Am I a Good or a Bad Bangladeshi?
This blog is a response to Ms. Tahiat-e-Mahboob’s article “Am I a Bad Bangladeshi†printed on Lifestyle, a supplement of the Daily Star newspaper on August 28th, 2007. What is an ideal attitude towards Bangladesh for all its citizens? I found this to be a dilemma which is part of all Bangladeshis, whether living in Bangladesh or at a foreign country. The topic of my blog is what do we feel about our country, and living here? And explore the younger generation’s logic of choosing a life in a foreign country over Bangladesh.
We at Adhunika thought of opening the floor for discussion with the article itself my Ms. Mahboob 1st, but I proposed to write something as a respond to her article with a link to it. I was thrilled to read one response to the article under discussion on the following issue of Lifestyle by Quazi Zulquarnain Islam named “Desh on a Dishâ€. I am putting both the links up so that the readers have an idea of both the pieces.
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“Am I a Bad Bangladeshi?â€
htthedailystar.net/lifestyle/2007/08/04/page04.htmtp://www.
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“Desh on a Dishâ€
http://www.thedailystar.net/lifestyle/2007/09/01/page03.htm
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The 1st article questions the ability of Bangladesh to provide its citizens with the basic needs of SAFETY, WELFARE & FREEDOM and expresses the notion of today’s globalized world where “I†comes before “WE†& “USâ€, trying to justify one’s desire of choosing a SAFER, FREEER & better WELFARE providing country over Bangladesh.
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The response to the article by Mr. Islam went to the core factor which seems to be lacking in most Bangladeshis, that we have become so individualistic that we want our country to provide us with everything that we desire for us to show patriotism. We no longer want to devote our lives to help Bangladesh achieve those qualities which we want from the country, but want others to make sure the country attains those and then want to return only to enjoy the amenities!
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Being in the academia, it is interesting to notice how such mentality was expected to be the outcome of the Modernization Theory launched in the 1950’s which said all traditional countries must follow the footsteps of the west to become modern and satisfy all its citizen’s needs. A simpler explanation would be that once an individual from a developing county used to having water as their only drink tastes western Coke and Pepsi, they will not want to go back to the tasteless water. Although the theory has been disputed by many scholars around the world, from the 1st article it is obvious that many Bangladeshis are following the over 50 year old theory in the 21st century. Again failing to use it in a constructive way, trying to produce better lifestyles in the country instead of going to a country already providing a better lifestyle.
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Expressions, such as considering one’s country to be a “chart topper†for its problems, and lacking the security of another country is prevalent among many Bangladeshis. But instead of trying to find solutions to the problems and constantly comparing relatively newly independent Bangladesh with countries which does not have historical background of colonization, and such a recent independence war only shows how narrow our thought processes have become in today’s day and age. I cannot blame anyone else but ourselves to have failed to grow patriotic and constructive thoughts among the adolescents of the country.
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In our society everyone who has built a life abroad is considered to be someone to look up to, no matter what kind of a lifestyle they are leading abroad. Most our good students want to go abroad and stay back, leaving the country in the hands of the mediocre to do whatever they think is best for it, yet never give up the chance to victimize them for all the negatives that occur in the country and ignore the constructive. If you are not going to contribute in making your country a better place, then you should not have any right to criticize it either. If you have chosen to take your expertise in a certain sector and sell to a different country who already has a solid base just for a larger paycheck and certain superficial securities then live your selfish life and stop trying to put down your country at every instance. We would rather forget about your lot and invest in and appreciate the larger share of the mediocre ones who are left here with a stronger sense of belonging and devotion.
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I must also mention, not all who leave the country refuse to come back, nor everyone who is living abroad are ignorant about their country’s development. Many I see around me has been abroad for a higher degree and are back in Dhaka working here full time. Also many who live abroad are contributing is many ways to make Bangladesh’s social structure better than before.
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Let’s have some constructive and committed solutions to the problems of Bangladesh through this blog, and prove that most of the new generation is still eager to see their country develop and flourish while and make a positive mark in the world order. Lets not just keep going on and on about the problems but also mention some of the strengths of Bangladesh.
