Dragonfly

Image by Rezwan

Overcrowded passenger ferry capsized in the Padma River in Munshiganj, Bangladesh

The World Cup Goal-E Project

This street in Bangladesh has a colorful world cup celebration

New Chum Hill Ruins

Remnants of Kiandra gold mine at New Chum Hill, #nsw #australia

October 27, 2013

Legendary Indian Playback Singer Manna Dey Dies

Legendary Indian singer Manna Dey, whose original name was Prabodh Chandra Deydied of a heart attack in Bangalore on October 24, 2013. He was 94. Dey recorded more than 4,000 songs during his career spanning from 1942 to 2013, and was famous for his playback work, recording songs for hundreds of movies for actors to lip sync to. He sang mainly in Hindi and Bengali, and ventured into several other Indian languages. The singer was popular in both India and Bangladesh. Netizens revisited his memory after his demise. Venkataramanan Ramasethu, an academician and blogger, remembered him:
A legendary icon and a musical genius on his own right who ruled the bollywood musical arena close to 40 years, at times I felt he was an unsung hero.
Akash Upadhyay posted 10 lesser-known facts about the legendary singer. Radio jockey, author and blogger Reema Moudgil noted:
So many songs. So many versions of one, exceptional voice.
India Today (@IndiaToday) portrayed Manna Dey's career in numbers:
Writer and blogger Madhulika Liddle in a tribute post for Manna Dey wrote:
That is what I love and admire about Manna Dey: his versatility, his immense range of songs, his ability to imbue his songs with so much emotion—whether that emotion was a deep love for one’s motherland, or pathos, or a rollicking don’t-give-a-damn. This was the man after one of whose songs a restaurant chain (Bhojohorimanna) was named. An era has gone. Manna Dey, the last of the great male playback singers of the golden years, has passed on. His voice will live on, though, and that will be some consolation. Some.
Manna Dey received the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour in 2005. Image by D Chakrabarty. Copyright Demotix (24/10/2013)
Image by D Chakrabarty. Copyright Demotix
Journalist Abhinay Dey recounted a legendary song of Manna Dey that was popular among Bengalis which narrates the story of seven friends who met regularly at the legendary Coffee House at College Street Kolkata. The Coffee House has a historical significance for being the rendezvous of numerous scholars, editors, artists and writers based in Kolkata:
The song penned by Gauriprasanna Majumdar recounts the Coffee House days of seven friends, who sat over endless cups and cheap charminar cigarettes burning between their lips with dreams to make it big. But life has taken a toll on them, DSouza is now dead, Amal is dying of cancer, Rama is in an insane asylum betrayed by his lover, Sujata is married to a rich man, Nikhilesh is in Paris and Moidul has gone back to Dhaka. The seventh friend is the unnamed narrator pining for the old carefree days of Coffee House. There is not a time when I don’t get a lump in my throat listening to this song. The pain in his voice makes you die with DSouza, the guitarist of Grand Hotel, it makes you suffer as Amal, the failed poet, it makes you stare at nothingness like the insane Rama, the love less, failed actor.
He was also popular in Bangladesh. Blogger Professor Hijibijbij at Sachalayatan wrote:
আমার কৈশোর আর তারুণ্যের উদ্দাম দিনগুলিতে অবিচ্ছেদ্য সঙ্গী ছিল মান্না দের গান। সঙ্গী এখনো। কৈশোরের সেই দিনগুলি ছিল অসাধারণ - সারাদিন গান শুনতাম। দিন যেত, আর আমি একের পর এক আবিষ্কার করতাম মান্না দের গাওয়া এক একটি গান। গান তো নয় যেন সুরের জাল দিয়ে গেঁথে তোলা শব্দের মালা, যা অবলীলায় প্রকাশ করে আমার মনের একান্ত অনুভূতিগুলো! বাসার পুরানো ক্যাসেট প্লেয়ারে আমি শুনি মান্না দের গান। একবার শুনি, বারবার শুনি, কিন্তু গান পুরানো হয়না।
Manna Dey's songs were close to me during my adolescent days. They still accompany me. I listened to his songs everyday back then. As the day progressed I discovered more of his songs. Songs like necklaces of words sewn with music, which expressed my intimate feelings. I still listen to his songs in an old cassette player. I listen to them over and over, but they do not grow old.
Bangladeshi Blogger Zuberino (@zuberino) tweeted:
Indian writer and blogger Harini Calamur (@calamur) reported:
Anuradha Warrier, writer and blogger, listed a number of legendary songs of Manna Dey as a tribute. Bollywood Actor and anchor Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) remembered him:
First published in Global Voices Online

