Road to Boga Lake : Episode 1

Road to Boga Lake

The inception:

It was late noon of mid October. I was working in my office room. Wahid vai, Suhan vai and others were also in the room. I was tiered of long work. Suddenly I stopped what I was doing and shouted “damn it! I don’t like the works anymore. Need to have a break”. There are times when I get bored with my routine life and I become desperate to go out of the town. This was something like that. I  knew there is a 3 day holiday coming up in next week. I didn’t want to waste this vacation sitting idle in my home. I asked Wahid “what’s your plan for upcoming holidays?” in return Wahid asked ‘What’s your plan?” I replied ” I want to get out of town. Let’s go somewhere.”

Few day back, Wahid shared a Facebook post regarding how to go to Bogalake and Tindu areas from Bandarban district. I recalled that post and replied to wahid vai ” lets go to Bandadban!”. I have visited bandarban once but Wahid have visited several times except boga lake. He has become an expert on Bandarban. For next 10 to 15 minutes Wahid described how beautiful Boga lake is and how wonderful it will be to stay night by the side of the Lake. His description raised my interest even higher.

Wahid, Manik and I were planning to go to Bhutan couple of times but each time we had to think of something else due to schedule conflicts. This time it was no exception. So to get somewhat feeling of mountains and clouds, we have chosen Bandarban as a proxy.

We have spent next two days for making an cost estimation, journey schedule, obtaining confirmation from Manik, Suhan vai, Talha & Roki. It was hard to get a bus ticket. Suhan van and Manik was not sure whether we will be able to pull it off. But at the end with Wahid vai and my endless effort, we managed bus ticket to Chittagong just before the night of journey. It was fastest tour plan and arrangement with my colleagues. Even though the it was raining heavily for last couple of days, it didn’t bother anyone.

Beginning of Journey:

Our initial plan was to start at evening and reach Chittagong by early morning. From Chittagong we will go to Bandarban and without any journey break we will reach to Roma Bazar by noon. After having lunch at roma bazar and shopping for BBQ, we will take a jeep and reach to boga lage by late afternoon. We will enjoy the evening by the side of boga lake and have BBQ. We will enjoy the moonlight night from the cottage and stay there for the night. Next day morning, we will go to Keokaradong mountain and return to Boga lake at the evening. We will head back to Roma bazar next morning and by noon we will start for Bandarban. We will reach Bandarban by evening and start for Dhaka if any bus is available. If there is no bus is available, we will stay the night on Bandarban and start to Dhaka next day. If the bus is scheduled for the evening, we will take go to Nilgiri and see around the Bandarban district.

Road to Boga Lake

But things do not always go with your plan. We purchased our bus ticket from busbd.com which allows to buy any long distance bus ticket. Our transport provider was AK Travels. Busbd.com charged us around 650 per person. Our bus was scheduled to start at 11:30 PM from Gabtoli bus stand. But at the day of journey, someone from AK Travel called me around 4:30 pm saying that they will not be taking us to our destination. When I asked the reason they replied that fare was not much enough during this busy time. After that he hanged up the phone. I was shocked and informed Wahid vai. We both decided to call the help line of busbd.com. After couple of call, they picked up the phone. I informed them about the situation and they said they will have a look.

After 10/15 minutes they called me back informing that AK Travel demands around BDT 1000/ per person and if we want to go we have to pay additional 350 taka per person. I instantly refused as their demand was too much higher. I told the customer care from busbd to reconsider this or else we will publicly disclose the issue. After conversation with them, I talked with several transport services and found out that there was no vacant sit for the day.

After hearing the issue with bus, Manik voted for cancel the tour while Wahid was in hesitation. Both of them was worried about the outcome of the tour as the beginning was not smooth. Meanwhile, Roki, Talha and Suhan vai laid back to their sits and informed us that they are with us in whatever decision we take. I was pissed of with the situation but I was determined to go for the tour. I wasn’t ready to quit at the very last moment. But finally everyone agreed to go for the tour.

Road to Boga Lake

At the evening, people from busbd.com called me and informed me that AK travel has agreed to settle on BDT 800. We can ride on the bus if we agree to pay additional BDT 150. Or else we have to manage our own ride. In that case busbd will refund our money within a week. I didn’t have any other option available so I agreed to pay additional money and confirmed our travel later in the night.

