:: Tanvier's Time Machine ::

Looks like the politicians have finally started to use their brains. Fighting in the city of Dhaka has ended. I am quite relieved. Went to Sabbir and Shahadat's house in Baridhara. Salim was with me. Rajib went their too. Had a laugh. We then went to a fast food shop in Gulshan. Now I feel like I am back to Bangladesh. Read 5 novels by Humayun Ahmed since last night. Feel like I am back to the college days. The picture is of our house in Uttara.

Has been another boring day today. I have been housebound for most of the day. The political condition has brought the country to a standstill. Everyone is unsure about what is going on in the country. The president of Bangladesh has just taken over the power of Chief Adviser of the country. I think he has taken the decision hurriedly. I am assuming he was under pressure from the BNP government to take over the post. The president's decision to take over the power of Chief Adviser might spark the riot by the Awami League again. The citizens of the country are fed up with the power struggle between the politicians. I hope the politicians stops to think about themselves and start to think about the country soon.

Dhaka has been brought to a standstill by the arrogant standoff of the goverment and the opposition parties. Both the parties have got their paid goons to destroy the infrastructure of the city centre of Dhaka and surrounding areas. Politicians have always been a curse for the country and they are just proving to be weeds that the country hasnt been unable to uproot yet. Justice K M Hassan has rightly refused to take power today, and the chief secretaries of both parties are at Presidence's residence to discuss the next course of action. Hope they can use their brains properly today.

Went to Mirpur today to visit my mum's cousins there. Also met Tamim after a long time. Had to rush home due to mad political situation.

Went to Dhanmondi with Rajib and Salim like the old days in Chittagong. Had fun. Went to 'American Burger' later on.

It's Eid ul Fitr in Bangladesh today. I have prayed the eid prayer at the IES mosque. Me and my brothers had mini fireworks show on the roof top last night. Went to few relatives house in the morning. Then wen to graveyard to do ziarat. Friends came down to visit me in the evening. Picture is of my brother with fireworks

Eid is going to be observed on 25th October in Bangladesh. Middle-eastern, North American and European countries are observing eid today. Last few days have been really hecting but enjoyable for me. Mad shopping in the crowded shopping malls have been the story of everyday since I arrived Dhaka. It's been fun so far. Looking forward to Eid in Dhaka after a long time Inshallah.

Went to Mascot Plaza today to do Eid shopping for everyone. My shopping finally ended today. Got lots of presents from Aarong .

Habib released his new album for Eid. It's called ' Shono '. Liked two songs from the album. 'Shopner Cheyeo Modhur' and 'Jaadu'. Watched 'Fast and Furious' after a long time today. Also watched part of 'Krrish'. Just stayed indoor for most of the day.

Telephone interview with Professor Muhammad Yunus immediately following the announcement of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, October 13, 2006. The interviewer is Adam Smith, Editor-in-Chief of Nobelprize.org. [Muhammad Yunus] – Hello, hello. [AS] – Hello, Professor Yunus? [MY] – Yes, yes, yes, speaking. [AS] – Hello, thank you, my name's Adam Smith. I'm calling from the website of the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm to congratulate you, and just to ask ... [MY] – Oh, thank you so much. [AS] – We record one minute of interview with new Laureates as soon as they hear, so this is for this purpose. [MY] – OK. [AS] – I just wanted to ask you ... [MY] – OK, go ahead. [AS] – Two very quick questions. The first is, obviously the prize will bring greatly increased publicity for your work, is there a particular message... [MY] – Absolutely. [AS] – Is there any particular message you would like to use the opportunity to get across? [MY] – The one message that we are trying to promote all the tim...

I have been speaking to my friends from Chittagong Collegiate School about arranging a reception for Dr. Muhammad Yunus for his Nobel Peace Price 2006. We have an alumni association called 'The Collegiates'. I am going to try to get some sponsors who can sponsor the reception which will be held at the Chittagong Collegiate School premises Inshallah. There is a reception at China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference hall tomorrow at 1400 BST. Thinking of going there Inshallah. Bangladesh is standing tall and showing the world that we can show world the way for poverty reduction. More success to come Inshallah....

Bangladesh slaughtered Zimbabwe today at the ICC Champions Trophy qualifying round. Sadly they still failed to qualify for the next round due to the dismal performance in the two previous games. All in all a good day for Bangladesh.

Here is the official English text of the Norwegian Nobel Committee's citation in awarding the 2006 Peace Prize to Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank. "The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2006, divided into two equal parts, to Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank for their efforts to create economic and social development from below. Lasting peace cannot be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty. Micro-credit is one such means. Development from below also serves to advance democracy and human rights. Muhammad Yunus has shown himself to be a leader who has managed to translate visions into practical action for the benefit of millions of people, not only in Bangladesh, but also in many other countries. Loans to poor people without any financial security had appeared to be an impossible idea. From modest beginnings three decades ago, Yunus has, first and foremost through Grameen Bank, developed micro-...

Dr. Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh has won Nobel Peace Prize for 2006. I am absolutely delighted at the news. This should motivate the success hungry Bangladeshis who have been struggling since the inception of the country. I am also very proud of Dr. Yunus as he is a student of Chittagong Collegiate School where I went for my Secondary education. I hope that this success will allow the Bangladeshis to dream big and lead the country to prosperity. A profile of Dr. Yunus can be found by clicking HERE .

Life has taken a complete U-turn as far as I am concerned. I now have a family to live with, which is quite a new experience to me. It’s taking time for me to get used to it. Dhaka is at its usual haphazard best. Traffic is heavy and the experience is worsened by fierce overtaking. I am sweating like a pig all the time due to the scorching heat of October. Hopefully next month will bring some mild weather. I have been shopping around for Eid. Bought couple of shirts and pairs of trousers from ‘ Soul Dance ’-quite good shop, sells funky clothes. Gulshan is a no go zone. Traffic is always static there; I wonder how people ever get anything done in Gulshan. I haven’t been to Motijheel yet. Motijheel is the city centre of Dhaka. I haven’t dared to go there after hearing about the horrible traffic jams there. My dad works there and it takes him about 2 hours to travel about 15 miles each way. On the plus side, I don’t cook anymore. I am spending like a millionaire’s kid. Catching up with l...

My brother Tawhid dropped his fish bowl and cut his both hands in few places. I had to take him to hospital. He needed 7 stiches on one hand. It was a real mess. Both his hands are now bandaged. Some strange thoughts are crossing my mind. Amar mone hoi Allah'r kono odvut plan ache amake nie. Ami gobhir agroho nie tar plan dekhar jonno opekkha korchi. Ami jante chai, kivabe amar mrittu hobe, kivabe bie hobe (adou hobe kina) , ami kothay chakri korbo, ittadi. Shob kichu uni thik kore rekhechen, kintu ami tar kichui jani na. Emonki andaz o korte parchi na. Khub odvut!!

Got internet connection from spark in Uttara. Not bad. Got good speed for 2500 taka per month. Paid 2500 taka for installation. Did a lot of running around in last few days. And fasting. Quite exhausted. Catching up on my emails now.