One of my favorite renowned eateries in Dhaka is Barcode Cafe. It offers practically all of the menu items that a quality restaurant ought to. And believe me when I say that this restaurant serves excellent meals. As starters, the Barcode Cafe's menu offers grilled calamari, fried calamari rings, jumbo tempura shrimp, honey shrimp, garlic shrimp, and many other tasty meals. If I began to list every item on this restaurant's menu, I definitely would require a full day. Therefore, all I can tell is that Barcode Cafe offers chicken dinners, pizza, spaghetti, salad, seafood, beef meal, many personal specialties, and beverages. Location> Block-B, Banani, Road 21, House 55/B, Dhaka-1212 Hours of Activity: Saturday through Monday, 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Friday Read the full article

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Best Hotels to Stay in Your Cox's Bazar Tour

Cox's Bazar is the best beach and tourist town in Bangladesh. Even though it's cold, the best time to visit Cox's Bazar is in the winter. When work and running business stress makes life dull, taking a break from work is the best way to get your body and mind back in shape. So as you plan your holiday trip, your first thought will be, "Where do I stay in Cox's Bazar?" Also, there are a lot of high-end hotels and resorts to choose from in Cox's Bazar. Air travel is the best way to travel in Cox's Bazar comfortably. If you're looking to book a flight or hotel in Cox's Bazar, Global Mileage can help you find the best deals. With our easy-to-use search engine, enter your travel destination and dates to see a list of Dhaka to Cox's Bazar flights. For example, if you're looking to travel from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar, we can help you find the best deals on hotels and flights. Visit our website and enter your travel information to know Dhaka Cox's Bazar Air Ticket Prices and schedule.

Best Hotels to Stay In Cox's Bazar:

Sea Pearl Beach Resort & Spa Cox's Bazar

Cox's Bazar Sea Pearl Beach Resort & Spa is on Inani Beach, and Cox's Bazar City is just 40 minutes away by car. The resort has a world-famous water park, tennis and badminton courts, a 3D movie theater, billiards, a theater, a luxurious spa, and a well-equipped gym, among other indoor and outdoor activities for adults and children. It also has two swimming pools and rooms and suites that are very nice. The private beach is easy to get to and has a lot to see and do.

Hotel The Cox Today

The Cox's Hotel Today is another high-end hotel in Cox's Bazar, just 8 minutes from the famous Laboni Point. This resort has nicely decorated rooms with modern features and amenities. There are different kinds of rooms at the hotel. You can choose between rooms with a view of the sea or pool. The balconies give you a great view of the waves coming in and how the hills curve around. The hotel also has a tour desk, luggage storage, laundry, dry cleaning, car rentals, and a shuttle to and from the airport.

Ocean Paradise Hotel

Regarding quality and service, the Ocean Paradise Hotel and Resort is one of the best hotels in Cox's Bazar. It is on an area of 2 acres. As soon as you walk up to the front desk, you'll be given a drink while you fill out the paperwork. Ocean Paradise Hotel has all the modern amenities you'd expect from a luxury hotel, like free WIFI, room service 24 hours a day, a jacuzzi, a complimentary buffet breakfast, and much more. In addition, high-quality fixtures are put in bathrooms to meet your daily needs. You and your partner or family can choose the best place to stay from these options.

Long Beach Hotel

Hotel Long Beach is only 2.5 kilometers from the local airport. This hotel has become popular among tourists. It is one of Cox's Bazar's most expensive and fancy hotels. The 104 rooms at this resort are nicely decorated and have modern features and amenities. If you want to spend a relaxing weekend in Cox's Bazar, you might want to think about this world-class hotel. At the bar-b-que area by the pool, you can get different kinds of food to fit your mood. The Long Beach Hotel's collection is extensive enough for you and your kids to have a great time. The authentic spa and lifestyle gym will give you the rest you need.

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Buy 1 Get 1 Free Buffet Brunch at THE WAY Dhaka

Buy 1 Get 1 Free Buffet Brunch at THE WAY Dhaka

WEEKEND SPECIAL BUFFET BRUNCH !! The most important meal of the day is now also the best meal of the day. Get complimentary swimming pool access when you dine. Friday & Saturday | Buffet Brunch Price BDT 4400 Net per person and B1G1 available on selective cards and digital wallets. Timing: 11:30 am to 3:30 pm For Reservations, Please call +8801844027465. T&C Apply