After settling the issue with AK travel and busbd, our journey has been confirmed. We were suppoed to get on the bus on 11:30pm. So I instructed everyone to be at the Gabtoli bus stand by 11:00pm. I was sure that rest of the tour will go smoothly according to our plan. But I didn’t know that luck was not in our favor with this tour and lots of troubles were waiting for us.

(to be continued in Episode 2)

Year-end calculation of life!

So another year is gone. 2012 is joining in the page a history. It came with a buzz of dooms day. Mostly people will remember 2012 as a possible year of doomsday. Apart from that 2012 was a historic year for the world. US election, Financial crisis of Greece, London Olympics, Crisis in Gaza and many other important events. For my country, Bangladesh, 2012 memorable too. Many major events took place during the year but unfortunately very few of them are good for the country. But today I’m not writing anything about my country or about the world. Today I will write about my self and was 2012 for me. As an accountant, we have to prepare financial statements at the end of an accounting period. Tonight I set down for the year-end calculation of life.

2012 was a year of expectation, achievement and failure to me. I had so many expectations and targets for 2012. I was able to meet some of them and failed to do others. Through out the year, I experienced many things for the first time. Some of them are memorable for life time and others are ok. But now let me begin the year-end calculation of my life.

Expectations:

1) I was in a turning point of my life when 2012 started. I just finished my internship and was waiting for the grade. I was in so confused about what to do next. I had so many options in my hand. I needed to think very carefully and choose a path. People around me gave different types of advises. I analyzed them very carefully but still had many good alternatives. I was expecting to overcome this situation and choose the right path.

2) When I entered in undergrad program, my target was to achieve CGPA at least 3.50 out of 4.00. When I was waiting for intern grade, I calculated and found that my CGPA will be stuck at 3.49. I was expecting to get an “A” so that it could push my CGPA to 3.50

3) My friend circle always try to organize an annual trip. I was expecting to have another tour in 2012. I never been to Cox’s Bazar and saint martin’s island before 2012. Though these are very common place for tour, I never had the chance to go there. I was hopping to go this time around. Although I had another reason to go there and that was to meet with my girlfriend.

4) I got admitted in ICMAB on December 2011. I was so serious with it. I started to study hard and prepare for the exams. I was expecting to appear in April 2012 exam.

5) When I finished my internship, I was offered a job at that organization. I refused their offer with a plan to study CA. To be a CA was my childhood dream. During November & December of 2011, I applied in different CA firm to join in. However, I did not get any response. I was Expecting that I could start my CA study by 2012.

6) I was expecting to get enrolled in ICAB as quickly as possible so that I can attend in June 2013 exam (it takes almost 18 months).

7) I was expecting to finish reading all the books of CA 1st level (Knowledge level of professional stage) and then start reading 2nd level books.

these were the expectations I started 2012 with. My plan was to fulfill all those expectations by 2012. Now lets come to the my achievements in 2012.

Achievements:

During 2012 I had following achievements.

1) During 2012 I completed my graduation from North South University. I scored my expected CGPA. Though I achieved it not the way I planned. But still I scored CGPA 3.5 out of 4.00. It took me 13 semesters to complete my BBA. Though I planned to finish it by 11 semester. I could actually finish it by 11 semester. But later I changed my plan. Anyway, that’s another story.

2) We had the tour I mentioned in expectation part. Me and my friends went for a week-long tour. Our route was Dhaka–Chittagong-Bandorban-Cox’s Bazar-Saint Martin’s island-Cherea dip-Cox’s bazar-Chittagong-Dhaka. It was a wonderful journey. We had so much fun. And yes, I meet with my girl friend. I won’t never forget that day.

3) I overcame with my confusion and determined to pursue my childhood dream; to be a CA.

4) On April 2012, I joined in A. Qasem & Co. Chartereed Accountants. It is one of the renowned CA firm and the first CA firm in Bangladesh. I got ICAB registration on June and will appear in May-June 2013 exam.

5) I passed one of two subject exam I appeared in ICMAB. Now I’m done with 500 marks of 2100 marks to get ACMA degree.

6) I start auditing. By the end of 2012, I have audited 7 organizations. I went out of Dhaka couple of times for auditing purpose.

7) I finished reading more than half of the books of CA level 1.

I also had few small achievements during 2012. Now let me jump to the failure section.

Failure

Though I achieved many things, I had few failure during 2012. Fortunately the numbers of failure is not that high.

1) I was not able to push my CGPA with intern grade. I had to get back to university for another course. I took taxation course to replace the working capital management course. This increased my CGPA to 3.50. Although my number of credit hours increased.