September 19th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
nazia,
just providing some more food fr the debate. read this and if you like it, link it in the main post
http://www.newstatesman.com/200701220027
September 22nd, 2007 at 2:30 am
Nazia, thanks for bringing the issue. Let’s set aside our frustrations. Here are some of my thoughts.
Generally speaking, referrring to the original article I don’t think criticizing some social problems makes anyone a “Bad Bangladeshi”. The point is how we try to address those problems. To help rebuild a country one doesn’t always have to physically be there. I think many expatriates can, and are contributing more by staying abroad. Almost everyone I know who are abroad are involved in some kind of development works in Bangladesh.
However, it is worth for expatriates who have great potentials and entrepreneur skills to give it a try. Not everyone can be like Dr. Yunus, or Dr. Zafar Iqbal moving back to Bangladesh and making a huge difference in the society. But I think if I can contribute my little share, that will make a difference.
Then again, let’s not leave out the people who are already there in Bangladesh. Let’s bring everyone in the boat to take their fare share in redeveloping the nation.
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:01 am
Very good point Oneza. Some people, like my own father for instance, didn’t really have much choice but to leave Bangladesh in the early eighties. There were not many opportunities in his field at the time (nuclear engineering)and he also had to financially help out his large extended family. He had to support many of his younger brothers and sisters who were still unmarried at the time and in their school going years, not to mention his own nuclear family.
Actually, for my father (and for many other Bangladeshi expatriates like him, e.g. those who drive taxis in N.Y), getting a job abroad enabled him to better provide for his whole immediate and large extended family. My grandmother became a widow at an early age and without any formal education, could not work. If my father had not helped out, many of my chachas and phupies would not have been able to go on to college, get jobs, get established, etc.
I don’t think that my father’s choice to leave Bangladesh back then makes him a “bad Bangladeshi”. At least the food he provided for all of us to eat and any luxury we enjoyed was earned through his honest and hard work. I know that there are many honest people in Bangladesh, but there are also those who earn money in not such an honest way. So just because they are living in Bangladesh (but are doing corrupt and immoral things) does not automatically make them a “good Bangladeshi” either, just because they are working back home.
September 22nd, 2007 at 11:52 am
How do you adequately measure something intangible as desh prem? Is it fair to measure desh prem based on whether or not you live in Bangladesh or abroad? Once you move to dorm life in college/university are we guilty of not loving our families anymore? Do women and men stop loving their parents once they move on to start families of their own?? Tahiat, Tahmima and others who share similar thoughts, they are not overlooking the positive…to be a good citizen also means not to overlook the negative so that you can promote change and progress - no matter where you are located on the globe.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:57 am
Nazia, thank you for raising a very interesting topic.
We Bangladeshis are human beings and have our full share of human frailties and failings. Ms. Mahboob’s article seems to reflect our human instinct to secure our own survival first and also the pangs of guilt that we suffer from when we recognise the somewhat base nature of our own selfish desires. Of course, conditions are very harsh in Bangladesh in many respects compared to 1st world countries and it is an understandable urge that even privileged Bangladeshis have to take off for foreign shores. Like you, I too wish Ms. Mahboob would have clearly owned up to her own failings as a human being rather than beaten up Bangladesh and labelled it “chart topper†for problems!
However, although I have limited sympathy for Ms. Mahboob, I think it is important that we remember not to be too prescriptive about how to be a “good†Bangladeshi. We should encourage contribution in all forms. A very few of us have it in us to be saintly self-sacrificing Mother Teresas! Besides, as Sharmin has vividly illustrated (response no. 3), sometimes we can be more effective living and working abroad in more prosperous countries than Bangladesh - it can give us the opportunity to generate the surplus earnings that we can then use to help others.
September 24th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
I was thrilled to read some of the responses to the blog link Fariha has provided
I’m also glad that many of you have brought the aspect of contributing to Bangladesh while being away from the country, which is smthing I have also mentioned in my article.
What I’d appreciate more is that u give specific examples of how u r actually contributing to Bangladesh from abroad so that those who intend to do the same know how they actually can.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
There is a related discussion in UV blog:
http://www.drishtipat.org/blog/2007/09/22/dont-go/
I would say stay home or aborad, each of us should do something for the country/countrymen in our lifetime.
