Today about two-thirds of population of the world live at low levels of technology, often in conditions of physical deprivation and even starvation, o

Today about two-thirds of population of the world live at low levels of technology, often in conditions of physical deprivation and even starvation, owing to a combination of factors. These include overpopulation, environmental deterioration, a history of colonialism that has destroyed old political and cultural units and thrown unrelated peoples together in newly emerging nations, and external or internal economic exploitation by powerful elites.
Stable traditional societies almost everywhere have been severely disrupted and their newly emerging social patterns are still undergoing great flux.
The 'beesh' (poison) was introduced in the mid-sixties as a component of High Yielding Varieties (HYV) technology. The farmers were given fertilizer free of cost. They were also given all sorts of incentives, such as credit and free training, to use pesticides and fertilizer form the agricultural department. With the fertilizer they were given paddy seeds developed in the laboratory known as HYV variety. In addition they were given pump machines to extract ground water for irrigation. Monoculture of HYV seeds narrowed the genetic base of agricultural practice. From at least fifteen thousands varieties of rice Bangladeshi farmers ended up into 8 to 12 varieties of rice. The extraction of ground water has resulted in a major crisis .Overall experience is disastrous.IMPORTED AGROCHEMICALS
An example was the widespread adoption of the 'miracle' grains of "Green Revolution".
Farmer Jahnara Begum
From an environmental and human health perspective, monoculture cropping encourages increasing pesticide use. Pests quickly develop resistance while their predators are killed off and farmers turn to increasingly higher doses and/ or stronger, more toxic pesticides, as pest resurgence occurs. Farmers are also often forced to increase the use of fertilisers to counter the loss of soil fertility resulting from a limited source of nutrients provided by one type of crop. HYVs (Gene modified High Yield Varities) also demand far more water and nutrients adding to the depletion of soil fertility and water resources. In addition pesticides and fertilisers build up as toxic residues in food and contaminate our soil, water and air, not to mention the health and living environment of farmers, agricultural workers and farming communities.
Farmer Jahanara Begum, speaking at a public meeting in a rice field in Chakaria, Bangladesh, said, "We have so many varieties of rice seeds, but instead we are going for the varieties from IRRI and the seed companies. These seeds need a chemical package. So we are doing deals with scientists and transnational companies. When we use local varieties we get a yield of 40 kg of rice. When we use pesticides and the companies seeds we get 20 kg more but we also destroy our soil, water and biodiversity." She added, "How many poisons are you using? We have lost our birds, our fish, the wildlife. We have lost all this for 20 kg more and we spend more money on our family's health. Bangladesh has such fertile land. We can grow so much. Still we have so much biodiversity." Furthermore, "For the last eight years I have used no pesticides. My costs have gone down and my yields have gone up. In nature there is a balance between predators and prey. Pesticides destroy this natural balance."
GREEN REVOLUTION
Women are the main users of water. They are the providers and collectors of water Arsenic poisoning has become a social malady in Bangladesh. Because of the socio-economic condition rural women are not given better food even during their pregnancy and become vulnerable to arsenic poisoning. Symptoms of arsenic poisoning are mistaken for more lethal disease leprosy or skin diseases, that leads to quarantining due to mistaken identity, in other words, social isolation. Parents cannot get their affected daughters married, wives are also sent back to their parents together with their children. Divorce is also very common. In a number of cases women also commit suicide.
We have shown, using econometric analysis, that the poorest suffer the most from arsenicosis in Bangladesh (WHO, 2000). . The burden of arsenicosis falls mainly on those living in low-income households (Tani, 1999). Most arsenic patient of Bangladesh is still drinking arsenic contaminated water and can hardly afford any medical treatment. There are many such 'poorest of the poor' families which badly need safe drinking water but have no money to participate in the process of installing a DPHE-supplied tubewell. One must pay Tk. 4,500 before arsenic free the Government well sets tube or affiliated NGOs. So the poor does not have any option.
First World beliefs that indefinite growth in material material consumption is possible, and today's grossly unequal distribution of global wealth is somehow ''justified'; the wealthy, it is said, have 'earned' it, although no one ever makes clear just how that earning took place. Almost all western aid to developing countries has been defevtive in chossing technologies, which does not reflect the local cultural values of each people. In fact, some of the ancient truths that have stood the the test of countless generations are now being 'discovered' by modern science. They are an intrinsic part of our humanness, built into the human psyche through millions of years of evolution.
Objectives:
Search for our heritage to recapture the sense of social, cultural and ecological harmony.
Societies need to 'coevolve' with local environments and culture, choosing appropriate technologies and creating social institutions that permit the environment to sustain society indefinitely.
Each culture must retrieve within its vison of loving relations with soil, air and water of Earth. Necessary for all cultures to be aware of the existence of etnocentrism and to school themselves to accept a world with diversity of value systems.
To support traditional simplism, humanism and secular thoughts that developed over centuries.
To promote traditional social bonds through permanenet groups of shared community
To save traditional medicine from time immemorial (Ayurveda, herbs)
To support shared community where human aspect of living.
To reintroduce lost traditional heritage that raises posit.ion of woman in society.
To support woman not to leave village in quest of job in the city.
To make available arsenic and disease free water.
Culture is learned as a child, and as children we each learned from those around us a particular set of rules, belifs, priortes and expectations that moulded our world into a meaningful whole. Bichar, Boul, Jari, Murshida, Baromashi etc are traditional dying culture of Bangladesh. You'll be astonished to hear how simple melodious language describes the diversity of human values. Bouls say, "God (Christian, Muslim, Hindu or others) is within us, if you love human being or the nature within you live, you also love God. You don't have to travel far.""Why look for your loved in the forestLook at your own souland there you'll find him"It is our worldview, our abstract conception of reality. We want to save it for generations. Villagers celebrates the concert the whole night.
"The fishes find the deep sea,The birds the branches of the tree.The Mother knows her love for her sonBy the sharp pain in her heart alone.Many and diverse colour that all milk shows,Through all the world, a Mother's nameA Mother's song is found the same".
Most of the projects run by the NGOs are for the elite of the society. Attractive seminars, workshops highlights the elites which have fallen under the intellectual spell of the "North" - metastatic spreading left over from clonial times.
Our films, books, lectures and endless symposia are useful to a degree, but ultimately they miss the boat. They come from the city, and rarely filter down to the villages in crisis. What we need to see happening is a reversal - an ecological sensibility that starts at the village level. Our cities are under the intellectual spell of "the North" continuously destroying love of the earth based on pragmatic beliefs and strategies that had passed down from generation to generation. We are gradually losing basic elements of sustainable development
NGOs in Bangladesh supported by donors and project blue prints from them demand money from the partcipants for taking part in a project.This means "acive participation". We have seen that in several villages that the poor can not take part any of these projects. Besides they have to travel a long distance which costs money and disrupt from all household activities.
The tax payers of developed countries should be more aware of the projects in the developing countries and politically represent lobby for the sustainable development for the poorest group of the population - not after destroying environment introducing new technologies appropriate for environmental sustainability but allow developing countries to regain traditional spiritual, social and cultural heritage.
We have supported the clay potters of Village Madhabpur, Faridpur to produce water filter. We have opened sewing and embroidered courses in three villages, where women can not affort. Ms. Aleya Begum, lives with the villagers. Poor women don't have to travel far away.The villagers can bring their babies, feed milch etc. You can not imagine, how pleasent and cordial atmosphere prevails here.
Village Betbaria, Faridpur
Village Bhatpara, Faridpur
Village Kuzurdia,Faridpur Faridpur
Each unit democratically selected their committee.

