CHENNAI: With a strong pitch for the Modi government’s “Make In India” programme, the latest edition of Defexpo 2018 opens on the outskirts of Chennai on Wednesday, bringing together a large number of exhibitors involved in manufacturing of military inventory items. 

While Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will witness the inauguration and live demonstrations at the Defexpo 2018 on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the event on Thursday and formally inaugurate it.. On all the four days of the defence exhibition to be held at Thiruvidanthai, on the East Coast Road, will have live demonstrations of the naval, air and land systems. The theme of the exhibition will be “India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub”. 

The mega event will witness participation of 162 foreign companies and 539 Indian firms. The total cost of the exhibition is estimated to be around Rs. 800 crores with the Defence Ministry spending about Rs. 100 crores. The exhibition will be spread over 2.90 lakh square feet while the last one at Goa in 2016 was spread across 2.25 lakh square feet. On April 14, the last day of the exhibition, general visitors will be allowed free entry to the venue. 

The exhibition will witness participation from 47 countries, including the U.S., the U.K. Russia, Sweden and Vietnam. US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster will also be a star visitor to the exhibition as it will have 19 US companies displaying their military inventories. Maldives has declined India’s invitation to participate in the exhibition which is being seen as a snub to New Delhi as it was critical of imposition of emergency in the island. 

Indigenously developed land, air and naval systems will be displayed for the first time, including the Tejas fighter jet, advanced towed artillery gun systems, designed by the DRDO, Arjun Mark II tank and Dhanush artillery guns. 

Ms. Sitharaman has already indicated that several countries  have shown interest in India’s Brahmos missile system. The NDA government’s attempt is to showcase India’s capabilities as a credible defence manufacturing hub at the 10th edition of the Defence expo. 

CHENNAI : Indian Institute of Technology Madras will showcase its recent initiatives for further indigenization of critical Defence Technologies during the DEFEXPO 2018 being held in Chennai from 11th to 14th April 2018. The Institute has taken the lead to transfer knowhow and collaborate with the Armed Forces and the defence Sector and further the ‘Make in India’ concept in defence technology.

In a first-of-its kind initiative, IIT Madras has set up a stall in Hall No. 6 at the DEFEXPO 2018 to connect with the Defence Industry at the grassroot levels. IIT Madras has been open to partnerships with various sections of Defence Industry and assist them in developing cutting-edge technologies to help the Armed Forces.

Speaking about the participation of IIT Madras in DEFEXPO 2018, Prof Ravindra Gettu, Dean (Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research), IIT Madras, said, “We are ready and eager to work with companies in the Defence Sector and the Armed Forces to develop relevant solutions for enhancing the security of our nation.”

IIT Madras has joined hands with Bharat Shakti (a platform for defence industry) to conduct a seminar on 11^th April 2018 on “Technology Perspectives for the Armed Forces.”

Artificial Intelligence and Impact on Battle field, Infrastructure Technology for Border Areas, Energy for Armed Forces, Enhancing the Battle field space, Secure Communications for the Armed Forces and Space Based Surveillance were covered during the Seminar by experts of IIT Madras.

Elaborating on the participation of IIT Madras in the expo, Prof. P. A. Ramakrishna, Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “This gives the faculty of IIT Madras the opportunity to exhibit their contribution towards defense technology. I would like to thank Lt. Gen. (retd.) P R Shankar, who has joined our department as ‘Professor of Practice’, for having encouraged us to take part in this big event.”

About 100 MS/ M Tech / PhD students of various disciplines who are attending the newly introduced course on ‘Overview of Defence Technologies’ will be interacting with the defence industry to complete their field projects. They had a special session with the industry and senior officers of the Armed Forces for operational orientation on 11 April in the afternoon.           

The tenth edition of the Defence Expo is being held from 11th to 14th April 2018 at Thiruvidanthai in south Chennai. The expo will be formally inaugurated by Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, on 12th April 2018.

The four-day exhibition will showcase the strengths of India’s defence public sector and uncover the country’s growing private industry. It will see participation from 47 foreign countries including the US, the UK, Russia, Afghanistan and Sweden, Finland, Italy, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, Portugal, Seychelles and Vietnam.

