Three MDG Reports were launched on the 16th February 2005.

1. UN Millennium Project report (UN)

2. Attaining the Millennium Development Goals in Bangladesh (World Bank)

3. Millennium Development Goals-Bangladesh Progress Report (Government of Bangladesh & UN)

You could download all three reports at http://www.lcgbangladesh.org/mdgs/

Today 21st February, the International Language Day. Including Bangladesh all over the world are observing the International Mother Language Day through paying homage to the Language Movement martyrs.

At midnight today, people from all walks of life walks barefoot to the Shaheed Minars across the country and place wreaths as a mark of respect to those who sacrificed their lives on the day, 53 years ago. I am sorry, I can not be joining in the unprecedented patriotic really in Shaheed Minars as I am now in Japan, but I don’t forgot my country.

In brief, the background of language movement is, after the colonial period two religion-based states emerged: India and Pakistan in the Indian subcontinent. As a Muslim region, Bangladesh was then a part of Pakistan. But there were basic cultural differences between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Pakistani rulers tried to dominate Bengali culture in the name of Islam. They even denied the Bengali language the status of state language. On this day in 1952, the students of Dhaka took to the streets in protest against the then rulers' denial to give Bangla the status of a state language and imposition of Urdu as the only state language of Pakistan. Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and many others embraced martyrdom when the police opened fire on the procession upon the orders of the then government.

In 1952, the Language Movement played a role as a platform for strengthening Bengali nationalism. Based on its patriotic spirit Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971.

One hundred and eighty-eight countries across the globe are also joining Bangladesh to observe the 21st February following UNESCO's recognition of the day as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.

The day is a public holiday and the national flag keeps half-mast atop government, autonomous and private buildings and educational institutions. A month-long book fair is being held on the Bangla Academy premises commemorating the month of language movement.

Dear Colleagues,

Please find the PRSP ( Unlocking the Potential : National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction ) first draft in the URL http://www.unnayannet.org/documents/prsp . I have uploaded the document ( 324 page ) in the web to make available for all. You can download it from this URL as PDF/ WinZip (word ) format. The URL for pdf format is http://www.unnayannet.org/documents/prsp/prsp-first-draft.pdf

By principle, the government (particularly PRSP writer group ) the relevant feed back is going to receive before finalizing the doc by March 2005.

This draft has been contributed by Arifur Rahman received from Planning Commission through CARE-Bangladesh.

Best regards

Siraj/UnnayanNet

The Sento is Japanese public bathhouses. Yesterday was my most interesting experiences in my life. I publicly took bath without cloth at Pivot Power city in Fukushima. To take bath hot bath in publicly is a part of general life in Japan. Pivot power city at Fukushima main city.

For the Japanese case the equation is simple: “Sento = cleanliness + nakedness + togetherness”, but for me as like as another foreigners “Sento = hesitation + shyness + relax + satisfactions”.

My experience was such, my relative guided by my bother in law to Sento. After arrived in power city we locked shoes in box. After get ticked electrically we enter main arena of Sento. After arrival he quickly put off his all cloths in front me but I was felling shy severely; but my appearance was bravely to absorb other culture as like world cultural activist. I was so surprised to see all people naked, just have one small white towel in hand! At last I also put off but did not forget to put my small white handkerchief to protect my secret organ. But I was failure!

By following my relative, I first was my body and hair. After that we start to take bath in hot water < 44 degree C >. There was continuously moving hot water in the big bath top < like small pond > electrically. After finish almost 12 minutes bath in this top, we moved to open air hot spring < where do not have electrical system, fully natural > to be relax. It is very essential as after take hot bath generally body becomes excited and awake up absolutely.

After finish relaxes stage, we went in a hot air house < 84 degree C >. During entrance I felt burring hotness; I just touched the wall of room for test. I astonished, very hot! Quickly move moved my hand. To generate artificial swatting people set here for few minutes like meditation and watch TV until swat out! After just comeback from the hot room, I was felling from my all cells coming out water! Very relax. After 2 minutes take rest, we take bath again in opposite quit cold water < 22 degree C >. Suddenly temperature change, so my body becomes fully conscious! I felt heavenly relax and happiness, little trusty and tried!

