Biborton English

On the 10th of May we (the students of MPH PHA and Nutrition course of NIPSOM) went to Dhamrai, an Upazilla nearly 80 kilometers from Dhaka. NIPSOM has another field site hostel at Dhamrai, with in the boundary area of the Upazila Health Complex. Every year NIPSOM students have to visit this place to collect data from different rural sources for different survey or research purpose.

This year initially we planned to visit Cox’s Bazar as there was a history to visit St Martin’ island before from this department. But due to rough weather and distance from Dhaka city we have changed the place. We have decided to visit the other hostel and to collect data from the village of Dhamrai. So we, the 20 students along with our Course in Charge, Professor Dr. Emdadul Haque and Assistant Professor Dr. Ferdousi Yesmin started for Dhamrai.

Before going there, we had to prepare a questionnaire. We had to plan how to collect data and what would be our survey place and who would be our population. We decided to collect data about the knowledge and practice of oro-dental hygiene among the school children.

On the first day, we started for Dhamrai at 9.30 am from NIPSOM gate. At the very beginning of our journey, one of our batch mate called Ershad had to quit in spite of his interest. Because of his illness our teacher forbade him to go. So, it was an awkward situation. Any way, we started. Starting was nice. The weather was not too hot. After one and half hour journey we reached Dhamrai Upazila Health Complex. Our hostel is just beside it.

Earlier, some of the other batches came to this site. They gave a wrong impression of this place to us. They told that, the place is horrible to stay due lack of electricity and water. But when we reached there, we found the place not like that, rather very much interesting. So, we accepted that tour gladly.
Md. Mizan was the caretaker of that hostel. He lives nearby. He arranged for us a lunch with fresh vegetables and fresh fish. Everyone including Emdad sir enjoyed the lunch. Later, Emdad sir and Ferdousi madam returned to Dhaka.

As soon as, our teachers left the place, all the students sat in the classroom for a discussion. The issue was who is going to stay for all day. That means, everyone wants to leave. They have a plan not to stay the night. They wanted to leave the place and again come back next morning.
At that time, I thought that I came here for field visit and I was supposed to stay according to the rules. It was my first field visit. I am now seeing the dream to be a public health specialist. So if I do this from the very beginning, I would not be able to see my dreams come true. So I should not follow others. So, I decided to stay. When I declared that I am going to stay and everyone saw that I was the only girl to stay, they were astonished. They tried to demotivate me. But I was strong enough to hold my decision. After that, everybody left that place. Among others, five boys stayed.
  
At afternoon, we the remaining students decided to visit Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC). It was very close to Dhamrai nearly 20 km from the Health Complex. It is the apex training institution in the public sector. The center was established as an autonomous organization in 1984. This training institute caters for imparting training of all the 29 Civil Service Cadre officials. This is a unique center where officials of different levels attend training courses. It’s a very nice place. We were surprised to see the decoration. I had no idea about the place before. Every time when I crossed Dhaka Savar Road, I noticed the signboard of it but I could not guess that it was such a beautiful place. Government of Bangladesh has made this center to train its employee with utmost care. We returned at night from BPTAC after visiting its biggest library, modern computer laboratory and other interesting settings all the afternoon. It was a great experience for everyone who went there for the first time. Thanks to Dr. Mustafiz who is one of the medical officers of BPATC and a student of MPH Nutrition, for inviting us to visit the place and acting as our tour-guide.

Next day, the group left for Dhaka returned in the morning to attend at the actual data collection session. We went to Hardings’ High School in Dhamrai by van and rickshaw. The students were so interested to provide us information. It was another new but great experience to talk to the little boys and girls. We discussed about their knowledge regarding oro-dental hygiene. Most of them learned about this matter from their parents and teachers. We spent there nearly 3 hours.

At afternoon, that group left for Dhaka again. I was the only girl staying. It was raining outside. I was enjoying Movie on my laptop. Other boys were playing cards in their room. We were supposed to visit Jahangir Nagar University at Nabi Nagar nearly 10 km from there. But we had to change our plan due to heavy rain.

After a heavy rain overnight next morning was very bright and fresh. After taking breakfast early we started for Jahangir Nagar University. The environment was green allover. Everywhere we were looking everything was green. No dust, no pollution! After staying for long time in Dhaka with all those air pollution, traffic, jam it was really a change for me. I enjoyed every seconds, every single change of the environment.

Jahangir Nagar University was very beautiful and large. We hired rickshaw to roam around. After half an hour, the group retuned from Dhaka and joined us. We altogether spent a very beautiful and memorable morning in that campus.
Later, at noon our teacher Dr. Rowshan Ara madam came from Dhaka to guide as well as accompany us while returning. It was the first resident field visit in my course. I tried to enjoy every seconds of the whole three days.