October 26, 2013

VIDEO: The Human Cost of Development in India

In the latest blow to the people of Jagatsinghapur's fight to keep their homes and livelihoods in the face of development, the South Korean and local Indian governments behind a massive steel plant slated to be built there rejected a UN panel recommendation to halt the land-grabbing project.  The residents of Jagatsinghapur, a town and a municipality area in Jagatsinghpur district in the Indian state of Odisha, have been resisting the POSCO project, a plan to construct a steel plant worth 12 billion US dollars, for eight years. In June 2005, the state government of Odisha and the Korean conglomerate POSCO signed a memorandum of understanding for the project, which would initially need 4,004 acres of land, of which 2,900 acres is forest land and the rest is private land. But rights over that forest land to be used for the project is claimed by the locals, who have made their living there for decades.
A signboard outside the village of Bailatutha. The bus stand behind it now serves as a make shift Police camping spot, keeping an eye on the movements of people in, out and around the proposed area. Image by Ayush Ranka. Copyright Demotix (22/7/2011)
A signboard outside the village of Bailatutha. The bus stand behind it now serves as a make shift police camping spot, keeping an eye on the movements of people in, out and around the proposed area. Image by Ayush Ranka. Copyright Demotix (22/7/2011)
If the project is implemented, over 22,000 people could be forcibly evicted thanks to the acquisition of land, destroying a thriving economy dependent on betel leaf cultivation, cashew plantations, and fisheries.  On 7 October 2013, both the Republic of Korea and the Odisha government stated that work would begin on the proposed plant in 2014, despite the UN Human Rights panel's recommendation that moving ahead with the project would mean the displacement of thousands of people and the disruption of many more livelihoods.  Commenting on the situation, Terra Lawson-Remer, an assistant professor at The New School and Fellow at Council on Foreign Relations, noted on Kracktivism blog that:
the tension between aggregate economic growth and the property rights of vulnerable groups is a longstanding development challenge. Often, growth-enhancing land acquisitions financed by foreign investors forcibly displace the original resource users and ignore their property rights claims, intensifying property insecurity and resource scarcity — even while bringing macroeconomic growth.
An old woman inside the transit camp of POSCO-India. They have suffered for the last four years in overcrowded, unhygienic living conditions with only Rs.20 (50 cents) per person per day to live on. Image by AYush Ranka. Copyright Demotix (22/6/2011)
An old woman inside the transit camp of POSCO-India. They have sufferedfor the last four years in overcrowded, unhygienic living conditions with only Rs.20 (50 cents) per person per day to live on. Image by AYush Ranka. Copyright Demotix (22/6/2011)
Delays have bogged the proposed facility since its inception. A large portion of land have been already acquired by the state, but construction has been delayed by regulatory hurdles and public protests against plans to clear more than 1,600 hectares of mostly forest land.  The project has attracted controversy not only for its impact on the local people and the environment, but also for how police have dealt with protesters against the plant.  There have been numerous protests, and a recent one in March 2013 claimed the lives of four anti-POSCO activists, reported Subhash Gatade at Kafila blog, when bombs thrown at the group exploded. Police allegedly dragged their feet in responding to the violence. The protesters demands included:
1. Ongoing forcible land acquisition for POSCO plant be immediately stopped. 2. Police force be withdrawn immediately from proposed POSCO plant area. 3. Suspend the District Collector and Superintendent of Police of Jagatsinghpur District immediately. 4. False criminalisation of the protesters be stopped immediately.
With the steel plant project forging ahead, Video Volunteers, an international media and human rights NGO, has released a documentary film highlighting powerful testimonies from the residents stating how their livelihoods will be adversely affected:
The documentary was shot by Video Volunteers’ community correspondents during a fact-finding mission carried out by a number of human rights organizations in November 2012. The mission also resulted in a report (pdf) titled "The Price of Steel". From the film's YouTube page:
The film evidence comes at a critical juncture as the affected areas and protest are recovering from the aftermath of cyclone Phailin. The people of the affected area have shared concerns that the destruction of 170,000 trees by POSCO and the Odisha Government made them extremely vulnerable to effects of the cyclone. In previous years the forest cover had mitigated the worst effects of cyclones. [..] "People in the project-affected area have reportedly been subjected to violence, harassment and intimidation, as well as arbitrary detentions and false charges, as a result of their activities to assemble peacefully and collectively defend their human rights", said the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and association, Maina Kiai.
More UN special rapporteurs have given their opinion, calling for the project to be stopped:
The construction of a massive steel plant and port in Odisha, India, by South Korean steel giant Posco must not proceed as planned without ensuring adequate safeguards and guaranteeing that the rights of the thousands of people are respected.
The transit camp of POSCO, India that has been set-up for the few villagers who are so-called Pro-POSCO. Image by Ayush Ranka . Copyright Demotix (22/7/2011)
The transit camp of POSCO, India that has been set-up for the few villagers who are so-called "Pro-POSCO". Image by Ayush Ranka . Copyright Demotix (22/7/2011)
Chai Kadai blog reported that some of the videos were filmed by Debendra Swain, an IndiaUnheard community correspondent who is also an anti-POSCO activist:
He was arrested on 3rd February 2013 by the police on false charges, taken to Kujang prison where he stayed for 26 days and released on bail on 01 March 2013. 
For its part, POSCO India has strongly denied having any role in the abuse of human rights:
Posco has always urged the government of Odisha to first safeguard the human rights and livelihood of innocent villagers and rejects/deplores any unlawful violence against them.
More information can be found on the Stop POSCO campaign and Video Volunteers website.

