Bangladesh Canada and Beyond

The Photo of the Week

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

An eye of a wooden electric pole in Waterloo, Ontario

Photo (Waterloo, Ontario: Sept. 6, 2009) © Jerome D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (January 29 - February 4, 2012)

2012-01-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

The Photo of the Week

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Dawn at Scarborough, Toronto

Photo (Toronto: Feb. 22, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (January 22-28, 2012)

2012-01-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

A bronze sculpture, named Universal Man,

done by Gerald Gladstone, stands at the

Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto

Photo (Toronto: October 15, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

The Photo of the Week

2012-01-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

A giant Christmas tree

in the Eaton Centre Mall, Toronto

Photo (Toronto: Dec. 10, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (January 15-21, 2012)

2012-01-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

A large stone, several million years old,

at the Rouge Valley Park in Toronto

Photo (Toronto: October 10, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

The Photo of the Week

2012-01-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Pumpkins on sale for the Halloween Day

Photo (Waterloo, Ontario: Oct. 22, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (January 8-14, 2012)

2012-01-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

A collection of home-grown
cherry tomatoes

Photo (Toronto: August 7, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

The Photo of the Week

2012-01-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

A moonlit night at Scarborough, Toronto

Photo (Toronto: April 20, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (January 1-7, 2012)

2012-01-01T00:00:00.001-05:00

Roadside fruit vendors in Dhaka City selling mangoes

Photo (Dhaka: July 4, 2011) © Joachim Romeo D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (December 25-31, 2011)

2011-12-25T00:30:00.000-05:00

A Bangladeshi Catholic couple's beautiful dog at their trailer

in Kawartha Lakes area, northern Ontario, Canada

Photo (Ontario: August 7, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

Today Is the Christmas Day!

2011-12-25T00:00:00.001-05:00

Christmas in Bangali (Bengalee) style:

St. Joseph and Mary with baby Jesus wearing Bangali dresses

Painting (Toronto: 1998) © Joachim Romeo D'Costa

Merry Christmas to you all! May the peace of Christ abide with you.

To read more on the Christmas, you may visit our past blog posts:

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, or Happy Holiday?

The Quotation of the Week (December 18-24, 2011)

2011-12-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

On way to the Sauble Beach from Toronto,

wind turbines generate electricity in a rural area

of the Ontario Province, Canada

Photo (Ontario: August 18, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

Vociferous Atheist Christopher Hitchens Dies of Cancer

2011-12-17T22:49:00.001-05:00

Christopher Hitchens

Photo courtesy: CNN

ChristopherHitchens, a U.K.-born zealous preacher of atheism, journalist, author, andpolemicist, died of cancer on December 15 in a hospital in Texas, U.S.A. He wasaged 62.

He was quitevocal in both writing and lecturing about issues and matters that he strongly believedin. He was proficient in the use of English language.

Baptized asan Anglican, Christopher Hitchens later changed religions several times beforehe became a socialist and then an atheist. Along with Professor Richard Dawkinsand some other atheists, he took upon himself the duty of preaching atheismthrough writing, speeches and debates.

Heemphasized upon the use of logic and reasoning in place of blind faith inreligion. He called upon all not to believe in God because, according to him,what religions teach about God are fictions or made-up stories. Religiousleaders used religions to control minds and hearts of people.

He gainedworld-wide publicity when he called Mother Teresa of Calcutta a “Hell’s Angel” througha book. He was equally scathing in his remarks on some politicians.

Some of hisbooks on the subject of religion and atheism are: The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Nonbeliever; Arguably: Essays by Christopher Hitchens;The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa inTheory and Practice; god Is NotGreat: How Religion Poisons Everything; and Is Christianity Good for the World?

In the past,our blog Bangladesh Canada and Beyondgave coverage on Christopher Hitchens in the following write-ups:

Merry Christmas, or Happy Holiday?

Atheists Eager to Get Pope Arrested for ‘Crimes Against Humanity.’

Today Is Bangladesh's 40th 'Bijoy Dibosh' (Victory Day)

2011-12-16T21:14:00.000-05:00

The Jatiyo Smriti Shoudha (National Martyrs'

Memorial) at Savar, Bangladesh, is the symbol

of Bangladesh's Bijoy Dibosh (Victory Day)

Graphics (Toronto: Dec. 16, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

Bangladeshobserves its 40^th Bijoy Dibosh(Victory Day) today. Forty years ago, on this day, General Niazi, who was headof the Pakistani occupation forces in East Pakistan (later renamed Bangladesh),surrendered to the joint forces of India and Bangladesh muktijuddhas (freedom fighters).

It is sadbut true that the ideals that spurred the independence movement did not getrealized fully even in the last 40 years of independence. The question of freedom,democracy (holding regular elections is only a part of democracy; real democracyalso means enjoyment of rights and practice of responsibilities), politicalstability, the rich and poor divide, violation of the rights of the minorityethnic groups, corruption, naked nepotism, law and order situation,implementation of true justice, and economic stagnation still need to beaddressed firmly.

Bangladeshis in the middle age now. It has attained enough maturity to think for itselfand work for the greatest interest and good of its people – majority people whoare Muslims as well as minority peoples, who are Hindus, Buddhists, Christians,aboriginals and small ethnic groups.

Tounderstand the history, significance and meaning of the Bijoy Dibosh, you may read the following:

Bangladesh Victory Day

Today is the Bangladesh Victory Day

Today is the Bangladesh Bijoy Dibosh (Victory Day)

A Doodle on AIDS VIRUS

2011-12-14T19:31:00.000-05:00

In the early 1990s, the AIDS virus became

quite widespread in the world

Doodle (Dhaka: April 28, 1994) © Jerome D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (December 11-17, 2011)

2011-12-11T18:32:00.001-05:00

An overbridge on Birchmount Road, Toronto

Photo (Toronto: February 2, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

The Salvation Army's Christmas Carols in a Shopping Centre in Toronto

2011-12-10T21:54:00.001-05:00

The Children's Choir of the Salvation Army Scarborough

Citadel Corps singing Christmas carols and songs at

the Scarborough Town Centre Mall as part of the

fundraising for their community and family

services programme in Toronto

Photo (Toronto: December 10, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

Bangla (Bengali) Calligraphy: EYES

2011-12-08T19:56:00.001-05:00

Bangla (Bengali) calligraphy on eyes

Calligraphy (Dhaka: Sept. 29, 1990) © Jerome D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (December 4, 2011)

2011-12-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

Lights in Toronto

Photo (Toronto: January 8, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

Christian Minorities Live in Persecution in Pakistan

2011-12-03T23:22:00.001-05:00

Retired Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore, Pakistan

Photo courtesy: The Catholic Register (Nov. 20, 2011)

RetiredArchbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore, Pakistan, on a recent visit to Toronto,said after the naked murder of Christian minister Shahbaz Bhatti on March 2, 2011, Pakistani Christians are living in fear andtheir voice is silenced, reports TheCatholic Register of Toronto.

