Bangladesh Studies and Emergence of maritime sector in

Bangladesh (BNS – 1107)

1. What is the Language Movement? Briefly describe the history of Language

Movement. Show the significance of International Mother Language Day.

=> The Language Movement:

The Language Movement was a political movement in former East Bengal (currently
Bangladesh) advocating the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language of
the then Dominion of Pakistan in order to allow its use in government affairs, the
continuation of its use as a medium of education, its use in media, currency and stamps, and
to maintain its writing in the Bengali script.

History of Language Movement:

• The first movement on this issue was mobilized by Tamaddun Majlish headed by Professor
Abul Kashem. Gradually many other non-communal and progressive organizations joined
the movement, which finally turned into a mass movement. Serious preparation was being
taken in various forums of the central government of Pakistan under the initiative of Fazlur
Rahman, the central education minister, to make Urdu the only state language of Pakistan.

• On receipt of this information, East Pakistani students became agitated and held a
meeting on the Dhaka University campus on 6 December 1947, demanding that Bangla be
made one of the state languages of Pakistan.

• The first Rastrabhasa Sangram Parishad (Language Action Committee) was formed
towards the end of December with Professor Nurul Huq Bhuiyan of Tamaddun Majlish as
the convener.

• The Constituent Assembly of Pakistan proposed that the members would have to speak
either in Urdu or in English at the Assembly.

• Dhirendranath Datta, a member from the East Pakistan Congress Party, moved an
amendment motion to include Bangla as one of the languages of the Constituent Assembly.

• The central leaders, including Liaquat Ali Khan, prime minister of Pakistan, and Khwaja
Nazimuddin, chief minister of East Bengal, opposed the motion.
• On receiving the news that the motion had been rejected, students, intellectuals and
politicians of East Pakistan became agitated.

• A new committee to fight for Bangla as the state language was formed with Shamsul Huq
as convener. On 11 March 1948 a general strike was observed in the towns of East Pakistan
in protest against the omission of Bangla from the languages of the Constituent Assembly,
the absence of Bangla letters in Pakistani coins and stamps, and the use of only Urdu in
recruitment tests for the navy.

• Amidst processions, picketing and slogans, leaders such as Shawkat Ali, Kazi Golam
Mahboob, Shamsul Huq, Oli Ahad, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Abdul Wahed and others were
arrested. Student leaders, including Abdul Matin and Abdul Malek Ukil, also took part in the
procession and picketing.

• A meeting was held on the Dhaka University premises. Strikes were observed from 12
March to 15 March.

• Muhammed Ali Jinnah, the governor general of Pakistan, came to visit East Pakistan on 19
March. He addressed two meetings in Dhaka, in both of which he ignored the popular
demand for Bangla. He reiterated that Urdu would be the only state language of Pakistan.

• This declaration was instantly protested with the Language Movement spreading
throughout East Pakistan. The Dhaka University Language Action Committee was formed on
11 March 1950 with Abdul Matin as its convener.

• By the beginning of 1952, the Language Movement took a serious turn. Both Jinnah and
Liaquat Ali Khan were dead (Jinnah on 11 September 1948 and Liaquat Ali Khan on 16
October 1951). Khwaja Nazimuddin had succeeded Liaquat Ali Khan as prime minister of
Pakistan. The people of East Pakistan started losing faith in the Muslim League. A new party,
the Awami Muslim League which would later become the Awami League was formed under
the leadership of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani in 1949.

• Under these circumstances, the Language Movement got a new momentum in 1952. On
27 January 1952, Khwaja Nazimuddin came to Dhaka from Karachi. Addressing a meeting at
Paltan Maidan, he said that the people of the province could decide what would be the
provincial language, but only Urdu would be the state language of Pakistan.

• A strike was observed at Dhaka University on 30 January. At this time the government also
proposed that Bangla be written in Arabic script. This proposal was also vehemently
opposed. The Language Action Committee decided to call a hartal and organize
demonstrations and processions on February 21 throughout East Pakistan.

• As preparations for demonstrations were underway, the government imposed Section 144
in the city of Dhaka, banning all assemblies and demonstrations.

• The students were determined to violate Section144 and held a student meeting at 11.00
a.m. on 21 February on the Dhaka University campus, then located close to the Medical
College Hospital.

• The students then started throwing brickbats at the police, who retaliated with tear gas.
The police fired upon the crowd of students, who were proceeding towards the Assembly
Hall (at present, part of Jagannath Hall, University of Dhaka). Three young men, Rafiq Uddin
Ahmed, Abdul Jabbar and Abul Barkat (an MA student of Political Science) were fatally
wounded.

• The next day, 22 February, was also a day of public demonstrations and police reprisals.
On 23 February, at the spot where students had been killed, a memorial was erected. In
1963, the temporary structure was replaced by a concrete memorial, the Shaheed Minar
(Martyrs' Memorial).

• The East Bengal Legislative Assembly adopted a resolution recommending the recognition
of Bangla as one of the state languages of Pakistan. The language movement continued until
1956. The movement achieved its goal by forcing the Pakistan Constituent Assembly in
adopting both Bangla and Urdu as the state languages of Pakistan.

• Since 1952, 21 February has been observed every year to commemorate the martyrs of
the Language Movement. With UNESCO adopting a resolution on 17 November 1999
proclaiming 21 February as International Mother Language Day.

Significance of International Mother Language Day:

» The Language Movement is one of the most important days in our history. It has been
suggested that the freedom struggle of Bangladesh originated from the Bengali language
movement. In a way this is correct, as the basic inspiration for the freedom struggle of the
Bengali speaking people of Pakistan came mainly from linguistic nationalism.

