Riot of colours & smiles

Serene and unspoilt places, beaches and villages in Bangladesh can help you escape the madness and hectic city life of craziness

By Yasmin Choudhury

Every time I get on a Biman flight, I cannot stop myself from staring at the cabin crew. Admit that like me, you cannot keep your eyes off them, though my interest is purely aesthetic. I will often wave them over just to ask how they keep their saris so gracefully adorned and wrapped around. Then as we chat, I am greeted with the same beautiful Bangladeshi smile, which I see again and again.

Having flown many global airlines, I can say it with utmost guarantee that it is the national airlines of the developing nations that I find most thrilling. And so it is with a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. Where can I expect to be greeted with a riot of colours and smiles?

As my fellow passengers and I settle into our seats to watch in-flight TV, a quick glance often shows me the colours of Bangladesh. The religious programmes to films to second and third generation young ones, all are united by one factor. They are ready to immerse themselves into a melting pot of a destination where 160 million Bangladeshi people live, squeezed into a land mass almost the same size as England and Wales.

Founding Lovedesh

A British-born woman of Bangladeshi heritage, I am the founder of Lovedesh, a British philanthropic brand that works hand in hand with my British charity 'Amcariza Foundation'. The sole purpose of Lovedesh is to bring the focus back on to Bangladesh and turn it into one of the finest tourist destinations of the world. Many people are ignorant about the stunning resorts, beaches and destinations that do exist in Bangladesh.

Most of all, Bangladesh for me is a serene and unspoilt place. Again, once you know where the quiet spot are and where you can also stay in comfort. Its beaches and villages are places that can help you escape the madness and hectic city life of craziness. Moreover, after a long air journey, the quiet meandering rivers to lush, still hillsides of Bangladesh can offer you the ultimate relaxation. Where you can drink tea that arrives in seven layers to cooking and eating a wood fired curry with vegetables picked from the riverside. All of which is being promoted by Lovedesh from my base in London.

New heights

Recently, I brought British newspaper The Guardian to visit Bangladesh. And I would like to thank Biman Bangladesh Airlines for making this happen as they gave me the free tickets. And like me, the journalists from The Guardian too fell in love with the country. Once you know where to go and who to go with, it is a destination so stunning.

Today I can proudly shout from the rooftops to anyone who will listen about all the good stuff about Bangladesh. I know this because I have travelled alone for many years. I have lived there too. People need to know you can have a jolly good belly laugh with the 160 million or so folks, who tell me jokes, offer me food and warm hospitality and tell me their idea of love is to feed me to the fullest. Can you get that in London, New York or Paris? No is my answer.

The writer is a British-born woman of Bangladeshi heritage and founder of Bangladesh specialist Lovedesh