Archbishopalso mentioned educated Pakistani Christians are abandoning their country totake shelter abroad. Those remaining in the country “are keeping their headsdown and their mouths shut,” he said.

“In such asituation, minorities don’t have much place. There’s no tolerance for otherreligions,” he said. “Either you convert or you leave.”

A number ofchurches have to post guards and build concrete barriers to prevent attack onthem.

For the fullinterview of Archbishop Saldanha with TheCatholic Register, you may read the following: “Christians live in fear in ‘Talibanized’ Pakistan.”

Regarding Human Rights of Its Minorities, Pakistan is aFailed State

The countryis officially called “The Islamic Republic of Pakistan.” It has a population ofover 132.35 million, of whom 95% are Muslims and 5% are Christians,Hindus and other minorities.

It’s tragicbut true that Pakistan today is a prime example of infamous “Blasphemy Laws”which have been causing widespread persecution among the minority groups in thename of Islam. The minorities are hostages in the hands of some religiousextremists who use the blasphemy laws to settle scores with their rivals orcompetitors, to take revenge on someone, or to outright grab lands ofminorities.

Manypoliticians, judges and law enforcement personnel, to keep their positionsintact, allow themselves to be used as toys in the hands of the radical Islamists.

The greatnessof a nation is proven by how it treats its own minorities. Pakistan hasmiserably failed in this respect. An Islamic republic is supposed to follow the real Islam and protect the rights of minorities, but, in reality, Pakistan is failing in this regard.

The westerndemocratic countries, in general, are keeping mum on this matter to receive thesupport of Pakistan in their fight against terrorism. Their deafening silence is goingagainst the minorities’ rights in Pakistan.

The Poem of the Month (November, 2011): THE WORLD OF 'I'

2011-11-30T19:16:00.001-05:00

Design (Toronto: Nov. 30, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

The World of 'I'

The world is basically of ‘I,’

First, it is ‘I am,’ then it is ‘Youare.'

The world gives too much emphasis on ‘I,’

Regarding resources, food, health,clothing,

Housing, education and rights.

The ‘I’ attitude is breedingselfishness, greed,

Pride, arrogance and self-gratification,

Depriving innumerable others, evenruining others,

Who are voiceless, vulnerable and marginalized.

The world of “I’ brings in corruption,scandal,

Domination, repression, persecution, deprival,

War, famine, disease, and man-madeglobal warming.

The world can be a wonderful place tolive,

If, instead of narcissism, there wereselfless love,

Sacrifice, cooperation, tolerance andsharing.

Then the world of ‘I’ would turn tobe the world of ‘we.’

The Photo Meditation of the Month (November, 2011): WINDOW CLEANERS

2011-11-29T21:08:00.001-05:00

A window washer on a scaffold at the Bay Street, Toronto

Photo (Toronto: June 16, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

Call them window cleaners, call them window washers -- they are of the same profession and work. They can be seen on scaffolds hanging from high-rise buildings and skyscrappers all over the world.

These men take bold risks in this cleaning business. They stand on scaffolds hanging down with strong ropes from top of the building. They have a pulley system to go up or down according to their need.

When I see them scrubbing, brushing and rinsing glass windows several stories high, I shudder but, at the same time, I marvel at their fait accompli.

Sometimes there is a news on how some ropes give way and the cleaners with their scaffolds fall to the ground with deadly consequences. Can you imagine how their families suffer?

In spite of such a danger and risk, window washers take their job seriously. Risking their lives, they are giving a service to humanity. Such risk takers are making our lives easy. We definitely need to appreciate their work and give them proper respect.

Father Sebastian Tudu Named New Bishop of Dinajpur, Bangladesh

2011-11-29T19:34:00.001-05:00

Bishop-elect Sebastian Tudu

Photo courtesy: The Pratibeshi (Nov. 6, 2011)

PopeBenedict XVI, on October 29, appointed Father Sebastian Tudu the new bishop ofthe Diocese of Dinajpur, Bangladesh. Bishop-elect Tudu will succeed BishopMoses Costa, CSC, who in last May was transferred to the Diocese of Chittagong.

Bishop-electSebastian Tudu, at the time of the announcement, was the Vice Rector andprofessor of the Holy Spirit Major Seminary in Dhaka. He will be the firstSantal (one of the several ethnic groups) Bishop of Bangladesh. He will be consecrated as a bishop on January 27, 2012.

According tothe Pratibeshi, the national Catholicweekly of Bangladesh, Bishop-elect Tudu was born on June 17, 1967 at ChanguraVillage under Mariampur Catholic Church of Dinajpur District.

He studiedat Mariampur Catholic school, St. Philip’s High School of Dinajpur, DinajpurGovt. College, Notre Dame College of Dhaka and Holy Spirit Major Seminary. Hehas a Ph.D. in Theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University of Rome,Italy.

He became apriest on December 30, 1999. As an assistant parish priest, he had served atDhanjuri and Ruhea parishes.

The Diocese of Dinajpur, with an area of 12,638,991 sq. km., has a population of more than 16,000,000 people and among them more than 42,000 are Roman Catholics who belong to the Bangali (Bengalee), Santal, Oraon, Mahali, Mundari, Malo and Mal Pahari ethnic groups.

Quotation of the Week (November 27 - December 3, 2011)

2011-11-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

Sunset at the Sauble Beach, Ontario

Photo (Sauble Beach: August 4, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

Toronto Holds Its 106th Annual Santa Claus Parade - 3

2011-11-22T20:24:00.001-05:00

More of the Santa Claus Parade:

The float of Mrs. Santa Claus

Mr. Santa Claus' float as seen from the front

The upper portion of Mr. Santa Claus' float

Photos (Toronto: Nov. 20, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

(The End)

Toronto Holds Its 106th Annual Santa Claus Parade - 2

2011-11-21T20:41:00.001-05:00

Toronto Santa Claus Parade Continues:

Photos (Toronto: Nov. 20, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

(Continued)

Toronto Holds Its 106th Annual Santa Claus Parade - 1

2011-11-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

The 106^thannual Santa Claus Parade in Toronto, Ontario, was held yesterday with more than ahalf-a-million spectators attending. There were floats, bands, clowns, and participants. It’s claimed to be the world’s oldest annual SantaClaus parade, first organized on December 2, 1905 by the Eaton’s DepartmentStores with a lonely float.

