Portal:Bengal

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The Bengal Portal

Shagatom! Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast of South Asia. Today it is mainly divided between the independent nation of Bangladesh (previously East Bengal), and the Indian federal republic's constitutive state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous kingdoms of Bengal (during local monarchial regimes and British rule) are now part of the neighboring Indian states of Bihar, Tripura and Orissa. The majority of Bengal is inhabited by Bengali people who speak the Bengali language, also called Bangla.

The region of Bengal is one of the most densely populated regions on earth, with population density exceeding 900/km². Most of the Bengal region lies in the low-lying Ganges–Brahmaputra River Delta or Ganges Delta, the world's largest delta. In the southern part of the delta lies Sundarbans— world's largest mangrove forest and home to the famed Bengal tiger. Though the population of the region is mostly rural and agrararian, two megacities, Kolkata (previously Calcutta) and Dhaka, are located in Bengal. The Bengal region is notable for its contribution to the socio-cultural uplift of Indian society in the form of Bengal Renaissance, and revolutionary activities during the Indian independence movement.

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Credit: Ragib Hasan

Khan Mohammad Mirdha's mosque (built 1706) at Atish Khana, in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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Kalimpong is a hill station nestled in the Shiwalik Hills in the Indian state of West Bengal. The town is the headquarters of the Kalimpong subdivision, a part of the district of Darjeeling. A major forward base of the Indian Army is located on the outskirts of the town. Kalimpong is well-known for its many educational institutions, which attract students from all over North East India, West Bengal, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. In recent times, Kalimpong has become an important tourist destination owing to its temperate climate and proximity to popular tourist locations in the region. Kalimpong is also famous for its flower market, especially the wide array of orchids. It houses several Buddhist monasteries holding a number of rare Tibetan Buddhist scriptures. ...Archive/Nominations

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Dr. Muhammad Yunus (Bengali: মুহাম্মদ ইউনুস, pronounced Muhammôd Iunus) (born June 28, 1940) is a Bangladeshi banker and economist. A former professor of economics, he is famous for his successful application of the concept of microcredit, the extension of small loans to entrepreneurs too poor to qualify for traditional bank loans. Yunus is also the founder of Grameen Bank, which specializes in providing credit to the poor.
The success of the Grameen model has inspired similar efforts throughout the developing world and even in industrialized nations, including the United States. The Grameen model of micro financing has been emulated in 23 countries. Many, but not all, microcredit projects also retain its emphasis on lending specifically to women. More than 96% of Grameen loans have gone to women, who suffer disproportionately from poverty and who are more likely than men to devote their earnings to their families.
In 2006, Yunus and the bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below." Yunus himself has received several other international honors, including the ITU World Information Society Award, Ramon Magsaysay Award, the World Food Prize and the Sydney Peace Prize. He is the author of Banker to the Poor and a founding board member of Grameen Foundation. Yunus recently showed interest in launching a political party in Bangladesh, Nagorik Shakti (Citizen Power), but later discarded the plan. He is one of the founding members of Global Elders. (more...)

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In The News

The current time is 7:25, Monday June 9, 2008 (IST) • 7:55, Monday June 9, 2008 (BST) • Joishtho 26, 1415 (Bengali calendar).

Bangladesh

May 22: The interim Government of Bangladesh starts discussions with political parties about next general election. (BBC)

May 19: Dhaka high court approves citizenship for Biharis who were minors when Bangladesh won independence in 1971 or born after. (BBC)

May 13: At least 44 people drown as a river ferry capsizes. (Reuters)

April 16: Train-bus collision in Tangail district kills at least 17 people and injures 19 others. (IHT)

April 14: Train service between Dhaka, Bangladesh and Kolkata, India, resumes after 43 years with the inauguration of Maitreyi Express. (Financial Express)

April 13: Bangladesh in critical shape as people desperate for food. Estimate show that 30 million poor could go hungry. See World food crises 2007-08. (AP)

March 15: Biman Bangladesh Airlines signs MoU to buy 8 Boeing planes for $1.265 bln. (reuters)

March 5: The Government announces nominations for the Independence Day Award of 2008. (Daily Star)

February 28: Ferry accident in Bangladesh claims 45 lives. (AFP)

February 21: Bangladesh observes Language Movement Day with reverence. (Daily Star)

February 19: Nine distinguished personalities are awarded Ekushey Padak 2008. (Daily Star)

February 13: The immigration advisory service in Britain warn that restrictions on immigration of Bangladeshis to the UK was leading to shortages in curry houses and having an impact on the industry. (guardian)