» Language is the prime carrier of a culture. It is also the most powerful instrument of
preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. During the course of world
history, many cultures and civilizations have been shattered, devastated and crushed
because of the demolition of their languages.
» Language is not only the principal representative of a culture of one nation but it also
creates sense of patriotism and nationalism in people’s mind. Bengali and Bangla language is
an appropriate example of that.

» Bengali people created one of the greatest political and cultural histories in the 20th
century. The events of 21 February 1952 proved that a nation which is strong and powerful
politically cannot destroy a spirited civilized nation if they have a unifying language like
Bangla.

2. Sketch the Life of poet of politics Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

=> Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, shortened as Sheikh Mujib or just Mujib, was a Bengali politician
and statesman. He is the founding father of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. He served
as the first President of Bangladesh and later Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He is considered
to be the driving force behind the independence of Bangladesh. He is popularly known
under the title of Bangabandhu (Friend of Bengal). Thus, he is regarded as Jatir Janak or Jatir
Pita (Father of the Nation) of Bangladesh.

A Life sketch of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:

1920: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born to a respectable Muslim family on March 17th,
1920, in Tungipara village under the then Gopalganj subdivision of Faridpur district.

1927: At the age of seven, Bangabandhu began his schooling at Gimadanga Primary school.
At nine, he was admitted to class three at Gopalganj Public School. Later, he was transferred
to a local Missionary School.

1938: At the age of eighteen Mujib married Begum Fazilatunnesa. They later became the
parents of two daughters, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana and three sons, Sheikh Kamal,
Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russel.

1939: Bangabandhu’s political career was effectively inaugurated while he was a student of
Gopalganj Missionary School. He led a group of students to demand that cracked roof of the
school be repaired when ‘Sher-e-Bangla’ A.K. Fazlul Haque, Chief Minister of undivided
Bengal, came to visit the school along with Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy.

1940: Sheikh Mujib joined the Nikhil Bharat Muslim Chathra Federation (All India Muslim
Students Federation). He was elected councillor for a one year term.
1942: Sheikh mujibur Rahman passed the Entrance examination. He then took admission as
an intermediate student in the Humanities faculty of Calcutta Islamia College. The same year
Bangabandhu actively got involved with the movement for the creation of Pakistan.

1943: Sheikh Mujib's busy and active political career took off in the literal sense with his
election as a Councillor of the Muslim League.

1946: Sheikh Mujib was elected General Secretary of Islamia College Students Union.

1947: Bangbandhu obtained Bachelor of Arts degree from Islamia College under Calcutta
University. When communal riots broke out in the wake of the partition of India and the
birth of Pakistan, Bangabandhu played a pioneering role in protecting Muslims and trying to
contain the violence.

1948: Bangabandhu took admission in the Law Department of Dhaka University. He founded
the Muslim Students League on 4 January. He rose in spontaneous protest on 23rd February
when Prime Minister Khwaja Nazimuddin in his speech at the Legislative Assembly declared:
“The people of East Pakistan will accept Urdu as their state language.” On 11 March,
Bangabandhu was arrested along with some colleagues while they were holding a
demonstration in front of the Secretariat building. The student community of the country
rose in protest following the arrest of Bangabandhu. In the face of the strong student
movement the Muslim League government was forced to release Bangabandhu and other
student leaders on 15 March. Following his release, the All-Party State Language Action
Council held a public rally at Dhaka University Bat Tala on 16 March. Bangabandhu presided
over the rally, which were soon sets upon by the police. To protest the police action
Bangabandhu immediately announced a countrywide student strike for 17 March. On 11
September, he was again arrested.

1949: Sheikh Mujib was released from jail on 21 January. Eventually, the anti-Muslim League
candidate Shamsul Huq won a by-election in Tangail on 26 April, Mujib was arrested for
staging a sit-in strike before the vice-chancellor’s residence. When the East Pakistan Awami
Muslim League was formed on 23 June, Bangabandhu was elected its joint secretary despite
his incarceration. He was released in late June. In September of this year, he was
temporarily detained for violating Section 144 but he was released immediately. He was
arrested again alone with Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani for leading a delegation to
Liaquat Ali Khan. That was towards the end of October.

1952: On 26 January, Khwaja Najimuddin again declared that Urdu would be the state
language of Pakistan. Though still in jail, Bangabandhu managed to play a leading role in
organizing a protest against this announcement. From prison he sent out a call to the State
Language Action Council to observe 21 February as Demand Day for releasing political
prisoners and making Bangla the state language. He began a hunger strike on 14 February.
He was on hunger strike for 13 consecutive days. He was moved from Dhaka Central Jail to
Faridpur Jail to prevent him from making contact with the organizers of the movement. He
was released from jail on 26 February.

1953: On the 9 July, Mujib was elected General Secretary of East Pakistan Awami League at
its council session.

1954: The first general election was held on 10 March. The United Front won 223 seats out
of a total of 237, including 143 captured by the Awami League. Bangabandhu swept the
Gopalganj constituency, defeating the powerful Muslim League leader Wahiduzzaman by a
margin of 13,000 votes. On 15 May, Bangabandhu was given charge of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Forests when the new provincial government was formed. On 29 May the
Central Government arbitrarily dismissed the United Front Ministry. Bangabandhu was
again arrested once he landed at Dhaka airport after a flight from Karachi on 30 May. He
was freed on 23 December.

