Brief
Belonia is marked as the zero point at the international border between India and Bangladesh at Baspadua in Belonia, south Tripura district. A barbed wire fence is being built. The area is called Uttar Ghutuma, in Feni district, Bangladesh. Cross-border movement is routine, marriages ignoring the geographical landscape defined by maps are quite common and friendships still hold true between the two people.
A BSF border post is located opposite the spacious Government home with its jackfruit, mango and coconut trees. BSF patrols were guarding the place with the Muhuri river and Muhuri char (wasteland) setting apart the two countries.
At one time, the wasteland fed by the Muhuri River grew vegetables and sugarcane but that is over. It is a sensitive spot with both countries claiming Muhuri Char.
Trains run between India and Bangladesh could help open markets and business options could wear out the habit of political dislike. It is confirmed by a morning visit to the Akhaura border with Bangladesh, a few minutes run down the Akhaura-Agartala road.
At about 7 a.m., tempos loaded with fish drive in to Akhaura from Bangladesh, deposit their wares and turn away. Business is brisk and loud with duty-free dry fish being sold at $2 per kg for the famed Hilsa and 60 cents per kg for small fish. All other items imported into India carry an import duty ranging between 15 per cent and 30 per cent.
Over the last 20 years, the Tripura Government has been pushing New Delhi to open up trade and rail lines with Bangladesh but talks have remained talks; a waste of breath and words. The lines of Marathi poetess Amita Kokate came to mind: “Like the texture/of the canvas/is our relation/though the weaves/Are tightly interlaced, crisscross/It hurts/our fingers.”
The Jet Airways flight from Kolkata to Agartala is about 30 minutes as one flies over Bangladesh at a height of 25,000 ft.; that is the lone viable link as the alternative by road going round to Guwahati and then on to Agartala can take more than 20 hours. Most do not even try it out. Sometimes one felt the State has been abandoned by all.
At least for bankers the State and its majority farming community do not exist. In a chat, Dr G.S.G. Ayyangar, Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development, Tripura Government, revealed the credit-deposit ratio was just 23 per cent. Banks were not lending and rural bank branches are rare in Tripura.
The Government has taken up the issue with the RBI and by now has become a dead Government document. Most farmers get some grants from the Center and the State with the rest brought in from outside sources. It is doubtful if the banking system has thought of routing funds to tribal practicing jhum in community-held land. Common rights on land, practiced over centuries, cannot easily be unwound. As for IT, there is little to show.
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[name] => {:en}New Zealand, Khagrachhari{:}{:bn}নিউজিল্যান্ড, খাগড়াছড়ি{:}
[post_id] => 5662
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/new-zealand-khagrachhari/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/New-Zealand-Khagrachhari5-300x225.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
New Zealand is the only plain land in Khagrachhari. Green paddy trees and Mountains behind this plain land gives a very eye catching natural beauty. As because of this kind of scenery local people call this place New Zealand. Now-a-days it is also a tourists attraction and it’s about 10-15 mins far from main town. One may use auto rickshaw for their transportation to that place.
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খাগড়াছড়ির একমাত্র সমতল ভূমি হল নিউজিল্যান্ড। সবুজ ধানক্ষেত এবং পাহাড়ে পরিবেষ্টিত এখানকার প্রাকৃতিক সৌন্দর্য এককথায় নজরকাড়া। মূলত এত সুন্দর প্রাকৃতিক দৃশ্যের কারনে স্থানীয়রা এই জায়গাটিকে নিউজিল্যান্ড বলে থাকে। খাগড়াছড়ি শহর থেকে ১০-১৫ মিনিটের দূরত্বে অবস্থিত এই স্থানটি একটি আকর্ষণীয় পর্যটন কেন্দ্রে পরিণত হতে চলেছে। খাগড়াছড়ি শহর থেকে অটোরিকশায় করে আপনি এখানে আসতে পারবেন।
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[name] => Chowk Bazar
[post_id] => 9776
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/chowk-bazar/
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Chowk Bazar was one of the most famous business and social meeting centers of Dhaka in the Mughal period. Even after 400 years it is still famous as before. It is one of Dhaka's old town market and it formed in the place where other old markets once were. King Maan Singh protested for the country on behalf of Mugal kingdom. In 1602 he transferred the head office in Bawal to the present Central Prison and also the Mughal Durgo, that’s how Chowk Bazar formed.
