Monday, March 17 is listed on some calendars as World Unification Day.

It is 'the' one special day of the year on which the world stops rotating on its axis (figuratively speaking) and the population become united as one happy family in fun and merriment.

All of its woes and economic concerns are put on hold for another time, and a day of sheer unadulterated joy is observed. Well that's how it is, at least, in many countries, maybe not so much in Bangladesh.

March 17 is St. Patrick's Day, the patron saint of Ireland.

It's said St. Patrick's Day is one of the largest celebrated religious festivals in the world, second only to Christmas.

Unquestionably, it began as a day on the religious calendar, but not any more. St. Patrick's Day has all but lost its Christian exclusivity and become ecumenical, embracing all religions and peoples from all nationalities.

It's become the festivity of the people from all walks of life irrespective of age, nationality, or creed. Quite simply, it's unique - there isn't another day like it.

Each year, not missing an opportunity to increase tourism, the Irish government confers honorary Irish citizenship on ALL citizens of the world for that day!

Bangladesh could learn much from Ireland

Bangladesh tourism authorities could learn much from the Irish - they've perfected tourism! Tourism was literally its lifesaver and its biggest money earner that prevented the nation from starving.

St. Patrick was also a tourist, reluctantly, admittedly. He was the victim of a kidnapping! One way of increasing tourism, I guess.

History shows he was born in Wales, not far from my home. In those days (around 330 AD) the Irish were uncivilized ruffians, a nation of plunderers, marauders and they had no conscience about slitting a person's throat. They were, 'the terrors of the region'.

They regularly risked their lives in questionable seaworthy vessels made of cow leather; sailed to neighbouring countries - Scotland, England and Wales - raided, raped, pillaged and plundered brutally and mercilessly for their rewards. They weren't very nice.

Patrick, then about 14 years, was playing on the beach when he was abducted and taken to Ireland as a slave. When 20, he escaped, returned to his family in Wales, and joined the Christian church.

After his ordination as a Christian bishop he had a vision in his sleep that compelled him to return to Ireland and teach Christianity to the pagans. It is acclaimed he banished snakes from Ireland, but in all reality there is no record of snakes ever been in Ireland. Figurative language was often used in folklore tales and most probably the 'snakes' were non-believers like druids and pagans.

The Irish Shamrock

The now famous three-leafed shamrock (literally a weed and a symbol of Ireland) came into prominence when Saint Patrick used it to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan masses. It has three leaves in the shape of cute little hearts that symbolize the Trinity; the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, all connected to the one stem (Allah). The shamrock is much similar to clover, but without the white spot.

By the seventh century he had come to be revered as the Patron Saint of Ireland. Two of his hand-written letters still survive in Dublin today.

While primarily St. Patrick's Day was a day only the Irish celebrated, now no one gets left out. It is truly an ecumenical cultural party that invites all to participate irrespective of their religious beliefs in whatever country they happen to be. It's a celebration of life itself!

America (New York and Boston especially) goes wild on March 17 and holds the biggest street procession with marching bands and the A-Z of Irish-American organisations proudly marching to the beat of the drum, colourful floats, and the happy upbeat tempo sounds of Irish music 'that's good for the heart and soul'.

American presidents have hosted special St. Patrick's Day breakfasts at the White House for leaders of the Irish community for decades. The Irish President, Prime Minister or both usually attend and shamrock is distributed generously.

Most popular in Bangladesh

A countless number of Americans have Irish ancestry and of those perhaps the most famous of all were President John F. Kennedy and his brother Bobby, the Attorney General, who literally changed the world for the better especially with their human rights initiatives.

The most popular and well-known Irishman in Bangladesh would have to be anti-corporal punishment crusader and friend to the canine world, Sir Frank Peters. He's also has the distinction of being the only person in the world who has had three Bangladeshi boys named 'Frank Peters' in his honour

Sir Frank takes to the streets in Gulshan twice daily to feed stray dogs. It's comical to see the stray dogs and their puppies rush to him and march by his side, wagging their tails (as if they were beating imaginary drums), and barking in anticipation of being fed. Apart from feeding them, he takes the time to rub their tummies, rub them behind their ears, and give them a kind word.

His love for Bangladesh began in 1971 when as a Jaguar Cars PR man he raised money to support the homeless and starving people of Bangladesh after its independence.

He also ingeniously re-invented the famous Bangladeshi lungi by giving it a pocket to hold his mobile phone, cash, pens and keys!

It is most probably his recent crusade to abolish corporal punishment in Bangladeshi schools, however, that has indelibly inscribed his name in Bangladesh history and endeared him most to the nation.

Ireland recently appointed Cosmos Group Deputy Managing Director Masud Jamil Khan as its honorary consul in Bangladesh, so no doubt the ties between both nations will strengthen even more.

I'm not Irish, but I will become Irish for the day and celebrate the occasion like most other foreigners in Dhaka.

I've worked with many Irish people in many cities of the world including New York, London, Boston, Washington and Dublin and I've found the majority of them to have a great sense of humour, an enormous appetite for fun and people of great passion and compassion and always seeking ways to assist the less fortunate.

The BBC once asked Bobby Kennedy how it felt to be Irish and he replied: 'If I weren't Irish I'd be ashamed!'

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The writer was born in Cardiff, Wales, and is an international financial adviser in the Bangladesh banking industry