Fri 22 Dec 2006
Drishtipat members in the news
Posted by Asif under Bangla Diaspora , Generation New , News and eventsA few drishtipat members are on the news today.
In a news about photographer Saiful Huq Omi, Arab news quoted me and mentioned Drishtipat. Unfortunately Omi’s name was misspelled as Umi.
Lopa Tasneem, a founding member of DP and founder of uttorshuri, was interviewed in Daily Star for her online forum Uttorshuri. [Full disclosure: We are related]
Lastly, Tahmima Anam, an active member from Drishtipat London, who has been very much on the news lately for her upcoming book, has been profiled in Prothom Alo, Guardian and Bookseller. I was lucky to get an advanced copy of this book, the review for which will be published in this blog in January.
December 22nd, 2006 at 1:44 pm
It’s funny that Drishtipat should review this book book written by a Nonj Sylheti daughter of someone who riuns a paper (Daily Star) that is very anti-Brit Sylheti in it’s editorials. Why weren’t you supporting Ayesha’s Rainbow by Rabina Khan when it was published?
December 24th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
Because AYESHA’S RAINBOW was a crap book.
And I’m saying it as a Sylheti.
December 25th, 2006 at 6:56 am
Lanacian or is it Thara?
A very big group of dp members went to the launch of her book and we know her well. We plan to introduce her as well.
But we’d welcome if you send a review of her book and publish it here. Don’t depend on us to deliver everything. Contritbute something that you see missing. We don’t get paid or get any funding for doing this. We are ALL volunteers in case you missed it.
December 25th, 2006 at 6:57 am
I wonder whether you have actually read the book. It deals with innercity cohesion and cultural dissonance in the mind of a second gen Sylheti girl establishing relations for the first time outside her peer group. It happens to have been written by someone working as a social worker in our community and is of relevance.
Compare this to Anam’s more historical political discourse. Drishtipat is trying it’s best in my opinion to be a organisaytion catering to Non-Sylhetis with a mindset still in Bangladesh. I think this is the wrong way to go about things and you are marginalising yourself. A shame since we need more secular groups like DP to engage with people in Britain in order to maintain a Brit Bangladeshi identity (albeit heavily Sylheti) for our childrens generation.
December 25th, 2006 at 11:17 am
Lanacian,
I think you need to read a bit more about DP and learn what we stand for. We are not about championing the British-Bangladeshi or sylhetis. Ofcourse our focus is on Bangladesh because we care about our homeland and the human rights issues there. We are not a community group based in the UK. therefore, our purpose is not to maintain brit-bangladeshi identity here.
And that’s from a DP member who is sylheti and from the UK.
December 25th, 2006 at 11:42 am
How is helping this woman Tarmina Anam sell her book going to help Human Rights in Bangladesh?
This womans fathers newspaper writes one crappy and inaccurate story after another about Sylhetis and has more expat-based Dhakaiya writers eg. Mrs Barb than Sylheti ones (most of whom probably don’t read Daily Star anyhow).
Just because they give DP a regular column doesnt mean ppl forget that like every other paper the DS is biased (in it’s case toward AL).
And YOU ARE operating in London. If you wish to gloss over the fact 90% of the Bangladeshis here are fom Sylhet, Habigonj, Shunamgonj and Molvi Bazar then expect continued confrontation.
The only reason you seek to highlight a ‘Bangladeshi’ identity is because you know you lot are a minority and that Sylhetis are either a overwhelming majority (as in UK) or a disproportionally large section of the expat community (as in Canada and US). No other single region has a concentration of expats like ours.
And that’s coming from a Dhakaiya.
Get with the programme or get out. If you will not serve the Sylheti community then you will not exist for long in Britain.
December 25th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
Isn’t DS a national paper for Bangladesh? Does it cover all the area of the country? Is is League or nationalist in outlook?
December 25th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
That’s it. You’ve deleted my posts (which weren’t attacking any1) for the last time.
I live closer to you than u think Asif. I’ll b seeing you and a few other members face to face to continue our ‘conversation’.
Ciao until then.