1955: Bangabandhu was elected a member of the legislative Assembly on June. On 21

October, the party dropped the word Muslim from its name at a special counsel of the
Bangladesh Awami League. Bangabandhu was re-elected General Secretary of the Party.

1956: The western provinces were merged as West Pakistan during the creation of the
Islamic Republic of Pakistan in 1956. That year East Bengal was renamed as East Pakistan as
part of One Unit at the same time. Mujib demanded that the Bengali people's ethnic identity
be respected and that a popular verdict should decide the question of naming and of official
language. Mujib entered a second coalition government as minister of industries,
commerce, labour, anti-corruption and village aid.

1958: Pakistan's President, Major General Iskandar Mirja, and the chief of Pakistan's Army,
General ayub Khan, imposed martial law on 7 October and banned politics. Bangabandhu
was arrested on 11 October. Thereafter he was continuously harassed through one false
case after another. Released from prison after 14 months, he was arrested again at the jail
gate. Bangabandhu was released from jail after he won a writ petition in the High Court.
Then he started underground political activities against the marital law regime and dictator
Ayub Khan. During this period he set up an underground organization called "Swadhin
Bangla Biplobi Porishad", or Independent Bangla Revolutionary Council, comprising
outstanding student leaders in order to work for the independence of Bangladesh.

1962: Once again Bangabandhu was arrested under the Public Security Act on 6 February.
He was freed on 18 June, following the withdrawal of the four-year-long martial law on 2
June.
1964: Awami League was revitalized on 25 January at a meeting held at Bangabandhu's
residence. The meeting adopted a resolution to demand the introduction of parliamentary
democracy on the basis of adult franchise in response to public sentiment. Bangabandhu
was arrested 14 days before the presidential election.

1965: The government charged Sheikh Mujib with sedition and making objectionable
statements. He was sentenced to a one year jail term. He was later released on an order of
the High Court.

1966: On 5 February, a national conference of the opposition parties was held in Lahore.
Bangabandhu placed his historic 6-point demand before the selected committee of the
conference. He launched a campaign to obtain enthusiastic support for the 6-point demand.
He toured the entire country. During his tour he was arrested by the police and detained
variously at Sylhet, Mymensing and Dhaka several times, during the first quarter of the year
he was arrested eight times. On 8 May, he was arrested again after his speech at a rally of
jute mill workers in Narayanganj.

1968: The Pakistan government instituted the notorious Agartala Conspiracy Case against
Bangabandhu and 34 Bengali military and CSP officers. Sheikh Mujib was named accused
number one in the case that charged the arrested persons with conspiring to bring about
the secession of East Pakistan from the rest of Pakistan.

1969: The Central Students Action Council was formed on 5 January to press for the
acceptance of the 11-point demand of Bangabandhu. The council initiated a countrywide
student agitation to force the government to withdraw the Agartala Conspiracy Case and
release Bangabandhu. On 22 February, the central government bowed to the continued
mass protests and freed Bangabandhu and the other co-accused. The conspiracy case was
withdrawn. The Central Students Action Council arranged a reception in honour of Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman on 23 February at the Race Course (Suhrawardy Uddyan). At this meeting
of one million people, Mujib was publicly acclaimed as Bangabandhu (Friend of Bengal).

1970: Bangabandhu was re-elected President of the Awami League on 6 January. Awami
League at a meeting of the working committee on 1 April decided to take part in the general
elections scheduled for later that year. A major coastal cyclone struck East Pakistan on 12
November 1970. Bangabandhu suspended his election campaign and rushed to the aid of
the helpless people in the affected areas. In the general elections held on 7 December,
Awami League gained an absolute majority. Awami League secured 167 out of 169 National
Assembly seats in the Provincial Assembly.
1971: On 27 January, Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto arrived in Dhaka for talks with Bangabandhu. The
talks collapsed after three days of deliberation. In an announcement on 13 February,
President Yahya Khan summoned the National Assembly to convene in Dhaka on 3 March.
On 15 February, Bhutto announced that he would boycott the session and demanded that
power be handed over to the majority parties in East Pakistan and West Pakistan. On 1
March, Yahya Khan abruptly postponed the National Assembly session, prompting a storm
of protest throughout Bangladesh. On 7 March, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,
addressed a mammoth public rally at the Race Course ground, where he declared: "The
struggle now is the struggle for our emancipations, the struggle now is the struggle for our
independence, Joy Bangla." In this historic speech, Bangabandhu urged the nation to break
the suckles of subjugation and fight for liberation.

He advised the people to prepare themselves for a guerilla war against the enemy. He asked
the people to start a total non-cooperation movement against the government of Yahya
Khan. The entire nation carried out Bangabandhu's instructions. Every organization,
including government offices, banks, insurance companies, schools, colleges, mills and
factories obeyed Bangabandhu's directives. The response of people of Bangladesh to
Bangabandhu's call was unparalleled in history. It was Bangabandhu who conducted the
administration of an independent Bangladesh from March 7 to March 25.

On the 16 March, Yahya Khan came to Dhaka for talks with Bangabandhu on the issue of
transfer of power. Bhutto also came a few days later to Dhaka for talks. The Mujib-Yahya-
Bhutto talks continued until 24 March. Yahya Khan left Dhaka in the evining of 25 March, in
secrecy. On the night of 25 March, the Pakistan Army cracked down on the innocent
unarmed Bangalis. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman read out a wireless message,
moments after the crackdown began, declaring the independence of Bangladesh. His
declaration was transmitted over wireless to the country. Pakistan army arrested
Bangabandhu from his Dhanmandi residence at 1:10 a.m. On the 26 March he was flown to
Pakistan as a prisoner. The same day, General Yahya Khan, in a broadcast banned the
Awami League and called Bangabandhu a traitor.