Today about two-thirds of population of the world live at low levels of technology, often in conditions of physical deprivation and even starvation, o

Today about two-thirds of population of the world live at low levels of technology, often in conditions of physical deprivation and even starvation, owing to a combination of factors. These include overpopulation, environmental deterioration, a history of colonialism that has destroyed old political and cultural units and thrown unrelated peoples together in newly emerging nations, and external or internal economic exploitation by powerful elites.
Stable traditional societies almost everywhere have been severely disrupted and their newly emerging social patterns are still undergoing great flux.
The 'beesh' (poison) was introduced in the mid-sixties as a component of High Yielding Varieties (HYV) technology. The farmers were given fertilizer free of cost. They were also given all sorts of incentives, such as credit and free training, to use pesticides and fertilizer form the agricultural department. With the fertilizer they were given paddy seeds developed in the laboratory known as HYV variety. In addition they were given pump machines to extract ground water for irrigation. Monoculture of HYV seeds narrowed the genetic base of agricultural practice. From at least fifteen thousands varieties of rice Bangladeshi farmers ended up into 8 to 12 varieties of rice. The extraction of ground water has resulted in a major crisis .Overall experience is disastrous.IMPORTED AGROCHEMICALS
An example was the widespread adoption of the 'miracle' grains of "Green Revolution".
Farmer Jahnara Begum
From an environmental and human health perspective, monoculture cropping encourages increasing pesticide use. Pests quickly develop resistance while their predators are killed off and farmers turn to increasingly higher doses and/ or stronger, more toxic pesticides, as pest resurgence occurs. Farmers are also often forced to increase the use of fertilisers to counter the loss of soil fertility resulting from a limited source of nutrients provided by one type of crop. HYVs (Gene modified High Yield Varities) also demand far more water and nutrients adding to the depletion of soil fertility and water resources. In addition pesticides and fertilisers build up as toxic residues in food and contaminate our soil, water and air, not to mention the health and living environment of farmers, agricultural workers and farming communities.
Farmer Jahanara Begum, speaking at a public meeting in a rice field in Chakaria, Bangladesh, said, "We have so many varieties of rice seeds, but instead we are going for the varieties from IRRI and the seed companies. These seeds need a chemical package. So we are doing deals with scientists and transnational companies. When we use local varieties we get a yield of 40 kg of rice. When we use pesticides and the companies seeds we get 20 kg more but we also destroy our soil, water and biodiversity." She added, "How many poisons are you using? We have lost our birds, our fish, the wildlife. We have lost all this for 20 kg more and we spend more money on our family's health. Bangladesh has such fertile land. We can grow so much. Still we have so much biodiversity." Furthermore, "For the last eight years I have used no pesticides. My costs have gone down and my yields have gone up. In nature there is a balance between predators and prey. Pesticides destroy this natural balance."
GREEN REVOLUTION
Women are the main users of water. They are the providers and collectors of water Arsenic poisoning has become a social malady in Bangladesh. Because of the socio-economic condition rural women are not given better food even during their pregnancy and become vulnerable to arsenic poisoning. Symptoms of arsenic poisoning are mistaken for more lethal disease leprosy or skin diseases, that leads to quarantining due to mistaken identity, in other words, social isolation. Parents cannot get their affected daughters married, wives are also sent back to their parents together with their children. Divorce is also very common. In a number of cases women also commit suicide.
We have shown, using econometric analysis, that the poorest suffer the most from arsenicosis in Bangladesh (WHO, 2000). . The burden of arsenicosis falls mainly on those living in low-income households (Tani, 1999). Most arsenic patient of Bangladesh is still drinking arsenic contaminated water and can hardly afford any medical treatment. There are many such 'poorest of the poor' families which badly need safe drinking water but have no money to participate in the process of installing a DPHE-supplied tubewell. One must pay Tk. 4,500 before arsenic free the Government well sets tube or affiliated NGOs. So the poor does not have any option.
First World beliefs that indefinite growth in material material consumption is possible, and today's grossly unequal distribution of global wealth is somehow ''justified'; the wealthy, it is said, have 'earned' it, although no one ever makes clear just how that earning took place. Almost all western aid to developing countries has been defevtive in chossing technologies, which does not reflect the local cultural values of each people. In fact, some of the ancient truths that have stood the the test of countless generations are now being 'discovered' by modern science. They are an intrinsic part of our humanness, built into the human psyche through millions of years of evolution.
Objectives:
Search for our heritage to recapture the sense of social, cultural and ecological harmony.
Societies need to 'coevolve' with local environments and culture, choosing appropriate technologies and creating social institutions that permit the environment to sustain society indefinitely.
Each culture must retrieve within its vison of loving relations with soil, air and water of Earth. Necessary for all cultures to be aware of the existence of etnocentrism and to school themselves to accept a world with diversity of value systems.
To support traditional simplism, humanism and secular thoughts that developed over centuries.
To promote traditional social bonds through permanenet groups of shared community
To save traditional medicine from time immemorial (Ayurveda, herbs)
To support shared community where human aspect of living.
To reintroduce lost traditional heritage that raises posit.ion of woman in society.
To support woman not to leave village in quest of job in the city.
To make available arsenic and disease free water.
Culture is learned as a child, and as children we each learned from those around us a particular set of rules, belifs, priortes and expectations that moulded our world into a meaningful whole. Bichar, Boul, Jari, Murshida, Baromashi etc are traditional dying culture of Bangladesh. You'll be astonished to hear how simple melodious language describes the diversity of human values. Bouls say, "God (Christian, Muslim, Hindu or others) is within us, if you love human being or the nature within you live, you also love God. You don't have to travel far.""Why look for your loved in the forestLook at your own souland there you'll find him"It is our worldview, our abstract conception of reality. We want to save it for generations. Villagers celebrates the concert the whole night.
"The fishes find the deep sea,The birds the branches of the tree.The Mother knows her love for her sonBy the sharp pain in her heart alone.Many and diverse colour that all milk shows,Through all the world, a Mother's nameA Mother's song is found the same".
Most of the projects run by the NGOs are for the elite of the society. Attractive seminars, workshops highlights the elites which have fallen under the intellectual spell of the "North" - metastatic spreading left over from clonial times.
Our films, books, lectures and endless symposia are useful to a degree, but ultimately they miss the boat. They come from the city, and rarely filter down to the villages in crisis. What we need to see happening is a reversal - an ecological sensibility that starts at the village level. Our cities are under the intellectual spell of "the North" continuously destroying love of the earth based on pragmatic beliefs and strategies that had passed down from generation to generation. We are gradually losing basic elements of sustainable development
NGOs in Bangladesh supported by donors and project blue prints from them demand money from the partcipants for taking part in a project.This means "acive participation". We have seen that in several villages that the poor can not take part any of these projects. Besides they have to travel a long distance which costs money and disrupt from all household activities.
The tax payers of developed countries should be more aware of the projects in the developing countries and politically represent lobby for the sustainable development for the poorest group of the population - not after destroying environment introducing new technologies appropriate for environmental sustainability but allow developing countries to regain traditional spiritual, social and cultural heritage.
We have supported the clay potters of Village Madhabpur, Faridpur to produce water filter. We have opened sewing and embroidered courses in three villages, where women can not affort. Ms. Aleya Begum, lives with the villagers. Poor women don't have to travel far away.The villagers can bring their babies, feed milch etc. You can not imagine, how pleasent and cordial atmosphere prevails here.
Village Betbaria, Faridpur
Village Bhatpara, Faridpur
Village Kuzurdia,Faridpur Faridpur
Each unit democratically selected their committee.

My home my work place is the motive of this project.This is a very small project. But we are very astonished to see the rapid and elegent work of the

My home my work place is the motive of this project.This is a very small project. But we are very astonished to see the rapid and elegent work of the women. We spent a very small amount of money but its affect is far reaching. Perhaps the Noble Prize laureate, Rabinranath Tagore was correct (1893):
For some time I have been remarking that man is angular and incoherent, women rounded and complete. Woman's way of speaking, dressing, moving and behaving is an integral harmony with her duties in life. And the main reason is that for ages Nature has defined these duties and modified these duties and moulded her feelings to fit to them. . In all her being and doing she unites grace and skill, her nature and her work, like a flower and its scent. She acts without conflict or hesitation.
In our traditional society the position of women is very high. Mother draws the highest position and respect. Even minimal increases in a woman's ability to generate income has not only been seen to reduce the mental and physical torture of women, in many cases it has stopped altogether."
In Bengal, kanthas were originally used as baby's diapers, or wrappers. At present day, due to the high cost of hand crafted materials, kantha making for the baby's diaper is not cost effective at all. However, in the early seventies, there had been a revival in kantha art in both the Bengals. Sreelata Sirkar derived inspiration from Pratima Devi of Santiniketan and started designing kanthas for team work. Thus, she not only revived a dying art, but also made room for a great economic activity for West Bengal women. In Bangladesh, the search for a national identity led to a great kantha revival, where the Muslim women artists broke the earlier taboo of not representing human and animal figures in kantha. Now the Bangladeshi artists design fantastic tapestries, one like "Naksi kanthar math" after the narration of the poet Jasimuddin. Now both the Bengals have perfected the art of kantha making with infusions of new materials, concept in design, and various stitcheries, and it can be safely said that these days, it is as popular as woven designs in saris, dresses and upholsteries.

