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| Khagrachari: | The ............ (5/10/05 to ~~/~~/~~) | |
| Dhaka Division Dhaka Faridpur Gazipur Gopalganj Jamalpur Kishoreganj Madaripur Manikganj Munshiganj Mymensingh Narayanganj Narsingdi Netrokona Rajbari Shariatpur Sherpur Tangail Chittagong Division Khulna Division Rajshahi Division Barisal Division Sylhet Division |
I asked these kids to talk to me. A few of them were very afraid and ran away. Then I tried to talk to others who were standing. First, I take my packets of chocolate in my hand. I put one chocolate in my mouth and gave them all one piece each. Soon, I took another in my mouth and gave them one again. I pretend that the chocolate was tasty and one of them put a chocolate in his mouth. Watching him others did not loose a moment. Now I asked them which class they study. They answered in a lower voice. I asked them to call their friends who were standing far. Soon a few of them came and I took a picture of them with my cycle. Giving few chocolates to these new boys I start my cycle again. Within half an hour or so, I came to a point with a milestone "KHAGRACHARI 0 KM". But there was no sign of crowd as it should have to be a "Zero Point". The road was divided in two from this point. I waited there for some time and after 2/3 minutes a man pass by there. I asked him about the direction of Khagrachari DC Office and he showed me the way straight. Then I took a photo of mine with his help before cycling again. On the way, I saw a grave of Elephant. Within 10/15 minutes I came in front of motel of Parjatan Corporation (National Tourism Corporation). I took a pic of the motel from outside. It was on the left side of the road. Looking straight I saw a bridge and a check post on the other side of it. I took a pic of the bridge with help of a Rickshaw-puller. After that I crossed the bridge and reach the check post. I asked them the direction of DC office. They asked me from where I came. I told them my identity. Watching a few papers of mine they describe the direction of DC office. Within 30 minutes I reached the DC office. Entering there I look for the room of NDC. It was a corner-room of that floor. NDC who was good-looking and too young, talking to some people. If he was not sitting in the chair, I would never believe that he was the NDC of a district. He asked me to sit and introduce myself. I describe about myself in short and he started to ask me various questions about the road. Then he took me towards the room of DC. Asking me to wait at the door he entered inside. After few minutes, he came out, asked me to enter the room and gone to his own room. Inside the room DC was sitting in his chair with a face of french-cut beard, always smiling. He asked me to sit in the chairs in front of him. Another person was sitting at those chairs and I sit by his side. Mr. DC starts his conversation by asking, "How much help or money do you expect from me?" I replied, "Not a single penny." Then he asked me a lot more questions, one pointing to other. The other person of the room also joined him at questioning me. At last the DC asked me if I have any problem about getting the complementary letter signed by ADC (General) of his district. When I said that I have no problem, he asked me to handover the pre-ready letter to his ADC (General) sitting beside me. I did as he said and he asked me to wait at the room of NDC. When I was there NDC asked me to gossip with other visitors of his room and went somewhere. The men who were sitting in that room were officials of DC office as Magistrate. They questioned me if I had truely paddled all the road or I cheated when there was a long way in front of me. I asked them to mention some points with which they can make some lights about cheating of mine. Beside that I gave them some points which can't be answered by a cheat-cyclists. Also I gave them some idea to catch liars in future. They agreed with my points and wish goodluck for rest of the tour. Meanwhile a light snacks was served for me as per NDC's instruction. Upon returning of NDC they told him that they had a long conversation with me and they are now satisfied about my tour. They also asked NDC how he was satisfied about me without asking any questions. He told them that he noticed the black burning mark (Sunburn) on my hand and also noticed that my skin is not so black beneath the t-shirt. Which gave him idea that I am cycling under the sun regularly. I looked at my hands lift the hands of my t-shirt a bit and understood what he meant. I had not observed this sunburn previously but now I was feeling proud for the sunburn. I asked them to permit me for leaving the DC office. Before leaving his room the NDC handed me an envelop given by DC. I asked him what was there inside the envelop. He told me that DC of their district felt that I am touring truely therefore deserve this as an honor. It was a note of taka 500. I asked him about the roads in front of me. He told me that it would be better if I will stop at Ramgarh Upazila for passing my night and start for Feni tomorrow morning. I left the DC office and try to cycle fast towards my next destination as this might be the last day of mine at hills. Very soon I camr to that previous Zero Point and took the right turn. Soon I start riding at some hills. At about 12:30 I came to a point of a hill from where the town of Khagrachari was seen, far away. I took a few pic and keep going. After half an hour or so, I reached at the entrance of "Alutila Tourist Complex". I stopped there and thought I would take a photo of mine at the main entrance. But there was lots of Army Vehicles and I asked an army if I can take photo there or not. He told me that one of their very senior officer came here to visit this park with his family and these cars came as escort for him. So, I wait for them to leave the park to take photograph here which was my only option. Waiting for 10/15 minutes I watched them coming out of the park. After they came I asked an officer if I can take the pic now or I should wait? He went to their chief officer to ask if I can take a photo, now or later. He came back to me and ask me to shoot the photo. I asked him to help me for the shoot and showed him how my camera works. But when I stand with my cycle he was having problem to click the camera. Watching the situation the officer arrived and took the camera from that man. He ask me about the range of the pics and shoot the photo. I understood that he knew how to handle a digital camera. After taking the photo he asked me a few things about my tour and called his family members travelling with him. He introduced me with them. They also