PresentMayor Rob Ford walked down the parade route distributing candies to children. Toronto Metropolitan Police Chief Bill Blair was also present.

The mainobject of the parade, as the winter sets in, is to entertain and amuse childrenbefore the important feast of Christmas on December 25.

Floats aremade based on characters in children’s stories and TV programmes. For the firsttime this year there was a float in the parade headed by Mrs. Santa Claus. Mr.Santa Claus is the one who usually has the last float of the parade.

You can have an idea of the parade from the following photos:

Mayor Rob Ford distributes candies to children

Photos (Toronto: Nov. 20, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

(Continued)

The Quotation of the Week (November 20-26, 2011)

2011-11-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

A "dance" of light near the Kawartha Lakes area, Ontario

Photo (Kawartha Lakes, Ontario: August 7, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

Shame on the United Colors of Benetton!

2011-11-17T19:50:00.001-05:00

A doodle on "Shame on the United Colors of Benetton!"

Doodle (Toronto: November 17, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

TheUnited Colors of Benetton (UCB), a well-known Italian clothing fashion company,started its advertising campaign this year with the theme of “Unhate.” Theintention of this campaign, according to the company’s head AlessandroBenetton, is “the reconciliation and acceptance” in the face of increasedhatred in the world.

Thiscampaign portrays digitally manipulated shocking images of world leaders, whoare opposed to each other, deep-kissing on their lips. Large colourful images includethose of Pope Benedict XVI kissing Egypt’s imam Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed El-Tayeb,US President Obama kissing Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez, Israel’s PremierBenjamin Netanyahu locking lips with Palestinian National Authority presidentMahmoud Abbas and so on.

TheVatican vehemently protested against this portrayal of the Pope and the imam,and , as a result, the company removed the pope and imam’s image from itsdisplay and campaign.

Inthe past, the United Colors of Benetton also had its annual campaigns where itused other types of shocking images. In one year, it showed an image of aCatholic priest deep-kissing a Sister (nun).

Vatican spokesman Reverend Federico Lombardisaid: “This is a grave lack of respectfor the Pope.” He also called it offensive to the “sentiments of the faithful”and “a clear example of how advertising can violate elementary rules of respectfor people in order to attract attention through provocation.”

AlessandroBenetton in a statement said that the campaign is “solely to battle the cultureof hate in all its forms. We are sorry that the use of an image of the pontiffand the imam should have offended the sensibilities of the faithful in thisway.”

Some Observations on the 2011 Ad Campaign of the United Colors of Benetton

The UnitedColors of Benetton has been losing money for the past several years. This year,in the face of economic crisis in Europe and some other parts of the world,this company wanted to regain its market by ultra-shock valued advertisingcampaign. In reality, this campaign proved to be cheap, brute and short. Theowner and his cohorts in the company displayed a shocking lack of respect forpersons of position who have hundreds and millions of followers. They alsogravely lack in regard for cultural and religious sentiments of people.

To express "reconciliation and acceptance," two persons' hugging could be tolerated, but in some cultures kissing on lips and deep kissing at that is considered a heinous and most vile act.

This companydid not display manipulated photo of Alessandro Benetton lip-locking with hisrival company’s owner or CEO expressing “reconciliation and acceptance.” Instead,it took on other leaders.

The shockand awe method may generate a cheap and temporary laugh and excitement,especially among some youth, but it cannot have a lasting effect. This year’s adcampaign exposed the hate of this company in a naked manner. Instead of the “Unhatecampaign,” it turned into a hate campaign.

If thiscompany’s thought-level and moral ground is so low, what can people learn fromit? Sadistic fun has a limit to it. Is this the beginning of the end of theUnited Colors of Benetton?

The Quotation of the Week (November 13-19, 2011)

2011-11-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

A piece of tomato

Photo (Toronto: May 4, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

A Doodle: A CROWDED BUS IN DHAKA

2011-11-10T22:35:00.001-05:00

A crowded bus in Dhaka

Doodle (Dhaka: May 21, 1994) © Jerome D'Costa

Four Catholic Educational Institutions in Dhaka Receive 2011 Govt. Award for Excellence

2011-11-07T19:01:00.000-05:00

St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School

at Mohammadpur, Dhaka

Four Catholic educationalinstitutions in Dhaka recently won Bangladesh government’s prestigious awardfor outstanding achievements in 2011. The award is given on the basis of “studyenvironment, academic performance, attendance and discipline,” reports UCANews.

Notre Dame College, St. JosephHigher Secondary School, Holy Cross College and Holy Cross Girls’High School were ranked 5^th, 6^th, 8^th and 13^threspectively in this year’s ‘Top 20 Educational Institutes Award’ given by theSecondary and Higher Education Board of the Government of Bangladesh.

Holy Cross priests run the Notre Dame College (founded in 1949), Holy Cross Brothers run St. Joseph Higher Secondary School (founded in 1954), and Holy Cross Sisters run both the Holy Cross College (founded in 1950) and Holy Cross Girls’ High School (founded in 1951).

The Quotation of the Week (November 6-12, 2011)

2011-11-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

A moonlit night in Toronto, Canada

Photo (Toronto: January 15, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

In the World Inter-Faith Gathering, Pope Expresses Shame for Christians' Use of Force In the Name of Religion

2011-11-05T22:59:00.004-04:00

In the inter-faith gathering in Assissi are seen (from left)

Archbishop Norvan Zakarian (Armenian Apostolic Church),

Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury (Anglican Church),

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople (Eastern

Orthodox Church), Pope Benedict XVI (Roman Catholic Church),

Rabbi David Rosen (Chief Rabbinate of Israel),

Wande Abimbola (representing traditional religion

of the Yoruba people, Nigeria) and

Shrivatsa Goswami (representing Hinduism)

Photo @ courtesy of: www.dioceseofraleigh.org/

PopeBenedict XVI, on October 27, welcomed 300 leaders of different religions inAssissi, Italy, and appealed all to work for peace and dialogue. The theme ofthe one-day gathering was “Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace.”

Leaderspresent were Catholics, Anglicans, Protestants, Armenian Christians, OrthodoxChristians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, Shintoists, Sikhs, Zoroastrians,African indigenous religions and others. In addition, four non-believers ofGod, called ‘atheists,’ were also there, report Reuters and The Catholic Register. This event alsomarks the 25^th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s initiative forpeace by inviting leaders of world religions in Assissi in 1986. Assissi is thehometown of St. Francis, who is well-known as a symbol of peace.

