The people of Ivory Coast have named this particular street "Bangladesh Road" in recognition of the contributions made by Bangladeshi Peacekeeping forces.

The name plaque of the road is written in French, English and, of course, in Bangla.

Two months ago on May 21, through a ceremony Bangladesh earned the name of this major road in Danane town, situated close to the borders of Liberia and Guinea. The town's local administration took the initiative.

Sector west Commander of UN peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast Brigadier General Md Mainul Islam formally inaugurated the Bangladesh Road in presence of the local elite, rebel commanders, UN military observers, police officials and others.

Interestingly, the local people have been informally calling this road as Bangladesh Road for quite some time.

Since Bangladeshi troops under the UN Peace Mission arrived here in 2004, Bangladesh Battalion-3 (Banbat-3) made quite an impression among the people of Danane. The informal naming of this road signifies that.

With 68,000 residents, Danane is situated in west Ivory Coast, 68 kilometres off the regional capital Man. With a seven-year-old violent political crisis threatening the peace of the country, the town came under rebel attacks a few years back.

The townspeople were living a life full of fear and uncertainty. The arrival of the UN peacekeepers since then has brought back peace and stability.

A delegation of Bangladesh Army and journalists visited the town on July 5 and met its Mayor Deli Jacques.

The mayor explained why they have named the street after Bangladesh. "The idea came from the people of Danane. They have decided to name it for many reasons. But it's specially because the Bangladeshi troops have worked hard to establish peace and to protect the local people from all dangers. They decided to make something very memorable for Bangladesh," he said.

The mayor also praised former Bangladesh Company Commander Major Manzoor Uddin Ahmed (who is now in Dhaka) for his helping hands extended to the people.

"Manzoor used to visit me every two days to discuss latest situation," Jacques said, adding, "he used to visit the locality each week.

"During those times of crisis, he used to distribute food among the local people. If someone is ill or a mother would deliver her baby, he used to arrange the physician or transport her to the hospital. Bangladesh army has always extended help on humanitarian grounds."

Manzoor became so popular among the people of Danane that when he left Ivory Coast, "all of them cried," the mayor added.

When violence erupted in the border town, the people were so much pleased with the sincere and firm efforts by the Bangladeshi peacekeepers who used to tell them that the rebels won't be able touch the residents before killing the army.

A large number of Danane's parents have named their newborn babies after Manzoor, said the mayor.

The Bangladesh Road is 800 meters long and one of the main roads of the town that is connected with multiple streets up to the border of Liberia.

Three Bangladeshi battalions have gained high regards all across Ivory Coast for carrying out their peacekeeping activities as well as humanitarian and social work beyond the UN mandate.

Their activities cover patrolling, stationing check posts, making national identity cards, voter lists, helping conduct of public examinations, providing security to the airport of Yamoussoukro, the country's political capital, and Daloa Airport and even security to the country's important persons.

For instance, they provide security to former Ivorian president Henry Konan Bedie's residence and during Bedie's movement.

In doing humanitarian services, the Bangladeshi troops provide free medical treatment daily or weekly or on additional basis to the local people. Treatments are provided to serious patients like those suffering from malaria. They also bring in Bangladeshi drugs and distribute them for free among the locals.

Records say Banbat-1, 3 and 4 have given free treatment to 58,646 Ivorians between July 1, 2006 and May 31, 2007.

Besides, the Bangladeshi battalions supply pure drinking water to locals and UN personnel in all their camps. They also extended their support to local orphanages and get children resettled whenever required.