আজকের যায়যায়দিন

16. Summarize the following text. According to some myths and legends, Gazi Pir was a Muslim saint who is said to have spread Islam in the parts of Bengal close to the Sunderbans. He was credited with many miracles. For example, he could supposedly calm dangerous animals and make them docile. He is usually depicted in paats or scroll paintings riding a fierce- looking Bengal tiger, a snake in his hand, but in no apparent danger. According to some stories, he also fought crocodiles who threatened the people of a region full of canals and creeks, indeed, a kind of watery jungle bordering the Bay of Bengal. Because of his alert and vigilant presence, all predatory animals were said to have been kept within bounds. It was also believed that he enabled villagers to live close to forests and cultivate their lands. Consequently, people of these regions would pray to him for protection. The story of Gazi Pir has been preserved in folk literature as well as art has been performed in indigenous theatre. In fact, some Gazirpaat scrolls are part of the collection of the British Museum.

Answer : The legend of Gazi Pir tell us that he was a Muslim saint who spread Islam in the parts of Bengal close to the Sunderbans. He is usually depicted in paats or scroll paintings riding a fierce- looking Bengal tiger and having a snake in his hand. He could make a dangerous animal calm and docile. His vigilant presence kept the predatory animals away. So, the people were able to live close to forests and jungles and cultivate their lands. His story has been preserved in folk literature and art and also in British Museum.

17. Summarize the following text.

Hercules was the son of a Jupiter and Alcmena. Eurystheus, the king of Mycenae and his cousin, made him undergo some difficult tasks, which are known in Greek myths as the ‘twelve labours of Hercules.’ The first involved a fight with a lion. The valley of Nemea was being disturbed by a terrible lion and so Eurystheus ordered Hercules to slay the beast and bring him his skin. At first, Hercules tried to fight the lion with his club and arrows but this took him nowhere. Then Hercules attempted a different tactic: he decided he would use his hands. He thus managed to slay the animal on his own, relying entirely on his immense strength. Victorious, he returned to Mycenae carrying the dead lion on his shoulders, a sight that terrified the king.

Answer : Hercules, the most powerful hero of Greek myths, was the son of Jupiter and Alcmena. Eurystheus, the cousin of Hercules and the king of Mycenae, made him undergo some difficult tasks. Those who are known as the ‘twelve labours of Hercules.’ The first task involved a fight with a terrible lion. A terrible lion was disturbing the valley of Nemea. So Eurystheus ordered him to kill the lion and bring him its skin. Hercules killed the lion using his hands and returned to the King carrying the lion on his shoulders.

18. Summarize the following text.

Bangladesh living in Italy was incredibly kind and polite to us. The person in Florence much to our protestations-treated us with cokes and ice- cream, and sold things to us at large discounts. When it came to prices, they said “Pay us what you want –we are so happy to see a Bangladeshi tourist here.” It was a kind of haggling in reverse. One street vendor in Rome, after selling a sunglass at 18 Euro to a European person, turned around and sold me a similar sunglass at 4.5 Euro. I wanted to pay him more, but, incredible as it seems, he would not take it. I think this barely covered his cost.

At a mini-flea- market of Bangladeshi stalls at the Tiburtina station in Rome, I fell into a discussion of the business. It costs them 1000-2000 Euros a month to rent each stall. The work is very hard, and they live frugally. So they are able to save some money which they send home.

One seller in Venice said he can save up to Euro 1000 a month, but only if a lot of conditions are met (e.g. he has to sell an average of 50 euros’ worth daily; his food expenses cannot exceed Euro 80/month, etc.)

I was inspired by their entrepreneurship and touched by their generosity and hope their Diaspora comes true soon.

Answer : Bangladesh living in Italy are very much cordial to Bangladeshi tourists. They usually try to entertain the tourists. They also sell things to the Bangladeshis at a cheaper rate. Bangladeshis in Italy work very hard. They live frugally and they are able to save money. They usually send home the money they save. Their entrepreneurship is really praiseworthy. One cannot but be touched by their generosity.