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Hotel Der Kleine Prinz in Baden-Baden, Germany (Europe). The best of Hotel Der Kleine Prinz Hotel. Welcome to Hotel Der Kleine Prinz in Baden-Baden, Germany (Europe). The best of Hotel Der Kleine Prinz. Subscribe in http://goo.gl/VQ4MLN Common services included are: wifi available in all areas. cycling, horse riding, golf course (within 3 km), hiking, billiards, ski storage, skiing and tennis court. In the restaurant section we will be able to enjoy: special diet menus (on request), breakfast in the room, chocolate or cookies, vending machine (drinks), breakfast options, fruits, snack bar, restaurant, kid meals, grocery deliveries, wine/champagne, bar, kid-friendly buffet, room service, bottle of water and packed lunches. To relax, the establishment offers hot tub/jacuzzi. With regard to relocation we find car hire, airport shuttle (additional charge), shuttle service (additional charge), electric vehicle charging station, accessible parking, bicycle rental (additional charge), parking garage, airport shuttle, shuttle service, airport drop off, bikes available (free), airport pick up and secured parking. For the reception services we will be able to have tickets to attractions or shows, tour desk, express check-in/check-out, 24-hour front desk, newspapers, private check-in/check-out, concierge service, ticket service, currency exchange, safety deposit box, lockers and luggage storage. Within the common spaces we will be able to enjoy library, sun terrace, outdoor furniture, garden, shared lounge/tv area and terrace. For family enjoyment we will have babysitting/child services, children television networks, board games/puzzles, books, dvds and music for children. The function of cleaning services include trouser press, laundry, ironing service, shoeshine, daily maid service and dry cleaning. If you fly by business matters in the accommodation you will have business centre and fax/photocopying and meeting/banquet facilities. gift shop. We could highlight other services like lift, soundproof rooms, non-smoking rooms, heating, , vip room facilities, bridal suite, designated smoking area, non-smoking throughout, , air conditioning, allergy-free room, , , , and family rooms [https://youtu.be/Yyy1cJZRM6A] Book now cheaper in https://ift.tt/2LcyiR7 You can find more info in https://ift.tt/2JHs7id We hope you have a pleasant stay in Hotel Der Kleine Prinz Other hotels in Baden-Baden Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa https://youtu.be/L1DzmDKTTbU HELIOPARK Bad Hotel Zum Hirsch https://youtu.be/5W3m6gZWYcQ Hotel Rathausglöckel https://youtu.be/_w8CqFktl0A Other hotels in this channel Atton San Martin https://youtu.be/2yVJZqQTRbQ Hilton Garden Inn Novorossiysk https://youtu.be/3L78mwtJwas Hotel Atlantis Dunapark - Adults Only https://youtu.be/-K6-kWzpxMg Casa Gangotena https://youtu.be/vhBwufTPNi8 InterContinental Riyadh https://youtu.be/iEiHZQs4pzQ Sunset Shores Beach Hotel https://youtu.be/g5wNqmpZMLM Hotel Internacional https://youtu.be/4DcNNLUlq2A Flora Garden Ephesus Kusadasi - All Inclusive https://youtu.be/_P-HQS85Ses Quinta Las Acacias Hotel Boutique https://youtu.be/mmM7so0m_Y0 https://youtu.be/-vP8_jQA7m0 Tops'l Beach & Racquet Resort by Wyndham Vacation Rentals https://youtu.be/QgBsjiUSKrc https://youtu.be/IVAPUz8Y7hc Hotel Miramar Badalona https://youtu.be/q85le7vt8d0 Hotel Bel-Air https://youtu.be/KZkC7jnUj6k THE WAY Dhaka https://youtu.be/MGnxneSgR48 In Baden-Baden we recommended to visit In the Germany you can visit some of the most recommended places such as Museum Frieder Burda, Fabergé Museum, Schloss Favorite, Roman Bath Ruins, Museum LA8, Gesellschaft der Freunde junger Kunst, Frida Kahlo im Kunstmuseum Gehrke-Remund, Baden-Baden, Brahmshaus Baden-Baden and Stadtmuseum Baden-Baden. We also recommend that you do not miss Riedmuseum Pamina-Rheinpark, Kurhaus de Baden-Baden, Merkur, Château de Hohenbaden, Palacio de Rastatt, Trinkhalle, We hope you have a pleasant stay in Hotel Der Kleine Prinz and we hope you enjoy our top 10 of the best hotels in Germany based in Hotel Der Kleine Prinz Tripadvisor Reviews. All images used in this video are or have been provided by Booking. If you are the owner and do not want this video to appear, simply contact us. You can find us at https://ift.tt/2iPJ6Xr by World Hotel Video

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China Meye

It has been more than two months. Or has it been less than that? I haven’t really kept count, I didn’t bother.

Two months after I traveled to the land of no-Facebook, two months after an experience of a lifetime I simply decide to settle down and write about it tonight, out of the blue. I still have some gifts that I brought back from China, gifts that I have saved for some really special friends, people I haven’t been able to meet due to the busy semester. I still have a jar of pu-er tea broken up into manageable pieces. When I brew the clear scarlet tea on the stove, I think about the shape it used to have. The Chinese consider the round shape to be perfect, wan mei.  Just like the round pu-er tea cake, our lives have to be fragmented in order to be contained in our airtight routines. We wouldn’t have been very manageable creatures otherwise.

Strange philosophical thoughts aside, let me quickly squeeze in a few important things. I happen to study at North South University, one of the only places in the country where a Chinese language course is offered as a three-credit course for university students. My university is also a stronghold of Confucius Institute at North South University, a Chinese language and culture center that spreads the Chinese experience around the world. Initially, I simply wanted those credits to fulfill my degree requirement. I enjoyed CHN 101, so I took the next course too. By CHN 201, I found myself tangled in an intricately woven Chinese web.  By the end of August, there were posters on the wall that said, “2017 Bangladesh-China Youth Camp” and “Apply Now!” The program offered both the students of NSU and CI an opportunity to visit Kunming, China for around two weeks for a really low fee. One magical nod from the parents and I was more than ready to go for my first ever trip abroad, unsupervised. Yes, that is indeed a big deal; there is a hashtag for us brown girls who finally traveled alone.

As a learner’s tradition, or rite of passage, we Chinese learners pick a Chinese name for ourselves. It represents who we are as people, giving people a better glimpse of our personalities. My name is Ma Wen Wen (马文文). Ma is a traditional surname, literally meaning horse, the surname of choice for people with a Muslim heritage. Wen is the character used for literature and culture, something that I felt, defines me as a person.    

The city of eternal spring is just a three-hour flight away from Dhaka. None of the forty-four participants from NSU felt tired after such a short journey, but it was almost bedtime when we reached Kunming. Volunteers from Yunnan University, our hosts, and organizers from the Chinese end of things, were right at the airport waiting for us with genuine smiles on their faces. To be honest, none of us were expecting what was to come next. When we reached the official Youth Camp accommodation, we stood with our mouths wide open. An eleven storied building towered over us, welcoming us with an intricate blend of warmth and luxury. The centerpiece at the lobby consisted of two peacocks- one the traditional blue, the other an albino. Every day during the fourteen days as we returned to the hotel after a day full of camp activities, these two darlings of Yunnan province would wait on us like eager family members.  

They took us sightseeing the next day. Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan province, has the clearest blue sky and the most unpredictable, yet comfortable weather. The white clouds cross each other like little lambs dilly-dallying in a huge field of blue grass. It rains sometimes; the light drizzle just enough to remove dust from the leaves. The early morning air is chilly; our Chinese friends from Yunnan University kept telling us to take a coat morning and evening, like a prescription. The bus stopped in front of the sprawling Yunnan University Library, we all got off to take our first few photos of the day. We took a walk around one of the many lakes on campus, the black swans were in a great mood that day. Yunnan University is a leviathan of universities, probably able to fit around ten Dhaka Universities and hundreds of NSUs comfortably in its belly. No rickshaws on campus, obviously, hence we had to walk. A lot. Every day we would have generous buffet meals at the Jiyuan Canteen, joined by other campers from Dhaka University, a youth delegation from the Embassy and CRI-SMF. When it comes to food, I am a bit on the adventurous side. I ate practically everything, and I could, in fact, eat practically everything as the organizers carefully took into consideration our Muslim diet requirements. The fruits were fresh, the tofu was silky, the chicken succulent and the rice sticky enough to maneuver with chopsticks.