The emphasisof the Pope’s address was how the faith can bring peace and how its absence canlead to violence. The Pope also mentioned that this violence is showing itselfin two contradictory fashions – religious violence and anti-religious violence.He called the first one ‘terrorism,’ which maintains that “religion is a causeof violence, and, in this way, it has fueled hostility towards religions.” Atthe same time, he said, this analysis is not entirely without historicalfoundation.

“As a Christian I want to say at this point:Yes, it is true; in the course of history, force has also been used in the nameof the Christian faith,” he said.

“We acknowledge it with great shame. But itis utterly clear that this was an abuse of the Christian faith, one thatevidently contradicts its true nature.”

By this the pope meant the use offorce by Christians during the Crusades in the Middle Eastand against people of the New World (especially, in the Americas) to spread theChristianity. Pope John Paul II, in 2000, also mentioned and apologized for Christianity’s historical failures.

“Violence never again! War neveragain! Terrorism never again! In the name of God, may every religion bring uponEarth justice and peace, forgiveness and life, love,” the pope said.

The pope said history had also shown the denialof God could bring about “a degree of violence that knows no bounds.” Theconcentration camps of Hitler and his German Nazis during the Second World Warrevealed “with utter clarity the consequences of God’s absence.”

The full text of Pope Benedict XVI can be read below:

Pope's Address in Assissi

Some Halloween Decorations in Toronto

2011-11-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

The Halloween, originally based on religious aspect of death and Christians' preparation for it, gradually turned into a social event and festivity dominated by ghosts and ghouls. Now it is fully commercialized with the sale of ghostly costumes and paraphernalia which are used for Halloween parties, trick or treat, decorations of houses and offices and so on.

We present below some photographs depicting decorations of several houses in Toronto.

Halloween decorations in front of different houses in Scarborough, Toronto

Photos (Scarborough, Toronto: Oct. 31, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

The Poem of the Month (October, 2011): HALLOWEEN

2011-10-31T18:52:00.002-04:00

A Halloween doodle

Doodle (Toronto: Oct. 31, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

Halloween

Trick or treat?

Trick.

Trick or treat?

Treat.

Trick or treat?

Trick and treat.

That's the suspense

of the Halloween.

The Quotation of the Week (October 30 - November 5, 2011)

2011-10-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

The Photo Meditation of the Month (October, 2011): THE SHEEP

2011-10-29T19:25:00.000-04:00

One of the sheep in the Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto,

feeding on fallen autumn leaves

Photo (Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto: October 29, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

Manycountries in the world raise sheep. Many raise them for commercial purposes, tomake a living out of them. Sheep supply meat for consumption, give milk formaking cheese and yogurt, and provide wool for making warm clothes for winter.

Sheep are asymbol of obedience, meekness and humility because they rarely attack eachother or other animals. The Bible is replete with mentions and examples of the sheep.Jesus Christ himself, in a number of times, gave his teachings based on thesheep.

In our lifeif we become like a sheep we can do a lot for building friendship, peace andharmony in our society and in the world. Our sheep-like obedience, meekness andhumility can act as a catalyst for bringing about change of hearts. This typeof change can be more lasting and fruitful. We have a lot to learn from theordinary animal, the sheep.

Coadjutor Archbishop Patrick D'Rozario, CSC, Becomes the Archbishop of Dhaka

2011-10-25T21:29:00.000-04:00

Coadjutor Archbishop Patrick D'Rozario, CSC

Photo (Toronto: October 24, 2010) © Joachim Romeo D'Costa

Pope Benedict XVI, on October 22, accepted the resignation of Archbishop Paulinus Costa and made Coadjutor Archbishop Patrick D'Rozario, CSC, the new Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dhaka, reports the Vatican Information Service (VIS).

The resignation of Archbishop Paulinus Costa came upon his reaching the age of 75, the Church's retirement age for a bishop or archbishop.

In a public function, to be announced soon, new Archbishop Patrick D'Rozario, CSC, and outgoing Archbishop Paulinus Costa will be feted.

Archbishop Paulinus Costa was first the bishop of the Diocese of Rajshahi in Bangladesh for nine years before becoming the archbishop of Dhaka on September 9, 2005.

Archbishop Paulinus Costa (Photo courtesy: www.ucanews.com/)

The Occupy Movement is Now in Dhaka, Bangladesh

2011-10-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

A poster used for Occupy Dhaka

Photo @ courtesy of http://shopnobaz.com/

The Occupy Movement is now in Dhaka. On October 22, activists of different stripes gathered at the Teachers-Students Centre of the University of Dhaka and held its Occupy Dhaka programme in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street.

The participants, hailing from university professors, students, intellectuals, and members of the general public, protested against financial corruption, capitalism and the large gap between the rich and the poor.

Some of the slogans used in the Occupy Dhaka were: "We won't let peoples' Bangladesh be multinationals' Bangladesh," "We are against the exploitation and looting of multinational financing," "Stop commercialization of education," "Garment workers be given the minimum wage," and "Save the national resources of oil, gas and coal."

To learn more of this event, you may click on the following:

Occupy Dhaka: Joining the Global Movement Against the 1%

Muammar Gaddafi Dies Ignominiously

2011-10-23T00:30:00.000-04:00

Colonel Gaddafi in March of this year ignored
the demonstrations and protests against him by claiming
in an interview with a foreign journalist that "My people love me!"

Cartoon (Toronto: March 5, 2011) © Joachim Romeo D'Costa

Libya’sColonel Muammar Gaddafi’s 42-year tyrannical rule came to end on October 20with his ignominious death at the hands of his own people who had revoltedagainst him.

His hometownof Sirte in northwest Libya was a place of bitter fights between the advancingrebels and Gaddafi’s armed force personnel and supporters. As he saw the fallof Sirte imminent, he and a few of his close associates were fleeing the cityin early morning in a convoy of vehicles. The NATO forces intercepted the convoyand realized that some important person or persons must have been there.American drone missile strikes destroyed a number of vehicles but Gaddafiluckily survived. He and some others left the remaining vehicles and tookshelter in a nearby concrete culvert. In the meantime, the rebels nearby closedin and captured bloodied Colonel Gaddafi.

He wascaptured alive and was mishandled by the captors, who were mostly ragtag rebelswith no or little army training. At one point someone shot Gaddafi dead insteadof handing him over to the new government of Libya for trial.

This Type of Death of Gaddafi IsUncalled For

ColonelGaddafi, although a maniacal and brutal head of the state of Libya, did notdeserve such a death when he was captured alive and when there were none of hismen defending him by using arms. It would be a wise thing to hand him over tothe new government authority for trial that would be good for the future ofLibya. He should have been held accountable for the atrocious misdeeds hecommitted against his own people. His immediate killing deprived Libya ofbringing justice to him.