On 10 April, the Provisional Revolutionary Government of Bangladesh was formed with

Bangabandhu as President. The revolutionary government took the oath of office on 17
April at the Amrakanan of Baidayanathtala in Meherpur, which is now known as Mujibnagar.
The liberation war ended on 16 December when the Pakistani occupation forces
surrendered at the historic Race Course ground accepting defeat in the glorious war led by
the revolutionary government in exile. Bangladesh was finally free. Earlier, between August
and September of 1971, the Pakistani janta held a secret trial of Bangabandhu inside
Lyallpur jail in Pakistan
1972: The Pakistan government freed Bangabandhu on 8 January 1972. A memorable
reception was accorded to Bangabandhu when the Father of the Nation reached Dhaka on
10 January. From the airport he drove straight to the Race Course ground where he made a
tearful address before the country. On 12 January, Bangabandhu became Bangladesh's
Prime Minister.

1973: Awami League secured 293 out of the 300 Jatiya Sangshad (parliament) seats in the
first general elections. On 3 September, Awami League, CPB and NAP formed Oikya Front
(United Front).

1974: The People’s Republic of Bangladesh was accorded membership of United Nations. On
24 September, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman addressed the UN General Assembly
in Bangla.

1975: In the pre-dawn hours of August 15 the noblest and the greatest of Bengalese in a
thousand years, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of Bangladesh and the
Father of the Nation, was assassinated by a handful of ambitious and treacherous military
officers.

3. What is Six point Movement? Describe the background of Six point

Movement.

=> Six Point Movement:

The Six Point Movement was a movement in East Pakistan, spearheaded by Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman, which called for greater autonomy for East Pakistan. The movement's main agenda
was to realize the six demands put forward by a coalition of Bengali nationalist political
parties in 1966, to end the perceived exploitation of East Pakistan by the West Pakistani
rulers. It is considered a milestone on the road to Bangladesh's independence.

The Six Points are,

1. The Constitution should provide for a Federation of Pakistan in its true sense on the
Lahore Resolution, and the parliamentary form of government with supremacy of a
Legislature directly elected on the basis of universal adult franchise.

2. The federal government should deal with only two subjects: Defense and Foreign Affairs,
and all other residuary subjects shall be vested in the federating states.

3. Two separate, but freely convertible currencies for two wings should be introduced; or if
this is not feasible, there should be one currency for the whole country, but effective
constitutional provisions should be introduced to stop the flight of capital from East to West
Pakistan. Furthermore, a separate Banking Reserve should be established, and separate
fiscal and monetary policy be adopted for East Pakistan.
4. The power of taxation and revenue collection shall be vested in the federating units and
the federal center will have no such power on the issue. The federation will be entitled to a
share in the state taxes to meet its expenditures.

5. There should be two separate accounts for the foreign exchange earnings of the two
wings; the foreign exchange requirements of the federal government should be met by the
two wings equally or in a ratio to be fixed; indigenous products should move free of duty
between the two wings, and the Constitution should empower the units to establish trade
links with foreign countries.

6. East Pakistan should have a separate militia or paramilitary force.

Background of Six Points Movement:

The Awami League was basically a middle-class party mainly consisted on various economic
interest groups, which provided its main support in the country. They were surplus farmers,
traders and small industrialists and the lower echelon of the civil service. The number of
traders and industrialists were small in former East Pakistan; they suffered from
comparative disadvantage in competition with their more established counterparts in
Pakistan.

Six Points Movement found its base through various incidents in the history of Pakistan. In
the history of deprivation. In the scenario of domination. A famous scholar Rounak Jahan
simplified this situation in just two words that is ‘Internal Colonialism’ where Pakistan as a
state from the beginning failed to integrate as a nation.

Undemocratic tendencies are well observed from the inception of Pakistan. There was a
violation of Lahore Resolution that promised a federalism and regional autonomy. Instead
central government was strengthened and regional autonomy and self-determination were
neglected. Preventing political action by force was a feature of the Pakistani state apparatus
dominated by the western inhabitants. Pakistan had to wait 9 years since independence to
formulate a constitution where India get her one within two years. Though it took 9 years
but it was a failure to fulfill the desire of the people especially 56% Bengalis. Inception of
martial law in 1958 and its continuation made things more peculiar. That’s the reason why
the first proposition of Six Points was vested on federalism followed by Central and
Provincial election with the incorporation of universal suffrage of adult people.
In the famous 21-Point Program of Jukto front led by Awami League and others in 1954 a
full provincial autonomy on the basis of the Lahore Resolution was demanded by giving
center only defense and foreign affairs. Economic disparities between the two wings of
Pakistan were acute. The area of discrimination were on building up industries, distribution
of foreign aid, unequal distribution in development issues etc. Most of the mills industries of
Pakistan were in East but owned by the Western Bourgeoisies. The primary source of
foreign export revenue were jute of East but that went into West’s reserves. So, there was a
huge trafficking of resources from East to West throughout the years. The Economists and
Political Scientists of East Pakistan were concerned about the symbol of two economics
from the beginning. The idea of Two Economy in Pakistan was first claimed in 1956.

On that year first five year plan for Pakistan were taken. In that particular plan different and
discriminatory measures were taken in sense of creating employment, non-transformation
of labor, unequal population etc. So, economists were very much involved with the
economic issue of Pakistan especially about its Eastern region prior to the inception of Six
Points. Mujib’s 3rd to 5th point were vested on this issue. While bargaining about the
justification of six points demand Awami league gave importance to expert’s opinion i.e.
they accompanied.

