Under the slogan "Desher Manushkey Desh Dekhano" (show the country to its people) Jubok Tourism Limited, a local tour operator and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) have organised the weeklong festival to bring our heritage and unique collections to the Shishu Academy compound where the festival is being held till March 3.

The presentation of kaleidoscopic sites of nature, scenic valleys, forests and sandy coasts has drawnlarge crowds, local and foreign and ignited their hearts with the wonders of this country. This festival, the organisers hoped will enhance the tourism trade.

"I just knew that my country is very beautiful but did not get a chance to tour it. This festival shows new ways of exploration," said Obaidur Rahman, a visitor.

The exhibits fall under six divisions of the country beginning with a dummy of Khulna's heritage the Sunderabans the country's only mangrove forest, with a golpata tree, bearing fruit, gauva leaves, poshur tree, a pot of date juice and other items of the forest. Various types of eatables like pomfret, lobsters, coconut and a shitalpati (mat made from date leaves) were exhibited.

Syhlet exhibits its famous cane products, unique juicy fruits like thaykor, saatkora, jara lebu (type of lemon), orange, tea brushes and leaves, coal, limestone from Sunamganj, other stones from Jaflong, sand from Fazilpur.

Chittagong brought all the sea-related products like dried fish, coral, shell and snails; betel leaves from Maheshkhali, pineapple from Ramgargh and coconut from Saint Martin's islands. Alluring many visitors were the Tripura handloom products.

Highlighting the rivers of Barisal and its marshes was a model of a launch at the entrance of the Barisal pavilion. "It reminds us that Barisal is full of rivers," said Arefin Ahmed, a Dhaka University student. Sharp sickles, axes and kitchen knives were toned down by Barisal's famous sweets, chandrapuli, patisapta and the mouth-watering pithas (local cakes).

The Rakhyane weavers display their handloom products. "Our products are popular but costly. We can survive if any organisation patronises us. We can sell cheaper," said Ong Than, a weaver.

Artists from Shakaribazar with their traditional conch work, Jamdani saris from Mirpur, cotton saris from Tangail and oranges from Bhawal adds colour to the festival, with Dhaka division exhibiting a horse-driven carriage, rickshaw and the currently banned two-stroke 'baby-taxi'.

Rajshahi division was an exception and exhibited all its publications including the local dailies and their famous sweets -- kacha sandesh, kadma. A charka (spinning wheel) from Sirajganj, yoghurt from Bogra, kacha golla from Natore, saris and tobacco from Rangpur, kataribhog rice from Dinajpur were other attractions.

The divisions had their pavilions decorated with famous, historical and attractive monuments.

Snakes sway in rhythm to the notes of the charmer's flute, monkeys with the hilarious antics are sources of fun. Children too, are not deprived of fun as the nagardola, horse rides and cradles give them an insight of traditional and culture.

Visitors also enjoy the daily cultural performances and organisers are presenting videos of our heritage that more or less seems to have been forgotten.

"The festival has been well organised. The organisers have worked hard to bring an entire heritage within a nutshell. The effort of the private organisation is commendable," said Abul Kalam Azad, a government employee.

The organisers are pleased with public response and said the festival will now be held regularly.

"After March 3, we will decide whether it will be Dhaka centred or otherwise," said Altaf Hossain, branch manager, Jubok Tourism.

BPC officials said they are happy in being part of the festival. "We are not lone promoters of tourism, and will continue to work towards better results of this sector," said Motahar Hossain, BPC's deputy manager.