At the sametime, we also need to realize that many of the Libyans were living a life offear and sudden unjust imprisonment and death for so long under the high-handedrule of Gaddafi. People were fed up withhim, yet they could not say or act anything against him without retribution. Manyof the people saw how Gaddafi’s men brutalized, imprisoned and killed theirnear and dear ones for no or little reason. People were so enraged and full ofhatred for him that his killing came naturally when he was captured. May be theidea of sparing his life temporarily was thought of dangerous and that’s why hewas done with immediately.

So, the practiceof international law of sparing lives of those captured during war for latertrial is difficult to expect under such circumstances.

Gaddafi the Tyrant

ColonelMuammar Gaddafi was not only an autocratic dictator but also a tyrant. He knewhow to use his power and brutality to keep people under subjugation. He wasadept at using the evil side of his character to rule Libya.

He was suchan ambitious person that in 1969, at the age of only 27, he took control of thecountry in a bloodless coup. King Idris of Libya was sent into exile in Egypt. Thenhe did a lot of experiments in ruling the country and finally he imposed hisown system – a mixture of capitalism and communism.

Thetyrannical aspect of his character came to the fore one year after he took overpower. A group of young army officers wanted to oust him from power by a coupbut failed. He became suspicious of others and became vengeful. He saw anyopposition as a sign of ousting him from his position. In the 1970’s decade, heimprisoned and killed many students and their supporters who demanded freedomand human rights. Once he also killed about 1,200 unarmed prisoners forasserting their demands. There are dozens of tribal groups in Libya. Hefavoured his own nomadic Bedouin tribals and acted against almost all others.

Journalistscall him eccentric in a nice way, but in reality his tyrannical andunremorseful behaviour is a clear proof of mental illness. He should have beenremoved from power a long ago.

He wasagainst western system of capitalism. He nationalized the Western-dominated oilindustry of Libya in 1973. He exported terrorism by funding terrorist groups inColombia, Northern Ireland, Germany and Palestine. His Libyan agents in 1986bombed a night club in Berlin and killed two American soldiers and woundedmany. His agents also placed bomb in the PanAm (American) airlines in 1988 andkilled 270 people, mostly Americans. The Western countries then imposed a heavysanction again doing business with Libya.

Thissanction was too much to bear. Colonel Gaddafi, after suffering much economicloss, ultimately admitted its participation in the bombing plot the PanAmairlines and compensated millions of dollars for the death of the passengersand crew. In the first half of 2000’s, he also disavowed himself fromsupporting terrorism and producing weapons of mass destruction. After this, theUSA and western countries began normal relations with Libya.

The Arab Spring– common people’s demonstrations and rallies – demanding freedom and democracystarted in the beginning (Spring) of 2011. It became successful in ousting thepresident first in Tunisia and later in Egypt. Seeing their success, people inLibya also followed the same tactics but were fiercely opposed by Colonel Gaddafi and his henchmen, who vowed to flow rivers of blood in the country byattacking and killing the demonstrators. The killings gave birth to full-scalerevolts in different cities of the country. The NATO countries openly supportedthe fledgling rebels and air-bombed Gaddafi’s forces and weakened theirpositions. Gradually the rebels, also aided by military weapons and advisers fromthe NATO countries, freed most of the country and fought the last battles inSirte until Colonel Gaddafi’s death.

Securing the Rule of Law andScattered Arms and Weapons Should Be the First Priority

The newgovernment of liberated Libya must secure the rule of law and all scatteredarms and ammunition in the country before any peace and stability are establishedfor exercising democracy.

The birth ofBangladesh in 1971 and the present birth of new Libya in 2011 have similarity.Bangladesh (former East Pakistan), in 1971, fought the war of independence againstWest Pakistan (now Pakistan) with the direct assistance of India and indirectsupport of the Soviet Union. After the country won independence in December ofthe same year, the new government of Bangladesh failed to secure the law andorder situation and retrieve all the arms and ammunition from the freedomfighters. As a result, after some months of independence, a reign of terrorstarted all over the country when one political group began fighting anotherwith the loose arms, some freedom fighters resorting to robberies and blackmailand so and so forth. For more than half a decade this lawlessness persistedbefore matters began to settle. Similarly, Libya, with the direct intervention of the NATO countries, gained freedom after a bitter fight with Gaddafi forces. The new Libya should take a lesson from Bangladesh's experience.

Another similarity is: Those who came to power after the independence of Bangladesh, did not have experience of holding political or administrative offices in the country due to domination of the West Pakistanis in political and economic fields. As a result, these new leaders failed miserably in running the country. In the midst of chaos and confusion, there were coups and counter-coups and killing of the President of the country, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and his colleagues of his political party. If the new Libya is not careful and does not plan well, it is very likely to face a lot of difficulties in politics, economy and society.

The Quotation of the Week (October 23 - 29, 2011)

2011-10-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

A monarch butterfly on the sands of the Sauble Beach, Ontario

Photo (Sauble Beach, Ontario: Sept. 3, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

A Photo Essay on the Occupy Toronto Encampment in St. James Park -- 4

2011-10-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

This is the last intallment of the photo essay on the Occupy Toronto encampment in St. James Park.

Protesters also have a facility for meditation in the park

One young man is absorbed in his meditation

The following posters and placards in the park are self-explanatory:

Photos (Toronto: October 17, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

(The End)

A Photo Essay on the Occupy Toronto Encampment in St. James Park -- 3

2011-10-21T20:42:00.001-04:00

More photos of the Occupy Toronto encampment in St. James Park. The photos are self-explanatory.

Photos (Toronto: October 17, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

(Continued)

A Photo Essay on the Occupy Toronto Encampment in St. James Park -- 2

2011-10-20T19:49:00.000-04:00

St. James Park was plastered with placards, posters and banners. The following photos show them clearly.

Occupy Toronto Speakers' Forum

from where speeches are made for the participants

An artist is preparing a chalk drawing of a face

and message on the walkway in the park

Photos (Toronto: October 17, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

(Continued)

A Photo Essay on the Occupy Toronto Encampment in St. James Park -- 1

2011-10-19T19:35:00.001-04:00

The Occupy Toronto movement started its demonstration and occupation of St. James Park in downtown Toronto on Saturday, October 15. The occupy movement is in its fifth day today.

It was Monday, October 17, when I went to St. James Park to observe and take photos of the encampment of the activists of the Occupy Toronto movement. From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. I was there going round different groups. The result is this photo essay.

This photo essay is giving you an overview of the situation there. Even sitting at home and being far from the the actual scene, you will have a glimpse of the encampment in Toronto.