2) I got several promising and lucrative job offer but I refused them all. Even though I had the opportunity, I did not accept any job offer. Though I am not considering this one as my failure. Instead I should treat it as my strength to stay determined.

3) I failed to finish reading all the books of CA level 1. Still continuing my reading process.

4) I appeared in August 2012 exam of ICMAB. I attended two exams. I passed in one and failed in another. The subject I failed in was Intermediate financial accounting, the subject I like and the subject I thought I was good at.

Loss

During the year I lost my eldest aunt (paternal side). She used to love me so much. I too cared for her. I pray to Allah to bless her soul and put her to Jannah. Another loss of the year  is my friends. I lost communication with most of my friends. After joining in a CA firm, I restrained myself from friends so that I can focus on my ICAB & ICMAB studies. Also I became too busy with auditing. I sincerely hope that my friends don’t forget me. I will get back to them as soon as I finish my articular period or I become a chartered accountant. Till then, I hope they all will be well.

Performance analysis:

During our audit, we do lots of performance analysis. I think I should do a bit of analysis on my performance, expectations, achievements and failure. Despite of failures, the whole year was great for me. I am still following the path I have chosen. I’m still perusing the strategies I prepared for my life. 2012 was ultimately a great year for me. after 2003-5, I got another great year. It is the year when I took the control of the path of my life. I stayed still in the turning points of my life.

2012 was good for me. I hope 2013 will be good too. I hope 2013 will be good for us, our country and for the world. I pray to Allah for our bright future.

Now we are in new year’s eve. Only few moments left before we enter in 2013.  I’m hopping you all are prepared to accept 2013 and let go 2012. Thanks for reading the blog and I’m wishing you Happy new year!!!

 

Rethink Life

I am beginning this blog with my utmost sympathy to the people who are victim of the incidents at Shirajgonj, Savar and Bohodderhat in Chittagong. I know it does not matter whether I express my sympathy or not. Sufferings of the victims, their friends and families are thousand times greater than my sympathy. But still I feel sorry for their loss.

One died in ceiling collapse at Shirajgonj. 110 died at Savar. Media said 12 died in flyover collapse at Chittagong. But I heard from my friends at Chittagong that more that 100 died in that incidents.  Police are not letting people to enter in the indecent area. Our media are hiding information and giving false statistics. 😦 shame on our media.

Flyover tat Bohoddorer Hat in Chittagong didn’t collapse for the first time. It collapsed two times earlier. After the last collapse, an investigation team was formed and the investigation team recommended in their report to observe the construction process closely. Authority, however, failed to execute the recommendation. Thus it caused another collapse. I don’t think that quality of construction materials were good enough.  I believe the constructors tried to cut some expenses by using low quality materials so that  they can pull their profit higher. Well, this is what every constructors tries to do. But these constructors pushed it too far. Same thing goes for the indecent at Shirajgonj where the ceiling of the under construction CNG station collapsed. Let’s come back to flyover topic. This flyover collapsed  three time while construction process in on going. If it collapses before the construction is over then it will definitely collapse after the completion of construction. I think govt. should abandon this project or reconstruct the whole flyover. 

Garments burning is very common in Bangladesh. There is a garments burning in every two or three months. But still garments owners are not taking precautions about it. Why should they do it? Their precious garments are insured. The govt. give subsidy and other incentives to them. They have nothing to loose. Life of the garments workers have no value in profit calculation of garments owners. Rather they uses the garments workers as slaves and treats as thieves. Therefore they put net or iron beerier after the windows thinking workers will throw fabrics or other items through windows. They keeps fire exits very narrow  Some garments don’t even have a fire exit. Garmets owners don’t offer fire drills or training. And as the workers don’t have training, they don’t know how to use the fire extinguishing equipment.

Recent tragic event made me rethink about life. Our life is is an wonderful present given by almighty to us. Our life not only attached to our body but also related with others’ life. Life of our friends and family. Life in the current world setting is tougher and competitive than ever. Everything now is measured in monetary unit.  There for people always run after money. And sometime people sacrifices humanity to earn money. Recent tragic events occurred because of some greedy  people. I saw a TVC by BRSM steel that gives the message “use BRSM steel to secure your build’s strength”. Ok I will use BRSM steel in construction but what happens if I don’t use good quality cement, or a good carpenter? it won’t change anything. My building will collapse. What we need is a little consideration and care for others’ life. Just rethink the value of people’s life during construction process.