NEW DELHI: India and Nepal on Saturday resolved to take their bilateral relations to newer heights on the basis of equality, mutual trust, respect and benefit.

Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli who is on a three-day visit to India held detailed discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi where they comprehensively reviewed the entire spectrum of multifaceted ties between the two countries. 

They welcomed the growing partnership between the two governments, private sector and at the people’s level.

Recalling that the close and friendly India-Nepal relations are built on the strong foundation of shared historical and cultural links and close people to people contacts, the two Prime Ministers underscored the importance of regular high-level political exchanges in cementing bilateral ties.

Mr. Oli’s visit to India is the first after he assumed office as the Prime Minister following elections in the Himalayan state. He had also visited India during his earlier stint as the Prime Minister.

He stated that his government attaches high importance to further strengthening friendly relations with India. He expressed the desire of the Nepalese government to develop bilateral relations in a way so as to benefit from India’s progress and prosperity for economic transformation and development.

On his part, Prime Minister Modi assured his Nepalese counterpart that India remains committed to strengthening its partnership with Nepal as per the priorities of the Nepalese government.

Prime Minister Modi stated that his government’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ is a guiding framework for India’s engagement with its neighbours for a shared vision of inclusive development and prosperity. 

Prime Minister Oli stated that after the landmark political transformation, his Government has given priority to economic transformation with the motto ‘Samriddha Nepal Sukhi Nepali’.  

Prime Minister Modi congratulated the people and the Nepalese government for successful conduct of local level, federal parliament and first-ever provincial elections in Nepal, lauding their vision for stability, and development.

Later, Foreign Secretary Vijay K. Gokhale told mediapersons that the two Prime Ministers inaugurated the Integrated Check Post at Birgunj in Nepal. Its early operationalization will enhance cross-border trade and transit of goods and movement of people bringing greater opportunities for shared growth and development.

The two leaders also witnessed the ground breaking ceremony of the Motihari-Amlekhgunj cross-border petroleum products pipeline at Motihari, India.

The two Prime Ministers underlined the need for expeditious implementation of bilateral projects in Nepal, and to reinvigorate the existing bilateral mechanisms to promote cooperative agenda across diverse spheres.

Mr. Gokhale pointed out besides business delegation and top ministers, the Nepalese premier was also accompanied by a delegation of MPs from all political parties of Nepal.

Three key areas of mutual interest were also identified during talks between the two sides:–  India-Nepal: New Partnership in Agriculture, expanding Rail Linkages: Connecting Raxaul in India to Kathmandu in Nepal and new Connectivity between India and Nepal through Inland Waterways

The two Prime Ministers agreed that the visit has imparted new dynamism to the multifaceted partnership between the two countries.

The Foreign Secretary said that Prime Minister Oli extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to pay an early visit to Nepal which was accepted by Mr. Modi. “Dates for the Prime Minister’s visit will be finalized through diplomatic channels. I hope that the visit will take place this year,’’ Mr. Gokhale said.

Prime Minister Modi said there is a long history of India’s contribution towards Nepal’s development and assured Mr. Oli that it would continue in future.  

On security and open borders,  Mr. Modi said: “We have strong relations when it comes to the aspect of security and are committed towards stopping misuse of our open borders.’’

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Tribal affairs has approved establishment of the first multipurpose “Van Dhan Vikas Kendra” on pilot basis in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.

The Kendra will provide skill upgradation and capacity building training and setting up of primary processing and value addition facility for forest produce.

This first model Van Dhan Vikas Kendra is being implemented for training of 300 beneficiaries with a total outlay of Rs 43.38 lakhs for training, providing equipments and tools for primary level processing and infrastructure and building for the Kendra. This Kendra will start with processing facility for Tamarind brick making, Mahua flower storage facility and chironjee cleaning and packaging.

TRIFED has assigned the work for establishment of this pilot Vikas Kendra in Bijapur to Chhattisgarh Minor Forest Produce Federation and Collector, Bijapur would be the coordinating force. The selection of the tribal beneficiaries and formation of the SHGs has been undertaken by TRIFED and the training is scheduled to start from 10^th April, 2018.