The Anglican St. James Cathedral is adjacent to St. James Park

where the Occupy Toronto groups pitched their camps

The Occupy Toronto public speakers' forum

A speaker is giving to-do and not-to-do directions

to the Occupy Toronto participants

Participants and onlookers listening to the speaker

Some tents of the encampment on the grounds of St. James Park

Other tents in the park

A tent of one of the groups of participants

More tents with a slogan

Some participants of the Occupy Toronto in front of their tents

Other participants in relaxation

Some writers and artists are busy preparing

posters and placards for demonstrations

Some of the posters placed on the ground

One of the posters on a tree

The Occupy Toronto's own media centre also

gives coverage of the activities of its participants

Some of the participants in a discussion of issues

One participant holding a poster of "For Sale: Freedom"

as part of an interview with a TV journalist

Two participants are in discussion among themselves

A line of portable toilets for the participants

The Media news vans of the CTV, CP24 and 680 News

are giving a regular coverage of the Occupy Toronto groups

More news vans of the CBC Radio Canada and CP24

Photos (Toronto: October 17, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

(Continued)

How Cartoonists See the "Occupy Movement"

2011-10-17T20:22:00.000-04:00

The above cartoons @ courtesy of: TheCaglePost

Some other cartoons on the Occupy Movement are:

Messages of Love and Condolence Still Pour In Apple Stores After Steve Job's Death

2011-10-16T21:17:00.001-04:00

An Apple Store at the Fairview Mall on Sheppard Avenue

East, Toronto, with the post-it notes on the glass

windows bearing messages of love and condolence

at the recent death of the Apple, Inc. CEO Steve Jobs

Messages of the Apple product users and well-wishers

More messages on the wall

(To read some of the messages, you may click on the last two photos)

The "Occupy Movement" in Canada

2011-10-16T00:13:00.003-04:00

"Occupy Wall Street" cartoon

Cartoon courtesy: National Post (Toronto: Oct. 4, 2011)

The wind ofthe Arab Spring, that started early this year and still going on, is nowblowing all over the world – in the East, West, North and South. Thanks to thesocial media like cellphones, computers, Facebook, Twitter and the like.

The ArabSpring inspired another movement in the West, first in New York City, called “OccupyWall Street.” The Wall Street occupiers are common people who have beenprotesting against the corporate greed, socio-economic injustices, anever-increasing rich-poor divide, and politico-economic influence peddling. Nowmany other U.S. cities are following New York’s example. This “occupy movement”is going on in other countries like Britain, Belgium, France, Italy, Canada, Japan,Taiwan and others. The CBC report says that 1,500 cities in the world have its "occupy rallies."

The “Occupy Movement” in Toronto,Canada

WithinCanada, the city of Toronto experienced its “Occupy Toronto” yesterday. More thantwo thousand people participated in it with slogans and speeches carryingplacards and banners that, among others, said: “Stop the Hydro Plant,” “Stopthe Mega Quarry,” “Stop Ignoring the Youth, We Are Your Tomorrow,” “Don’t JudgeUs, Join Us,” “I am the child and I am the mother against the corporate greed.”One placard was interesting; it said on one side: “1989 The Wall Came Down,” –meaning the Berlin Wall, a powerful symbol of communism in Europe. The otherside of the same placard said: “Karl Marx Was Wrong.” Fourteen other cities in Canada saw its own version of the "occupy movement."

Thegathering of the “occupiers” started on the King and Bay Streets. Later theymarched to St. James Park, near St. James Cathedral of the Anglican Church, onthe King and Adelaide Streets. The marchers were about two hundred in thebeginning, later they swelled to more than two thousand who symbolicallyoccupied St. James Park. Their occupation will continue for days to come.

Politicians, Businessmen,Industrialists Need to Heed to “Occupy Movement”

We see inthe history that disgruntlement, if left alone, creates movements that can befatal to the country and society. The industrial revolution in Europe in the 17^thand 18^th centuries had brought about an unprecedented impetus andwealth to industries and businesses but, at the same time, it createddisgruntlement among the poor, marginalized, and low-paid labourers. Sincethe capitalism did not pay any heed to these people’s plight, the communism rodehigh on the shoulders of this disgruntlement and came to create havoc insocieties – resulting in death and suffering of millions of people.

Disgruntlementalso caused insurgencies and wars in some societies. The latest example, amongothers, is the present situation in Libya.

The “occupymovement” may look like a little irritation only, but, if we think deeply, wewill see that many of these people are not dumb but thinking people. They areworking like a conscience, a kind of weather vane, drawing attention to thereal problems in the society and country.

If theselegitimate demands are totally ignored, if these are put under the rug, we do not knowwhat “ism” may rise in future creating more havoc in the societies.

The Quotation of the Week (October 16-22, 2011)

2011-10-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

A lily flower in a family garden

Bangla (Bengali) Calligraphy

2011-10-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

The writing in the middle says "Bekkhya chai" -- meaning
"we demand the explanation." This is a common demand
in Bangladesh when someone in the government or otherwise
does or says something contrary to people's wishes or liking.

Calligraphy (Dhaka: February 7, 1991) © Jerome D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (October 9 - 15, 2011)

2011-10-09T09:43:00.001-04:00

A cement wall in Toronto

Computer Innovator and Visionary Steve Jobs Dies

2011-10-06T21:12:00.000-04:00

Steve Jobs, the Apple, Inc., co-founder and CEO

Stephen PaulJobs, popularly known as Steve Jobs, the co-founder and recently-retired CEO ofthe Apple, Inc., died on October 5 near San Francisco, California, of a rarepancreatic cancer first diagnosed in 1984. He was only 56 years old.

U.S. PresidentBarack Obama in a message of tribute to this computer technology innovator andvisionary said: “Steve was among the greatest of American innovators – brave enoughto think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, andtalented enough to do it.”

Microsoftco-founder Bill Gates said: “The world rarely sees someone who has had theprofound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for manygenerations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it’sbeen insanely great honour.”

Steve Jobs’biological parents were Abdulfattah “John” Jandali, a Syrian Muslim immigrantand Joanne Shieble (later Simpson), an American. They were studying in theuniversity when Steve Jobs was born in San Francisco out of wedlock on February24, 1955.

This newbornchild was immediately given up for adoption to Paul and Clara Jobs. Theadoptive parents named the child ‘Stephen Paul Jobs.’

Steve Jobsgraduated from Homestead High School in Cupertino, California, and joined ReedCollege in Portland, Oregon, in 1972. He found the classes boring and after asemester dropped out of the college never to return to any formal education.

