One of Mr. Piper's good friends from college, Shibu Howlader, recently traveled to Bangladesh to visit his family. Shibu was kind enough to answer some of our questions and take pictures to help us understand a bit about the geography and culture of Bangladesh. Check out Shibu's answers below and the Animoto video showcasing some pictures he took on his trip. Think about how Bangladesh is similar and different than India?
Have you ever been hit by a cyclone or known anyone who has?
I've never been hit by a cyclone, but my aunt (dad's sister) died in a huge cyclone/hurricane in 1970. I've added the link from Wikipedia outlining the cyclone.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_Bhola_cyclone
What city is your family from in Bangladesh?
I have family in Dhaka, Barisal, Dasmina, Aurabunia and Bogura. Check out the Google Map below to see Dhaka.
View Larger Map
What is it like in Bangladesh?
It depends. The villages are very simple. Dhaka is very crowded. The country is very very poor.
Do you see many people outdoors in Bangladesh like you see lots of people outside in India?
Oh yeah. People just hang outside all the time.
Who do you like more, Brett Favre or Adrian Peterson? Do you have a different favorite player on the Vikings ?
Adrian Peterson!
How many times have you visited India and Bangladesh?
This was my 4th trip.
Have you ever hit a hole in one in golf?
Nope, still waiting for that elusive ace!
Does your full name have a special meaning in Bangladesh?
Not really. I was named after Shiva, who is a major Hindu god.
What types of wildlife are commonly found in Bangladesh? Owls? Are there cows roaming in the streets in villages there like you sometimes see in India?
Cows, goats. Bengal tigers are very rare.
What sports are popular in Bangladesh?
Cricket, soccer, badminton, field hockey.
Have you ever played cricket? If so, did you like it?
I played a few times when I lived in England. I did enjoy it.
Have you ever seen a pro cricket game?
Yes
Is baseball popular in Bangladesh and India right now? If so, who are people cheering for in the World Series? Who are you cheering for?
Not at all. People don't really know what it even is.
Are your relatives/ancestors from Bangladesh, India or both?
Both.
What religion do you practice? (kids learned that Bangladesh is primarily a Muslim country)
Hinduism
Does it snow in Bangladesh?
Never
Do the people in Bangladesh like movies as much as India?
They do, but Bangladeshi movies are all the same. Poor girl/guy meets rich girl/guy.
Is the culture in Bangladesh more modern or traditional?
Trying to be more modern in Dhaka, but very traditional in the villages. For the most part Bangladesh is a very conservative country, considering it's over 90% Muslim.
Why are you currently traveling in Bangladesh and India?
To see family.
Do you speak any languages other than English? What languages are spoken in Bangladesh?
Bengali