To start with Van Dhan Vikas Kendra is being established in a Panchayat Building so that the primary processing can be commenced by the SHGs. The Kendra will be shifted to its own building once the same is ready.

Such centres will be an important milestone in economic development of tribal population involved in collection of minor forest produces (MFPs) by helping them in optimum utilization of natural resources and provide sustainable MFP-based livelihood in MFP-rich districts.

Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is a major source of livelihood for tribal people living in forest areas.  The importance of MFPs for this section of the society can be gauged from the fact that around 100 million forest dwellers depend on MFPs for food, shelter, medicines and cash income. It provides them critical subsistence during the lean seasons, particularly for primitive tribal groups such as hunter gatherers, and the landless. 

Tribal population derives 20-40% of their annual income from MFP on which they spend major portion of their time. This activity has strong linkage to women’s financial empowerment as most of the MFPs are collected and used/sold by women. MFP sector has the potential to create about 10 million workdays annually in the country.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs has taken a number of initiatives for socio economic development of tribal groups such as introduction Forest rights Act, PESA Act and has been implementing schemes for development of MFP by providing financial support to State TDCCs and TRIFED for market development of MFPs. 

Recognizing the critical importance which MFP hold for the indigenous groups and its potential to create large scale employment opportunity thereby, helping in reducing poverty and increasing empowerment of tribal population particularly women and poor people of the poorest and backward districts of the country, Govt. of India has introduced an ambitious scheme of“Mechanism for marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support price (MSP) and development of Value chain for MFP”.

The scheme was started with the objective of providing fair price to MFP gatherers, enhance their income level and ensure sustainable harvesting of MFPs. The MSP scheme seeks to establish  a framework to ensure fair prices for the produce collected by them, assurance of buying at a particular price, primary processing, storage, and transportation while ensuring sustainability of the resource base. It is a holistic scheme for development of MFP trade and covers 24 MFPs.

Value addition assumes critical importance in ensuring remunerative prices to these people in this approach. Three stage value addition would be the corner stone for enhancing incomes of the tribal people under the scheme. The grass root level procurement is proposed to be undertaken through SHGs associated with implementing agencies. Convergence and networking with other Govt. departments/scheme shall be undertaken to utilise the services of existing SHGs such as Ajeevika.  

These SHGs shall be appropriately trained on sustainable harvesting/collection, primary processing and value addition and be formed into clusters so as to aggregate their stock in tradable quantity and linking them with facility of primary processing in a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra. The stock after primary processing shall be supplied by these SHGs to the State Implementing Agencies or direct tie up for supply to corporate secondary processor. For creation of secondary level value addition facility at district level and tertiary level value addition facility at State level, corporates shall be involved under public private partnership (PPP) model. 

This PPP model will be based on utilising private entrepreneur skills in undertaking processing as well as marketing of the produce and Central/ State Govt. support in terms of creating infrastructure and providing enabling environment for undertaking value addition of systematic scientific lines.

Since it is not possible for one person or authority to run a country like India, one of the largest democracies of the world, the law of the land provides for different authorities for its functionality.

Every year, the Union Public Service Commission and various State Public service Commission conducts the examination for civil services for the Union and the States respectively. The top minds from the country are appointed for the post. The young minds come with various new ideas, policies which they think are in line with the modern world.

What comes as an actual nightmare for some bureaucrats is the political interference by the Government in their working. Whenever a new government comes to power, it wants the policies to be implemented in its own way. The picture of the bureaucratic world is much different from the ideal situation and this is no secret now.

It is a known fact, that, whenever a new government comes into power, there is a shuffle in the whole bureaucracy. Also officially or unofficially the officers who have not met the expectations of the government by working in the new prescribed ways are transferred from one station to another. The frequent transfers of the officers not only disturbs the policy implementation but lowers their moral and impacts their family lives. The Supreme Court has also condemned the practice of frequent transfers of the officers. Back in 2013, the Apex court asked the bureaucrats to refrain from taking verbal orders. There should be a policy and a definite reason for transferring an officer. One should not be made to pay for the honest services he gives to his country.