We’ve been to some amazing places in those fourteen days. We’ve been to the magical, ancient town of Da Li, to the Stone Forest where the natural rock formations are absolutely stunning. We’ve also been to the Yunnan Nationalities Village where we got to see China’s many ethnic groups in their rich, lush diversity. We also got to meet our little friends at Yunnan University Primary School and Secondary School. These children hardly knew us, they had no idea how to speak our language, but they made us sit beside them. They made us sit beside them, colour in pictures with them and helped us create traditional crafts- creating little bonding moments that we are going to remember forever.

For those fourteen days, I've been obsessed with Chinese babies. Throughout the trip, I 'spoke' to every single baby I met on the street. Some laughed with me, some smiled, while some held my finger and didn't let me go.

 We learned something new with our benevolent hosts every single day. They arranged amazing activities and classes that kept us on our feet, making sure that we are tired enough for a good night’s sleep. They also made sure that we take home a basket full of giggles. In the Chinese song class, for example, our volunteer-teacher asked for a single person to sing the song we had just learned. All forty-four of us from NSU sprang to our feet, singing the loudest version of Tian Mi Mi the Chinese have ever heard. Most of our Chinese friends were either volunteers trying their best to help us in whatever way, or teachers who gave us a wholesome Chinese experience. All of them wondered how we Bangladeshis are so jolly that we can burst into a song at any moment. Come to think of it, we truly are rather loud and free-spirited. The humble, disciplined and kind-hearted Chinese friends we made loved us for our daily dose of laughter and quirks. We, in turn, learned a lot from them about being sincere to others and ourselves.

Almost every night was shopping night. After a busy day of culture courses at Yunnan University, we would quickly rush to the hotel, take a quick shower and run out to find transport. In broken Chinese we would arrange ourselves a taxi, at least six to seven of us cramming together. In broken Chinese, I would order myself a nai cha- milk tea from the nice lady at the smoothie shop. There would be unbelievable deals on the things at Jia Mei or Shi Ling Street. At around quarter to ten, we would all scurry to find transport again, on a mission to go back to the hotel. We were all panting Cinderellas scurrying to get home two hours before midnight- the official ‘curfew’ time for the youth campers.

On the day of the closing ceremony, I was given the opportunity to speak in front of the audience- all the campers, volunteers and the authorities from Yunnan University. Nervous and dying of stage fright, I told them what I’m going to miss. One might wonder, what changes in a mere trip of two weeks? Two weeks is just enough time to build habits, to get used to the people who inspire you, help you with their hearts poured out or even compliment you for your smallest little feat. In the 2017 Bangladesh-China Youth Camp, I’ve built friendships that I’ll never forget. Even after a good two months, I miss the familiar faces- Delaney’s stylish top-knot, Mia’s heartfelt smile, YunYun treating me to some flower-pastry at the super shop, Jane’s awkward cuteness and Wen Meng’s earth-shattering voice- “Are you all ready?”. The voice that made us wake up with a start in those midday classes.

On the day we were to leave, September 24th, our volunteer-friends came to see us off. The tears in their eyes said more than I can ever convey.

During the fourteen day trip, I was on a journey of self discovery. In completely unfamiliar surroundings where the street signs don’t make sense, where what people talk about is incomprehensible, where one needs to speak Chinese to buy the smallest packet of potato chips I found a different me. Ma WenWen can do most things by herself, she can fix herself a taxi without a word in English, she can navigate completely unfamiliar streets past midnight, she laughs the loudest among friends. Mustabeen, the real me from Bangladesh took the backseat for these two weeks. Perhaps I didn’t take her along at all. Perhaps as Ma WenWen sat at the round table eating hotpot with her friends, Mustabeen was in Dhaka, helping out at the kitchen, doing the dishes, cleaning up after her younger cousins. WenWen was free in a country of discipline and restrictions. Mustabeen needs to think of ten thousand things before she can go to the grocery store right around the corner.

But both of these versions of me feel deeply about things. Both of us are quiet observers, we both like a good cup of tea. The matcha green tea latte, mo cha from the smoothie shop is something both of my versions would have adored. Both of us have a clever eye for puns. Hridoy Khan’s hit single, “chai na meye” becomes ‘China’ meye while frolicking and singing silly songs on the bus, making all forty-four of us burst out laughing on our six-hour bus journey from Kunming to Da Li.  

Let’s just say that I had a growth spurt in China.

文文好多了: WenWen hao duo le, WenWen is okay.

After leaving Kunming, all I can do is reassure you. I can tell you guys that no, I haven't left a part of myself in the city of eternal spring. I can tell you that my heart isn't heavy from not seeing my friends. I can perhaps, tell you that I'm not in love. I'm not in love with Kunming, or anything associated with it.

Lies, all of them.  文文好多了, she will always be okay.

[toldnews-blog]

New Post has been published on https://toldnews.com/world/who-are-the-victims/

Who are the victims?

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption A spate of attacks has claimed hundreds of victims across Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is in shock after a wave of bombings targeting churches and hotels left at least 321 people dead and about 500 injured. Churches were hit during Easter Sunday services in the cities of Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa.

Most of those killed are Sri Lankan nationals, but officials say at least 38 foreigners are among the dead – including British, Indian, Danish, Dutch, Swiss, Spanish, US, Australian and Turkish nationals.

The government temporarily restricted some social media networks to try to halt the spread of misinformation, so details were initially slow to emerge.

But this is what we know so far about those who lost their lives.

Shantha Mayadunne, a Sri Lankan celebrity chef, and her daughter Nisanga

One of the first victims to have been identified was Sri Lankan celebrity chef Shantha Mayadunne.

Her daughter Nisanga Mayadunne had posted a picture of the family having breakfast in the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo shortly before the explosion there.