My home my work place is the motive of this project.This is a very small project. But we are very astonished to see the rapid and elegent work of the

My home my work place is the motive of this project.This is a very small project. But we are very astonished to see the rapid and elegent work of the women. We spent a very small amount of money but its affect is far reaching. Perhaps the Noble Prize laureate, Rabinranath Tagore was correct (1893):
For some time I have been remarking that man is angular and incoherent, women rounded and complete. Woman's way of speaking, dressing, moving and behaving is an integral harmony with her duties in life. And the main reason is that for ages Nature has defined these duties and modified these duties and moulded her feelings to fit to them. . In all her being and doing she unites grace and skill, her nature and her work, like a flower and its scent. She acts without conflict or hesitation.
In our traditional society the position of women is very high. Mother draws the highest position and respect. Even minimal increases in a woman's ability to generate income has not only been seen to reduce the mental and physical torture of women, in many cases it has stopped altogether."
In Bengal, kanthas were originally used as baby's diapers, or wrappers. At present day, due to the high cost of hand crafted materials, kantha making for the baby's diaper is not cost effective at all. However, in the early seventies, there had been a revival in kantha art in both the Bengals. Sreelata Sirkar derived inspiration from Pratima Devi of Santiniketan and started designing kanthas for team work. Thus, she not only revived a dying art, but also made room for a great economic activity for West Bengal women. In Bangladesh, the search for a national identity led to a great kantha revival, where the Muslim women artists broke the earlier taboo of not representing human and animal figures in kantha. Now the Bangladeshi artists design fantastic tapestries, one like "Naksi kanthar math" after the narration of the poet Jasimuddin. Now both the Bengals have perfected the art of kantha making with infusions of new materials, concept in design, and various stitcheries, and it can be safely said that these days, it is as popular as woven designs in saris, dresses and upholsteries.

Decorative Folk Art as seen in kanthan is the best proof of the integration of inherited aesthetics in the hand of the woman folk artist. The result,

Decorative Folk Art as seen in kanthan is the best proof of the integration of inherited aesthetics in the hand of the woman folk artist. The result, a thrilling extravaganza of folk symbols, stiched into the vibrant surface of embroidered wraps and spread by women of village communities, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
2005
This year(2005) we review the works of last year, and set 70 more arsenic free water wells in Faridpur and Noakhali districts.Besides women project made unexpected advance. We are surprised to see that our little effort had a big impact on thousands of poor rural people. But we could not do enough to all. Green Party (Heinrich Boel Stiftung) in Germany even did not reply to our letters. But they financed Bangladeshis to take part in street festival in Berlin.
Chelation and Recommendation
Some physicians have been giving chelation therapy to arsenic patients in West Bengal and Bangladesh. The objective of chelation therapy is provide the patient with a chemical to which arsenic binds strongly, and is then excreted in urine. Providing such treatment could remove large stores of arsenic from the body in a matter of hours. There are several problems with chelation therapy in cases of chronic arsenic exposure.
The first is related to the observation that arsenic is excreted rapidly even without chelation therapy. Most of the readily available arsenic in the body will be excreted in the urine within 1 week. The question is whether chelation might remove arsenic which is, for example, bound in the skin and which might without chelation only be removed slowly. This is possible but exposure to arsenic generally occurs over many years, and chelation may make little difference to the cumulative dose of arsenic that patients have received. Thus, chelation therapy is unlikely to reduce the future risk of cancer. Whether it might improve keratoses more rapidly than simply stopping exposure is unknown. This idea has some plausibility but its effectiveness has not been established.
The second problem with chelation therapy is the lack of any clinical trials that found evidence of its effectiveness. When exposure to arsenic ceases, improvement in skin lesions might occur. Thus, if a patient improves after chelation therapy it could be due to the cessation of exposure alone or to both cessation and chelation therapy. (Finding that patients improve after chelation therapy does not provide evidence that the therapy) itself is effective.
The third problem with chelation therapy is that it is of no benefit if the patient continues to drink contaminated water after treatment, and it may give the false impression that effects can be treated despite continued exposure.
Advanced keratoses on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet are extremely debilitating, and superimposed infections, such as fungal infections, may cause serious problems. Providing moisturizing lotions and treatment for infections may be beneficial and should be part of routine care in advanced cases
Arsenic is a probable contributor to causation of diabetes mellitus. For this reason, urinary glucose should be tested in all patients with arsenicosis, and appropriate treatment and monitoring should be started if necessary. Patients' blood pressure should also be monitored since arsenic exposure may induce hypertension.
OUR RECOMMENDATION - Alternative to Expensive Medicine
Improving nutrition may be of benefit to patients. In particular, vitamin A is known to be beneficial in the differentiation of various tissues, particularly the skin
We discovered that those who began to drink arsenic free water and improved diat (tumeric, jute leaves, and Amla have stated a new life.
Neem (Azadirachta indica )The Wonder Plant
The tree has relieved so many different pains, fevers, infections, and other complaints that it has been called "the village pharmacy." Now modern research is proving what has been long known by Ayurvedic medicine practitioners: neem is one of the most effective plant medicines in the world. An extremely powerful blood purifying agent and detoxicant, neem is also effective in the treatment of fever, malaria, skin diseases, dental problems, diabetes, tumors, arthritis, and jaundice. Research conducted by, among others, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has shown that Azadirachtin A offers protection against more than 130 insects, while it is partly active against more than 70 other insects. The use of neem has almost disappeared in the country. We intend to popularise to plant neem tree and use it as home pharmacy and bio-pesticide.
Haldi- Turmeric- Curcuma long
To most Indians and Bengalis, turmeric or halud (Bengali)/ haldi (Hindi), is a part of growing up, a magic cure-all for the excesses of childhood. A classic "grand mother's remedy', the virulent yellow powder or paste has been applied to scrapes and cuts of generations of children Turmeric has found to be antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiviral etc.
Emblica Emblic Myrobalan Bengali Amloki
Emblica Emblic Myrobalan Bengali Amloki fresh or dried fruits of this tree are used as laxative and in treatment of enlarged liver, piles, stomach complain, pain in eyes etc. It is a very rich source of vitamin C. Certain experiments on patients of pulmonory tuberculosis showed that vitamin C of Emblica fruits is more quickly assimilated in human system than synthetic vitamin C. Flowers, roots and bark of the tree are also medicinal, seeds are reported to cure asthma and stomach disorder (S. K. Jain, 2001).This fruit is a great asset for the arsenic patients. Instead of taking expensive imported tablets, Embelic is very cheap and more effective and every one can grow the plant at home.
Jute Leaf (Corchorus capsularis and Corchorus olitorius)
Jute leafs are traditional known as vegetable but its medical effects are not known. Two species of jute (Corchorus capsularis and Corchorus olitorius) are being cultivated in Bangladesh. Capsularis (deshi) has maximum use as vegetable thanOlo itorius (Tossa) due to its bitter taste. Jute leaves are being used as vegetables in Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh for a long time. Besides, it is also used as herbal medicine to control or prevent dysentery, worm and constipation etc. Jute leaves are being used as health-food in Japan. Jute leave is rich in vitamins, carotinoids, calcium, potassium and dietary fibers. Jute leaf contains antitumor promoters; Phytol and Monogalactosyl-diacylglycerol. It may reduce risk of cancer. Jute leaves are very cheap both fresh and dry leaves can be very useful.
Home Garden - To Save Herbs and Traditional Plants from Extinction
Case study - Example
Arsenic Removal Filter from tube wells (Tubewell Sand Filter):A vertical column consisting of three chambers brick chips or iron chips, coarse sand, fine sand are the elements of Tubewell Sand Filter. This has been introduced by several NGOs and government orginisations. In Faridpur near Tulagram (left: picture) a TSF has been very recently constructed by NGO Forum. The villagers paid Tk.3000 and the total cost is about Tk. 50, 000/. We examined the water and found arsenic concentration 70 µg/l, in other words, it should be painted red.We saw that villagers were wasing brick chips, sands with pond water, in other words, contaminating with colio and other bacteria.We found several other filters (TSF) at Aliabad, Bakunda are abondoned.The NGO Forum maintains close collaboration with all relevant government agencies (DPHE, NIPSOM, LGED, etc.), Universities, UN bodies (UNICEF, World Bank, etc.), Donors, DPHE-DANIDA, BAMWSP, as well as other NGOs. The NGO Forum is playing a vital role in the Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project (BAMWSP) as a member of the steering committee as well as in project implementation including selection of Partner NGOs and CBOs for any area selected. What a misuse of money!
Available technologies for arsenic treatment:
Method
Advantages
Disadvantages
Co-precipitation:
No monitoring of a break through is required. Relatively low cost simple chemicals. Low capital costs.
Serious short and long term problems with toxic sludge. Multiple chemicals requirement Operation requires training and discipline.
Alum coagulation
Durable powder chemicals normally available
Efficient pre-oxidation is a must
Iron coagulation
More efficient than alum on weigh basis
Medium removal of As (III)
Lime softening
Most common chemicals
Re-adjustment of pH is required.
Sorption techniques:
No daily sludge problem.
Requires monitoring of break through or filter use. Requires periodical regeneration or medium shift.
Activated alumina
Relatively well known and commercially available.
Re-adjustment of pH is required.
Iron coated sand
Expected to be cheap. No regeneration is required.
Yet to be standardized. Toxic solid waste.
Ion exchange resin
Well defined medium and hence capacity.
High cost medium. High tech operation & maintenance. Regeneration creates a sludge problem.
Membrane techniques:
Low space requirement. Capable of removal of other contaminants, if any.
High running costs. High investment costs. High tech operation and maintenance. Toxic wastewater. Re-adjustment water quality is required.
Reverse Osmosis
Membrane does not withstand oxidizing agents.