First Published in Global Voices

October 19, 2013

'Chayn', a New Website for Pakistan's Victims of Domestic Abuse

For women in Pakistan, domestic violence is a serious threat. Local NGOs estimate that between 70 and 80 percent of women in Pakistan are subject to verbal, sexual, emotional or physical abuse at home, according to Human Rights Watch.

Government efforts to raise awareness or introduce tougher laws have not been enough. An estimated 5,000 women are killed per year from domestic violence, with thousands of others surviving but with injuries. They have few shelters to turn to, and legal recourse is often not a realistic or available option.

Screenshot of Chayn Website
Screenshot of Chayn
However, Chayn, a volunteer-led, crowdsourced website, is trying to change the situation by supporting women who face domestic violence in Pakistan. Chayn aims to raise awareness of emotional and physical abuse, offer information on how to deal with abuse, and inform Pakistani women of their rights.

The portal also acts as an online support system that allows women to share their stories of abuse and trauma. Founder Hera Hussain, a psychology and economics graduate and social entrepreneur, provides the background in a blog post:
I have always wanted to do something to support women in Pakistan. [..] From researching online for months on domestic violence resources in Pakistan for two friend escaping a situation of abuse – I knew no such site existed. [..] I also knew that women found it hard to find factual information about laws in Pakistan and the help available online. Furthermore, because women in such situations are extremely depressed, they are unable to think rationally about their options available to them. I always say being depressed is like wearing sunglasses – the world has a different hue. It all looks different. It’s important for women to have information on mental health so they can identify and understand things like depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. And then there is the issue about knowing what divorce laws are and what options there are to study and work in Pakistan.
islamconsentThe site focuses primarily on educated Pakistani women and Hussain hopes that they will be able to make use of the website and get some 'Chayn' (meaning peace and tranquility in Urdu) from domestic violence. In an interview with The Diplomat, Hussain elaborated about the team:
Chayn is solely run by dedicate and passionate volunteers who work on this part-time. It took 70 volunteers from around the world to put the Chayn website together. Now there are 35 dedicated volunteers who are continuing to work on the site. There are no managers at Chayn. We work through collaborating with each other across borders and time zones using Facebook, Skype, Google Plus and Google Docs. Most of the team is very young but very accomplished.
She also shared the updating process of Chayn:
We use a Wiki model, so we invite visitors to the website to submit alterations or new ideas for content. The content on the website changes constantly.
domThe website also serves as a platform for storytelling. Hera asserts that anonymous sharing of stories and experiences at the catharsis room can inspire others to get out of their abusive relationships. Blogger Saniya Mujahid notices a unique feature of this website:
I noticed that the site also has a "Hide this Page" tab that always hangs in mid-air which, when clicked, takes the reader to an innocuous looking Daily Times. That's a pretty handy tool for someone who is afraid of being caught by her abuser looking at a site that encourages her to get out of an abusive relationship.
Twitter users have praised the site. Tanya Dlima (@TanyaDlima1) tweeted:
Meera Ghani (@MeeraGhani) urged everybody to spread the word:
Chayn has plans to launch some offline initiatives soon. Hussain's future plan is to launch Chayn India and Bangladesh, create a pop-up shelter program and establish a scholarship partnership. Follow the project on Twitter (@chaynorg).

Also published in Global Voices Onlne

October 17, 2013

‘Can We Call Ourselves Free?': Indians Talk #HumanRights On Blog Action Day

Blog Action Day LogoFor Indian bloggers on Blog Action Day on 16 October, a day in which thousands of bloggers from around the world write on a single topic, this year's theme of #humanrights hit home.

The fight for human rights in India, where child labor, indigenous exploitation, entrenched stereotypes and other violations remain a problem, is far from over, they wrote.

