Bangladesh: National Revolution and Solidarity Day
Bangladesh is a tropical country in south Asia bordered by India on all sides except for one, and is the 7th most populated country on the globe.
In Bangladesh, November 7 marks the National Revolution and Solidarity Day. According to the Wikipedia entry, this day "commemorates the 1975 uprising formed by people and soldiers. The uprising, led by Colonel Abu Taher, ended the three day coup organised by General Khaled Mosharraf. It also helped put General Ziaur Rahman, founder of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, in power."
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP - not to be confused with the British National Party) is the largest party in opposition to the Bangladesh Parliament and is "typically more inclusive of the freedom that the country has wanted for years." Different political parties celebrate the holiday from different perspectives, but the president views the country as "a way to uphold national unity." This perspective appears to be shared by the various prayers at different religious temples for peace and progress.
Even today, though, as the holiday is observed, there continues to be some controversy over what the meaning of the day is. One of the previously mentioned different political perspectives, the Awami League, accuses the BNP of trying to create confusion and conceal history.
State Minister for Law Qamrul Islam said, "People who are trying to observe the day as the National Solidarity Day are trying to create confusion for a long period."
Countering that statement, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar responded by saying, "The present government is opposing the November 7 by declaring the day as ‘freedom fighter killing day’ and carrying out programmes of the occasion. But the fact is that Awami League started the politics of killings in the country."
No matter which view, the holiday is recognized as a day of "remembrance, pride, joy, and strength of the Bangali culture."
For something different to try out, there is a terrific list of recipes at Spice and Curry blog. I am going to try the Chingri Macher Jhaal. Or maybe I’ll try one of the delicious sounding mango chutneys listed on this page. Maybe both, or maybe something else from that list of recipes, since they all sound delightful. Yum!
Sources:
A Global World, 2009. Bangladesh Commemorates Solidarity Day
The Daily Star, 2009. BNP observes National Solidarity Day
Spice and Curry, 2007. Chingri Macher Jhaal
Wikipedia, 2009. National Revolution and Solidarity Day