At last after finish relax bath in the “grave wine water top” we washed finally our body and comeback from Sento to dressing room. But I did not forget to protect my secret organs by my white handkerchief. Even my brother in law men of room is moving without hesitations. To take photo and laughing in Sento is prohibited. There are different type Sento always separated for man and woman.

It should say Sento culture was started over 400 years in Japan, but a post-war construction boom in residential housing without bathing facilities or running water cemented the Sento culture get wide recognition and popularity in the community. Hover Sento is civil and respectful arenas, and privacy is respected. Now every Japanese house has small version of Sento.

Sushi is the most delicious and favorites to among both Japanese and non Japanese. In Japan, Sushi is usually considered a special meal for special occasions or to guest. When I have arrived Japan I also was served with Sushi and Shashimi < Japanese raw fish > by my relatives. In Bangladesh also I ate one day Sushi, made by my wife. But in Fukushima by taking real test I am very impressed with its real flavors. In 3rd February there was a Japanese traditional ceremony Setsubun < on this day people practice a ceremony called Mamemaki (bean-throwing) at temples, shrines and at home to expel demons (symbol of misfortune) and invite good fortune.> Three neighbors of my wife family presented delicious Sushi on the eve of Mamemaki and my visit. Please find one photo of Sushi was taken by me.

There are many forms of Sushi. But one ingredient Sushi rice, (Japanese rice cooked with Sushi vinegar). The common forms are nigiri zushi (small rice balls with fish and other small pieces of food on top), gunkan zushi (seafood in small cups made of Sushi rice and seaweed), norimaki (Sushi rolls), temaki zushi (Sushi rice, seafood and other food in cones made of seaweed), chirashi zushi (seafood spread over Sushi rice), inari zushi (Sushi rice in small bags of deep fried tofu) and many more.

URL : Sushi making procedure> http://japanesefood.about.com/cs/sushirecipe/ht/ht_sushirice.htm

Natto, is a traditional Japanese food. All Japanese, even my wife Misuzu san also like very much Natto! But I can not tolerate Natto’s smile and stickiness. Most of foreigners can not eat like me. They dislike the softness of the soybeans, the unique smell and the stickiness, which comes from the process of fermenting of soybeans. It is very popular as it contains all of the nutrition and ingredients that soybeans have, plus Natto has a unique enzyme, which is called Nattokinase. Nattokinase creates good blood circulation. It is effective in prevention of adult diseases.
Young girls like Natto very much as during make it increases vitamin B2 contain in soybeans 3-4 times. Vitamin B2 burns fat, make slim the body and increase the beauty. In other words, eating Natto keeps your skin velvety-smooth. However, Natto contains vitamin K2, is not available in common food, which is a very important ingredient to keep bones healthy. Natto’s fiber also fix the balance of intestinal bacteria and make the intestines function well. However Natto is very popular in Japan for its anticancer, antiulcer, anti-stress, antibacterial action; and inhibition of menopausal disorder, neutral fat and cholesterol, and prevention of aging and dementia, impaired liver function, allergies, cold and flu. There is many sub products and category based on Natto’s basic ingradients and making process. It makes just by soybeans and water.

Greetings for Iino! For my family purpose I am now Iino, is a small town of the Fukushima Prefecture. It lies within 200 kilometers of Japan's capital of Tokyo. With a shape that resembles the country of Australia. Fukushima is the third largest land area of all prefectures in Japan. Fukushima Prefecture is one of the representative "hot springs paradises" of Japan. To go Fukushima it takes 4 hours by bus/ or 1.5 hours by Shinkansen (Japanese underground bullet train) from Tokyo, .

Now here winter, everyday average temperature is minus 1.2 – 4 º C. Even though outside always snow has falling, but life is not stopped. Every house has electronic hitter, sitting table ( Kotatsu) with hitter. Now I am also writing from Kotsu. After daylong hard work, drinking and taking delicious food as like as Japanese I also take ophuru ( hot water bath and shower ) night time. By taking ophuru just I become half boil, all of my body cell awakes up. I am very impressed by Iino’s life, sea food, hospitality as well as by enjoying Japanese creativity, disciplines and humbleness every where. It really a creative nation!

More info at prefecture's official website: http://www.pref.fukushima.jp/index_e.html