Decorative Folk Art as seen in kanthan is the best proof of the integration of inherited aesthetics in the hand of the woman folk artist. The result,

Decorative Folk Art as seen in kanthan is the best proof of the integration of inherited aesthetics in the hand of the woman folk artist. The result, a thrilling extravaganza of folk symbols, stiched into the vibrant surface of embroidered wraps and spread by women of village communities, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
2005
This year(2005) we review the works of last year, and set 70 more arsenic free water wells in Faridpur and Noakhali districts.Besides women project made unexpected advance. We are surprised to see that our little effort had a big impact on thousands of poor rural people. But we could not do enough to all. Green Party (Heinrich Boel Stiftung) in Germany even did not reply to our letters. But they financed Bangladeshis to take part in street festival in Berlin.
Chelation and Recommendation
Some physicians have been giving chelation therapy to arsenic patients in West Bengal and Bangladesh. The objective of chelation therapy is provide the patient with a chemical to which arsenic binds strongly, and is then excreted in urine. Providing such treatment could remove large stores of arsenic from the body in a matter of hours. There are several problems with chelation therapy in cases of chronic arsenic exposure.
The first is related to the observation that arsenic is excreted rapidly even without chelation therapy. Most of the readily available arsenic in the body will be excreted in the urine within 1 week. The question is whether chelation might remove arsenic which is, for example, bound in the skin and which might without chelation only be removed slowly. This is possible but exposure to arsenic generally occurs over many years, and chelation may make little difference to the cumulative dose of arsenic that patients have received. Thus, chelation therapy is unlikely to reduce the future risk of cancer. Whether it might improve keratoses more rapidly than simply stopping exposure is unknown. This idea has some plausibility but its effectiveness has not been established.
The second problem with chelation therapy is the lack of any clinical trials that found evidence of its effectiveness. When exposure to arsenic ceases, improvement in skin lesions might occur. Thus, if a patient improves after chelation therapy it could be due to the cessation of exposure alone or to both cessation and chelation therapy. (Finding that patients improve after chelation therapy does not provide evidence that the therapy) itself is effective.
The third problem with chelation therapy is that it is of no benefit if the patient continues to drink contaminated water after treatment, and it may give the false impression that effects can be treated despite continued exposure.
Advanced keratoses on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet are extremely debilitating, and superimposed infections, such as fungal infections, may cause serious problems. Providing moisturizing lotions and treatment for infections may be beneficial and should be part of routine care in advanced cases
Arsenic is a probable contributor to causation of diabetes mellitus. For this reason, urinary glucose should be tested in all patients with arsenicosis, and appropriate treatment and monitoring should be started if necessary. Patients' blood pressure should also be monitored since arsenic exposure may induce hypertension.
OUR RECOMMENDATION - Alternative to Expensive Medicine
Improving nutrition may be of benefit to patients. In particular, vitamin A is known to be beneficial in the differentiation of various tissues, particularly the skin
We discovered that those who began to drink arsenic free water and improved diat (tumeric, jute leaves, and Amla have stated a new life.
Neem (Azadirachta indica )The Wonder Plant
The tree has relieved so many different pains, fevers, infections, and other complaints that it has been called "the village pharmacy." Now modern research is proving what has been long known by Ayurvedic medicine practitioners: neem is one of the most effective plant medicines in the world. An extremely powerful blood purifying agent and detoxicant, neem is also effective in the treatment of fever, malaria, skin diseases, dental problems, diabetes, tumors, arthritis, and jaundice. Research conducted by, among others, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has shown that Azadirachtin A offers protection against more than 130 insects, while it is partly active against more than 70 other insects. The use of neem has almost disappeared in the country. We intend to popularise to plant neem tree and use it as home pharmacy and bio-pesticide.
Haldi- Turmeric- Curcuma long
To most Indians and Bengalis, turmeric or halud (Bengali)/ haldi (Hindi), is a part of growing up, a magic cure-all for the excesses of childhood. A classic "grand mother's remedy', the virulent yellow powder or paste has been applied to scrapes and cuts of generations of children Turmeric has found to be antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiviral etc.
Emblica Emblic Myrobalan Bengali Amloki
Emblica Emblic Myrobalan Bengali Amloki fresh or dried fruits of this tree are used as laxative and in treatment of enlarged liver, piles, stomach complain, pain in eyes etc. It is a very rich source of vitamin C. Certain experiments on patients of pulmonory tuberculosis showed that vitamin C of Emblica fruits is more quickly assimilated in human system than synthetic vitamin C. Flowers, roots and bark of the tree are also medicinal, seeds are reported to cure asthma and stomach disorder (S. K. Jain, 2001).This fruit is a great asset for the arsenic patients. Instead of taking expensive imported tablets, Embelic is very cheap and more effective and every one can grow the plant at home.
Jute Leaf (Corchorus capsularis and Corchorus olitorius)
Jute leafs are traditional known as vegetable but its medical effects are not known. Two species of jute (Corchorus capsularis and Corchorus olitorius) are being cultivated in Bangladesh. Capsularis (deshi) has maximum use as vegetable thanOlo itorius (Tossa) due to its bitter taste. Jute leaves are being used as vegetables in Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh for a long time. Besides, it is also used as herbal medicine to control or prevent dysentery, worm and constipation etc. Jute leaves are being used as health-food in Japan. Jute leave is rich in vitamins, carotinoids, calcium, potassium and dietary fibers. Jute leaf contains antitumor promoters; Phytol and Monogalactosyl-diacylglycerol. It may reduce risk of cancer. Jute leaves are very cheap both fresh and dry leaves can be very useful.
Home Garden - To Save Herbs and Traditional Plants from Extinction
Case study - Example
Arsenic Removal Filter from tube wells (Tubewell Sand Filter):A vertical column consisting of three chambers brick chips or iron chips, coarse sand, fine sand are the elements of Tubewell Sand Filter. This has been introduced by several NGOs and government orginisations. In Faridpur near Tulagram (left: picture) a TSF has been very recently constructed by NGO Forum. The villagers paid Tk.3000 and the total cost is about Tk. 50, 000/. We examined the water and found arsenic concentration 70 µg/l, in other words, it should be painted red.We saw that villagers were wasing brick chips, sands with pond water, in other words, contaminating with colio and other bacteria.We found several other filters (TSF) at Aliabad, Bakunda are abondoned.The NGO Forum maintains close collaboration with all relevant government agencies (DPHE, NIPSOM, LGED, etc.), Universities, UN bodies (UNICEF, World Bank, etc.), Donors, DPHE-DANIDA, BAMWSP, as well as other NGOs. The NGO Forum is playing a vital role in the Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project (BAMWSP) as a member of the steering committee as well as in project implementation including selection of Partner NGOs and CBOs for any area selected. What a misuse of money!
Available technologies for arsenic treatment:
Method
Advantages
Disadvantages
Co-precipitation:
No monitoring of a break through is required. Relatively low cost simple chemicals. Low capital costs.
Serious short and long term problems with toxic sludge. Multiple chemicals requirement Operation requires training and discipline.
Alum coagulation
Durable powder chemicals normally available
Efficient pre-oxidation is a must
Iron coagulation
More efficient than alum on weigh basis
Medium removal of As (III)
Lime softening
Most common chemicals
Re-adjustment of pH is required.
Sorption techniques:
No daily sludge problem.
Requires monitoring of break through or filter use. Requires periodical regeneration or medium shift.
Activated alumina
Relatively well known and commercially available.
Re-adjustment of pH is required.
Iron coated sand
Expected to be cheap. No regeneration is required.
Yet to be standardized. Toxic solid waste.
Ion exchange resin
Well defined medium and hence capacity.
High cost medium. High tech operation & maintenance. Regeneration creates a sludge problem.
Membrane techniques:
Low space requirement. Capable of removal of other contaminants, if any.
High running costs. High investment costs. High tech operation and maintenance. Toxic wastewater. Re-adjustment water quality is required.
Reverse Osmosis
Membrane does not withstand oxidizing agents.