One of their family members later posted on Facebook confirming that both Shantha and Nisanga had died, saying “no words can describe the pain”.

Five members of the same family in Negombo

Rangana Fernando, his wife Danadiri and their three children all died in the attack on St Sebastian’s church in Negombo, north of the capital.

Skip Twitter post by @yogital

A beautiful family lost in the violence of Easter Sunday. Rangana Fernando, his wife Danadiri, 6 yr old daughter Biola, 4 yr old daughter Leona and eleven month old son Seth, pictured here on Seth’s baptism. Today is their funeral. Unimaginable grief here in Negombo. #srilanka pic.twitter.com/I8UezkdA77

— Yogita Limaye (@yogital) April 23, 2019

End of Twitter post by @yogital

“Farewell Danadiri and family, we will remember you all in our prayers,” read a tribute from her colleagues.

“She was a dedicated and diligent worker, but above all a kind and caring soul. She will be dearly missed.”

The couple’s eldest child Biola (below, third from right) was six, Leona four and Seth just 11 months.

Unicef says at least 45 of those who lost their lives in the attacks were children.

Four Sri Lankan servers at the Cinnamon Grand hotel

Four Sri Lankan staff members at the Taprobane restaurant in the Cinnamon Grand hotel died in the attacks.

“It was a busy morning. It’s Sunday morning during buffet breakfast so it’s one of our busiest periods,” the Cinnamon Grand hotel spokesman told the BBC.

“They were servers at the restaurant. One of them was working at the live food stations making hoppers [a Sri Lankan pancake].”

They have been identified only as Shantha, Sanjeewani, Ibrahim and Nisthar.

Three staff members at the Shangri-La

The Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo announced in a Facebook statement that three of its staff were “fatally injured in the course of their duties”.

No further details are known so far.

A rickshaw driver, his wife and her mother

Tyronne Gulding, 56, went to Easter mass with his wife, Gayani Fernando, and his mother-in-law Mary Anaslyn Silva.

All three died in the blast at St Sebastian’s church in Negombo. A neighbour who was with them and survived says they were standing very close to the person believed to have detonated the bomb, but did not see his face.

Tyronne’s friends say they called him Sana. He drove an auto-rickshaw and ran his business from outside Negombo hospital. His wife was unemployed and mostly took care of her mother and 18-year-old son.

He did not attend the mass with them as he had gone for midnight vigil the previous night.

Asos billionaire’s children

Three children of Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen died in the attacks, a spokesman has confirmed to the BBC. The company was unable to reveal any more details at this time and asked for the family’s privacy to be respected.

One of his children had four days ago posted a picture on Instagram that was geo-tagged Sri Lanka.

Mr Povlsen, 46, owns the Bestseller clothing chain and is the largest stakeholder in the hugely popular online retailer Asos.

Eight British nationals

Image caption Anita Nicholson and her children Alex and Annabel died in the Shangri-La hotel bombing

The deaths of eight Britons were confirmed by the UK’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, James Dauris.

Three members of one family were among the victims.

Anita Nicolson, her 14-year-old son Alex and 11-year-old daughter Annabel were killed in the restaurant of the Shangri-La Hotel.

Her husband, Ben Nicholson, who survived, paid tribute to his “wonderful, perfect wife” and “amazing children” who “shared with their mother the priceless ability to light up any room they entered”.

Brother and sister Daniel and Amelie Linsey, 19 and 15, who were at college and school in London, also died while on holiday. Their father has described his attempts to save their lives.

Two other Britons who have been named include former firefighter Bill Harrop and his wife, Dr Sally Bradley, from Manchester, who had been living in Australia and were also on holiday. They were described as “soulmates” and much-loved and respected colleagues.

Ten Indians, including seven from a political party

Ten Indian nationals, some of whom were political party workers from Bangalore, died in the bombings at the Shangri-La.

The party workers have been identified as KG Hanumantharayappa, M Rangappa, KM Laxminarayan, Lakshmana Gowda Ramesh, H Shivakumar, A Maregowda and H Puttaraju. They were all members of the Janata Dal Secular (JDS).

The JDS workers were on holiday in Sri Lanka after polling for the Indian general elections ended in the state on 18 April.

The chief minister of the Indian state of Karnataka, HD Kumaraswami said in a tweet that he had known some of the party workers personally, adding that he was “deeply pained”.

The Indian High Commission also identified two more Indian nationals as Vemurai Tulsiram and SR Nagaraj.

Another Indian, Razeena Khader Kukkady was killed in the same blast.

The 58-year-old, who was originally from Kerala, lived in Dubai with her husband but travelled to Colombo to meet her relatives.

He left for Dubai on Sunday morning and she was due to leave Colombo on a later flight on the same day.

“He had left by the morning flight and she had finished her breakfast when the blast took place. We are all in a state of shock,” Usman Kukkady, her brother-in-law, told BBC Hindi.

Turkish engineers Serhan Selcuk Narici and Yigit Ali Cavus

Two Turkish nationals were killed, state news agency Anadolu reported.

Engineer Serhan Selcuk Narici moved to Colombo in March 2017, according to his Facebook profile.

His father, Baba Memhet Narici, told Anadolu that his son was an electrical engineer. He had last been doing some work at the US embassy building in Sri Lanka.

“He sent me a WhatsApp message this morning at 5am saying ‘Good Morning'”, said Mr Narici. “That was the last I heard from him.”

The other victim – Yigit Ali Cavus – was also an engineer.

“He was a brilliant child. He graduated with honours from the Istanbul Technical University and spoke two languages,” said his father.

It is not yet clear where they were when the attacks took place.

Australian mother and daughter

Image copyright Facebook/Lucien Pereira

Image caption The mother and daughter attended church every Sunday at St Sebastian

An Australian mother and her 10-year-old daughter were killed during the Easter Sunday service at St Sebastian Church, in Negombo city.

Manik Suriaaratchi and daughter Alexandria attended the church every Sunday, along with her husband Sudesh Kolonne. He had just walked out of church ahead of them when the bomb went off.

“I heard a huge noise… I saw my daughter on the floor and I tried to lift her up, [but] she was already dead. And [then]… next my wife is there,” Mr Kolonne told ABC news.