In 1996,with his friend Steve Wozniak, he started the Apple Computer Company. Their firstventure Apple I computer was not successful. Their second venture, Apple IIcomputer, in 1984, was successful because it was small in size and appropriatefor home use. Before this, computers were quite large and heavy and were mainlyused by professionals – business organizations and scientific and educationalinstitutions.

The AppleIII computer (1980) and Lisa computer (1983) were not well received in themarket. Moreover, the company faced competition with IBM’s personal computers(PCs) and was losing money with its new models of computers.

In 1998, theApple marketed its elegantly designed iMac computers which were popular withcustomers. Gradually the company was turning around and making more money.

In 2001, thiscompany introduced its ipod, an ultra-light and easily portable music player,that became extremely popular with the young people.

In 2007,with the introduction of iPhone, a revolution came in cell phone system withmultiple task possibility.

In 2010, theApple introduced iPad tablet computer that took the company to a new level.

Behind allthese innovations, was the dynamic spirit of Steve Jobs.

Thefollowing quotation taken from Steve Jobs’ commencement address to the graduatingstudents of Standford University, California on June 12, 2005 isworth noting: “Your time is limited, sodon't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which isliving with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise ofothers' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have thecourage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what youtruly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Bandura Holy Cross High School to Observe Its Centenary

2011-10-04T22:05:00.000-04:00

Former students of Bandura Holy Cross High School
meet in Toronto on Sept. 25, 2011

with Mr. Akkas Uddin Mollah (seated, 3rd from left) and

Brother Prodip L. Rozario, CSC, ( seated, 4th from left)

(To view the enlarged version, click on the photo above)

Photo (Toronto: Sept. 25, 2011) by Mary D'Costa

Bandura HolyCross High School, in the district of Dhaka, Bangladesh, is going to observeits 100^th year in coming January. The three-day celebration will beheld on January 12-14 with about 4,000 participants, including present studentsand alumni of the school.

BrotherChandon Benedict Gomes, C.S.C., headmaster and convenor of the CentenaryCommittee of the high school, in a letter to the alumni mentioned that he sent BrotherProdip L. Rozario, C.S.C. – former headmaster of the school and a member of thecentenary finance committee – and Mr. Akkas Uddin Mollah -- a Dhaka businessman and convenor of the same finance committee – on a tourof France, England, Toronto (Canada), Maryland (USA) and New York (USA). Thesetwo representatives met with a number of former students of the school in theseplaces and invited them to participate in the celebration of the centenary andsought their financial cooperation.

On Sunday,September 25, under the chairmanship of Dr. David Henry Mazumdar, there was agathering of more than two dozen Bandura high school alumni in Toronto. Participantsgave a positive response to the high school’s invitation. Some of the alumnieven formed an instant committee, to be headed by Mr. Shekhar E. Gomes, to observe the centenary ofthe school in a small way in Toronto with an entertainment programme aiming at generatingsome funds.

The present headmaster also mentioned in his letter that the school has a plan to build in its premises an auditorium-cum-library and a computer lab costing about US$250,000. Funds would be required for this purpose, too.

To know moreabout the centenary programme and for financial donation inquiries, one may email the headmaster at banduraholycrosshighschool@gmail.comand visit the school website: http://www.banduraholycross.com/

A Short Background of Bandura HolyCross High School

The villageof Bandura had a Catholic church since 1845. Three times cyclonic storms razedthe church to the ground. For the fourth time the church was rebuilt in early1898.

In 1909, themanagement board of Gobindapur High School proposed to Rt. Rev. Peter Joseph Hurth, C.S.C., Bishop of theDiocese of Dhaka, to take over the school and run it under some conditions. Twoof the conditions were: the school couldnot be relocated elsewhere and its name could not be changed. The bishop leftthe diocese for his home country without any action on the petition. Hissuccessor Bishop Frederick Linneborn, C.S.C., visited the school in April of 1910and placed his own conditions, some of which were: the school would berelocated, its name would be ‘Holy Cross Bandura-Gobindapur High School,’ andfull governing power and ownership of the school should be vested upon theBishop. After further negotiations the bishop won his case.

First thechurch at Bandura was closed and relocated to Golla, a few miles from Bandura.Holy Cross Bandura-Gobindapur High School debuted on January 8, 1912 inside thechurch building at Bandura. Classes two through seven started with a total of157 boys under the headmastership of Father John J. Hennessy, C.S.C. Later classes were expanded to grade 10 andname of the school was changed to ‘Bandura Holy Cross High School.’ In 2011,this high school, from classes six to ten, has 1,550 students and 40 teachers.

Bandura HolyCross High School has been well-known for itseducational, literary, cultural and sports achievements. WhenBrother Prodip L. Rozario, C.S.C., was the headmaster, this school received thenational “best school award” in 2001 from the government of Bangladesh.

2011-10-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

Pigeons at a leisure in College Park

The Photo Meditation of the Month (September, 2011): THE EYES

2011-09-30T19:52:00.002-04:00

Attentive eyes of a baby

The Eyes

Eyes are a precious gift of God to us. Eyes help us see and appreciate wonderful creations of his. These valuable organs are an integral part of our daily activities.

What we are depends mostly upon what we see, understand and apply in our lives.

According to our state of our mind, our eyes can be innocent, loving, compassionate, inquisitive, angry, rebuking, hateful, taunting or vengeful. With our eyes we can commit sins, too.

Eyes also can help us acquire knowledge and understanding by keen observation and reading of printed materials.With proper use of our eyes we can express our love for others, comfort others, and encourage others.

Let us use our eyes judiciously for the greater glory of God and for peaceful purposes among human beings.

The Poem of the Month (September, 2011): YOU'RE THERE, LORD

2011-09-29T19:24:00.000-04:00

A doodle on God

You're There, Lord

You're there, Lord,

But we don't see you.

You're there, Lord,

But we don't hear you.

You're there, Lord,

But we don't feel you.

Yet, we believe you're there,

We realize your presence in our heart,

We strive to live our life for you,

We even can die for you,

That's the reality for us,

That's the reality for us, Lord.

Catholic Deacon George Dardess Seeks To Understand Muslims and Islam

2011-09-27T21:56:00.000-04:00

Catholic deacon George Dardess

Photo courtesy: www.americancatholic.org/

George Dardess, a retired professor with a Ph.D. in English literature and an M.A. in theology, was converted to Roman Catholicism in 1983. Later he became a deacon in the Catholic Church, where a deacon serves as the minister of the Word (giving sermons during the Mass, preaching and teaching of religion), minister of the Liturgy (giving holy communion) and minister of the Charity (providing service to the poor and underprivileged). He is also a consultant to the Diocese of Rochester, New York, on interfaith dialogue and migrant ministry.