Multiple chemical requirement, operation requires a huge resource and technological training.

Multiple chemical requirement, operation requires a huge resource and technological training.
High investment, high running cost,a high technical operation and maintenance make it impossible to reach arsenic free water for the mass population like in Bangladesh.
Most disturbing object is that these people who are using the sand filter never warned by the NGOs that the same poisonous water is pouring through their wells via filter.
The research, seminars, workshops, analysis of problems, prioritizing and decision-making for mitigation of the arsenic problem - are all taking place far away from the affected communities. The village people, the primary stakeholders, are not even aware of the disaster.
Though lots of funds have been made available so far by different aid agencies including World Bank, SDC, Danida, AusAID, DFID, etc. and a significant number of projects in the name of arsenic mitigation are also being implemented both by the government and non-governmental agencies throughout the country, how far have we been able to mitigate the sufferings of the arsenic affected people?
The development partners have pumped millions of dollars into various mitigation programmes ever since dangerous level of poison in underground water was detected way back in 1993. More funds are reported to be pouring in but the question is are they reaching the people who have been most affected by this rapidly increasing menace around the country? Several NGOs have been given authority through the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), to offer low cost services to prevent diseases caused by arsenic poisoning from spreading. One such project for the 'poorest of the poor requires a group of fifty to donate as much as Tk. 4,500 in advance to receive a safe tubewell. But the government seems to have forgotten that there are many 'poorest of the poor' who would not be able to gather any money, least of all the required amount.
Arsenic mitigation activities by international organizations and major NGOs are generally undertaken jointly with a local NGO active in one particular village. The local NGO encourages villagers to form a committee so that the committee may act as the principal body to organize mitigation work.
It needs no telling that everybody moving in the donor-development circuit seems to have been jumping on the arsenic bandwagon ever since the problem surfaced but precious little have resulted as far as mitigation is concerned. This paper has been hammering for serious coordinated action between the government and 'development partners', to help the vulnerable areas revert to alternative sources of reasonably safe water and to attend to the health needs of the already affected people. But so far we have seen only a proliferation of NGOs, assorted consultants, bottled water and filter sellers and what not, catching larks, so to say, while the poisoning continues.
According to AAN experience, members of such a committee are decided among the village leaders. One of the main functions of the committee is to collect funds to operate and maintain a newly installed option of alternative source of safe water. The running of the fund including the management of money is under the supervision of the local NGO during the initial stages. The committee needs some experience to become an independent running organization.
In practice, it is seen that only the rich becomes the member. In most cases 10 members selected from their family or friends and others are not allowed to collect water. We found in Fursa, Kanaipur Union, Village Tambulkhana dug wells and a deep tube well are constructed by SIDA/BRDB, although tube wells contain arsenic far below Bangladesh standard. The poor is unable to pay Tk. 3000-5000.In Noakhali we also found deep tube wells are sunk inside the house who pays Tk. 5000. Many complains that they do not use the water because it is saline and tastes after cow dung!
Government Policy is going to Fail
Government Project - GOB-4 project
4,700 deep tubewells in upazials,
1010 deep (Tara),
2342 tubewells, 1986 Tara,
305 PSF (Pond Sand Filter),
1085 ring wells,
600 wells/reestablishing water sources and to supply water through pipeline in 92 villages are underway.
Our study shows that almost all deep tube wells in neighbouring Faridpur district are arsenic contaminated. Geological deposition is also almost the same.
Our experience reveals that most of the deep tube wells are arsenic contaminated. Government and others want to sink deep tube wells without taking care of contaminating deep aquifers. But sinking deep wells are more profitable! Our work in Faridpur show that it is possble to find arsenic free water at shallow depths.At this place an expensive deep tubewell was set by DPHE/NGO about a year ago. Nobody uses this well because of saline and iron rich water.Our shallow well pours water far below Bangladesh Stanard (arsenic).
"Priority would be given to surface water options over groundwater sources. The options in order of priority include dug well, pond sand filter, rain water harvesting, deep hand-tubewells, arsenic removal by using chemicals and pipe water supply system,"
Most of the deep tube wells are in the Coastal Areas of Bangladesh, where shallow aquifers are separated by thick layers of clay sediments. But Holocene sedimentary stratigraphy of rest of Bangladesh is completely dfferent. Use of deep tubewell has been suggested as a safe option in the face of arsenic contamination of groundwater in the country. The suggestion was made in a preliminary report after a study in Jhenidah, Chuadanga and Jessore districts, conducted jointly by local and foreign experts. The report was presented at a

Multiple chemical requirement, operation requires a huge resource and technological training.

Multiple chemical requirement, operation requires a huge resource and technological training.
High investment, high running cost,a high technical operation and maintenance make it impossible to reach arsenic free water for the mass population like in Bangladesh.
Most disturbing object is that these people who are using the sand filter never warned by the NGOs that the same poisonous water is pouring through their wells via filter.
The research, seminars, workshops, analysis of problems, prioritizing and decision-making for mitigation of the arsenic problem - are all taking place far away from the affected communities. The village people, the primary stakeholders, are not even aware of the disaster.
Though lots of funds have been made available so far by different aid agencies including World Bank, SDC, Danida, AusAID, DFID, etc. and a significant number of projects in the name of arsenic mitigation are also being implemented both by the government and non-governmental agencies throughout the country, how far have we been able to mitigate the sufferings of the arsenic affected people?
The development partners have pumped millions of dollars into various mitigation programmes ever since dangerous level of poison in underground water was detected way back in 1993. More funds are reported to be pouring in but the question is are they reaching the people who have been most affected by this rapidly increasing menace around the country? Several NGOs have been given authority through the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), to offer low cost services to prevent diseases caused by arsenic poisoning from spreading. One such project for the 'poorest of the poor requires a group of fifty to donate as much as Tk. 4,500 in advance to receive a safe tubewell. But the government seems to have forgotten that there are many 'poorest of the poor' who would not be able to gather any money, least of all the required amount.
Arsenic mitigation activities by international organizations and major NGOs are generally undertaken jointly with a local NGO active in one particular village. The local NGO encourages villagers to form a committee so that the committee may act as the principal body to organize mitigation work.
It needs no telling that everybody moving in the donor-development circuit seems to have been jumping on the arsenic bandwagon ever since the problem surfaced but precious little have resulted as far as mitigation is concerned. This paper has been hammering for serious coordinated action between the government and 'development partners', to help the vulnerable areas revert to alternative sources of reasonably safe water and to attend to the health needs of the already affected people. But so far we have seen only a proliferation of NGOs, assorted consultants, bottled water and filter sellers and what not, catching larks, so to say, while the poisoning continues.
According to AAN experience, members of such a committee are decided among the village leaders. One of the main functions of the committee is to collect funds to operate and maintain a newly installed option of alternative source of safe water. The running of the fund including the management of money is under the supervision of the local NGO during the initial stages. The committee needs some experience to become an independent running organization.
In practice, it is seen that only the rich becomes the member. In most cases 10 members selected from their family or friends and others are not allowed to collect water. We found in Fursa, Kanaipur Union, Village Tambulkhana dug wells and a deep tube well are constructed by SIDA/BRDB, although tube wells contain arsenic far below Bangladesh standard. The poor is unable to pay Tk. 3000-5000.In Noakhali we also found deep tube wells are sunk inside the house who pays Tk. 5000. Many complains that they do not use the water because it is saline and tastes after cow dung!
Government Policy is going to Fail
Government Project - GOB-4 project
4,700 deep tubewells in upazials,
1010 deep (Tara),
2342 tubewells, 1986 Tara,
305 PSF (Pond Sand Filter),
1085 ring wells,
600 wells/reestablishing water sources and to supply water through pipeline in 92 villages are underway.
Our study shows that almost all deep tube wells in neighbouring Faridpur district are arsenic contaminated. Geological deposition is also almost the same.
Our experience reveals that most of the deep tube wells are arsenic contaminated. Government and others want to sink deep tube wells without taking care of contaminating deep aquifers. But sinking deep wells are more profitable! Our work in Faridpur show that it is possble to find arsenic free water at shallow depths.At this place an expensive deep tubewell was set by DPHE/NGO about a year ago. Nobody uses this well because of saline and iron rich water.Our shallow well pours water far below Bangladesh Stanard (arsenic).
"Priority would be given to surface water options over groundwater sources. The options in order of priority include dug well, pond sand filter, rain water harvesting, deep hand-tubewells, arsenic removal by using chemicals and pipe water supply system,"
Most of the deep tube wells are in the Coastal Areas of Bangladesh, where shallow aquifers are separated by thick layers of clay sediments. But Holocene sedimentary stratigraphy of rest of Bangladesh is completely dfferent. Use of deep tubewell has been suggested as a safe option in the face of arsenic contamination of groundwater in the country. The suggestion was made in a preliminary report after a study in Jhenidah, Chuadanga and Jessore districts, conducted jointly by local and foreign experts. The report was presented at a