Sometimes it helps to study how the other countries achieved success in some or other area, however just comparing for the sake of it doesn’t help anyone.
To give an example, one of my favorite is the police system in the US. It is run by the local authorities. The police are local ppl in the town they serve. I am thinking this might be a good model to implement in our country where police is appointed by the central govt and therefore they don’t have any touch with the local ppl they serve.
Instead, if I say police in US are good and those in BD are bad it doesn’t help anyone to make a constructive move.
Nazia, I will come back with some example of things that NRBs have done to help our country men.
-Sharmin
September 26th, 2007 at 4:58 am
Nazia, you are right to ask us to focus on giving concrete examples of how we, NRBs, are currently individually contributing to our homeland with the view of inspiring each other.
However, please allow me to quote President J. F. Kennedy’s memorable words to stop ourselves from falling into the trap of thinking like Ms. Tahiat-e-Mahboob, “…ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country”.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
I don’t see why some people are giving Ms. Tahiat-e-Mahboob the third degree. She’s young, has certain dreams and aspirations which at the current time in her life might make her want to leave Bangladesh. Maybe she’ll be doing more for her country down the road in her life, or even from abroad. We don’t know what her plans are. At least, I don’t think all of us are doing something for our country every minute of every day of our lives, whether we are living in Bangladesh or abroad. So why should Ms. Tahiat be expected to such a high standard?
September 27th, 2007 at 9:26 am
… apologies for going on about this.
I am not trying to give Ms. Tahiat-e-Mahbood the third degree. However, I think I have an important point to make. If one decides for some personal reason or other to leave ones own country and go to another, that can hardly be faulted. However, if one leaves ones country because one finds it wanting, I think it would be wise to keep quiet about it. If for no other reason, it is insensitive as most people who live there do not enjoy the choice of leaving it and have to put up with its many problems. I am all for highlighting & recognising problems that Bangladesh has. How else can we address the problems unless we are honest enough to admit them. However, it is not right to publicly abandon Bangladesh on the grounds that so much is wrong with it.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
This discussion is really interesting, especially in present times, when we do have a much larger percentage of NRBs than ever before, and more interestingly, a large population of first generation Bangladeshi-Americans. As someone who has never lived in Bangladesh, I guess you could accuse my parents of having left Bangladesh for better opportunities. But does that make them bad Bangladeshis? Not at all. In fact, I agree with Ms. Nuzhat’s views about Ms. Tahiat-e-Mahbood situation. If she feels she needs to leave Bangladesh to pursue better opportunities, then that does not make her a bad Bangladeshi. But what would make her a bad Bangladeshi was if she left Bangladesh and turned her back on all ties she had with the nation and her own cultural upbringing.
Something very interesting I have been noticing in young adults like myself, who have been born and raised outside of Bangladesh, is this strong desire to help make our name and country known, and to help those left in Bangladesh. And this brings me to believe that by leaving the country, our parents have in fact shown that they are good Bangladeshis. They have instilled patriotic values in their children, leading their children, who have had better opportunities in terms of education and career, to in return be able to do great things for Bangladesh. Many of my friends have expressed strong ideas and actions that they want to take in the future to help Bangladesh’s economy and impoverished state. Often times I see more of a passion to help Bangladesh in these Bangladeshi-Americans than Bangladeshi kids who actually live in Bangladesh. I think a good Bangladeshi isn’t defined by whether you still live in Bangladesh or are “brave and patriotic†enough to live there and support the nation. Many residents of Bangladesh do very little to help the nation. I believe a good Bangladeshi and patriot is defined by how much you do for the country with all the means available to you. If this means seeking out better opportunities to build yourself up so you have more means to help Bangladesh, then that definitely does not make you a bad Bangladeshi
September 27th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Nazia, on your comment #6 regarding how NRBs are or can contribute from abroad - this is a huge topic that deserves a research paper on its own. However, here are some of my thoughts. I am not elaborating on my contribution, but these are in general terms.
There are direct and indirect contributions. In my view, when someone sends money from abroad to support her/his family that is a direct contribution to the family, but still is a contribution to the country - an indirect one. Because it helps the country’s foreign reserve, it creates good citizen when family members are educated.