Mr. Pradeep Kasni senior IAS from Haryana cadre has faced more than 70 transfers in his 34 years of services. Also Mr. Ashok Khemka another IAS from Haryana cadre has faced frequent transfer in his service. Many bureaucrats have faced more than one transfer in a single month. 

The assault which some officers are made to face while doing their duties is heartbreaking. The latest case of alleged assault on the Delhi Chief Secretary by the Aam Admi Party lawmakers is not unknown. This incident came to light since it caught Media attention, but there are numerous cases which do not even come under any official record. This brings us to the question that if the Delhi chief Secretary can be a victim how a safe is a common man in this country. Being the residents of a free democratic country we should actually be free from fear to do the right things.

Taking this to next level of thinking such type of interference, be it transfers and postings or assaults come in the way of developments in the region they are serving. Like if one officer is working on a project and he is suddenly transferred, the newly posted officer in his place would need some time to understand the take project ahead. 

Speaking here for the judiciary, the frequent transfer of judges is also one of the root causes for the pendency of cases. A newly posted judicial officer would either continue the case from where left by his predecessor or would take up the evidence again. If the judicial officer is retained at his station, he may make decisions more quickly. 

There are a few suggestions which may make the bureaucracy work more independently:-

There should be an independent board for the transfers of the officers which should consider the work undertaken by the officers and also his/her choice for the posting. A person can work with more dedication at a place of his choice.

There should be no unnecessary transfers. If an officer is working honestly and with complete dedication to his/her work he/she should not be transferred without a concrete reason.

The Central Administrative tribunal should play a more vital role in considering the problems of the transferred officer.

The Officers should take only written communication of orders. 

The political interference at any level should be stopped. 

(The writer is a budding lawyer.)

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Science (IISC) in Bengaluru has scored the topmost slot in the Human Resource Development Ministry’s national institutional ranking framework (NIRF) for educational institutions.

The rankings, released by the Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, placed the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) as the best engineering college and the Indian Institute of Management at Ahmedabad (IIM-A) as the best management institution. 

As per the ranking released by the national institutional ranking framework (NIRF), the IISc stood first in the university category, followed by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

The All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Delhi was ranked number one institute under medical college category while Miranda House College under Delhi University was adjudged as the best college and the National Law School at Bengaluru as the best school in the country.

Other than Miranda House, St Stephen’s College and Hindu College of Delhi University figure in the list of top ten colleges. 

For the first time, medical and dental colleges were also ranked by the NIRF in which were also added architecture and law this year.

In its first rankings in 2016, NIRF had four categories — universities, engineering, management and pharmacy. In 2017, overall and college categories were added. In all, over 4,000 institutions had applied for rankings this time as against 3,000 the previous year.

Importantly, private higher educational institutions also participated in the ranking scheme.

Speaking about this achievement, Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT-Madras said the ranking was an affirmation of consistent hard work of the faculty, staff and students and the zeal with which the institute was implementing and exceeding the targets of their Strategic Plan-2020. “The IIT-Madras leads in research as well as industry collaboration anchored by its hugely successful Research Park. Its students and scholars get placed in the best companies and research institutions worldwide. We will continue to forge ahead with the same energy to achieve even greater heights,’’ he said.

Ranking promotes competition among the Universities and drive them to strive for excellence. Government has also started a scheme called ‘Institutions of Eminence’ in which 20 institutions both public and private, would be selected on challenge method and they would be actively supported to come up in the global rankings.

In NIRF, to promote Research and Development in Higher Education, ‘Research and Professional Practices’ has been given the highest weightage of 40%, for ranking Universities.

• Aetna International white paper highlights antibiotics resistance as a serious hazard to public health~
• 7 Lakh deaths per year due to Antimicrobial Resistance. Expected to reach 1 Crore per annum by 2050~
• Antibiotic consumption to increase by 99% in BRICS countries~
• Agricultural consumption of antibiotics expected to rise by two-thirds by 2030 causing a serious threat to environment~

New Delhi : India is amongst the world’s largest consumers of antibiotics for human health. A recent white paper by Aetna International titled Â‘Antibiotic resistance: Toward better stewardship of a precious medical resource’ highlights the need for immediate action to contain the situation. Multiple factors, such as high burden of disease, poor public health infrastructure, rising incomes and the unregulated sale of cheap antibiotics have amplified the crisis of antibiotics resistance in India. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is causing around 7 Lakh deaths worldwide and the death toll may reach 1 crore per annum by 2050.