Richa Singh shed light on the lack of human rights considerations in the tourism sector, especially involving the indigenous population:
Safari. Human. Human safari. What do these two words explain to you? Put etymology to it and despite that, the worrisome details of this 'trip' will not be exposed. Jarawa tribes. Andaman Nicobar islands. Does this not bring to mind the gory details of that video which went viral all over the internet and finally surfaced on the news channels. Fifteen thousand rupees (US $250) that's it. That is all it took a couple of people to go on a human safari. Where they could watch scantily clad women dance, men beg for food and of course poor children also not spared in this. This particular tribe has been an endangered species for quiet sometime. And Supreme Court of India has repeatedly been demanding a closure of the highway which leads to their inhabited areas. But govt has been reluctant to follow through because there could be possible 'connectivity' issues.
Irish expatriate blogger Maria Perry Mohan, a blogger and mother of four who lives in India, focused on child labor in India:
Because India is in the far east and is technically what is known as a developing country, westerners find it very hard to believe that many people here live in unimaginable comfort. There are kids who have laptops, access to modern educations aids, smartphones, pizza delivery, digital television, even a fancy vehicle to move around in - you name it, they have it. The very same kids often live in homes where there is flagrant use of child labour. I kid you not. Because of the profusion of dust, the harsh climate and a cooking system which is still quite labour intensive, pressure cookers notwithstanding, a housewife's work is never, ever done. So for those who can afford it, domestic help is a must.
Indian children go to work on World Day against Child Labour
Rahul, 15 years old, works in a garage in Dimapur, Nagaland, India. Image by Caisii Mao. Copyright Demotix (12/6/2013)
Columnist, writer and blogger Shaksi Nanda described human rights violations in the mental health sector:
Despite progressive legislations and zealous spread of awareness, conflicts and vagaries arise when human rights of the mentally ill are under question, not just in India but universally. [..] Grey areas remain in the legal technicalities and implementation, questions of ethics and professionalism. Grey areas are also housed within our own minds, and mentalities, in our social attitude towards our mentally ill. These being the two biggest deterrents in ensuring human rights of the mentally ill.
Rajlaksmi talked about discrimination based on skin color and body size. She asked:
How about just being human for a while, accept and appreciate people for what they are?
Ashrayam Rural Development Society distributed Food and Clothes to much needy tribes of Nelliampathy Palakkad, India. Image by Prashanth Randadath. Copyright Demotix. (24/8/2010)
Image by Prashanth Randadath.
 Copyright Demotix. (24/8/2010)
World Food Day also fell on 16 October. The right to food is also an essential human right, yet many in India cannot afford three meals a day. Writer and blogger Nischala suggested ways to bring about a change:
* Eat to live ; and not live to eat. Don't make food the focal point of your life every single day
* Don't throw away food. Learn ways to re-use as-is or in new ways. There are so many interesting things one can do with left-overs. Google it!
* You have the power to control food waste - Stop your friend from doing it
* Skip a meal 1 time in a week. It can be the fodder for someone else, and does wonders to your perspectives on "food"
* At a regular frequency, sponsor the meal of someone who can't afford it (In your community, in a religious place, in a social welfare group, etc.)
Kalpana Solsi commented on education and the amount of work that remains to be done to perfect the sector. Despite implementing the Right To Education Act and the recognition of education as a basic right, there are many illiterate people in India.

Journalist Vishal Bheeroo blamed the lack of political awareness for failing to ensure universal human rights in India:
Today, the fight for universal human rights is a real challenge since there are so many people who are deprived of proper meal, exploited by the middlemen, don’t have access to good education, proper sanitation and healthy living. They are also deprived of justice and fairness in society because of their social, caste or sex status. It’s a tragedy since lack of political willingness and mindset in the system permeates discrimination in society. Can we call ourselves Free? I’m sorry to say no and universal human rights seems to be a distant dream.
You cannot ignore human rights because human life matters. It's not just about the state of being alive, but also the quality of life. Bloggers Shilpa Garg and Rainbow Hues collaborated on publishing the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights in simple language, courtesy of Youth for Human Rights.

There are 30 human rights that are not optional, including the right to life, no torture, no discrimination, the right to an education, and a free and fair world for all. Everyone deserves them, and no one can take those rights away. As Nischala says:
BE HUMAN first The RIGHTS will FOLLOW It starts with YOU!
Please check the Write Tribe for links to more posts on Blog Action Day 2013.

First Published in Global Voices Online

October 11, 2013

India's Women Take on Fear and Sexual Violence in “Action Hero”