In 1702, Murshid Kuli Kha named the market "Padosha" or "Badshahi Bazar’. From 1733 to 1734, his son-in-law, Murshid Kuli Kha II, renovated the market. It is thought to have started in Munsil times and for Mursid Kuli Kha the market was established.
In the 18th century, Chowk Bazar was a famous social and business centre. Along with the Historical significance, the geological settlement of this zone also contributed to its massive activities, expansion, population increase, and popularity. The great Buriganga River was just at the South of Chak-Bazar, which contributed easy water transport and thus made trade more frequent and efficient. Sometimes this Chak-Bazar was known as Chak-Port. Chak-Bazar was located in such a way that 10 different other place was connected with Chak-Bazar by straight roads. However the area was not so good-looking.
From 1823 to 1825, Dhaka community’s two men, Dhaka’s Magistrate Dos and Walters wanted Chowk Bazar in the right way and improve the nearby roads condition. For this Dos suggested for the Nawabpur Road to widen as it was linked with Chowk Bazar. The road was very narrow and filled with cottages but there was no improvement by the end of 18th century. Dhaka Community did not give permission but Walter got permission later. He removed all illegal markets in Chowk Bazar and made a 460 ft length, 4 ft high and 1/2 ft thick wall surrounding it. In front of Chowk Bazar there was Moriom's Canon 'Kaman'. It was in Shoari Ghat before. Not only that, he also widen the way from Chowk Bazar to Islampur.
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[name] => {:en}Sripur{:}{:bn}শ্রীপুর{:}
[post_id] => 4220
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/sripur/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Sripur1-300x225.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Sripur is another beautiful tourist spot where you can see the waterfall with great tide falling from the hills. Besides the enchanting views of the area, one can also have a glimpse of the waterfalls across the border of India. Very Big stones sometimes are coming in this waterfall in Sripur. After completion of visiting Jaflong and Tamabil you must visit Sripur on the way to go back to Sylhet. It's only 7-8 km from Jaflong on the same road to Sylhet a sub road entered into Sripur waterfall. Here you can see the stone collection and orange garden if you go inside Sripur crossing the hills.
An alluring tourist spot where a traveler can see waterfall. Other than the waterfall, you can also enjoy the pleasant view of the area. A lot of huge sized stones can be found from the waterfall in Sripur. Here you can see the stone collection and orange garden if you go inside Sripur crossing the hills.
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শ্রীপুর এমন একটি সুন্দর পর্যটন কেন্দ্র যেখানে আসলে আপনি পাহাড় থেকে নেমে আসা জলধারা দেখতে পাবেন। এখানকার নজরকাড়া প্রাকৃতিক সৌন্দর্যের পাশাপাশি আপনি সীমান্তের ওপারে ভারতীয় ভূখণ্ডে অবস্থিত পাহাড়ি ঝর্ণাগুলোও দেখত পাবেন। শ্রীপুরের জলধারায় কখনো কখনো বিশাল পাথর ভেসে আসে। জাফলং ও তামাবিলে ঘুরে সিলেটে ফেরার সময় আপনি অবশ্যই শ্রীপুর হয়ে যাবেন কেননা জাফলং থেকে শ্রীপুরের দূরত্ব মাত্র ৭-৮ কিলোমিটার এবং এ স্থানটি জাফলং-সিলেট সড়কের পাশেই অবস্থিত। পাহাড় অতিক্রম করে শ্রীপুরের অভ্যন্তরে ঢুকলে আপনি পাথরের সংগ্রহের পাশাপাশি কমলার বাগানও দেখতে পাবেন।
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[name] => {:en}Choto Bongram{:}{:bn}ছোট বনগ্রাম{:}
[post_id] => 3767
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/choto-bongram/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/1145135981-300x224.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Choto Bongram is the largest area in Rajshahi consisting of children parks, Bongobondhu College and 7 great mosques. There is a large mango and a lychee garden. It has turned into a residential area and it is admired by many.
[We need more detail information of this spot. If you have more information and photos, please be advised to add and share in our website. Your name will be published as a Content Contributor]
{:}{:bn}ছোট বনগ্রাম মূল রাজশাহী শহরে অবস্থিত। এখানে শিশুপার্ক, বঙ্গবন্ধু কলেজ এবং ৭টি ঐতিহাসিক মসজিদ রয়েছে। এছাড়াও এখানে আছে আম ও লিচুর বিশাল বাগান। জায়গাটিকে আবাসিক এলাকা হিসেবেও গড়ে তোলা হয়েছে অনেকেই যার প্রশংসা করে থাকেন।{:}
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