A 12-country survey by the World Health Organisation in 2015 demonstrates that at least 75 percent of respondents from four countries including India reported taking an antibiotic within the last six months, compared with just 35 percent of those from Barbados. As per a Lancet report, resistant infections are more expensive to treat and patients infected with resistant strains of bacteria are more likely to require longer hospitalisation. In the US alone, over 2million people suffer from illness due to drug resistant bacteria every year. This costs the United States an additional Rs.1,30,000 Crores(20 billion US dollars) in healthcare spends. In BRICS countries, antibiotic consumption is expected to increase by 99%. Agricultural consumption of antibiotics, which is primarily used to promote growth and not treat disease in animals, was estimated at 63,151 tons in 2010 and is expected to rise by two-thirds by 2030. Research shows that 75-90% of antibiotics given to animals pass through to the environment. This promotes drug resistant bacteria that infect humans and animals. A partial solution to the problem of antibiotic usage in agriculture would be to reduce people’s reliance on meat as a source of nutrition. The UK-based Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advocates that going meat-free for one day a week can improve your health and the environment.

Addressing the growing concerns around the Antibiotic Resistance worldwide, one of the contributors to the white-paper, Dr. Prashant Kr Dash, Chief Medical Officer, vHealth by Aetna said, “The majority of Indians think antibiotics can cure illnesses such as common cold and gastroenteritis, which is a wrong perception. The majority of these infections are caused by viruses and antibiotics have no role in their treatment. This problem of inappropriate antibiotic use is compounded by their easy availability at pharmacies. In many cases, patients experience unwanted serious side effects of antibiotics like an allergic reaction, diarrhea, vomiting, kidney failure, changes in blood sugar levels and toxic effects on the heart and liver. This persuaded us to collate this study which will create awareness on the issue and draw attention to the alarming health crisis being faced globally.”

On Aetna International’s plan tocombat antibiotic resistance in India, Mr. Manasije Mishra, Managing Director, India Health Organisation & Aetna India said, Â“Antibiotic resistance is a crisis that effects everyone globally.  We need to address this issue now with a global, multifaceted strategic solution. In India, with our vHealth by Aetna teleconsultation service, Aetna is taking a three-stage approach that emphasizes antimicrobial stewardship in clinical training audit medical consultations, the identification incorrect antibiotic usage in patients and offers counselling on appropriate usage, dosage, duration and rationale of using antibiotics. By these means, we are initiating steps to help combat the growing threat of AMR in the country.”

Supersonic commercial travel is on the horizon. NASA awarded Lockheed Martin Skunk Works a contract to design, build and flight test the Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator, an X-plane designed to make supersonic passenger air travel a reality.

“It is super exciting to be back designing and flying X-planes at this scale,” said Jaiwon Shin, NASA’s associate administrator for aeronautics. “Our long tradition of solving the technical barriers of supersonic flight to benefit everyone continues.”

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works will build a full-scale experimental aircraft, known as an X-plane, of its preliminary design developed under NASA’s Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) effort. The X-plane will help NASA establish an acceptable commercial supersonic noise standard to overturn current regulations banning commercial supersonic travel over land.

“We’re honored to continue our partnership with NASA to enable a new generation of supersonic travel,” said Peter Iosifidis, Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator program manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. “We look forward to applying the extensive work completed under QueSST to the design, build and flight test of the X-plane, providing NASA with a demonstrator to make supersonic commercial travel possible for passengers around the globe.”

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and NASA have partnered for more than a decade to enable the next generation of commercial supersonic aircraft. NASA awarded Lockheed Martin Skunk Works a contract in February 2016 for the preliminary design of the supersonic X-plane flight demonstrator

The aircraft will be built at the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, and will conduct its first flight in 2021.

Chittagong/Dhaka: A terrain of water, forests and greenery, Bangladesh has come a long way since it was liberated in 1971 and the country celebrated its 47^th Independence Day on March 26, soaking in all hues and colours of freedom with a promise of marching ahead on the path of development.  