Our projects show that deep tube wells is not the solution. People rejects deep tube wells water as it taste saline or high in iron or smells cow dung

Our projects show that deep tube wells is not the solution. People rejects deep tube wells water as it taste saline or high in iron or smells cow dung (cow dung is used in Bangladesh for deep drilling!). Deltaic sediments of Bangladesh is geologically unique in the world, within contaminated aquifers, there are still undicovered uncontaminated aquifer. But if, foreign consultants, depending NGOs or government's water experts draw master plan, there will be no solution to arsenic probleme in Bangladesh
NGOs are generically fund seekers and now provider of employment. Most of them have almost no reality beyond this.
And this generally grovelling bunch conveniently represents the public face in the eyes of the donors who ultimately decide policies.
Not because they want to but because they have to. The ability of the national counterparts is so low that they would not be able to formulate a policy without donor support. They are unable to disagree either because that might mean fund cuts (Daily Star, 2004).
So it all ends up in the same basket.
Acees to Safe Water
Water means prosperity -- its scarcity means poverty, regardless of material wealth. Human rights advocate that when a woman lives in an unsafe and unhealthy environment or lacks access to clean water, she is not enjoying her fundamental human rights to a life of dignity and to an adequate standard of living. Keeping these truths in mind, the poor women-folk have intensified their further involvement in the water harvesting activities beyond their domestic world.
Tulagram, Betbaria, Banogram etc. are one of the worst arsenic affected areas of Fairpur district. Sarasati's father is a blacksmith but he can hardly move and does not work any more (2004). Her mother is also very sick.Although they think that they do not drink arsenic contaminated water, as Sarasati collects water from TSF (Tubewell Sand Filter) water constructed by the NGO-Forum. We found this water contains a high amount of arsenic (above stanad). Actually this tubewell should be painted red. Nobody warned them. We began to analyse the geological formation and tested aquifers. At Sarasati's house we discovered an aresenic free aquifer and a made available to all an arsenic free water. After one year we are surprise to find a happy family - Sarasati is playing theatre, father has open his shop. Just a simple water can change the life!!
Thus, we have made several arsenic free water wells in : Village Vashan Char, Village Ambikapur, Village Kaijuri, Village Tulagram, Village Muraridhoa, Village Purbo Muraridhoa, Village Purbo Banogram, Village Madha Para, Domkaron, Village Purbo Banogram, Dhakin Para, Village Tambulkhana, . Village Betbaria, Aubergine Village- Betbaria, Village Kasnail and village Shuborampur etc.Many well to do faimly followed our instruction to make arsenic free water wells. May be the impact of our work is greater than we expected!
of Bangladesh, i. e., Hinduism (Modern hinduism is the result of a blending orthodox Brahmanism with non-Aryan materialistic superstitions) which came earliest, Buddhism second and Islam. There is no denying the fact, the oldest inhabitants of Bangladesh known as Australoid, then the Dravidians, Aryans and the Muslims made a chequered history of this region and the Nakshi Kantha (An embellished quilt embroidered in traditional motifs and innovative style by rural women of Bangladesh) found a unique character as a multi religious product and also a multiracial expression.
The story the kantha is rooted in the history, culture, civilization of Bangladesh since thousands of years The art of kantha embroidery carries a language that is universal, drawing from the well of mankind's primitive and traditional art knowledge, and giving to the world a priceless cultural heritage. Kantha (Quilt) is a product of a non-literate society with psychological and cultural tradition of Bangladesh.

Our projects show that deep tube wells is not the solution. People rejects deep tube wells water as it taste saline or high in iron or smells cow dung

Our projects show that deep tube wells is not the solution. People rejects deep tube wells water as it taste saline or high in iron or smells cow dung (cow dung is used in Bangladesh for deep drilling!). Deltaic sediments of Bangladesh is geologically unique in the world, within contaminated aquifers, there are still undicovered uncontaminated aquifer. But if, foreign consultants, depending NGOs or government's water experts draw master plan, there will be no solution to arsenic probleme in Bangladesh
NGOs are generically fund seekers and now provider of employment. Most of them have almost no reality beyond this.
And this generally grovelling bunch conveniently represents the public face in the eyes of the donors who ultimately decide policies.
Not because they want to but because they have to. The ability of the national counterparts is so low that they would not be able to formulate a policy without donor support. They are unable to disagree either because that might mean fund cuts (Daily Star, 2004).
So it all ends up in the same basket.
Acees to Safe Water
Water means prosperity -- its scarcity means poverty, regardless of material wealth. Human rights advocate that when a woman lives in an unsafe and unhealthy environment or lacks access to clean water, she is not enjoying her fundamental human rights to a life of dignity and to an adequate standard of living. Keeping these truths in mind, the poor women-folk have intensified their further involvement in the water harvesting activities beyond their domestic world.
Tulagram, Betbaria, Banogram etc. are one of the worst arsenic affected areas of Fairpur district. Sarasati's father is a blacksmith but he can hardly move and does not work any more (2004). Her mother is also very sick.Although they think that they do not drink arsenic contaminated water, as Sarasati collects water from TSF (Tubewell Sand Filter) water constructed by the NGO-Forum. We found this water contains a high amount of arsenic (above stanad). Actually this tubewell should be painted red. Nobody warned them. We began to analyse the geological formation and tested aquifers. At Sarasati's house we discovered an aresenic free aquifer and a made available to all an arsenic free water. After one year we are surprise to find a happy family - Sarasati is playing theatre, father has open his shop. Just a simple water can change the life!!
Thus, we have made several arsenic free water wells in : Village Vashan Char, Village Ambikapur, Village Kaijuri, Village Tulagram, Village Muraridhoa, Village Purbo Muraridhoa, Village Purbo Banogram, Village Madha Para, Domkaron, Village Purbo Banogram, Dhakin Para, Village Tambulkhana, . Village Betbaria, Aubergine Village- Betbaria, Village Kasnail and village Shuborampur etc.Many well to do faimly followed our instruction to make arsenic free water wells. May be the impact of our work is greater than we expected!
of Bangladesh, i. e., Hinduism (Modern hinduism is the result of a blending orthodox Brahmanism with non-Aryan materialistic superstitions) which came earliest, Buddhism second and Islam. There is no denying the fact, the oldest inhabitants of Bangladesh known as Australoid, then the Dravidians, Aryans and the Muslims made a chequered history of this region and the Nakshi Kantha (An embellished quilt embroidered in traditional motifs and innovative style by rural women of Bangladesh) found a unique character as a multi religious product and also a multiracial expression.
The story the kantha is rooted in the history, culture, civilization of Bangladesh since thousands of years The art of kantha embroidery carries a language that is universal, drawing from the well of mankind's primitive and traditional art knowledge, and giving to the world a priceless cultural heritage. Kantha (Quilt) is a product of a non-literate society with psychological and cultural tradition of Bangladesh.