asked me more about my tours. Taking my web address they ride on their cars to leave. I placed my camera on the bag and paddle after those car left the area. After starting from Alutila Tourist Complex the road was mostly going downwards without a few exception. The army convoy accompanying the officer was within my sight for more than 5 minutes. The road was not so easy for them too. Soon the army convoy went out of my sight and I become alone. Though this was my last hill district but I was too much carefull here while climbing down the hill. The reason was some non-stop downwards way for a long time. Without any effort the cycle was gaining speed at second. So, all the time I was using brakes and my feets to reduce the speed of my cycle to minimum. Most of the turning were dangerous as they were out of eyesight. I was also keeping my ears carefull to hear any kinds of noise from engines vehicle to avoid collision at turns. I stopped cycling to gain energy and breath whenever I got a little space to place my cycle. But there were very few such space I got on these hills. I saw a small bus stop on the way and few people were waiting over there. Also I saw a little field of Mustard on the hill. When all the area was covered by green, this little field looked excellent due to its yellow color. I could not stop myself from taking picture of this place. I also cross a little bailey bridge on the road. Later I took dinner at an area where 3/4 restaurant were situated beside each other. Only one of them had rice as it was a bit late for lunch. I can't remember the name of this place but I can remember that I saw some kind of Memorial here at the right side while restaurants were on my left. After lunch I kept on going. At times I even cross an entrance of a cantonment (maybe) where I saw those cars were standing. I also saw some known army face of Alutila Tourist Complex. They waved their hand and I replied with smile. I was very tired and unable to describe more about the road. When it was nearly the end of day I cross another Army Checkpost on a meandering downwards road. After this meandering roads meet the plain I understood that I have came to a comparatively well-densed area. Lots of shops were there and I was able to read from a signboard that I reached at Ramgarh. I was releaved to rich here before dark as it was my possible target to stay overnight. I went to the UNO office straight but it was locked. Waiting for some moments I start searching for his residence. When I went there he came down and ask me who send me. I told him everything. I also asked him if NDC of Khagrachari phoned him or not (As he said he would phone him). But replying negative he asked me to show my papers. With a bit hesitation he asked one of his man in house to escort me till the Dakbunglow. He asked him to arrange a room for me. I went to the Dakbunglow with that person. We did not get the caretaker at Dakbunglow. The person who was accompanying me talked about lots of things. He also asked if I have any objection to pass my night somewhere else than Dakbunglow. He asked me this while we were coming back to the residence of UNO. There we went inside and meet UNO again. He gave me an envelope and said that his man would fix my accommodation at some place other than Dakbunglow. This time we went to the complex of BARI (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute). Electricity and the caretaker of the rest-house of BARI was not there. But the other person who were there knew the person with me. They brought some chair for us. He inquired about the room guests and assured me that I will be able to pass my night over here. We wait there for a long time and starts chatting with the people around us. I was not sure about the accommodation till the caretaker came back and open the room for me. This was a nice Tin-shed rest house of two rooms. One room of it was dining room and the other room had two single bed for bedroom. I placed my luggage inside and went to the market to buy a towel. I took my shower and my room-mate invite me to have supper with him. He told me that he is here for his job and living here till he will get a suitable room. He contract with the restaurant adjacent (a little below) to the rest house about supplying meals to his room. By the time I was out to buy towel and finished my supper he asked the hotel to supply an extra meal. He is a married man and loves his family very much. He took me to the restaurant there and we took our supper. After coming back to the rest house we talked a lot about various subjects. He expressed his wish to buy a computer for his family, too. I adviced him about the subjects to check before buying one. Later he slept and I slept too after writing some notes. I woke up very early in the morning and dressed up fast. I asked my room mate to help me for a photo outside the room. Then I said goodbye to him, took my breakfast and went towards the house of UNO. He was not there and so I took a photo at the gate of his residence and went to the local markets of raw vegetable. I heard that the international border of our country with India is very close to that area. Really it was too close. I went inside a BDR camp and introduced myself and took a photo. After starting from here and soon saw a rice-mill on the way. On its yard lots of paddy was left to dry and huge flock of birds to eat them. I stopped my cycle on the road and took their picture from the road. Within an hour I noticed that I am passing by some Tea-Garden. For next one hour I passed beside these Tea and Rubber Garden. I took a lot of photo of the garden and the workers collecting rubbers from trees. After passing this area I stopped in front of a BDR camp. I met one of them (Without Uniform) who questioned me about lots of things. Later he accompany me to a little restaurant and we chat more. His main topic was how to improve his english skill. Actually, when he was questioning me he asked a sentence in English and I replied in same. So, he understood that I am fluent at it. He also told me that the skills of english will help him at his career. Soon I left him with some guidance about roads. On thw way I saw a crowded "CHANDER GARI" (A public vehicle). I took photo of it and keep cycling. All on a sudden my cycle's chain got loose at a lonely spot for the first time after starting from Bandarban. I took a photo of it. After cycling a long I reached the "Karer Hat" of Chittagong and finished my lunch. After lunch I start again and about 1430 hours I saw an welcome sign mentioning that the boundary of Chagalnaiya Upazila of Feni Starts from here. |
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