The family had moved from Melbourne to Sri Lanka in 2014 after Ms Suriaaratchi started a business in the country.

The grandson of a Bangladeshi politician

The grandson of Bangladeshi MP Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim was killed in the attacks.

Mr Selim’s grandson – who is himself a prominent member of the Awami League political party – died in an explosion in the hotel where the family was staying, according to local media reports. It is not clear which hotel this was.

Mr Selim’s personal assistant told the Dhaka Tribune that the boy’s father was also injured in the blast.

Rui Lucas, Portuguese electrical engineer

Rui Lucas was on honeymoon with his wife, Portuguese media report. They had been married just over a week.

Mr Lucas, believed to be in his early 30s, died in the attack on the Kingsbury Hotel, where the newlyweds were staying. His wife survived the attack.

He has been described by one of his colleagues as “a person with a huge heart, a great friend”, Portugal’s publico.pt website reports.

Monique Allen, Dutch national

Image copyright Courtesy of Lewis family

Image caption Monique Allen was on holiday with her family in Sri Lanka

Monique Allen was on holiday with her three sons and husband Lewis when the Cinnamon Grand hotel was bombed.

She was having breakfast downstairs with one of her sons. Her husband and two of her other sons were in their room. The rest of her family members survived the attack.

“My son and my wife were sitting right next to each other [when] the explosion happened,” Mr Allen told the BBC.

“[He] blacked out for a few minutes and he woke up and saw his mother with a big head wound and lots of blood.”

Mr Lewis found his son injured at his hospital and only later found his wife when he checked the mortuary.

“[At the mortuary] they were pulling back sheet after sheet. I was praying let that not be Monique,” he said.

“Then they lifted the sheet on one and that was my wife there… she was the best wife and the best mother.”

‘I was praying let that not be Monique’

Sri Lanka faces scrutiny over bomb warnings

Two other Dutch nationals also died – a woman aged 48 and her daughter aged 12 who had dual nationality, reports say. It is not clear where they were killed.

Kaori Takahashi, mother of two

Ms Takahashi, 39, had been living in Sri Lanka with her husband and two young children.

He is a chef in the city and the family were having breakfast at one of the hotels targeted. Her husband is among four Japanese citizens injured in the blasts, officials say.

The Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported Ms Takahashi had been due to return to Japan in May.

Dieter Kowalski from the US state of Colorado

Forty-year-old Dieter Kowalski, a Denver resident, was in Sri Lanka on a work trip. On Friday, he had posted on Facebook: “And the fun begins. Love these work trips. 24 hours of flying. See you soon Sri Lanka!”

Mr Kowalski worked for Pearson, an education management company, as a senior technical operations lead. The company confirmed to NBC News on Monday that Mr Kowalski had been killed shortly after he arrived at the Cinnamon Grand hotel.

“Colleagues who knew Dieter well talk about how much fun he was to be around, how big-hearted and full-spirited he was,” Pearson chief executive John Fallon wrote in a letter to employees.

Mr Kowalski’s brother, Derrick, also shared on Facebook: “We have all lost a brother today.”

The US Department of State has confirmed at least four Americans were killed in the blasts.

A Washington DC elementary school student

Kieran Shafritz de Zoysa, a fifth grade student at the prestigious Sidwell Friends school in Washington, was another American killed.

Kieran had been on leave for the year in Sri Lanka, the Washington Post reported.

“Kieran was passionate about learning, he adored his friends, and he was incredibly excited about returning to Sidwell Friends this coming school year,” the school said in a letter to families.

Two Saudi nationals

The Saudi embassy in Sri Lanka named two citizens who were killed in the bomb attacks but gave few other details.In a Twitter post on 23 April, the embassy named the two victims as Ahmed Zain al-Jaafari and Hani Majed Othman.The embassy offered its prayers for the victims and their families and to the government and people of Sri Lanka.Earlier, Saudi Arabia’s national airline said two of its crew members were unaccounted for, and that one had been admitted to hospital with minor injuries.

The statement did not mention the nationalities of the missing and injured or where they were at the time of the blasts. Other reports said the crew members had been staying at the Cinnamon Grand hotel at the time of the attacks.

A Spanish couple

Two Spaniards from Galicia lost their lives. Maria Gonzalez Vicente, 32, was visiting her boyfriend, Alberto Chaves, 31, who was working for a frozen food firm in India and was on holiday at the Kingsbury hotel in Colombo.

Two Swiss nationals

Switzerland said two of its citizens, one with dual nationality, had died in the attacks.

It did not name them or say in which of the blasts they died.

One Chinese national

China’s embassy said one Chinese national had been killed, five others were wounded and five were missing after the attacks.

[newshourbd]

Le Méridien Dhaka brings Pitha Fest

Le Méridien Dhaka brings #PithaFest

Pitha is an integral part of food traditions and food culture of Bangladeshi cuisine, and the winter season is the best time to have them. Le Méridien Dhaka is organizing a ‘Pitha Fest’ from January 16 to January 25, 2020. Guests will be able to delve into the delicacies of Pitha with regular buffet dinner at the Latest Recipe.

The Pitha station will feature more than 25 types of delicious and…

[familytubem]

Dhaka Sheraton | The Garden Kitchen | Brunch Bonanza | Family Tube

[kingfisher234-blog]

Best kid-friendly restaurant

Kingfisher restaurant is a place where you get the best service that you expect from a restaurant. It is located near to your residence in the city of Dhaka at Uttara. We can assure you that here are some of the best food menus you can get. At this restaurant, you can book for your birthday parties, meetings, seminars etc. You also know that there is a buffet system, so you can book this restaurant for your buffet dinner. The restaurant is the best kid-friendly restaurant. There is a good arrangement for your kids, where your child can enjoy and play in a fresh environment. We have maintained a team that guides your child. They are also friendly with your kid and they are well behaved. I say that it is a child-friendly restaurant. So, you can visit our restaurant to ensure our quality and our environment.

 However it is child-friendly restaurant that’s why you can come to here with your sweet kids to have your lunch or dinner because here your child get more enjoy the game and to introduce other new lovely babies. You know that at the present time our the country has not enough space or field, that’s why they can’t go to the playground to play.