Economoc and Social Council, United Nations E/C.2/2007/2/Add.24 Economic and Social Council, Distr.: General, 12 March 2007

National Association for Resource Improvement (NARI) Special Consultative Status granted in 1998
(NARI) which means women in Bengali founded in 1986 and having United Nations status since 1998 connects many organizations and women who represent a cross section of entrepreneurs, social workers, lawyers, environmental and educators who believe charity and welfare are not enough to improver status of women and improve overall condition of women and improvement of environment. NARI is also very conscious of Climate Change consequences for Bangladesh and is sharing information.
Throughout the reporting period, NARI handicrafts made by very poor rural women and small businesses of middle class women entrepreneurs supported by NARI remained a regular annual activity with the objectives of guiding and supporting women towards self-reliance and empowerment of women. It also met the objectives of resisting violence against women and children and promoting safer working place for women workers and healthy environment for all. Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Mohammad Yunus is the Founding Chairman of the Board. In 2002 NARI branch of women entrepreneurs and handicraft workers was established in Ambikapur, Faridpur. Sewing machines and trainers on a regular basis were provided. The center trained 200 young women. In this ongoing activity, they operate a shop of handicrafts in a rural area. Many young women operate their own small sewing businesses. It has been a most successful NARI activity. In Faridpur NARI also helped provide arsenic free water and helped arsenic affected women to establish small businesses. Neem tree plantation is another regular ongoing activity maintained during the 2002-2005 period. NARI women learned about their rights and took part in community activities

Economoc and Social Council, United Nations E/C.2/2007/2/Add.24 Economic and Social Council, Distr.: General, 12 March 2007

National Association for Resource Improvement (NARI) Special Consultative Status granted in 1998
(NARI) which means women in Bengali founded in 1986 and having United Nations status since 1998 connects many organizations and women who represent a cross section of entrepreneurs, social workers, lawyers, environmental and educators who believe charity and welfare are not enough to improver status of women and improve overall condition of women and improvement of environment. NARI is also very conscious of Climate Change consequences for Bangladesh and is sharing information.
Throughout the reporting period, NARI handicrafts made by very poor rural women and small businesses of middle class women entrepreneurs supported by NARI remained a regular annual activity with the objectives of guiding and supporting women towards self-reliance and empowerment of women. It also met the objectives of resisting violence against women and children and promoting safer working place for women workers and healthy environment for all. Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Mohammad Yunus is the Founding Chairman of the Board. In 2002 NARI branch of women entrepreneurs and handicraft workers was established in Ambikapur, Faridpur. Sewing machines and trainers on a regular basis were provided. The center trained 200 young women. In this ongoing activity, they operate a shop of handicrafts in a rural area. Many young women operate their own small sewing businesses. It has been a most successful NARI activity. In Faridpur NARI also helped provide arsenic free water and helped arsenic affected women to establish small businesses. Neem tree plantation is another regular ongoing activity maintained during the 2002-2005 period. NARI women learned about their rights and took part in community activities

NARI assisted in organizing a brain storming session

NARI assisted in organizing a brain storming session on Action Agenda for a Dowry Free Bangladesh on 8 January 2005 against dowry attended by the Country Representative of The World Bank and Minister of Law, Justice and parliamentary Affairs. Recommendations and action plan were adopted and shared by participating organizations for advocacy and implementation. NARI helped women arsenic victims in Faridpur by supplying arsenic free water and helping the women to be more reliant by learning sewing.
Sewing Courses at Alipur, Bhasan Char and ambikapur villages- 2008
About 150 students (mothers, daughters, housewives) obtained sewing courses from our project:

NARI assisted in organizing a brain storming session

NARI assisted in organizing a brain storming session on Action Agenda for a Dowry Free Bangladesh on 8 January 2005 against dowry attended by the Country Representative of The World Bank and Minister of Law, Justice and parliamentary Affairs. Recommendations and action plan were adopted and shared by participating organizations for advocacy and implementation. NARI helped women arsenic victims in Faridpur by supplying arsenic free water and helping the women to be more reliant by learning sewing.
Sewing Courses at Alipur, Bhasan Char and ambikapur villages- 2008
About 150 students (mothers, daughters, housewives) obtained sewing courses from our project:

Bangla-Photos-Bengali

jack says:9 months ago
no comment
chandra says:9 months ago
dear.
i am looking hindu girls for a long life.
pls call 01925 796576
jewel says:9 months ago
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sumon says:8 months ago
She Is Bery Nice

jung says:8 months ago
Keeman aashe
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rayhan says:5 months ago
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bangladesh
sony says:4 months ago
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milton says:4 months ago
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ATAUR RAHMAN says:3 months ago
I m rady for you
PR says:3 months ago
haloo saxcy
Kamal88 says:3 months ago
I Love You
mesbah ahmed says:3 months ago
i need sexy female for love and enjoy
alam says:3 months ago
lubna k chodbo
bappy says:2 months ago
There is good behind dark.......
shubho says:2 months ago
hello sexy
nayma says:2 months ago
amar sona dia ras porche kew ashe dhon dukao.sonar vitor dhon dilea khub valo lage.
imrankhan says:2 months ago
kjoiuj
yousuf says:2 months ago
I LOVE U PRYAKA
mamun prodan says:2 months ago
i love u papia ami robina k chodbo & chodi
amar shona all time khara thakeee ken?

shinujohn2008 says:2 months ago
please dont leave phone numbers and email address in comments
teto says:2 months ago
I am loking for a faithful prettiy grl.if anybody interstet pls add ur yahoo msn me as a friend.my yahoo id saiduzz.i am 20 National University stdnt.B,A honours English.2nd year.
palashmulla says:2 months ago
hi i am palash from bangladeshi i am wirking saudi arabia but iam still single i want sexi grilds my frinds if any grild like to me just me massace
Sabnur says:6 weeks ago
Sabnur photos
shihab says:6 weeks ago
i love maty```mati my frinde
Razzak says:5 weeks ago
My alowas need sexy girls.my mobile no:01920830470
mongil says:4 weeks ago
masoma how are you. I am mongil.I want your sex. okkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
shimon says:4 weeks ago
I love you
name:Md:shimonkhan
fayezullah says:4 weeks ago
hi sexy bangla girl how r u
SALMAN says:3 weeks ago
I am loking for a faithful prettiy grl.if anybody interstet pls add ur yahoo msn me as a friend.my yahoo id saiduzz.i am 20 National University stdnt.B,A honours English.2nd year.
palashmulla says:
jumman khadem says:3 weeks ago
Woman no like my like 19/19 age Grils so. sexy grils...
mongil kishorgonj says:2 weeks ago
I love my country. Bangladesh is fine country.Bangladesh pepol is very fine.But Bangladesh poletic is very bad.Thats ok.Everybody welcome.
Sumon Barisal says:2 weeks ago
Bale (Computer oparetor BCIC Vhabon) Aktel Sakib ar sathe live togather kora protidin.
dulal ahmed says:10 days ago
i want one onest and butyfull grils only bangladeshi
MUKUL says:8 days ago
i want one onest and butyfull AND SEXI grils only bangladeshi
BOSS says:8 days ago
not bad
shimul says:6 days ago
iiove tanha prom.kholna