4. Define Blue Economy. Sketch the prospects of Blue Economy for the socio-
economic development of Bangladesh.

=> Blue Economy:

The blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved
livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.

Prospects of Blue Economy for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh:

Bangladesh has vast coastal and marine resources along its south edge. Due to the
geographical position and climatic condition, the coastal area of the country is known as one
of the highly productive areas of the world. Bangladesh is rich not only in terms of its vast
water areas but also in terms of the biological diversity. One of the unique features of the
coastal areas is the influence of the mangrove forests, which support a high number of
fishes and other commercially important aquatic organisms.

Bangladesh formed by a delta plain at the confluence of the several trans-boundary mighty
rivers, in usually characterized by its typical geographical settings, the Himalayan range in
the North and the Bay of Bengal in the South. These two unique features historically shaped
formation of major habitats and human habitation, social-economic structures,
development priorities and, often, the basis of relationship and diplomacy with the
neighbors and other south Asian countries. Country’s 710 km long coast line extending from
the tip of St. Martin’s Island in the southeast to the west coast of Satkhira and 121,110
square kilometer sea area are characterized with uniquely differentiated ecosystems having
significant ecological and economic importance and potential. There will be a human flow to
the southern part of Bangladesh due to blue economic zone development. It will create
employment opportunities and other income-generating activities, develop other social
services, security services as well as the overall standard of life for the local people at
coastal areas. Sector wise emphases are given below,

1. Fishery: A large number of commercially important fishes have long been exploited which
are of high export values. Shrimp aquaculture has become a highly traded export-oriented
industry now-a-days. In spite of having bright prospects, marine aquaculture on a
commercial basis as well as marine stock enhancement and sea ranching are yet to be
developed. The marine fisheries sector has been suffering from chronic disintegration and
mismanagement that have led to many consequences. Most of the commercially important
fish stocks are either over-exploited or under threat. Marine pollution has reached a level
that could create an unmanageable situation in the near future; coastal shrimp farming has
generated considerable debates due to its adverse environmental and socio-economic
impacts.

Globally 350 million jobs are linked to marine fisheries, with 90% of fishers living in
developing countries. The value of fish traded by developing countries is estimated at US$
25 billion making it their largest single trade item (UN, 2012).

Fishing activities will continue to represent a large part of economic and food output for
many developing countries. As demand for fish continues to grow, Bangladesh needs to
explore options to keep benefiting from this activity while ensuring sustainable
management of stocks too.

2. Aquaculture: Aquaculture offers huge potential for the provision of food and livelihoods,
though greater efficiency in provision of feed to aquaculture need to be realized, including
reduced fish protein and oil and increased plant protein content, if the industry is to be
sustainable. Aquaculture under the Blue Economy will incorporate the value of the natural
capital in its development, respecting ecological parameters throughout the cycle of
production, creating sustainable, decent employment and offering high value commodities
for export.

Aquaculture is the fastest growing global food sector now providing 47% of the fish for
human consumption. As the demand for fish continues to grow and the availability of wild-
capture fish decreases, there will be a greater role for aquaculture to augment the wild
capture supply and ensure that wild stocks for Bangladesh.

3. Food Security: One billion people in developing countries like Bangladesh depend on
seafood for their primary source of protein. Besides this all around the globe, a lot of people
like seafood. Oceans can be the biggest sources for food for all the developing countries and
may help to meet the challenges of food security issue too.

4. Tourism: Tourism is a major global industry. A large portion of global tourism is focused
on the marine and coastal environment and it is set to rise. Trends in aging populations,
rising incomes and relatively low transport costs will make coastal and ocean locations ever
more attractive. Cruise tourism is the fastest growing sector in the leisure travel industry. It
was 16 million in 2011.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), approximately one
of every two tourists visited the seaside. However it may open business and employment
scope through new hotel, restaurant or other entertainment industry etc. In 2012, for the
first time, the number of international tourist arrivals reached over one billion. Sustainable
tourism is an essential economic sector for many developing countries like Bangladesh,
which may contribute to the national income, foreign exchange earnings and investment.
Sustainable tourism needs to be mainstreamed into national and regional planning as well
as into technical cooperation, public financial support and public-private partnerships.

5. Shipping and Maritime Transport: Shipping is the lifeblood of the global economy. In
today’s globalized world, ports play a strategic role for the national trade and economy. The
coastal and marine fisheries have been playing considerable roles not only in the social and
economic development of the country but also in the regional ecological balance. Estimates
suggest some 30 million Bangladeshi directly depend on oceanic economic activities like
fisheries and commercial transportation.

About half of the world’s population, most of its largest cities and industries along with
critical value chains tend to be concentrated in coastal areas to ensure access to transport
routes and continuous flows of resources and products. Without oceanic and sea routes,
globalization as we know it would not have been possible. Maritime transport is very
important for Bangladesh as its social-economic prospects largely depend on their ability to
connect to the rest of the world and access international markets.

6. Renewable Marine Energy: In 2009 offshore fields accounted for 32% of worldwide crude
oil production and this is projected to rise to 34% in 2025. Oil will remain the dominant
energy source for many decades to come but the Ocean offers enormous potential for the
generation of renewable energy-wind, wave, tidal, biomass, and thermal conversion and
salinity gradients. Demand for renewable energy is expected to increase two and a half
times by 2035 all over the world and Bangladesh is not exception of it.

