Biography 176: Mymensingh Jamidar House

I think the most popular TV drama writer in Bangladesh was Humayun Ahmed. If you saw those old video clips, you will understand how society was in those days in Bangladesh. I am not saying he covered all, but whichever he did, he did it pretty well. From the bottom of my heart, I salute him for his talent and work.

One of his TV dramas was "Ayomeyo (Iron Man)." It was about a small landlord in a village. His power in his area was like a king. In Bangladesh, we called them "Jamidar." In those days, these Jamidars were powerful, like premier, and they used to give tax to the king. Otherwise, all power and responsibilities were in their hand.

In his TV drama, he showed a Jamidar's house. Usually, they had beautiful big houses. Humayun Ahmed made his shooting in Maymensingh Jamidar House.

So, the Jamidar house became famous for this TV drama and a travel spot in Mymensingh. When we stayed in Mymensingh for our second-year field/study tour, our professors took us to the Jamidar House.

One part of the house is kept for visitors, and another is used as a hostel for Teacher's Training College students.

We have seen beautifully designed houses, walls and a pond. The inside decoration also shows the design of historical moments. I also like their round stairs. It was an amazing moment.

Biography 175: Bangladesh Agricultural University

From left, Shumi, Ratna and I, at the Agricultural University.

If you were to ask a Mymensingh local about the district's main attraction, they would likely mention Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). The campus is quite expansive and boasts impressive decor, making it a popular destination for leisurely strolls. For travellers, a visit to the university is definitely worth it. 

During our second-year study tour with the Geography & Environment department at the University of Dhaka, my colleagues and I were quite busy with work and visits to other locations. With only three days on our itinerary, it proved challenging to make time for a visit to the Agricultural University. However, on our last day before departing on the train, some of us decided to stop by and explore the campus. Despite our limited time, we enjoyed our visit and quickly returned to the hotel to freshen up before our journey back to Dhaka.

Biography 174: Ratna's home

We were at Ratna's house. From left, I, Ratna, Shumi, Ratna's sister and Fahmida.

 Our friend Ratna was fortunate. We stayed in Mymensingh during our 2nd-year tour, and Ratna's home was in Mymensingh. So, Shumi and I also became fortunate too. Because when we reached the hotel. A big food carrier came from Ratna's home with homemade food. It was a lot. So, we could share with our other friends too. They were happy to have homemade mashed dry fish (in Bangla, Shutki Bhorta), lentils etc. As far as I remember, Pratul was very happy to have that Bangladeshi food.

One day, we made some time and went to Ratna's home. We mean I, Ratna, Shumi and Fahmida.

It took about 30 minutes in Rickshaw. It was a lovely little one-storied home. They have a garden inside their home (In an open space).

Here, we met with Ratna's older sister. Such a sweet, very good-looking, soft-spoken and always smiling when she was talking. I became a fan of her. We took a picture with her too. Where ever she goes, she makes everyone happy.

Then we went to Mymensingh Medical College to visit. Our friend Saleh invited us. Maybe Shumi told me that Saleh asked to visit there as he is also visiting some of his friends there. So, we (4 of us) went and viewed the beauty of the medical college and met some future doctors with Saleh. Then returned to our hotel.

Biography 172: Train journey to Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

In this picture, our professor sat with us and listened to the song.

The second-year study tour from our department (Geography & Environment, The University of Dhaka) was to Halua Ghat (Maymansing, Bangladesh).

Like all my travelling experiences, this was mixed with happy and little unhappy moments.

Our travelling started by train. We get on the train from the Kamalapur Railway Station. It was a 3rd class train compartment full of joy from a group of students from the University of Dhaka. I don't know how somebody's found a song like an anthem of our tour. They repeatedly keep singing that song. The main singer was our friend Emran. It was a local Bangla song. If I translate, it will be like, "Get married at 18 districts". I didn't like it, but the boys were full of fun with this song; they were singing in chorus.

During our train journey, one of our friends, Bony, became ill. She got cold. One of our professors travelling with us came from the second-class compartment to see her and give her medicine. You know coll pills have something that brings sleepiness. So, then Bony fell into a deep sleep. Some boys make fun of that too. One of them was Shameem. He put papers inside her mouth (It was open) and tried to fire it up. I wanted to stop him. You may call me boring, but I don't want any harmful activity.

When our professor came, Emraan and his gang again sang that song (Married Girls in 18 Districts). I don't know how our professor felt because he didn't say anything; he just kept smiling. Now I am smiling too by remembering those moments.

[Correction by Emran]

Emran: We were in the second-class compartment.