Life in Bangladesh Tiaira Walker

হ্যালো We speak Bengali.

 My grandparents experienced independence in 1971 when the Awami League leaders proclaimed the province of East Pakistan as Bangladesh.  My family is Islamic, but there are also many Hindus. There has been a long struggle between the two forever, especially when it comes to politics.  We live with population of approximately million people.  Our capital and largest city is Dhaka, this is where we live. It is rapidly urbanizing but lacks infrastructure. It is very overpopulated.  The best way to get around in by using the buses because there is always traffic.

Most of our country is below sea-level, so it floods a lot. My family also owns a small boat. My family has been hurt by almost every single flooding incident because it is highly concentrated in certain areas. In 1974, an estimated 28,000 people died. In Dhaka, September flooding is the worst. In late September of 1988, tens of millions went homeless. We even undergo cyclonic tidal waves. In 1991, one killed up to 138,000 people. Just in 2004, 800 people died, millions became homeless, and about 20m in need of food aid.

Flooding is so frequent everyday life must go on…

For just one person in my family, food cost about Taka 3, ,000 (US$ ) To live in a house in Dhaka alone, my brother pays about Taka 3, ,000 per month (US$ ),  Garment industry. Lowest labor costs in the world; textile workers make about $35 a month. When we want to buy clothes, we usually only spend Taka 350 – 700 per month (US$5 - 10).  Migration. 6m Bangladeshis work abroad. My oldest brother is in the Middle East, where most people go. In June 2012, it was noted that emigrants lie him sent back $13 billion, about 14% of annual income.

 Our government favors social programs; about 12% of public spending (1.8% of GDP).  Some villages, like Shibaloy, have just opened their first primary schools and are just installing piped water in  But this means they have only increased in school enrolment. The quality of education is very low and nothing compared to the US. My sister dropped out, only 60% of students even complete primary school.  NGO’s have played large roles in all of our lives. They have contributed to development by running a packaging businesses, textile plants, schools for dropouts, clinics, and sanitation plants.

Politics have dominated by the rivalry between two women. This gives me hope that one day I can help the development of my country. Although men will always be central to our society, gender equality has improved.  We women live longer now! More than men! 69 years (men), 70 years (women)  Birth control is free. Government workers and volunteers distribute pills and advice all the time. This is because our government lacks the power to enforce a one child policy like in China.  Infant mortality has changed from 97 deaths per thousand in 1990 to 37 per thousand in Lowered maternal mortality too.

There are Bazaars everywhere in Dhaka to get groceries. We even have KFC and Pizza Hut.

 One-sixth of the population remains undernourished

তোমাকে ধন্যবাদ Thank you!