The generation of renewable energy from tides and waves, wind turbines located in
offshore areas, submarine geothermal resources and marine biomass could be viable
alternatives for contributing to energy needs and climate change mitigation objectives. For
Small Island Developing State (SIDS), such renewable energy sources could help diversify
their energy portfolios and secure higher levels of energy security. Of all the marine sources,
the highest potential for electricity generation is in the offshore wind turbines sector. Global
offshore wind capacity is growing at the incredible rate of 40 per cent per year, producing
7100 megawatts of electricity in 2013.

7. Biotechnology and Medical Technology: The global market for marine biotechnology
products and processes is currently estimated at US $ 2.8 billion and projected to grow to
around US $ 4.6 billion by 2017. Marine bio-tech has the potential to address a suite of
global challenges such as sustainable food supplies, human health, energy security and
environmental remediation. Marine bacteria are a rich source of potential drugs. In 2011
there were over 36 marine derived drugs in clinical development, including 15 for the
treatment of cancer. One area where marine bio-tech may make a critical contribution is the
development of new antibiotics. The potential scope is enormous; by 2006 more than
14,000 novel chemicals had been identified by marine bio-prospecting and 300 patents
registered on marine natural products. On the energy front algal bio-fuels offer promising
prospects. The European science Foundation postulates a production volume of 20 - 80
thousand liters of oil per hectare per year can be achieved from micro algal culture, with
even the lower part of this range being considerably higher than terrestrial bio-fuel crops.

5. What is poverty? Describe the role of Maritime sector to eradicate poverty

from Bangladesh.

=> Poverty:
Poverty is the scarcity or the lack of a certain (variant) amount of material possessions or
money. Poverty is a multifaceted concept, which may include social, economic, and political
elements. Absolute poverty, extreme poverty, or destitution refers to the complete lack of
the means necessary to meet basic personal needs such as food, clothing and shelter.

Role of Maritime sector to eradicate poverty from Bangladesh:

We consider Blue Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty
eradication as one of the important tools available for achieving sustainable development.
We emphasize that it should contribute to eradicating poverty as well as sustained
economic growth, enhancing social inclusion, improving human welfare and creating
opportunities for employment and decent work for all while maintaining the healthy
functioning of the earth's ecosystem.

1. Balancing Growth and Conservation: Governments, policy makers and international

institutions keen to boost food security and eradicate poverty face a careful balancing act
between conservation and growth. While fisheries and aquaculture generate considerable
social and economic benefits for hundreds of millions of people around the world, and have
the potential to increase their contribution to human well-being and growth, sustainable
development, based on the pillars of ecological, social and economic sustainability, entails
reconciling several intersecting agendas. There is also a need to link institutions that deal
directly or indirectly with ocean issues across spatial and jurisdictional scales in ways that
are efficient and effective, avoiding duplications and conflicts.

2. Economic development and prosperity: Hon’ble Prime Minister during the workshop
emphasized that that Blue Economy could play an important role in the economic uplift of
the country in the context of poverty alleviation, ensuring food and nutrition security,
combating climate change impacts. Underlining Blue Economy as a window of opportunity
for development, the Prime Minister expressed her resolve to turn the Bay of Bengal to a
hub of economic development and prosperity; and observed that marine resources and
services could significantly contribute to development of potential sectors like
pharmaceuticals and agro-based industry and could also enhance foreign trade and foreign
exchange.

3. Development of natural resources: Bangladesh had already accorded priority to fishery,

maritime transportation, ship-recycling, ship building, and coastal tourism considering their
huge potential, conservation and balanced development of natural resources keeping
integrity of environmental and bio-diversity aspects while pursuing development for the
people of the country.

4. Contributing to food and nutrition security: Ben Belton lead author of the study and
researcher at World Fish, tells “Aquaculture has the potential to contribute to poverty
reduction and food security through a number of pathways, including employment, incomes
and fish consumption”. Bangladesh’s fisheries sector contributed 4.4 per cent of national
gross domestic product (GDP) and 25 per cent of agricultural GDP in 2012 with a total
output of 3.26 million tones. The country saw a dramatic reduction in the proportion of the
population below the upper poverty line from 48.9 per cent in 2000 to 31.5 per cent in 2010
with the number of poor people falling from 63 million to 47 million during this period.

5. Coastal tourism: Globally, coastal tourism is the largest market segment and represents 5
per cent of world GDP and contributes to 6 – 7 per cent of total employment. In 150
countries, it is one of five top export earners and in 60 it is the first. It is the main source of
foreign exchange for one-half of Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Coastal tourism includes
beach-based recreation and tourism, tourist activities in proximity to the sea, and nautical
boating including yachting and marinas. Sustainable tourism can create new jobs and reduce
poverty. Tourism is human-resource intensive. One job in the core industry creates one and
a half additional jobs in the tourism-related economy. Efficiency improvements, local hiring,
sourcing local products and safeguarding local culture and environment can reinforce
employment potential.

6. Show the present problems and prospects of maritime sectors of

Bangladesh. or,
Discuss the opportunity and challenges of maritime sector in Bangladesh.

