life continues as usual for us in Bangladesh
we spent 3 chilly weeks in the Netherlands over Easter when we had hoped to be enjoying the spring
- but had a great Zomer family gathering at kids theme park Slagharen
Hartals (strikes) continued - on our first week back Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were all hartal days! No Hartal day goes without some kind of incident - usually clashes with police, or vehicles being set alight. Depending on which party calls the hartal depends on how strictly they are enforced. So on hartal days we restrict our movements in order to reduce risk, but it is not possible to remain at home all day every day. We do usually get some notice that a hartal has been called, but some are called the night before. This week, only two days were strikes, and after the War Crime triggered Hartal filled month of March, it does feel freer and calmer, but the issues have not gone away.
This uncertainty and potential security risk meant that the Dutch Minister who was due to visit Bangladesh in April along with a large delegation had to cancel.
http://www.government.nl/news/2012/12/12/ploumen-bound-for-bangladesh-after-promising-talks-with-textile-industry.html
A lot of preparatory work had of course gone on by many parties before the decision to cancel was made.
Bengali New Year was celebrated on April 14th
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pohela_Boishakh
we would have liked to go and see the parade by the university, but felt security-wise it might not be the best idea. So after work we joined lots of other people out on the streets walking round dolled up in smart clothes in red, white and green - and of course eating snacks
Happy 1420 to you too!
Photos from a local photo blog can be seen here http://dhakadailyphoto.blogspot.com/2013/04/nation-celebrates-first-day-of-new.html
Dhaka returned to world news yesterday following the collapse of a multi-story building just outside the city http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22289362 it is a very sad - but not entirely surprising accident. Once again we hope that this will provide impetus for long term sustainable changes within the clothing industry (both here and at the consumer end).
We are now preparing ourselves for the events next Tuesday - with the abdication of Queen Beatrix, and the coronation of Prince Willem-Alexander.
Unfortunately this is the road where the Dutch Club is (the orange wall) - it is one of the many many open roads at present due to the ongoing waste water project in the city. It is due to be finished on the 29th.
we spent 3 chilly weeks in the Netherlands over Easter when we had hoped to be enjoying the spring
- but had a great Zomer family gathering at kids theme park Slagharen
Hartals (strikes) continued - on our first week back Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were all hartal days! No Hartal day goes without some kind of incident - usually clashes with police, or vehicles being set alight. Depending on which party calls the hartal depends on how strictly they are enforced. So on hartal days we restrict our movements in order to reduce risk, but it is not possible to remain at home all day every day. We do usually get some notice that a hartal has been called, but some are called the night before. This week, only two days were strikes, and after the War Crime triggered Hartal filled month of March, it does feel freer and calmer, but the issues have not gone away.
This uncertainty and potential security risk meant that the Dutch Minister who was due to visit Bangladesh in April along with a large delegation had to cancel.
http://www.government.nl/news/2012/12/12/ploumen-bound-for-bangladesh-after-promising-talks-with-textile-industry.html
A lot of preparatory work had of course gone on by many parties before the decision to cancel was made.
Bengali New Year was celebrated on April 14th
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pohela_Boishakh
we would have liked to go and see the parade by the university, but felt security-wise it might not be the best idea. So after work we joined lots of other people out on the streets walking round dolled up in smart clothes in red, white and green - and of course eating snacks
There are lots of colourful papier mache birds and frogs and mystical creatures. I don't know what they represent exactly. But then again I don't expect customs which are usual in Europe would make much sense either....first footing, or singing Auld Lang Syne
Outside a local supermarket
Photos from a local photo blog can be seen here http://dhakadailyphoto.blogspot.com/2013/04/nation-celebrates-first-day-of-new.html
Dhaka returned to world news yesterday following the collapse of a multi-story building just outside the city http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22289362 it is a very sad - but not entirely surprising accident. Once again we hope that this will provide impetus for long term sustainable changes within the clothing industry (both here and at the consumer end).
We are now preparing ourselves for the events next Tuesday - with the abdication of Queen Beatrix, and the coronation of Prince Willem-Alexander.
Unfortunately this is the road where the Dutch Club is (the orange wall) - it is one of the many many open roads at present due to the ongoing waste water project in the city. It is due to be finished on the 29th.
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