As our US-Bangla airline’s flight from Kolkata lands in the afternoon at Chittagong airport, the massive expanse of Karnaphuli river merging into the Bay of Bengal with numerous barges, oil tankers and fishing vessels dotting it are visible. Though the airport  is relatively small, quiet efficiency of the immigration officers ensures that the passengers are cleared without any fuss. Our host is senior advocate Jahangir Alam Chowdhury who along with his professor wife has come to receive us at the airport. The hospitality of the Chowdhury family is splendid and we meet at Chittagong Seniors’ Club in the heart of the city which also has a rich history behind it. About 50-minute drive from the airport to the city centre is smooth with well laid wide roads. Chittagong is the biggest city in Bangladesh after Dhaka and is widely described as the commercial capital of the country. The city also played a key role during India’s freedom struggle as well as during the war for liberation of Bangladesh.

We are also invited to the Chittagong Press Club where all office bearers and members extend a warm welcome and talk about friendly and cordial ties between the scribes of the countries. Many of them have visited India more than once and have returned with fond memories. The journalists of Chittagong are also desirous of having active ties with the press clubs in India. They generally speak of warm and friendly Indo-Bangladesh relations and express desire of more exchange visits between the two neighbours in all fields.

Chittagong is also home to about two lakh population of Hindus who were busy celebrating Basanti Puja at this time of the year. Shayamal Kumar Palit who heads the city’s largest cable television network and helps in organizing one of the biggest pujas in Chittagong informs that nearly 200 Durga Pujas are held in the metropolitan area of Chittagong. Our guide and fellow senior scribe Jasim Chowdhury Sabuj says the city wears a colourful, festive look during the puja season which brings to fore the enthusiastic participation of the people. Mr. Sabuj also takes us round the important landmarks in the city – J M Sen Hall where leaders used to hold meetings during the British rule, the headquarter of the then Assam-Bengal Railways, European Club which was  by Priti Lata in  the 30s who worked in tandem with Masterda Surjo Sen, revolutionary leader whose group had mounted a series of attacks against the then British rule. Masterda remains a legendary figure in Chittagong. 

Markets and streets in the city are bustling with vehicles with rickshaws, three-wheelers, and cars jostling for space. Chittagong port city has a population of about 2.5 million with a density of 16000 people per sq km. Interestingly, three-wheeler auto rickshaws in Dhaka and Chittagong have fixed wire grills on both the sides, protecting the driver and passengers from potential bag snatchers – a crime which is increasing in Delhi and other cities of India by each passing day.

By the time we land in Dhaka, Independence Day celebrations have already begun and March 26 is a public holiday but students and the city youth are enthusiastically participating in different campaigns with catchy slogans and songs being played from the vehicles in which they criss-cross different parts of the city, spreading the message of peace and vowing to work for the progress and development of the nation.

Arterial roads of Dhaka and commercial areas are home to well-lined markets, modern restaurant chains, shops, luxury hotels, a sprawling lake in the middle and many modern and recently-built high-rise buildings. Vertical urban growth seems to be catching up in Dhaka which hosts 16 million people with a density of nearly 50,000 people per sq km. Traffic jams in Dhaka are unpredictable and notorious even as several flyovers have come up in the metropolis. People have a fetish for big cars and mostly Toyota sedans can be easily spotted in good numbers. India’s Tata and Ashok Leyland trucks and trawlers are also visible and so is Mahindra, another auto major.

Dhaka’s National Press Club is the nerve-centre for journalists who make it a point to meet up during the day and discuss the day’s developments with their colleagues or chat up with them or simply indulge in delicious food and snacks that are available in its canteen. On March 26 evening, we are invited to the reception, hosted by the President at Bangabhawan and despite an overcast sky, invitees from all walks of life turn up in large numbers to celebrate the independence day and also register their joy as Bangladesh prepares to shed the tag of LCD (Least Developed Country) and becomes a developing nation.

Parliamentary elections are also due to be held later this year in Bangladesh and the coming months promise to be hectic and politically exciting.