 

Morning doesn’t always show the day!

There is the proverb “morning shows the day” which means people can get an idea about how the day will go by observing the morning condition. This might be true but it doesn’t happen always. Or else how could be the day be like this when I had a great morning.

I woke up in the morning with Rinky’s phone call. We talked about 15 minutes. Then she went to hospital to see her father. Her father had heart problem and was admitted there for last two days. First he was kept ICU and then CCU. When his condition improved yesterday afternoon, he was shifted to general ward. But today morning his condition become worse and shifted back to CCU. Rinky didn’t know that her father was shifted back to CCU until she visited the hospital.

Hearing about her fathers condition, I advised her to have patience and be strong. One hour later she called me to tell that doctors couldn’t find neither his father’s pulse not the blood pressure. She was panicking and had an anxious voice. Her voice made me worried. One hour later, I sent her a text message to know the situation. She replied that her father is no more in this world. It was great shock to me. I didn’t expect this news. I couldn’t think that the person who was improving his condition one day earlier is no longer alive just few hours later. I immediately called her but she didn’t pick up. I sent her several text messages trying to say condolence. From that moment I couldn’t communicate with her.

Fortunately I adder her two friends in facebook two days back. I found that one of her friend,Ivy, was online in the Facebook. So I requested her to keep me updated and stand beside Rinky for me. Ivy indeed kept me updated. She let me know that her brother is flying back to home from Dubai. She also let me know the condition of Rinky & her family members. Ivy told me that Rinky’s father’s ‘Namaz-e-Janaza’ will he held after her brother arrives in tomorrow morning and then he will be buried.

I already said that I couldn’t communicate with Rinky whole day. I tried to reach her two or three times but later I gave up trying. I wanted to talk to her but I didn’t know what to say & how to comfort her. I also didn’t know when is the good time to call her. I guess I’ll call her soon enough. Whole day I felt bad for her loss. I know she is even more depressed than me which is only logical.

You might think who is Rinky, why I’m feeling bad for her  & why didn’t I go personally to comfort her. Let me answer that. Rinky is my girlfriend & that’s why I’m feeling bad for her loss. And why didn’t I go? Well, because I don’t have the opportunity to go. Rinky lives in Chittagong & I live in Dhaka. Besides no one knows me there. Also there were several other reasons which I don’t want to discuss here. I wish right now I were there to comfort her, to support her. I pray that her beloved father’s departed soul rest in peace and may Allah bless his soul.

It was a wonderful morning but at the end it turned into a very sad day for me & Rinky’s family. Even though people says “morning shows the day” but in this case, it didn’t. Thanks for reading this post and please pray that almighty Allay put Rinky’s father in haven and her  family can turn this loss into strength (Amin).

Isn’t it time for a flag??

It’s almost time. Count down time has come to the last hours. Now less than 24 hours remains before the largest cricket tournament starts. Tomorrow with the inauguration ceremony, Cricket World Cup will starts its one and half month-long journey.

This is the first time Bangladesh is hosting such a big event.  And Bangladesh is now ready for successfully host the event. BCB and Govt. upgraded  tje stadiums in Dhaka and Chittagong and decorated those two towns  wonderfully. I have seen few pictures of the stadiums and areas  around those stadiums. They look so nice that at first I didn’t believe it is in Bangladesh. But yet all the preparation is not perfect. There are some mismanagement. But I guess we can ignore those mismanagement because we are hosting such a big event for the first time. May be we will be perfect in next time.

Talking about mismanagement, Ticket distribution was the largest one. But still our people were patient enough to stand in queue for 2 days. This indicates how much excited we are for the world cup tournament.  And I guess we are so excited that we forgot to rise our national flag to show our support our national team.

During the FIFA world cup, entire Dhaka city dressed with  the flag of Brazil, Argentina, England and other countries. No one raised Bangladesh’s flag because Bangladesh didn’t play in FIFA World Cup. But what about now? Bangladesh in playing in ICC World Cup and it is hosting the tournament. So It should place even more flag that we did during FIFA world cup.

There is a logic for not placing and flag. That is flags placed during in FIFA world cup to show which team the person supports. There were different flags because people were supporting different nations. But this time everyone is supporting only one team and that is our national team. So people are thinking, I guess, “there is no point showing which team I am supporting”. But still we should raise flag and show our support to the national team. This is the least thing we can do and I’m sure this is not too late for that.