=> Maritime Sectors offers a suite of opportunities for sustainable, clean, equitable blue
growth in both traditional and emerging sectors,

1. Shipping and Port Facilities: 80 percent of global trade by volume, and over 70 per cent
by value, is carried by sea and handled by ports worldwide. For developing countries, on a
national basis, these percentages are typically higher. World seaborne trade grew by 4% in
2011, to 8.7 billion tons despite the global economic crisis and container traffic is projected
to triple by 2030. Coastal countries need to position themselves in terms of facilities and
capacities to cater for this growing trade and optimize their benefits. Shipping is the safest,
most secure, most efficient and most environmentally sound means of bulk transportation
with declining rates of accidents, zero terrorist incidents, improving turnaround of ships and
significant reductions in discharges to sea or emissions to air. Much of these advances have
been made possible as a result of IMO’s regulations, industry initiatives and technological
developments; by helping to build technical maritime capacity in developing countries,
where some 70% - 75% of the world’s merchant fleet is now registered.

2. Fisheries: Fish accounts for 15.7% of the animal protein consumed globally. The value of
fish traded by developing countries is estimated at US$ 25 billion making it their largest
single trade item. In 2009 marine capture production was 79 million tons. Human activity
has directly and markedly reduced ocean productivity; additional deficits may be due to
climate change increasing ocean stratification and reducing nutrient mixing in the open
seas. The implementation of sound management measures brings the promise of increased
sustainable catches, lower energy utilization and costs; thereby securing livelihoods and
enhancing food security.

3. Aquaculture: Aquaculture is the fastest growing global food sector now providing 47% of
the fish for human consumption. Fish used for human consumption grew by more than 90
million tons in the period 1960-2009 (from 27 to 118 million tons) and aquaculture is
projected to soon surpass capture fisheries as the primary provider of such protein.
Aquaculture with fed species, if not managed properly, can impact biodiversity and
ecosystem functions through excessive nutrient release, chemical pollution and the escape
of farmed species and diseases into the natural environment. Aquaculture offers huge
potential for the provision of food and livelihoods. Aquaculture under the Blue Economy will
incorporate the value of the natural capital in its development, respecting ecological
parameters throughout the cycle of production, creating sustainable, decent employment
and offering high value commodities for export.
4. Tourism: Tourism is a major global industry. A large portion of global tourism is focused
on the marine and coastal environment and it is set to rise. Trends in aging populations,
rising incomes and relatively low transport costs will make coastal and ocean locations ever
more attractive. Cruise tourism is the fastest growing sector in the leisure travel industry. It
was 16 million in 2011.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), approximately one
of every two tourists visited the seaside. However it may open business and employment
scope through new hotel, restaurant or other entertainment industry etc. In 2012, for the
first time, the number of international tourist arrivals reached over one billion. Sustainable
tourism is an essential economic sector for many developing countries like Bangladesh,
which may contribute to the national income, foreign exchange earnings and investment.
Sustainable tourism needs to be mainstreamed into national and regional planning as well
as into technical cooperation, public financial support and public-private partnerships.

5. Energy: In 2009 offshore fields accounted for 32% of worldwide crude oil production and
this is projected to rise to 34% in 2025 and higher subsequently, as almost half the
remaining recoverable conventional oil is estimated to be in offshore fields - a quarter of
that in deep water. Deep water oil drilling is not new, but market pressures are making the
exploration for and tapping of evermore remote reserves cost effective, bringing the most
isolated areas under consideration. Methane hydrates, a potentially enormous source of
hydrocarbons, are now also being explored and tapped from the seabed. Oil will remain the
dominant energy source for many decades to come but the Ocean offers enormous
potential for the generation of renewable energy – wind, wave, tidal, biomass, and thermal
conversion and salinity gradients. Of these the offshore wind energy industry is the most
developed of the ocean based energy sources. Global installed capacity was only a little over
6 GW in 2012 but this is set to quadruple by 2014 and relatively conservative estimates
suggest this could grow to 175 GW by 2035.

6. Biotechnology: The global market for marine biotechnology products and processes is
currently estimated at US $ 2.8 billion and projected to grow to around US $ 4.6 billion by
2017. Marine biotech has the potential to address a suite of global challenges such as
sustainable food supplies, human health, energy security and environmental remediation.
Marine bacteria are a rich source of potential drugs. In 2011 there were over 36 marine
derived drugs in clinical development, including 15 for the treatment of cancer. One area
where marine biotech may make a critical contribution is the development of new
antibiotics. The anti-viral drugs Zovirax and Acyclovir were obtained from nucleosides
isolated from Caribbean sponges. Yondelis, developed from small soft-bodied marine
animals was the first drug of marine origin to fight cancer.

In the very short term, the sector is expected to emerge as a niche market focused on high-
value products for the health, cosmetic and industrial biomaterials sectors. By 2020, it could
grow as a medium-sized market, expanding towards the production of metabolites and
primary compounds (lipids, sugars, polymers, proteins) as inputs for the food, feed and
chemical industries.

7. Submarine mining: The world is gearing up for the exploration and exploitation of
mineral deposits on and beneath the sea floor. Industry, due to rising commodity prices, is
turning its attention to the potential riches of polymetallic nodules, cobalt crusts and
massive sulphide deposits; the latter a source of rare earth elements, such as yttrium,
dysprosium and terbium, important in new ICT hardware and renewable energy
technologies. Commercial interest is particularly strong in polymetallic nodules and in
seafloor massive sulphides. Coastal countries need to prepare themselves to ensure they
realize optimal benefits from resources in their own EEZs and likewise that their concerns
are incorporated into the measures to manage the coming race for the riches of the seabed.
The exploitation and mining of minerals, other than sand and gravel, from the sea have just
started. By 2020, 5% of the world's minerals, including cobalt, copper and zinc could come
from the ocean floors.