As a deacon, George Dardess came to know about Catholic Church’s attitude towards other religions and interfaith dialogue. The horror of the first Iraq War of February 1991, spurred him to know the Muslims and their religion of Islam although, previously, he had no contact with Muslims and he knew nothing about Islam.

In the meantime, he took training on Islam and came in direct contact with Muslims. He wrote to books, Meeting Islam as a Christian and Do We Worship the Same God? In his approach and in these books, George Dardess took a sympathetic outlook toward Muslims and Islam. Some commentators in different blogs severely criticized him for this sympathy. Some even commented that he lost his way.

To know more about Deacon George Dardess, his mind on the Muslims and Islam, and interfaith dialogue efforts of the Roman Catholic Church, you may read the following:

The Quotation of the Week (September 25 - October 1, 2011)

2011-09-25T00:01:00.001-04:00

Manzoor Moorshed Khan Defrauds Nine Condos of $20 Million

2011-09-23T19:23:00.003-04:00

The Sept. 23, 2011 The Toronto Star news on Manzoor Moorshed Khan

(Click on the above image for enlarged copy of the news)

Manzoor Moorshed Khan, a.k.a. (also known as) Azad or Sayed Asadul Azam -- a Bangladeshi resident of Toronto -- fled Canada recently after allegedly defrauding nine condominiums of $20 million (equal to seven crore and 29 lakh takas in Bangladeshi currency). As the President of Channel Property Management, he is said to have taken these loans in the name of those condominiums by falsifying legal documents, forging signatures of real board members of condos, and showing two of his employees as condo board's president and secretary.

He led a lavish life. The Toronto Star reports that Mr. Khan "collected cars like shoes and wore gold and diamond rings on every finger."

For further details, you may read the following:

Earthquake Hits Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, India, and Bangladesh

2011-09-21T20:46:00.000-04:00

September 18, 2011 Earthquake in Bangladesh

An earthquake measuring 6.8 in the Richter Scale hit the Himalayan countries of Sikkim, Nepal, India, Tibet and also Bangladesh on Sunday, September 18, at around 6:10 p.m. The epicenter of the quake was on the border of Sikkim and Nepal and the hypocentre was about 21 km (13.05 miles) below the surface.

Sikkim was the victim of the extensive damage to houses and infrastructures and about 28 people were killed.

In India, the quake was felt in Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh including Delhi and Rajasthan. In Kolkata (Calcutta), some buildings showed cracks.

In Bangladesh, people in Dhaka, Chittagong, Bogra and some other areas felt the jolts of the quake and many of them panicked and ran to safer places.

The 1897 quake, with the epicentre in Assam, was one of the worst ones hitting the region. Extensive destruction of properties and infrastructures and loss of human lives were marked at the time. The Brahmaputra River flowing near the town of Mymensingh in Bangladesh completely changed its course at the time. Dhaka city also felt the brunt of the quake. Many kancha (mud-walled) houses in Dhaka were completely levelled. The Holy Cross Church adjoining the old St. Gregory's High School building experienced a large crack. Later the church had to be demolished and rebuilt.

For further details on the present and past earthquake in the region, you may read the following:

Bangla (Bengali) Calligraphy

2011-09-20T21:29:00.002-04:00

The Quotation of the Week (September 18-24, 2011)

2011-09-18T00:01:00.000-04:00

Again to the Sauble Beach, Ontario!

2011-09-17T21:37:00.000-04:00

It was the second consecutive year that we headed for the Sauble Beach this year on September 2-5 for the sun, sand and swim. Our trip to the beach last year was so enjoyable that we repeated our short sojourn there.

This year we stayed at one of the Bel-Air cottages where we could cook our own meals. Last year we stayed in one of the Bel-Air motels where there are no cooking facilities available.

The following photos give you a glimpse of the sun, sand and swim that one can enjoy at this well-kept beach. The sunset scenes are always different and they linger on in your mind for days to come.

The welcome signboard can be seen from afar

Some people play volleyball, others swim
or use rubber dingy to go to the water

Parents help their children build sand castles

Sunbathing, reading, resting and recreation can go hand in hand

Did Bangladesh Remember Its Own Dead In the 9/11 Attack of 2001?

2011-09-12T21:42:00.001-04:00

The Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre
in New York under plane attack on September 11, 2001
Photo courtesy: www.bnp.org.uk/

I didn’t see news of any remembrance or even a public message of the Government of Bangladesh on the tenth anniversary of the deadly plane attacks on the soil of the U.S.A. I even didn’t see any news of Bangladesh paying tribute to its own citizens killed in the same attack on the World Trade Centre in New York on that day. If Bangladesh missed this opportunity to remember its own dead or to speak against terrorism, it speaks volumes about its thoughtfulness and seriousness of its intention for fighting terrorism.

A number of countries around the world officially remembered the dead in New York and paid tribute to them, including their own citizens who had fallen victim to the dastardly plane attack on common people in the twin towers.

Pope Benedict XVI, while in Ancona, Italy, prayed for the 9/11 victims and their families. He also said: “I invite the leaders of nations and men of goodwill to reject violence always as a solution to problems, to resist the temptation to hate and to work within society based on the principles of solidarity, justice and peace.”

In the four plane terrorist attacks on that day, a total of 2,996 people were dead – among them 2,977 were the victims and 19 were jihadist terrorists influenced by Osama bin Laden, the founder-leader of the Al-Qaeda. Citizens of about 80 countries, including the U.S.A., were among the victims. No one is sure about the exact number of Bangladeshis and Bangladeshi-Americans who were killed in the attacks.

Why Bangladesh Should Remember Its Own Dead

September 11 of every year is a good occasion to pay tribute to the dead, including Bangladeshis.

It is an occasion to remind the country men and women about the viciousness of terrorism in whatever form it may come.

It’s a time to express solidarity with the world in fighting terrorism in its own soil.

The Quotation of the Week (September 11-17, 2011)

2011-09-09T17:11:00.001-04:00

The Quotation of the Week (September 3-9, 2011)

2011-09-03T00:01:00.003-04:00

The Poem of the Month (August, 2011): NATURAL DISASTERS

2011-08-31T20:06:00.002-04:00

Natural disasters come, natural disasters go

Unexpectedly, beyond any human reach.

To some, disasters come from God

As trials or punishments,

To others, they are part of

The Nature’s cycle of vagaries.

For the last few decades,

Natural disasters are occurring

At a frequent rate,

With ominous ferocity and calamity.

Some say, mankind with its greed and self-centeredness,

Mistreating the Nature and its environment

In a naked and unabashed manner.

As citizens of this world

We need to lead our lives most responsibly

So that our man-made global warming

Might not trigger the Nature’s frequent furies.