I wax lyrical whenever I land in Chunati, my heaven on earth. My passion for nature is so deep rooted that the writer within me awakens from hibernation whenever nature beckons and galvanizes me into action . I did all my studies in Kolkata but used to spend our vacations in Chunati. I can still vividly remember those fun filled carefree days of my youth when I used to wander around the hills, dales, meadows and streams of Chunati mesmerized by the sheer beauty of the magical landscape. The Almighty has adorned Chunati with nature in its most pristine form. The rolling hills, verdant landscape, meandering streams with water gurgling over the sandy bed and quiet forests leaves us entranced. The divine serenity, the lush green trees and incredible flora and fauna, the majestic king stork standing haughtily on the watery abode and the beautiful kingfisher resplendent in a riot of colours perched on a tree ready to pounce on the unsuspecting fish, are rare sights and sounds that reminds us of the enormous bounties that the Almighty has rewarded us. Evenings are ethereal with glow worms dotting the pitch-black darkness or the full moon bathing the entire landscape with its radiant hue.

With every changing season, Chunati adorns the look of a new bride transcendent with a breathtaking array of sights and sounds. During monsoon, the entire landscape area is transformed with lush greenery. The falling rain, like white sheets of water, floods the numerous ponds, streams and fields. Fishes dance with every drop of rain and dart through the torrential rush of water across the fields transporting the adventurous fishes from their usual habitats to uncharted waters. Wintry mornings are heavily overcast with mist with dew dripping from the trees like raindrops and clinging on the leaves of trees glistening like pearls against the pale sunlight filtering through the fog. In the evenings, I often lose myself in the serene surroundings with the sky taking on a surreal saffron hue as the clouds reflected the sinking sun's red and orange glow among the backdrop of the hills.

However, to me, the forests of Chunati are divine. The quiet serenity, the cooing of the doves, the constant chatter of birds and sights and sounds in every form, the endless sound of cricket, the croaking of frogs and the occasional raucous sound of the lizard, are sights and sounds that envelop you and transport you to another world. The brooding tall trees tower upon you and look down disdainfully at the human beings that are ravaging nature at the cost of sustainability. The silent hills stand as sentinels witnessing the metamorphosis of human civilization for thousands of years. I love to see the occasional majestic teak trees with broad green leaves. The lush green vegetation with creepers, moss, lichen cling on the tall otrees racing against each other to catch the nourishment of sunlight that filter through the thick vegetation. It is a wonder to see so many exotic forms of birds and animals; it is indeed a miracle from Allah that none of them look alike or speak in the same manner. If you are lucky, you can occasionally see the wild pea hen scurry across the thick undergrowth or a wild boar or deer scamper across the thick bush. Elephants still abound the outskirts of Chunati with warning signs on the Chittagong Cox Bazar highway to be beware of elephants crossing the highway!

This village is indeed one of its kind in Bangladesh endowed with a galaxy of learned luminaries, a rich heritage of schools colleges and Madrasahs, and poets almost in every household. At the same time holy people and saints have adorned this land from times immemorial. Where do you find a village where you have the Illustrious and Holy Shah Saheb of Chunati, the great dance master from where dance academy Bulbul Lalitkala Academy originated, a Madrasah dating back 200 years, a High School that is around 60 years old, a Mohila College, a Mohila Madrasah, more than 20 doctorates and numerous high standing bureaucrats who served in highest positions in the government services. Chunati boasts the Chunati Wild Life Sanctuary that won the prestigious UN Equator prize.

Above all Chunati has a charm that has been enriched by the people of this village full of wit, a rich heritage of culture where people of the older generation speak English, Bengali, Urdu Arabic and Pharsi eloquently. The culture of Chunati is multi-dimensional. This unique culture is demonstrated in the folklore or folksong, sung in a body in the nuptial occasions. The Urdu-Persian songs in the wedding ceremony are distinctive and unparalled and upholds the underlying spirit of the cultural minded people of Chunati. It is no wonder that people of Chittagong quip that Chunati is a village with a literacy rate of more than 80% where you will find a farmer ploughing the land with a Times paper in his back pocket!!

Salaam and Eid Mubarak to all.