Chittagong/Dhaka: A terrain of water, forests and greenery, Bangladesh has come a long way since it was liberated in 1971 and the country celebrated its 47^th Independence Day on March 26, soaking in all hues and colours of freedom with a promise of marching ahead on the path of development.  

As our US-Bangla airline’s flight from Kolkata lands in the afternoon at Chittagong airport, the massive expanse of Karnaphuli river merging into the Bay of Bengal with numerous barges, oil tankers and fishing vessels dotting it are visible. Though the airport  is relatively small, quiet efficiency of the immigration officers ensures that the passengers are cleared without any fuss. Our host is senior advocate Jahangir Alam Chowdhury who along with his professor wife has come to receive us at the airport. The hospitality of the Chowdhury family is splendid and we meet at Chittagong Seniors’ Club in the heart of the city which also has a rich history behind it. About 50-minute drive from the airport to the city centre is smooth with well laid wide roads. 

Chittagong is the biggest city in Bangladesh after Dhaka and is widely described as the commercial capital of the country. The city also played a key role during India’s freedom struggle as well as during the war for liberation of Bangladesh.

We are also invited to the Chittagong Press Club where all office bearers and members extend a warm welcome and talk about friendly and cordial ties between the scribes of the countries. Many of them have visited India more than once and have returned with fond memories. The journalists of Chittagong are also desirous of having active ties with the press clubs in India. They generally speak of warm and friendly Indo-Bangladesh relations and express desire of more exchange visits between the two neighbours in all fields.

Chittagong is also home to about two lakh population of Hindus who were busy celebrating Basanti Puja at this time of the year. Shayamal Kumar Palit who heads the city’s largest cable television network and helps in organizing one of the biggest pujas in Chittagong informs that nearly 200 Durga Pujas are held in the metropolitan area of Chittagong. Our guide and fellow senior scribe Jasim Chowdhury Sabuj says the city wears a colourful, festive look during the puja season which brings to fore the enthusiastic participation of the people. Mr. Sabuj also takes us round the important landmarks in the city – J M Sen Hall where leaders used to hold meetings during the British rule, the headquarter of the then Assam-Bengal Railways, European Club which was by Priti Lata in  the 30s who worked in tandem with Masterda Surjo Sen, revolutionary leader whose group had mounted a series of attacks against the then British rule. Masterda remains a legendary figure in Chittagong. Markets and streets in the city are bustling with vehicles with rickshaws, three-wheelers, and cars jostling for space. Chittagong port city has a population of about 2.5 million with a density of 16000 people per sq km. Interestingly, three-wheeler auto rickshaws in Dhaka and Chittagong have fixed wire grills on both the sides, protecting the driver and passengers from potential bag snatchers – a crime which is increasing in Delhi and other cities of India by each passing day.

By the time we land in Dhaka, Independence Day celebrations have already begun and March 26 is a public holiday but students and the city youth are enthusiastically participating in different campaigns with catchy slogans and songs being played from the vehicles in which they criss-cross different parts of the city, spreading the message of peace and vowing to work for the progress and development of the nation. Arterial roads of Dhaka and commercial areas are home to well-lined markets, modern restaurant chains, shops, luxury hotels, a sprawling lake in the middle and many modern and recently-built high-rise buildings. Vertical urban growth seems to be catching up in Dhaka which hosts 16 million people with a density of nearly 50,000 people per sq km. Traffic jams in Dhaka are unpredictable and notorious even as several flyovers have come up in the metropolis. People have a fetish for big cars and mostly Toyota sedans can be easily spotted in good numbers. India’s Tata and Ashok Leyland trucks and trawlers are also visible and so is Mahindra, another auto major.

Dhaka’s National Press Club is the nerve-centre for journalists who make it a point to meet up during the day and discuss the day’s developments with their colleagues or chat up with them or simply indulge in delicious food and snacks that are available in its canteen. On March 26 evening, we are invited to the reception, hosted by the President at Bangabhawan and despite an overcast sky, invitees from all walks of life turn up in large numbers to celebrate the independence day and also register their joy as Bangladesh prepares to shed the tag of LCD (Least Developed Country) and becomes a developing nation.

Parliamentary elections are also due to be held later this year in Bangladesh and the coming months promise to be hectic and politically exciting.