Bangla-Photos-Bengali

jack says:9 months ago
no comment
chandra says:9 months ago
dear.
i am looking hindu girls for a long life.
pls call 01925 796576
jewel says:9 months ago
HAI I M JOEL HERE LOOKING 4 GOOD FRIEND.
Shajarn says:9 months ago
I am a bengali boi yh n i think dese gyals r butters meaning UGLY. only 4 or 5 ladies from the top were aite
sumon says:8 months ago
She Is Bery Nice

jung says:8 months ago
Keeman aashe
whytboi killa says:8 months ago
DEZE R D UGLIEST GYALS I'VE SEEN INMA LYFF
munna says:8 months ago
nice girl alas! how sweet and how sexy sexy sexy.
rinku datta says:7 months ago
i love sumi,,i miss you
RCH says:7 months ago
I WILL GOOD FRIEND
naser. says:7 months ago
poly i love you.i miss you all time day of night.
Bird says:6 months ago
Its so worst.........i hate this!
Mati says:6 months ago
Like free sex as per personal requeirment.
weapons says:6 months ago
keep it up.......
rinku datta says:6 months ago
i love you forever
rajiv says:6 months ago
it is bed
rayhan.romi says:6 months ago
i live in saudi arab. my mather languag bangla
ROMI says:6 months ago
I love 2 all heard
zahid says:6 months ago
i love all good indeeds for muslims community.always be careful about his & her character.
riaz says:6 months ago
very nice
shuvo says:6 months ago
i want you
nust says:5 months ago
nust
joy says:5 months ago
I WANT A GOOD FRIEND.
ROYEL says:5 months ago
LIFE IS HEAT GIRL
Faruk says:5 months ago
Hi!I want to need good grils with friendship?
Faruk says:5 months ago
Hi!I want to need good grils with friendship?Iam bangladeshi.i live in now saudi Arabia.Iam here alone.
PALASH KHANPUR says:5 months ago
I NEED LADY FRIEND
rayhan says:5 months ago
bangali maay cudadity pary na sona chushty paryna ami onak maar boda chctshe nunta nunta laga kintu onak mojapay maay ra tina maay
r k sumon says:5 months ago
thanks for that
shaji says:5 months ago
how koto nice big big hill
anam says:5 months ago
banna tume kaman aso
mizan says:5 months ago
I LOKING SEXY GIRLS
MASUM says:5 months ago
HI SONIA, KAMON ASO? I MISS YOU, I LOVE YOU.
i love sumi says:5 months ago
i love you
shihab says:4 months ago
bangali meyeder sudar majatay alada
alex says:4 months ago
its cool
azad says:4 months ago
this to much
sumon says:4 months ago
I love you sabina
ornob says:4 months ago
khankir pulara maiya loiya business koro.ghore geya chodo
salauddin says:4 months ago
This is our actual bangla nari may be dress up with Pohela boishak
Zia says:4 months ago
you are suitable for dic down
nayem says:4 months ago
i need a girl to give sex
Moga says:4 months ago
Chudlam na tomar valobasa!
SHISHIR says:4 months ago
mai chasy hoot boby & 17/18 bosorer mall
http://102030/ says:4 months ago
bangladesh
sony says:4 months ago
tumi amaka dhoka dibanato
milton says:4 months ago
its not so cute aseveryone comments
zahid raza says:4 months ago
love is life
tawhid says:4 months ago
i need sexy girl
shoel says:4 months ago
I want sex
kapil says:4 months ago
i kapil want good girl for love
MURAD says:4 months ago
I M SO SEXY I WANT TO A SEXY GIRL FRIEND
pura says:3 months ago
ilove you
MAMUN says:3 months ago
IM SO SEXY
subir says:3 months ago
I want a good girl friend
mahed says:3 months ago
my need sexy girl frends
bablu says:3 months ago
i like bangladeshi actress popy. she is may drim gril i love him very.... much she is very very hot........
Anik Roy says:3 months ago
i am finding a hindu girl.hope will get
Rubel bgc says:3 months ago
Bangladeshi girls really beutifull
raju says:3 months ago
ormi kothi asis kemon asis jani na.ora silo 3 sister ormi sormi lajmi r poso sompod officar
rabby says:3 months ago
need agirlfrind bogra bangladesh
pollob says:3 months ago
ami jode 4 5 ta may dore nea sara rat n sara mas sex korto ta hole amer valo lagbe
sheshir says:3 months ago
shovbbbbbbbb magggggggi
Ram says:3 months ago
sex is energy of bangli
Mamoon says:3 months ago
Hi, I like it plz send some mature photo
ATAUR RAHMAN says:3 months ago
I m rady for you
PR says:3 months ago
haloo saxcy
Kamal88 says:3 months ago
I Love You
mesbah ahmed says:3 months ago
i need sexy female for love and enjoy
alam says:3 months ago
lubna k chodbo
bappy says:2 months ago
There is good behind dark.......
shubho says:2 months ago
hello sexy
nayma says:2 months ago
amar sona dia ras porche kew ashe dhon dukao.sonar vitor dhon dilea khub valo lage.
imrankhan says:2 months ago
kjoiuj
yousuf says:2 months ago
I LOVE U PRYAKA
mamun prodan says:2 months ago
i love u papia ami robina k chodbo & chodi
amar shona all time khara thakeee ken?

shinujohn2008 says:2 months ago
please dont leave phone numbers and email address in comments
teto says:2 months ago
I am loking for a faithful prettiy grl.if anybody interstet pls add ur yahoo msn me as a friend.my yahoo id saiduzz.i am 20 National University stdnt.B,A honours English.2nd year.
palashmulla says:2 months ago
hi i am palash from bangladeshi i am wirking saudi arabia but iam still single i want sexi grilds my frinds if any grild like to me just me massace
Sabnur says:6 weeks ago
Sabnur photos
shihab says:6 weeks ago
i love maty```mati my frinde
Razzak says:5 weeks ago
My alowas need sexy girls.my mobile no:01920830470
mongil says:4 weeks ago
masoma how are you. I am mongil.I want your sex. okkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
shimon says:4 weeks ago
I love you
name:Md:shimonkhan
fayezullah says:4 weeks ago
hi sexy bangla girl how r u
SALMAN says:3 weeks ago
I am loking for a faithful prettiy grl.if anybody interstet pls add ur yahoo msn me as a friend.my yahoo id saiduzz.i am 20 National University stdnt.B,A honours English.2nd year.
palashmulla says:
jumman khadem says:3 weeks ago
Woman no like my like 19/19 age Grils so. sexy grils...
mongil kishorgonj says:2 weeks ago
I love my country. Bangladesh is fine country.Bangladesh pepol is very fine.But Bangladesh poletic is very bad.Thats ok.Everybody welcome.
Sumon Barisal says:2 weeks ago
Bale (Computer oparetor BCIC Vhabon) Aktel Sakib ar sathe live togather kora protidin.
dulal ahmed says:10 days ago
i want one onest and butyfull grils only bangladeshi
MUKUL says:8 days ago
i want one onest and butyfull AND SEXI grils only bangladeshi
BOSS says:8 days ago
not bad
shimul says:6 days ago
iiove tanha prom.kholna

Primary completion rate, girls - Bangladesh

Primary completion rate, girls - Bangladesh
Home > Bangladesh > Millenium Development Goals
Year
Value
Change
Cumulative Change
Footnotes
Type
1999
86.5



C
2000
86.8
0.35 %
0.35 %

C
2001
83
-4.38 %
-4.05 %

C
2002
75.8
-8.67 %
-12.37 %

C
2003
74.8
-1.32 %
-13.53 %

C
2004
78.8
5.35 %
-8.90 %

C
Target 3. Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling
Goal 2. Achieve universal primary education
Types
C - Country Data. The figure is the one produced and disseminated by the country (including data adjusted BY THE COUNTRY to meet international standards)

NEW DELHI, November 3 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Thursday Muslim girls needed to be given better access to educati

NEW DELHI, November 3 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Thursday Muslim girls needed to be given better access to education if the country was serious about addressing the inequalities faced by minority groups. Singh's comments, made at a conference of state minority panels, were his latest in a sustained campaign aimed at bridging the gap between the country's majority Hindus and its minority -- but large -- Muslim population. "The main factor responsible for socio-economic backwardness of the minority communities, particularly the Muslim community, is the lack of access to the common school system," said Singh. "This is particularly true in the case of Muslim girls." Plans for setting up schools in predominantly Muslim areas with a sharper focus on the needs of Muslim girls needed to be implemented, he said, adding that Muslim girls should get more access to medical and engineering colleges. Singh's comments came just over a month after he urged regional political leaders to recruit more Muslims into police and intelligence agencies to help counter a growing sense of insecurity amongst the community. Indian Muslims, estimated to number about 140 million in a total population of 1.1 billion, account for the world's third-largest Islamic population after those of Indonesia and Pakistan. Although India's secular constitution promises equal rights and opportunities to all communities, Muslims have traditionally registered lower educational levels and, as a consequence, higher unemployment rates than Hindus. Muslims are also under-represented in public sector jobs and in the army, police and other security agencies. Muslim women are considered to generally lag behind their male counterparts. Singh said that despite many plans implemented to tackle the education, health, employment and housing problems faced by poor minorities, their benefits had not been distributed equally. "We have to provide minority youth skills which will enable them to get their legitimate share in employment, both in the public sector and in the private sector," he said.