 On the other hand in our country there is no playground in our school. So, our kids are not able to broaden their mind in outside of the world.  As a best kid-friendly restaurant we can take care of your child so that they are able to enjoy and feel comfortable to stay here. Since it is a kid’s friendly restaurant so you can book this restaurant for your child’s birthday party for surprising him/her. You also can invite your kid’s friends to attend the birthday party and enjoy our gaming side. You are wondering to know that our best kid’s friendly restaurant has many toys for your child. So that they can have fun with their friends at our best kid-friendly restaurant. We are eagerly waiting for your arrival in our restaurant with your lovely kids to enjoy the kid’s zone which is only created for them.

[islamabadscene]

Treat yourself this Ramadan to a delectable Iftar buffet at Islamabad Marriott Hotel

The glittering lights and Moroccan lamps decorating the Marquee Hall welcome you to the lavish and wholesome Iftar buffet at Islamabad Marriott Hotel.

I was drooling over the fresh pieces of bread and vibrant salads when I looked over the other side lined with golden pots filled with delicious delights. From Pakistani dishes to Thai, Korean, Chinese cuisine and Arabic food, you name it and they have got it!

Let’s begin with the Ramadan delights. On the rightmost side of the marquee is the Iftar platter with usual samosas, pakoras, spring rolls, channa chat, fruit chat, dahi bhallay, chicken pieces which tasted okay and not out of the blue. Fruit chaat was best.

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Then comes the salad, sushi, bread and soup counter which has a variety of delightful, healthy and fresh food item. Salad and pasta in small bowls is a perfect idea.

Salad counter is good for those on diet. But I would suggest you forget the diet for a day and give yourself a little treat because you deserve it!

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Sushi

Salad

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Next to salad and sushi is the counter of deliciousness offering cuisines from Pakistan, China, Thailand and Korea as well as many continental dishes. Pakistani food options are Biryani, Murgh Dhaka Curry, Paye, Nihari, Mughlai murgh, Daal makhni among many others.

The most exquisite looking dishes at the buffet were Roasted beef with rosemary sauce and Korean Bibimbap which I definitely tried. The beef was super soft and Korean dish was basically a salad.

My favourite was Mutton Tawa Qeema which is a must must try plus it is beautifully presented.

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Roasted beef with rosemary sauce

Tawa Qeema

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I filled my large plate with the most namely: Mutton Tawa Qeema, Baked Fish and Chicken with white sauce, sweet and sour chicken and some pasta. Although I can’t eat much after fasting all day but I managed to finish my plate because it was so delicious!

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There was literally no room left in my tummy but how can I miss those gorgeous looking desserts from all around the world? I have an extra sweet tooth. Honestly, I didn’t want to touch the desserts as it was so beautifully prepared. The date, fig and marshmallow trees are a delightful sight for sore eyes. There were small cups of mousse, perfect pieces of cakes, colourful fruit tart, heavenly Kunefe (Turkish dessert) and lots of desi desserts such as gulaab jaman and raas malai and mithai among them. I tried fresh fruits too.

Oh I totally forgot about the drinks! They had lemonade, Rooh Afza, and Imli aur Aaloo Bukharay ka juice which I loved! Iftar buffet at Marriott is a treat for both eyes and tummy. Makes it hard to decide whether you want to take a photo first or try the food. I took many pictures to show you all how beautifully the food was presented.

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To sum it all, it was a memorable experience marked by stunning décor and gorgeous food presentation. The variety of food means there’s something for everyone at the buffet. Most of the dishes I tried were fresh and tasted good. Few were excellent though such as the fish, qeema and roasted beef. Full marks to chef and food presenters!

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A little overpriced I know but you deserve a beautiful time and fine quality food in a lovely environment once in a while. That is exactly what this buffet offers!

Price: Rs2900/- per person inclusive of Tax.

Presentation: 10/10

Value for money: 9/10

Taste: 9/10

Service: 8/10

Ambiance: 10/10

Where: Marriott Hotel, Islamabad

Treat yourself to a grand Iftar buffet at Islamabad Marriott Hotel Treat yourself this Ramadan to a delectable Iftar buffet at Islamabad Marriott Hotel The glittering lights and Moroccan lamps decorating the Marquee Hall welcome you to the lavish and wholesome Iftar buffet at Islamabad Marriott Hotel.

[usviraltrends-blog]

New Post has been published on https://usviraltrends.com/as-sea-levels-rise-bangladeshi-islanders-must-decide-between-keeping-the-water-out-or-letting-it-in-science-2/

As sea levels rise, Bangladeshi islanders must decide between keeping the water out—or letting it in | Science

By Warren CornwallMar. 1, 2018 , 2:00 PM

For Jaharul Sardar, a rice farmer in rural Bangladesh, the perils of living behind a wall hit home one cloudy May afternoon in 2009. Sardar was standing beside his fields when he heard neighbors cry out in alarm. A black hill of seawater was sweeping toward him. Sardar’s wife and 5-year-old son clambered atop the embankment that stands guard over his mud-floored house. Instead of joining them, he dashed inside to rescue a suitcase stuffed with cash and property records.

Within seconds, waves slammed into the house. Sardar was trapped. Water pushed the structure, with him inside it, into an adjacent pond. His wife pulled him to safety, soaked but alive.

For Sardar, relief was short-lived. That day marked the beginning of fierce floods. Each day the tide poured in through the breached wall, drowning fields and homes in saltwater, and then withdrew and left a blanket of mud. “During high tide it was all underwater. And during low tide it was like [a] desert,” Sardar says.

The 4-meter-high earthen wall that failed dated from the 1960s. It encircles 80 square kilometers of land to create a massive “polder”—an artificial island surrounded by the vast tidal rivers that extend like thick tendrils from the nearby Bay of Bengal. At 66, Sardar remembers conditions before the wall, when flooding during very high tides was the norm here. Until that fateful day in 2009, the flooding appeared to be banished.

Special package: Resilience

A series of Science articles examines ways of coping with natural disasters, war and displacement, and climate change—not to mention resilience tactics in nature.