Blank Noise, a volunteer-run community project that seeks to confront public sexual harassment, or eve teasing as it is known in India, has launched a reality game called the Action Hero meant to tackle the fear that many Indian women have toward their cities. According to the project blog, anyone and any number of people can participate in the game, which is played simultaneously across cities, countries, towns and time zones. The player will have to be equipped with a Twitter account and a basic mobile phone that allows him or her to receive text messages with instructions and tasks, and also has to start from a location that is unfamiliar to him or her. The website explains why this game is necessary:
At Blank Noise we have largely used the web space to build dialogue on the issue of sexual violence. We announce events, build participation, work towards growing a community of men and women who take ownership and responsibility of sexual violence. We intervene across spaces with multiple forms of media (live street actions/ t shirts/ posters/ sound installations/ interviews) but rely largely on the web to build testimonials of sexual violence. There are spaces and communities this blog space hasn't accessed. That's also where we count on you.
Imge courtesy Blank Noise. CC BY-NC-SA 2.5
Image courtesy Blank Noise. CC BY-NC-SA 2.5
Founder of Blank Noise Jasmeen Patheja explained the game further to the Indian Express:
The Action Hero Game is designed to deal with fear and to make the 'action hero' player acutely aware of his or her presence in his or her city. Through the 'tasks and challenges', it enables new behaviour, thus building new associations and memories with a public space.
She further explained to the Deccan Chronicles:
Jasmeen Patheja, the originator of Blank Noise explains that being defensive and hyper alert does not lead to “feeling safe” and that was when she conceptualised the idea. She says, “We keep ourselves safe by building defense rather than making it familiar.” The project hopes that each individual has the ability and power to influence change in one’s society.
On October 5, 2013, the game was played in these cities of India:
View Action Hero Game #1 in a larger map

Anjali Manakkad from Bangalore described what tasks were she given and how she responded. Her fourth task was to sit and stare at the clouds:
I went to one of the benches down the road and I left my camera pack on the side and I stretched myself and bent my head backwards. This was actually very peaceful and no one seemed to be curious or mocking by my actions. I don't know if anyone really noticed me as I was looking up most of the times. But I knew for sure that no one was sniggering or talking about me as I heard a few footsteps pass me by with no reaction.
Laura Valencia, a participant, said in an article in The Alternative:
The first few instructions were straightforward. I walked with my arms swinging, sat in a place and got comfortable, and made small talk with strangers. As time went on, I found myself less obsessed with checking to see if a new instruction had come as I sank into playing the game. I found my temporary happy place about two hours in while standing on a street corner and giggling.
Action Hero Game 1. Image courtesy Blank Noise. CC BY-NC-SA 2.5
Action Hero Game 1. Image courtesy Blank Noise. CC BY-NC-SA 2.5
In the Blank Noise Action heroes blog, participants shared their reactions: Action Hero Ash thought:
The funny thing about all this is our general attitude to it. It is something that we women expect to experience. We ‘modern’ women may have stopped taking it lying down, and take action when we can. Nevertheless, it’s a sad fact of life that eve-teasing is a normal part of life. We Bombayites even considered ourselves luckier, because at least we weren’t like our sisters in Delhi – who’d travel in busses with their arms crossed at their chest, pointed needles poking out of their fists at either side!
The next game is scheduled for October 19, 2013. To register for free, email blurtblanknoise@gmail.com.

First Published in Global Voices Online

October 05, 2013

List of Bangladeshi Blogs - An Update

After a long time I am compiling this list of Bangladeshi bloggers - better late than never. There have been significant change in the blogosphere - many bloggers are not updating, new bloggers have emerged. I have lost the track at one point. Now I am trying to compile the current state. Please feel free to add links in the comment section. This list is arranged in no particular order:

Blogs in English:

EUROPE:

Active:
E Bangladesh -UK
Fug's Blog - UK
The Thing About This Is... - UK
Thought, and thereafter -UK
* Setting the record straight - UK
Coming Out as a .... - UK
Easy come easy go, little high little low - Sweden

Dormant:
Bangla in use globally - UK
Cathersis -UK
imperfect|world|2008 -UK
Me, myself and Bangladesh - UK
No more shisha - UK
Skakia's spot -Sweden
Tasneem Khalil - Sweden
Gagan (From My Lil Window) - Finland
Bangladesh and our thoughts - Ireland

AMERICAS:

Active:

* Anushay's Point - USA
* In the middle of nowhere - USA
My thoughts - USA
* Nuanced & Hyphenated For Your Inconvenience - USA
Life, dreams and reality -- Sohel's blog - USA
* Shada Kalo - USA
Abeer -USA (dead link)
Dhakaশহর - USA (dead link)
Or how I learned to stop worrying -USA (dead link)
* Bangladesh Watchdog -Canada
* Bangladesh, Canada and beyond -Canada
* Mezba's blog -Canada
* Only Three Notes -Canada

Dormant:
Ajaira Pechaal - USA
* Ahsan's rant - USA
Amra Kojon Around The Clock - USA
* Beyond my mind - USA
Green, How I Want You Green -USA
Jagrook Bangalee -USA
* Life in Champaign - Urbana - USA
* Naeem Mohaiemen/Shobak.org - USA
* Sajjad's weekly blogs -USA
The chronicles of rabab-ia - USA
Universe of Disturbance -USA
Words & Bites -USA
Xanthis -USA
* Blissful days of my life... - Canada
* Ipshita’s blog -Canada
* Faruq Faisel -Canada

AFRICA:

* Bangladeshi in Ivory Coast

OCENIA:


* C'est la vie -Australia
* My Readings -Australia
* My World -Australia
* Mukti - Australia
* One Knowledge, One Work - Australia
* Tan Curve -Australia
* Ulta manush -Australia

EAST ASIA:
* A sneak peek into Yawar's mind - Malaysia
* Glittergirl -Singapore
* Journey2Infinitive -Singapore

SOUTH ASIA:

Active:
Adventures of Matthew Islam - Bangladesh
* AIS Journal - Bangladesh
* An Ordinary Citizen - Bangladesh
And Around The World we Go -Bangladesh
* Aziza Ahmed - Bangladesh
The Bangladesh poet of impropriety -Bangladesh
Black and grey - Bangladesh
Conversations with an Optimist - Bangladesh
* eLeCtRiKbLuEs - Bangladesh
The 3rd world view-Bangladesh
* ShahidulNews - Bangladesh
* Tahmina's Weblog - Bangladesh
The song of my life - Bangladesh
* 18 Or Life - Bangladesh
Alal O Dulal -Bangladesh
* Advertising Archive Bangladesh - Bangladesh
Amader Kotha -Bangladesh
* Ambassador Serajul Islam's blog - Bangladesh
* Analysis of Law and Politics - Bangladesh
* Anti Farids Blog - Bangladesh
* Ashraf's Column - Bangladesh
* Atiqullah Sayeed - Bangladesh
* Back to Bangladesh -Bangladesh
Bangladesh: Audacity of Hope -Bangladesh
Bangladesh Corporate Blog -Bangladesh
* Bangladesh Blogger - Bangladesh
* BanglaFootball.net - Bangladesh
Creating the Longest Marketing Idea Chain in the World -Bangladesh
Citizen of An Idiocracy -Bangladesh
Center For Enterprise and Society - ULAB -Bangladesh
Delicacies from a Dhaka-ite -Bangladesh
* Desher Chobi - Bangladesh
* Dhaka Dweller - Bangladesh
* eduBangla.com, Education anywhere! - Bangladesh
* Global Experiences -Bangladesh
* Hatti Matim Tim -Bangladesh
* Here I am… - Bangladesh
Inspirations and creative thoughts - Bangladesh
Jah Bauliana -Bangladesh
* Little dogs day -Bangladesh
Law Chronicles Online -Bangladesh
* Monwar's Blog - Bangladesh
* My Bangladesh - Bangladesh
* Nawed - Fortunately Unfortunate or Unfortunately Fortunate -Bangladesh
* Nisshobdo Rati -Bangladesh
* Nothing to lose and Nothing to gain.. - Bangladesh
* Not so Random Thoughts - Bangladesh
* Of Diaries and Experiences - Bangladesh
* Ondhokar theke alor pothe -Bangladesh
* pieces of me... -Bangladesh
* Probir Bidhan's blog - Bangladesh
* Russel's cyber journal - Bangladesh
* Sabih Speaks - Bangladesh
* Shananaus -Bangladesh
* Share the Magic -Bangladesh
* Study Of The Self - Bangladesh
* Tanjir's Blog - Bangladesh
* The Face Of Bangla - Bangladesh
* The Eye of The Beholder -USA
* The story teller -Bangladesh
Voice Of Bangladeshi Bloggers -Bangladesh
* What I am wearing Today - Bangladesh
* Why Did Bangladesh Cross the Road - Bangladesh
* Dark Ocean Needs A Lighthouse - Bangladesh
* Bangla Nation - India

Dormant:
* Adda - Bangladesh
Ahmad Ferdous Bin Alam - Bangladesh
* Ahsan's Laboratory - Bangladesh
* Apache007 - Bangladesh
Bangladesh from our View - Bangladesh
Bangladesh: The Competent Land -Bangladesh
BD Fact -Bangladesh
Bitter sweet symphony -Bangladesh
blog.sanjoykumar.com -Bangladesh
* Close your eyes & try to see- Bangladesh
* Dak Bangla intelligence scan - Bangladesh
Dhaka (underground) -Bangladesh
* Ex Nihilo -Bangladesh
* Fun And Jokes with Morals - Bangladesh
Himu's Window -Bangladesh
* Imran Hashim's Tech. Blog - Bangladesh
* Just another day -Bangladesh
Kapalicana - Bangladesh
Khorshed Khokon, MBA -Bangladesh
* Mishuk’s Perspective© LIVE from Dhaka - Bangladesh
* S Mehreen's digital portfolio -Bangladesh
* Spoony Writer -Bangladesh
* Shawrav's Blog - Bangladesh
Scattered words -Bangladesh
South Asia biz -Bangladesh

Organization Blogs, event blogs and journals on Bangladesh:

* The 1 Degree initiative bog
* Adhunika Blog -USA
* BRAC Blog -USA
* Concern Worldwide, Bangladesh
* Cehtona 71 -USA
* Change Bangladesh - one step at a time -USA
* The Dhaka Project
* Drishtipat Writers Collective
* GUPSHUP -USA
* Kewkradong Bangladesh
* Lamb School - Bangladesh
* LiveJournal Bangladesh community blogs -Mostly USA
* Panigram
* The Progressive Bangladesh
* Onnesha.TK
Unheard Voices - A drishtipat group blog initiative -USA, UK, Bangladesh (Dead link)
* Global Voices Online on Bangladesh

Blogs by persons of Non Bangladesh Origin on their experiences in Bangladesh:

Active:
* The uncultured Project
* Akash and Nila
* A Year In Bangladesh
* bideshi blue
* Diplomatic Mom
* Expanding Dr. Yunus’ Sphere of Influence…
* MikeyLeung.ca

Archive:
* A Whisper from the heart
* A Blank Page
* Adventure in Bangladesh
* Aumi in Bangladesh -In German
* Alex and Jake in Bangladesh
* Bangers and mash
* Bangladesh backchat
* Bangladesh Barta
* Benji Braves Bangladesh
* Bideshi blonde
* Dana in Bangladesh
The Dhaka diaries
* Dhaka diary
EngineerRower in Bangladesh - Bangladesh
Gabrielles Blog
* Kelly in Bangladesh
Kristin Boekhoff
* Lucy in Bangladesh
* Root: Adventure in Bangladesh
* Sarah's boble
* The Yacoub ramblings v.2
* To Bangladesh and back
Wading Through Water

Some notable Bangladeshi photoblogs:

* Ideas R Bulletproof
* Dhaka Daily Photo
* Monirul Diary - Bangladesh
* M A K Photo
* Nazzina

Blogs in Bangla

Blogging Platform, directories and aggregators:
* বাঁধ ভাঙার আওয়াজ-The largest Bangla blogging platform with thousands of blogs in Bangla
* সচলায়তন-Online writers forum in Bangla
* আমার ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* প্রথম আলো ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* নির্মাণ ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* বিডিনিউজ২৪ ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* আদিবাসী ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* আড্ডা ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* আমরা বন্ধু Bangla Blogging Platform
* ইস্টিশন ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* উন্মোচন Bangla Blogging Platform
* একুশে টেলিভিশন ব্লগ * ওয়েবালয় Bangla Blogging Platform
* কফি হাউসের আড্ডা Bangla Blogging Platform
* কম্পিউটার জগৎ ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* ক্যাডেট কলেজ ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* চতুর্মাত্রিক Bangla Blogging Platform
* ঢাকা ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* নকশা ব্লগ
* নবযুগ ব্লগ
* নাগরিক ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* The Public Post Blogging Platform
* নৃ
* পিস ইন ইসলাম Bangla Blogging Platform
*প্রিয় ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* ফ্রেন্ডস ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* বকলম Bangla Blogging Platform
* বদলে যাও বদলে দাও Bangla Blogging Platform
* বিসর্গ Bangla Blogging Platform
* বি-স্ক্যান ব্লগ
* ব্লগদেশ Bangla Blogging Platform
* মুক্ত ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* মুক্তভাবনা
* মুক্তমনা ব্লগ * শব্দনীড় Bangla Blogging Platform
* সদালাপ Bangla Blogging Platform
* সবুজ বাংলা ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* সরব Bangla Blogging Platform
* সুডো ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* পথিক ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
* সোনার বাংলাদেশ ব্লগ (banned) Bangla Blogging Platform
* স্বপ্নবাজ Bangla Blogging Platform
* দৃঘাংচু
* বিজ্ঞানীScience Blogging
* এভারগ্রীন বাংলা ব্লগ Bangla Blogging Platform
প্যাঁচালী - বাংলা ব্লগিং প্লাটফর্ম
* পাঁচফোড়ণ ব্লগ
* প্যাঁচা ব্লগ
* বাংলা ব্লগস্ - list of Blogs in Bangla script maintained by Debashish
* বাংলা ইউনিকোড ব্লগ Bangla Unicode Blog Aggregator
* প্রবাসী শ্রমিকের অধিকার ব্লগ
* গ্লোবাল ভয়েসেস অনলাইন: পৃথিবী কথা বলছে। আপনি কি শুনছেন? - Global Voices Online Bangla Version

