Priyan R Naik

The one thing I vividly remember was stepping out of Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport only to find that the knowledge of Bangla had become essential to survival

I visited Sylhet and Dhaka recently which gave me the opportunity to observe at close range how the environment in Bangladesh was conducive to bring to reality smart opportunities the 21st century brings to its doorstep

Immediately after I crossed over into Bangladesh at Tamabil, I wanted to visit the Ratargul swamp forest, 24 kilometres across the border as the crow flies, a freshwater swamp forest located on the Gowain river, 26 km by road from Sylhet

A resident of Dhaka may believe his city to be chaotic, dirty and overpopulated with rampant pollution and unbearable traffic. Not so to a visitor from outside, who is able to spot hidden gems in a city that an inhabitant would not normally notice.

Right from the moment you step out of the Hazrat Shahjalal International airport in Dhaka, you notice that knowing Bangla is essential to your survival.