Bangladesh, a vast river delta that barely rises above the sea at the best of times, is buffeted by natural forces including flooding rivers and cyclones blowing in from the bay. Over decades, the country has developed defenses: warning systems, storm shelters, salt-resistant crops, and 139 polders near the coast—a 5700-kilometer network of walls to protect farmland from inundation. But humanmade infrastructure is not infallible and can cause problems of its own. That’s starkly apparent across the country’s polders, which have disrupted a fragile standoff between water and land and are now straining to hold back the water. As climate change compounds that threat with rising seas and stronger storms, Bangladeshis who have spent years building barricades are considering what was once unthinkable: letting the water in. It’s resilience by bending, not resisting. And it’s tougher to do than it sounds.

Other countries are trying similar approaches. Vietnam recently adopted plans to allow more flooding in the upper reaches of the Mekong delta. The Netherlands, renowned for building some of the world’s most sophisticated sea walls, is adapting suburbs for controlled river flooding. On the other end of the spectrum sits Indonesia, which is planning a $40 billion, 40-kilometer-long sea wall to shield its capital city, Jakarta, from the Java Sea.

Here in a country the size of Iowa that’s home to 165 million people, experiments in resilience underscore the challenges of rearranging a crowded landscape. “You can’t remove the polders now,” says Anisul Haque, a hydraulic modeler at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in Dhaka who studies coastal flooding. “So what can you do?”

The dance between water and land

Rivers are the midwives of Bangladesh. The Ganges and Brahmaputra pour from the Himalayas and converge with the Meghna River to form the world’s fourth largest drainage, which flows into the Bay of Bengal. Monsoon rains routinely put a quarter of the country underwater. The flooding brings hardship, but it also nurtures the rice that feeds one of the most densely populated nations on Earth.

The country itself is born from those rivers. An estimated 1 billion tons of sand and silt flow downstream every year and settles in the delta, counteracting relentless erosion. Geologically, Bangladesh is a giant sandbox, 90 meters deep in places.

Ainun Nishat knows those rivers with an intimacy earned by spending 4 decades studying them. Sitting in his third-floor office at BRAC University’s Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research in Dhaka, the engineer describes how good intentions have brought unexpected consequences.

Polders—the name is borrowed from the Dutch, who used a similar strategy to carve farmland from marshes—were first built in Bangladesh in the 1960s. But although polders allow more intensive farming, Nishat says, “They are also a problem.” The walls impede the natural movement of water and sediment. Rivers now funneled between artificial embankments are filling with silt. Land inside the polders, starved of new soil that would otherwise flow in, is sinking. Polders are turning into bathtubs that, if something goes wrong, can fill with water.

Meanwhile, sea level is projected to rise 0.4 to 1.5 meters on the Bangladesh coast by 2100. Episodes of extremely high water driven by storms and tides, which today occur once a decade, will probably happen three to 15 times every year at the end of the century, according to a 2015 study by U.K. and Bangladeshi researchers. That trend will put the polders and their inhabitants at even greater risk.

The devastation of Sardar’s polder, Polder 32, starkly illustrates the dangers posed by that confluence of climate change and decades of hydraulic tinkering. That day in 2009, a wave of water originating from nearby Cyclone Aila combined with strong currents to burst through embankments on several polders. The disaster left more than 150 dead and $270 million in damages in Bangladesh.

Many believed the answer was to strengthen the polders. In 2013, the World Bank committed $400 million to raise embankments on 17 polders that are home to nearly 800,000 people. It’s a first step in a push by the Bangladeshi government to build up the entire polder system with an eye toward rising seas.

What Steve Goodbred, a coastal geologist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, saw when he visited Polder 32 after the storm pointed to a different approach. Goodbred and a research team found that land inside the polder was more than a meter below the average high tide in the area. As long as the walls held up, the sinking went largely unremarked upon. But the cyclone laid bare the risks. “It was, ‘Wow, no wonder the flooding was so bad,’” says Goodbred, who has spent the past 2 decades studying the Bangladesh delta.

Water meets land in Bangladesh

Many Bangladeshis live on artificial islands called polders, behind walls built to protect the low-lying islands from floods. But the polders disrupt sediment deposits and face climate change pressures, and it’s harder than ever to keep water out. Residents are considering new ways to protect the polders and their land.

CanalPolder wallPolderRiverBeelsMangrove swampsRiverBeelSiltPolder wallsBay of Bengal200KmBeel PakhimaraPolder 32BangladeshTrapped riverThe cycle of siltA polder’s embankmenttraps the river insidenarrow banks. Silt fillsthe river, shrinking it, andthe walls deprive landinside the polder of freshsoil and keep monsoonrains from draining out.1. The world’s fourth largestriver system pours sedimentinto the Bay of Bengal.2. In the southwest, some of the silt is pushedinland by tidal rivers that flow “upstream” fromthe ocean during high tides.Flooding from a siltedriver is slow to drainout of the polder.The flood treatmentEngineers cut into theembankment, and the riverflows into a depressioninside a polder called a beel.Sediment is scoured fromthe river and deposited in thebeel or washed downstream,opening the river channeland raising the polder’s land.Silt accumulates in thebottom of the beel insteadof the river.

J. You and V. Altounian/Science

However, Goodbred also found cause for optimism. Land just outside the polder was 10 centimeters above the typical high tide, suggesting that, without human intervention, natural sediment deposition would keep the land above all but the highest tides. Furthermore, the disastrous flooding here had an upside, delivering enough new silt to raise land inside the walls more than a third of a meter on average.

That outcome led Goodbred to suggest letting some water in. In the short term, controlled flooding into the polders might be painful. In the long run, it could elevate land and minimize damage from future breaches. In a world of rising sea levels and bigger storms, Goodbred says, “I think that has to be a part of any long-term solution.”

Bending to the water’s will

It’s a seductive idea. It’s also not a popular one for many who would have to live with the consequences, including government officials. “We don’t need to raise the land. Farmers are not demanding it,” says Abdul Hannan, the top engineer in this region for the Bangladesh Water Development Board, the powerful government agency that manages the country’s water.

Yet about 30 kilometers inland, farmers spurred an experiment to do just that. It’s much like the prescription Goodbred offered—use controlled flooding to raise sunken land and drain polders—but this experiment began almost by accident in the early 1990s.

