Dhaka Local Customs

Citing another example of corruption, another Biman official said, "An amount of $56,000 has been showed as the repair charge of an Inertial Navigation System [INS] whereas it is possible to buy a new system for $12,000-15,000 only." The repaired INS went out of order just a day after being installed, he added.

Biman Managing Director MA Momen admitted that there is corruption in Biman. He claimed that he is trying to reduce it.

"I agree that there is corruption in Biman and it is largely in the store, purchase, marketing and sales departments," Momen told The Daily Star, adding that he found a purchase department bill of $650 while that particular purchase really costs only $150.

Another Biman source pointed to the wrong policies of the airlines' top management in operating domestic flights.

Flights on routes like Dhaka-Barisal and Dhaka-Syedpur are being operated only for political considerations, he said, adding, "Government high-ups including ministers forced the Biman to continue these flights despite huge losses per trip."

A Biman pilot told The Daily Star on condition of anonymity, "I never saw more than 10 passengers on a Barisal-Dhaka flight. I have even flown to Dhaka with only one passenger against the plane's total capacity of 85."

Describing his bitter experience, the pilot said, "I once made a suggestion to one of my bosses to stop the route, but the official rebuked me saying it was not my headache.

"I was threatened with losing my job if I make suggestions like this in future," he said.

13th MARCH 2007
Biman shuts Dubai airport for 8 hours
14 hurt as wheel failure occurs during takeoff
A Dhaka-bound Bangladesh Biman airliner suffered a wheel failure during takeoff, forcing Dubai International Airport, the busiest in the Middle East, to suspend its operations for about eight hours yesterday.

Except from a local paper called the DAILY STAR
There motto
Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Front Page Vol. 5 Num 842 Sun. October 08, 2006


Nothing impossible in Biman purchase
From banana to spare parts, everything is bought at higher prices
Rashidul Hasan

One dozen of banana may cost Tk 40 in local markets, but if it is bought for Biman, the price is shown Tk 140. Spare parts were bought for two ATP aircraft when they were grounded for sale. Huge money is drawn in the name of repairing engines without repairing those at all.

These are only a few ways to make brisk money by some unscrupulous officials of Biman Bangladesh Airlines allegedly enjoying high-level government backing.

Mindless corruption and inefficiencies in the management have thus put Biman in a bad shape over the years with huge losses.

"The price of an elevator slew switch used for the flight control system was showed in the bill $7,500 although its market price was only $235," Khurshid Alam Khan, a senior flight engineer of Biman, told The Daily Star.

"Such purchase is very common in Biman and some of its officials are involved in the corruption with support from government high-ups," he said.

Painting on rickshaw is peoples dream. This work is considered as folk art. Almost one third of money to make rickshaw goes to decorate and paint rickshaw. The painting are so innocents, because the people behind the brush are so very simple themselves Despite being an everyday utilitarian vehicle, the rickshaw is not without adornment, and one of the first things that strikes a foreigner is not only how many rickshaw there are , but how profusely decorated they are as well. The decoration of rickshaws in Bangladesh has developed into a noteworthy folk art form. Among the thousands of painted rickshaw backboard ,there are, of course a number of recurring themes and designs: famous film stars with red-faced villains and heroines, and movie scenes which seem to be the most popular, Islamic religious motifs-such as scenes of Mecca, a boy reading from the Koran, or the winged creature with a woman's head, said to have carried the prophet from Jerusalem to heaven – as varied as they can be. (compiled)

Dhaka is anything but "like home." That was one of the things that I found very exciting when I first arrived in Bangladesh in August of 2002. Everything there is different, for better or worse! People will constantly stare at foreigners. Woman can't wear shorts or short skirts without attracting a massive amount of attention. There are cows, rickshaws, buses, and people everywhere. At least you will never feel alone! Luckily, most people on the street are friendly and fascinated to see a "bideshi", or foreigner.

If you are shopping at bazzar or street markets, you will have to bargain the price. Bangladesh although predominantly moslem is more liberal than most Islamic countries. However, try to be on the safe side by not kissing or wearing revealing clothes in public places. The people are very polite to visitors but also very superstitious.

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