Direct contributions can be two types. Entrepreneurship, and small scale contribution.
Entrepreneurship: I would say this is the most effective type, but not everyone would be willing to do this. For example, if you are bringing foreign businesses in BD, say you helped a multinational company, or an industry establish their office in BD that will create many export-based jobs that is the entrepreneurship! We can look at India and see how they have brought giant software companies and have changed their economy! Well this doesn’t have to be international. If you are establishing an industry, or a school or promoting training that is serving your very own community, some kind of investment - no matter what scale, these are all entrepreneurship!
Small scale contribution is the most important one, because all of us can do this. Even we can’t be actively involved, we can donate for the causes! Education, Education, Education! Not only academic degree, but sponsoring for training and job skills – you don’t have to do anything but sponsoring! There are lots of organizations who will let you sponsor students, one year, two year – find out your fit. I have found out that only $150 will support one student in a rural area for one year! Only about $1500 would make one college graduate in four years! What can be more effective than giving people the light of education, and hope of self-dependence!
The other way is be aware and raising awareness on issues. This is something we all can do from anywhere, by writing articles, sharing our expert knowledge in the newspapers. By the way, let’s not forget – discussing in Adhunika Blog is one of them!
September 29th, 2007 at 7:41 am
Just to boost up the morale:-
It takes guts to be a Bengali!!
Bill Gates organised an enormous session to recruit a new Chairman for Microsoft Europe. 5000 candidates assembled in a large room. One candidate was Debdas Banerjee an Indian (Bengali ) guy.
Bill Gates thanked all the candidates for coming and asking those who do not know JAVA program to leave. 2000 people left the room. Debdas said to himself, ‘I do not know JAVA but I have nothing to lose if I stay. I’ll give it a try’
Bill Gates asked the candidates who never had experience of managing more than 100 people to leave. 2000 people left the room. Debdas said to himself ‘ I never managed anybody by myself but I have nothing to lose if I stay. What can happen to me?’ So he stayed.
Then Bill Gates asked candidates who did not have management diplomas to leave. 500 people left the room. Debdas said to himself, ‘I left school at 15 but what have I got to lose?’ So he stayed in the room.
Lastly, Bill Gates asked the candidates who did not speak Serbo - Croat to leave. 498 people left the room.Debdas said to himself, ‘ I do not speak one word of Serbo - Croat but what do I have to lose?’ So he stayed and found himself with one other candidate. Everyone else had gone.
Bill Gates joined them and said ‘Apparently you are the only two candidates who speak Serbo - Croat, so I’d now like to hear you have a conversation together in that language.’
Calmly, Debdas turned to the other candidate and said - ‘Ki cholchhe dada. Kemon achho.’(Whats up brother? How are you?) The other candidate answered - ‘bhalo achhi bhai.’(I am well.)– that was our Bangladeshi.
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:29 am
Firstly, i don’t really agree with many of the contents out here. But, as well, am well aware of the fact that it makes no significant difference in which i try to spare out somebody or in other cases, minority of a few factulities. Many claimed that Ms. Mahboob like being a very herself person, and i agree to some point, while u are admist the needs of you own and leaving the country, no point in making such downpour of our nation as ‘chart topper’! But there’s another thing to notice: not all of us have the guts to present something so assumbly to the media and for which all of us can make, let’s say, slight comments. I know it really hurts, to patrioitic, less-patrioitic ones, when someone from your own race, points at your country and distinguishes its membrance on Freedom, Rights and Safety. Then again, these are those human factors that need not an over-sight. We should at least judge Ms. Mahboob with the perspective of a young and ambitious girl with alot of dreams, as said before, and if she’d say something out the ’so-ordinary’ please let’s be honest to ourselves: are we ourselves a good bangladeshi? Yes, we are. Maybe we at least write on such blogs about desh bursts and protest against hilarious allgeations. Then, also, we ain’t. Submitting you mother country to the hands of so corrupt a governemnt of black people..are we doing good? Let us think it with everyone’s point, and not a single mistake, once again, i don’t feel irrespetive to any ones thoughts, it’s just that i undermine: let us not insult the bravery and outstanding courage of knowing herself guilty, a jouralist, this way. We’ll expect great things from her on future, but for not spare it.
