Asymmetriphobia: May 2013

Monday 13 May 2013

Landscape of Origin

Lalakhal is one of the undiscovered beauties of Bangladesh. It is situated at the north-east corner of the country and borders the Indian State of Meghalaya. It is famous for its hills and the enchanting Shari River.

The Myntdu river (the source of the Shari river) originates at a height of around 4,500 feel at a place called Mithmyntdu near the Meghalaya town of Jowai in the Jainta Hills. It is also known as the “ka Tawiar ka Takan” (Our guardian Angel) in the local khasi dialect. Encircling Jowai on three sides, it flows down the Myntdu Valley through Lashka to reach a village called Borhat which leads to Bangladesh and the Shari river. The crystal clear turquoise/emerald water reflects the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Even though I am not originally from Sylhet, I decided to choose this part of Bangladesh because it has a rich history to tell and one that has stayed in my family. My paternal grandmother is originally from Sylhet, which used to be in Asaam when Bangladesh was not formed and it was a part of India under the British Empire, they migrated after the partition of India & East Pakistan in 1947. The British then declared Sylhet as a part of East Pakistan, which is now know as Bangladesh after the liberation war.