These inland polders are designed to protect against flooding by seawater driven far up river channels during high tides. After the embankments were built, those rivers, with smaller, slower currents than rivers closer to the coast, started clogging with silt that would otherwise have settled on land. Meanwhile, the polders began to sink. After monsoon rains, water in the polders failed to drain through small canals into surrounding, now sluggish, rivers. Farms and towns inside stewed in stagnant water for months.

Local ingenuity and desperation prompted farmers on two river systems in southwest Bangladesh to cut gaps in embankments to open the polders to the river. The government cracked down with arrests. Then, something unexpected happened—exactly the outcome Goodbred later saw at Polder 32. Within a few years, the land inside the inland polders had risen a meter or more. The rivers grew deeper. Waterlogging eased.

Since then, government officials have tried to replicate the success of those first improvised projects. The latest test for what’s known as “tidal river management,” or TRM, began in 2015. A construction crew cut through the embankment of a polder lining the Kobadak River. Workers then dug a canal joining the river outside the polder to a 660-hectare depression inside it—a wetland known as a beel.

Visit today and the experiment’s effects are evident. Parts of the beel, called Beel Pakhimara, have gained half a meter of fresh land. The river runs faster, as sediment is deposited in the beel instead of the riverbed. As the main river channel grows deeper, water is once again draining from nearby polders.

The endangered Ganges River dolphin has put in appearances since the flow returned, says Jahin Shams Sakkhar, an official with Uttaran, a local organization that has campaigned for projects like this one. “The more open it is, the more good it is for nature and for people,” he says.

Yet the filling of the beel hasn’t gone entirely as planned, partly because “so far, the whole TRM process has been based on assumptions,” says Shah Alam Khan, a civil engineer at BUET, who is helping lead a Dutch-funded study of the Kobadak River project. The polder’s land rose unevenly, with the area near the canal benefiting the most. Engineers are still deciphering sediment dynamics and considering how best to direct flooding, Khan says.

A woman walks by a canal linking the Kobadak River to a polder. Connecting the canal and the river causes flooding in one place that might protect land elsewhere.

TANMOY BHADURI

Winners and losers

The greatest challenge to opening the polders isn’t the engineering, it’s the people. Can some be persuaded to accept flooding on their land for years so that others can live flood-free?

Winners and losers are scattered around Beel Pakhimara. While farmers in nearby towns gather the rice harvest in golden fields now free from waterlogging, the beel is a desolate land of gray and pale green. Those who once farmed it have seen their rice paddies, fish farms, and ponds turn into a dumping ground for river sediment. It will remain that way until the canal is closed in approximately 2020, when the beel has filled with sediment and can be returned to cultivation.

Outside a small compound of brick and mud huts tucked against the embankment, 35-year-old Hanif Sardar (no relation to Jaharul) has little good to say about the project that’s supposed to help rescue his country’s land. He tried to get paid for the fifth of a hectare of land in the beel where he once grew rice that fed his family, he explains. “The government official says, ‘Leave the application, something will happen. Don’t worry.’ But nothing happened,” he says bitterly. “All the big landowners got the money. But the small landowners are not getting compensation.”

The waterlogging that left a third of a meter of water in his yard for months each year ended in 2016. But that’s outweighed by the family’s loss of farmland. “The disadvantage is more,” says Hanif ‘s uncle, Amzad Sardar, “and the advantage is few.”

To understand why some citizens turn against TRM projects, Mahmuda Mutahara, a Bangladeshi who recently earned her Ph.D., has spent much of the past 5 years traversing the region’s pothole-riddled roads, often on the back of a motorcycle. Questioning residents, government officials, and others, she found government agencies disconnected from locals, spawning distrust and anger that have derailed controlled flooding attempts, sometimes spectacularly.

Polder 32 resident Jaharul Sardar, who narrowly escaped a 2009 flood, remembers when the walls ringing his home kept him safe.

TANMOY BHADURI

Government water officials “are not so much interested to talk to the local people,” to learn about their wishes and explain how, in the long run, they might benefit, says Mutahara, who lives in Dhaka and studied environmental science at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. “That is the problem.” To illustrate her point, Mutahara shares a story that for her is emblematic of the tangled social forces that make such work fraught with tensions.

Over the past decade, a rotating series of TRM projects on the nearby Hari River have repeatedly gone awry. Flooding in one beel dragged on years longer than planned. Farmers pressed for compensation for lost harvests. Fish-farming interests resisted the injection of fresh silt because it would fill their ponds. In 2012, a crowd rioted as government officials prepared to flood a beel there. The government suspended work and has yet to return.

Six years later, the Hari River problems remain, and so do the charred shells of three cars that rioters set on fire. “If, within the next 2 or 3 years, they do not do TRM upstream, the river will be silted up completely,” Mutahara says.

The government has tried to learn from its mistakes, says Probir Kumar Goshwami, lead engineer at the Bangladesh Water Development Board’s office in nearby Jessore. Last year, the government set up a temporary office near Beel Pakhimara where people could file for compensation. Water management officials are meeting more with locals. This year, the water agency plans to resume work on the beel at the center of the 2012 riot.

Despite some government resistance to TRM, Goshwami says there’s no better alternative for those walled-off villages. “The tidal river management is the only solution.”

Could controlled flooding be exported downstream to places like Polder 32? The chronic, low-level flooding on the Kobadak River differs from the threat of catastrophic, storm-induced flooding closer to the sea. And yet both places have something in common: a need to build up land.

As of now, no specific plan exists to bend to the water’s will. Even a sort of “TRM lite”—a compartmentalized flooding in which small sections of polders are opened to raise elevation bit by bit—hasn’t gained traction, says Haque, who has used computer models to study solutions to coastal vulnerability. Residents would have to be persuaded to live for years with flooded land. Reluctant government officials would need to embrace the approach. “This is a social problem,” he says.

On Polder 32, the fields are dry today. It was one of the first places to get new, higher walls under the World Bank initiative. The breaches in the dike were closed in 2011.

Jaharul Sardar’s view across the water, however, is a reminder that walls cannot erase risk. The land inside the polder is visibly lower than the shoreline outside it. But as he strolls barefoot atop the freshly rebuilt embankment, he feels safe for now. “If we have good embankments and cyclone shelters,” he says, “we can survive.”

This project was supported with a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.

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