Bangladeshi:
* উত্স সন্ধানে
* আলী মাহমেদের ব্লগিং
* সাপ্তাহিক সুবিনয়
* হরপ্পা
* নীড়পাতা
* তসলিমা নাসরিনের মুক্তচিন্তা
* …করি বাংলায় চিত্কার…
* ছেঁড়া পাতায় কথামালা
* মো: গোলাম নবীর ব্লগ
* তেল, গ্যাস রক্ষা জাতীয় কমিটি
* রাস্তা থেকে বলছি
* আমাদের বাংলাদেশ
* মুঠো ভরা আলোর কিছু নরম..
* আলোয় ভূবন ভরা
* এতক্ষণে অরিন্দম
* অন্য দৃষ্টি
* কবিতার খাতা
* জীবন থেকে শিখছি
* দারাশিকোর ব্লগ
* প্রাণকাকলী
* বৃত্ত ভাঙ্গার চেষ্টা করি, বৃত্তে বন্দী থেকেই...
* ব্রাত্য রাইসু
* মঙ্গলধ্বনি
* লিখতে বসে
* সাঈদের ব্লগ ও গল্প
* মুভি লাভার্স ব্লগ
* শব্দছেড়া কবিতারা
* মেঘের অনেক রং
* তারেক রহিমের ব্লগ
* বৃস্টি বিলাসিনী
* ফিটনেস বাংলাদেশ
* কণক বর্মণ
* অদিতি কবীর
* মেহেদী হকের কার্টুন
* নির্ঝর
* অন্ধকারের বস্ত্রহরণ
* মন থেকে কিছু বলতে চাই
* আমার ঠিকানা
* উইন্ড চাইম
* এক মৎস কণ্যার কথিকা
* একলা মেঘের দিনলিপি
* কথপোকথন
* কিবোর্ডবাজের খেরোখাতা
* তারপরও ভাল আছি
* পথ হারানোর পথ
* কবিতাপ্রেমী
* সাহিত্য কাফে
* আসিফ আহমেদ অনীকের বাংলা ব্লগ
* অমি আজাদ
* সসংকোচ প্রকাশের দুরন্ত সাহস
* আমি এবং আমার পৃথিবী
* পুড়ে ছাই ধ্বংসস্তুপ থেকে বেঁচে উঠি পুর্ণবার
* রয়েসয়ে
* নিরিখ বান্ধিলাম দুই নয়নে……
* বিবর্ণ আকাশ এবং আমি….
* ভয়েস অফ বাংলাদেশী ব্লগারস
* এইটা তোমার গান
* প্রাত্যহিক ভ্যাজর ভ্যাজর
* কবিয়াল
* অজ্ঞাতবাস
* ধৃসর গোধুলী
* সাধক শন্কু
* মোকাবেলা
* খিচুড়ী ব্লগ
* আড্ডা
* ভালবাসা
* হাজার বর্ষা রাত………
* আধুলি জমানোর ম্যাচবক্স
* কীন ব্রীজে গোধুলি এল অন্তরালে কালান্তর ভোর
* দিল কা লাড্ডু
* ..খেরোখাতা..
* যাপিত জীবন
* বাংলা ভাষী
* বাংলা ভাষা
* সুহ্রদ সরকার
* সম্ভাবনার মৃত্যু ঘটুক … নতুন সম্ভাবনার তাগিদে
* সীমাহীন সংলাপ
* গল্পসমূহ অথবা অন্যান্য
* যূথচারী
* শুভ্র প্রকাশ পালের ব্লগ
* অলস বিকেলের শেষ রোদ
* টকিজ
* আমার ভাঙা পথের রাঙা ধূলা
* স্বপ্নলোক
* গ্লোবাল মিডিয়া
* আমাদের কথা -নারী জীবন বাংলা ব্লগ
* New Gaul Order -USA
* Ontorjatra
* জিকোবাজি
* কাপালিকানা
* পদ্মা পাড়ের মানুষ
* রীতু পাখী
* বেলায়েত কি লিখবে!
* বোধ
* মন পবনের নাও
* মেয়ে
* রিং দ্যা ডনের ব্লগ
* সমতল
* সূতোকাটা ঘুড়ি
* ব্যাস বাবা সুমনের ব্লগ
* দামাল ছেলে
* দুই হাতে লেখা
* নির্জলা নৈবেদ্য
* সুবর্ণরেখা
* ভাঙ্গা পেন্সিলে লেখা
* Travelers Diary
* Naila Bari
* Shafiur Rahman
* Inside Bauani's Mind

Indian:
* ধূসর ফিনিক্স …এবং কোমল গান্ধার
* খোলা জানালা
* ভালমানুষ
* লিখতে বসে
* বিবর্ণ কবিতা
* মনের পাতা
* ট্রিভিয়াল বাইটস
* আমার বাংলা ডাইরী
* নেটখাতা
* মনোর খোরাক মেটাই
* স্লোগান দিতে গিয়ে
* আমার কিছু বক্কা
* জীবনানন্দ দাশের কবিতা

More Bangla online Links here


Previous update 2008 .
Previous update 2007 .

This is not an exhaustive list. Please let me know in the comment section if you want to include more blogs here.

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