A nation in red and green

Bangladesh was dressed in red and green this week. The country celebrated its 45th Victory Day on Friday. 

The streets were crowded with people in red and green clothes, scarves and hats - the colors of the young nation. Cars, rickshaws, bikes, shops and office buildings were decorated with national flags in all sizes and shapes.

Bangladesh had a very bloody birth, followed by much violence and suffering. There has been a lot of progress but for a newcomer the country still looks like - I apologize - a mess. But the society seems to be functional, in a Bangla way.

I was lucky to be invited as a spouse to the President's Victory Day reception on Friday afternoon. Thousands of people were listening to patriotic music and mingling in the presidential garden, physically very close to thousands of poor people just outside the palace.

My husband attended the formal celebrations relay which started at dawn by wreath laying and continued by a military parade. 

I followed the parade on tv - it was a show-off of national pride and military muscles mixed with political propaganda.

Every single piece of the armed forces from fighter planes to attack elephants and army excavators were exhibited.

It is very dusty during the winter in Bangladesh but in the parade everything looked brand new and shiny. 

Photo credit for the parade pictures goes to my husband, the rest are my mobile phone shots.

On the personal note I feel very blessed just now. Both of my "babies" are visiting us in Dhaka. The whole family can be together for a couple of days. 

Happy holidays!