October 4th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Fariha Safi,
Good compliments for Ms.T.Mahboob. Yes she wrote her thoughts at the right time when the Country is in the wave of a political change.Due to Ramadan my answer to her queries is being delayed- but I do have it mind to answer her directly as she desired.
Now to answwer your query:-”Submitting you mother country to the hands of so corrupt a governemnt of black people..are we doing good?”
In 1970 Spetember/0ctober when the Central Goverment of Pakistan didnt send any Representatives to evaluate the great loss of lives in then East Pakistan following a heavy Cyclone that year then the Bengali Citizen began to understand the step-botherly attitude(only some NG0s n UN stationed assisted the locals in Dhaka in relief work. By then Late Mujibur Rahman’s 6-point was also gaining great momentum.In the Elections in November/December that Year the entire Citizen voted for late Mujib and that Election was the most Fair and Free compared to other elections held prior to this. Mujib won by Majority vote but would not be given the power to form the Goverment-negotiations followed -then the great 7 March 1971 Speech in Ramna Race Course- Citizens then were still hoping that Central Goverment would give in to their demands and ultimately a govermentn under Mujib wouold be established. But the first Bullet shot in Dhaka on night of 25 March 1971 confirmed the Citizen that the need is for a complete independent country for Bangalis if they are to survive well and honourably.
So we Citizens didnt leave the mother country to bleed- we fought and won our Independence.
Independent Bangladesh had to be governed by the Representatives choosen by the Citizens through Votes- its unfortunate that our Representatives became corrupt- materilaism over took their morality- and thus we Citizen are still in Dilema as how to choose the right Representatives that would assure us,the Citizens of an enriched and secured life- the main reason as to why we got ourselves Independent.
36 years have passed and still we are in search of the RIGHT Leader and RIGHT Representatives who would not cheat us and create a good democracy- some changes are in the offing in that direction BUT we need to understand first that its us the CITIZEN who must excercise now our Power properly- Citizen power must over-rule the Political power-Lets pray and hope that wisdom will prevail to have this objective fulfilled.
For this we need the cooperation of all–specially the women folk -create the mass awareness to excercise their rights through Vote and to also keep monitoring as to how much our Representatives have been able to fufill their commitments for Development OR after a brief span of time through bye-Elections that particular Representative must be changed- this will alert the Leader and his team that Citizen means business- that Citizens wont be taken for a ride any longer.
No matter what formation of Government takes place in coming months, in Bangladesh, if the Citizen keeps this in their mind the chances for Politics to be corrupt will be much less if not NIL.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Phantom,
I really agree in a full consent to what you analyzed and finished the comment as well. The particular thing right now is that we should look forward, open a darker corner, and hope for the best. Sometimes, we’ll wake up to a call and democracy will be an independent rule of a totally independent green and bright Bangladesh!
November 1st, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Fariha Shafi,
You must have heard the famous quote of Napolean, “Give me a good Mother; and I will give you good Nation”. Mothers have a great role to play in the formation of the character and leadership qualities of her child.
Most of the corrupted in the country lacked the oppurtunity of having being reared by a good Mother.Secondly the influence of western commercialism and materialistics ideas over took our national characteristcs.
The right thing now for all Mothers; residents or NRBs, to put in more quality time for their children specially during the adolescent period. The differnce in the children’s characteristcs will be very prominently visible and those would be the good future leaders.
Also Mothers should participate in writing views/letters/articles to different papers,forums,blogs expressing their ideas about changes in the country comparing or setting examples of good system of the country of residence.
This should be a good start for all.As you get involved you should be knowing what more to do and how much you can participate.
November 1st, 2007 at 3:54 pm
PLs read setting examples of good system of the country of yr present residence with those of Bangladesh.
This should be………….participate.
December 7th, 2007 at 4:28 am
Yes Phantom thanks in that cause. But i’d also like to imply that the thing with Tahiat-e-Mahboob should not be cursed. I would request everyone’s knowledge for such issues and that residents\non-residents\NRB’s give it a closer look.