8. Governance: Each sovereign country is responsible for its own resources and sustainable
development. Whether it be with regard to updating and advancing governance
mechanisms to ensure the sustainable development of waters beyond national jurisdiction
or assistance in enabling the effective management and utilization of national EEZs. A
science based approach is essential to the development of the Blue Economy; commencing
with the initial assessment and critically the valuation of the blue capital at our disposal. This
will provide a basis for informed decision making and adaptive management. This major
undertaking must be addressed and continually refined and upgraded in line with changing
circumstances, evolving technologies and our increasing understanding. This underlines the
importance of technical assistance, technology transfer and capacity building to the pursuit
of sustainable development.
 7. Define Industrialization. What are the major drawbacks of
industrialization in Bangladesh? Describe briefly.

=> Industrialization:
Industrialization is the process by which an economy is transformed from primarily
agricultural to one based on the manufacturing of goods. Individual manual labor is often
replaced by mechanized mass production, and craftsmen are replaced by assembly lines.

Major drawbacks of industrialization in Bangladesh:

Bangladesh is mainly an agricultural country. Agriculture has always been given priority and
as a result industries have been ignored. Recently some agro-based industries have been set
up. There are some reasons for which the country has lagged behind in heavy and medium-
level industries. Industrialization in Bangladesh faces some challenges due to some
structural constraints that hindered industrial growth. Let us now consider the challenges
faced by the industry sector in general.

1. Lack of adequate capital: Bangladesh being a poor country, people’s saving is insufficient.
As saving is poor, investment is also low. Again people’s per capita income is not adequate.
So their consumption is also low. Consequently local market oriented industries are also
very thin here.

2. Weak investment base: Due to long colonial rule, economic discrimination and
postliberation nationalization of industrialization, the growth of entrepreneurship has been
slow in Bangladesh. Besides, due to bureaucratic red-tapes and lack of investment climate,
capital investment has not been developed here.

3. Insufficient Infrastructure: Infrastructural facilities in our country are insufficient. Power

supply, telecommunication, transport, gas, water supply etc. – all facilities are not adequate
which have hindered process of industrialization in Bangladesh.

4. Technological know-how: Lack of proper technological know-how is also another reason

of our industrial backwardness.

5. Lack of adequate resources: Lack of adequate raw materials and natural resources are
also unfavorable for our industrialization.

6. Shortage of Energy: acute shortage of energy and unreliable supply of power and other
utilities such as gas and water.
7. Unskilled human resources: Though Bangladesh has a huge population, most of them are
unskilled. Country lacks skilled labor, specialists, professionals and technologists which also
hamper our industrialization.

8. Political instability: A good govt. policy and political stability are precondition for
industrialization. Unfortunately political instability has always been a common phenomenon
here.

9. Labor Unrest: There is a lack of trained workers in this country. Thus, there is a decline in
the efficiency of the company. The companies also need to provide training (apprenticeship)
to these laborers and hence quite an amount of money and time is spent on them. This
challenge is faced by every company or firm in Bangladesh.

10. Limited access to credit: High cost, legal or illegal, and procedural complexities in
obtaining credit from banks

8. Define Constitution. What are the Main Features of Bangladesh

Constitution?

=> Definition:
Aristotle defined: Constitution is the way of life the state has chosen for itself.
H Finer says, Constitution is a system of fundamental political institutions.
According to Leacock, Constitution is the form of Government.
According to Gilchrist, Constitution is, ‘that body of rules or laws, written or unwritten which
determine the organization of Government, the distribution of powers of various organs of
Government and the general principles on which these power are exercised.’

Key Points of Constitution of Bangladesh:

Articles: 153
Parts: 11
Ratified: 4 November 1972
Date effective: December 16, 1972
Signatories: 404 members of the Constituent Assembly

Main Features of Bangladesh Constitution:

1. Written Constitution: The Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is a written
document. It was formally adopted by the National Assembly on 4th November 1972. It
contains 153 articles, one preamble and seven schedules.
2. Rigid Constitution: The Constitution of Bangladesh is a rigid. Amendment only possible by
the approval of the two-thirds members of the parliament.

3. Preamble: The constitution of Bangladesh starts with a preamble which is described as

the guiding star of the Constitution. This Preamble contains the legal as well as moral basis
of the Constitution. It also identifies the objectives and aims of the state.

4. Supremacy of the Constitution: The Constitution Supremacy has been ensured in the
Constitution of Bangladesh. Article 7 provides that, this constitution is as the solemn
expression of the will of the people, the supreme law of the Republic, and if any other law is
inconsistence with this Constitution that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency,
be canceled.

5. Unitary Government System: Article 1 of the Constitution provides that Bangladesh is a

unitary people’s republic. Unitary government means all power centralized under the
constitution.

6. Unicameral Legislature: Article 65 of the Constitution provides Unicameral Legislature for

Bangladesh. It has only one house, which known as “House of the Nation”or Jatya Sangshad.

7. Fundamental Principle of State Policy: Article 8 of the Constitution provides four major
fundamental principle of state policy. a. Nationalism b. Democracy c. Socialism d. Secularism

8. Fundamental Rights: Part three of the Constitution provides for 18 fundamental rights.
The enjoyment and enforcement of those rights have been guaranteed in the constitution.
No authority can make any law which is inconsistent with the provisions of fundamental
rights and if any law made shell be void to the extent of inconsistency.

9. Parliamentary form of Government: The Constitution of Bangladesh provides the

Westminster type of parliamentary system. This form of government means that the
government is run by cabinet of ministers headed by prime minister. President becomes a
titular head but real executive power is exercised by the cabinet.

10. Independence of Judiciary: Article 22 states that, the state shall ensure the separation
of the judiciary from the executive organs of the state.