December 25th, 2006 at 1:03 pm
Calm down, man! These are just blog posts. Comments do not get posted automatically. Next time you post a comment, look carefully after you hit the submit button; it says “waiting for moderation”. Until it is approved, no one sees the message but the writer.
Please do come and see me. We are planning a big event on migrant workers and we will need the input to cover the history of sylheti migrants in London. I understand you are writing a book on this. So your input will be useful. But don’t hurt me physically. I have enough threats to deal with on a day to day basis.
December 25th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Asif, don’t be scared. People who actually will attack you don’t give loud threats (sloppily worded at that). Worry about the quiet ones.
December 25th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Like many of us who don’t live in the the UK, I’m not sure I understand the Brit-Sylheti-Bangladeshi agenda as it applies to human rights, etc. Can Asif or Lanacian explain how the DP agenda would be modified to be more in tune with the majority Sylheti Bangladeshi viewpoints in Britain?
This raises an interesting question. As an organization we have grown quite a bit over the years. We have more of a loose affiliation of like minded individuals rather than a central command that dictates how each member or chapter should think and act. In trying to convince local Bangladeshis to wake up and take notice, act, donate, etc - we are usually faced with obstacles such as bangladeshi party politics, overall apathy, etc. The UK chapter now seems to be faced with region-based differences as well.
Should the larger organization worry about having a consistent message and behavior, or should each chapter tailor itself to the local Bangladeshi constituency?
December 25th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
Lancian,
We are not here to serve the sylheti community. You probably didn’t understand or read what DP is about. Before getting into a debate please have a look at the DP website and look at your goals and vision.
You seems to think that UK chapter is here to work for the UK sylheti community.
Tahmima is a member of DP and she is writing a book which interest us all so I don’t understand why you bringing in Sylheti/Non Sylheti issue here!!
We don’t care where one comes from. We care about HR issues regardless of which region in BD.
You are the one talking about the regional diffeences. Grow up (wo)man.
Rafiq,
Good point. I hope more and more UK based bangladeshis will engage in discussing HR issues prevailing in BD.
December 25th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
‘how the DP agenda would be modified to be more in tune with the majority Sylheti Bangladeshi viewpoints in Britain’?
-No way no how can DP London be lead by an American Non-Sylheti (culturally speaking).
-Most Sylhetis are more cynical/distrustful about BD party politics than Bangladeshis of Non-Sylheti origin. We don’t trust ANY ANY ANY BD parties, state structures or ideologies. Most Sylheties rely on their extended family/clan contacts and informal agreements in everyday life. Obviously some Sylhetis do get involved (usually older ppl or political activists).
December 25th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
-Most ppl here don’t know (or care) who Sh. Mujib or Gen. Zia is. I only found out about BD politics from reading a book by Rounaq Jahan.
-DP is only really ‘popular’ with Non-Sylheti student immigrant types who have not been in this country long. Branch out to the settled population, most of whom are Sylheti. You have no future otherwise.
-To do this concentrate your efforts and campaigns, initially, on the home districts of Sylhetis eg. garments workers in Dhaka might have it bad but most Sylhetis find it hard to emphathise with ppl from other regions. We only ever mostly visit our home districts and regional capital, Sylhet.
If DP London had concentrated say on the problems of Mall/Supermarket workers in Sylhet first or supported Sylheti language initiatives, then branching out to helping garments workers or Kansat or wherever else this year wouldn’t be controversial since all are in BD.
December 26th, 2006 at 1:29 am
Lanacian,
I’m glad to hear you’ve read Rounaq Jahan, a pioneer in so many ways.
At one level, I do understand what you are saying about representing the concerns of the majority Bangladeshis in the local community. To be oblivious of them would be foolish. This is true for any organization wishing to connect with and influence the community at large.
If DP London had wanted to win the hearts and minds of your community they probably would have done research on “Sylheti issues” before daring to go into the garments workers panel, etc. I suspect they were a bit surprised at how narrowly focused your community appears to be from what you describe.
You can do one of many things. You can start or join a HR type org that is by and for Sylhetis only. I don’t know of any but there must be dozens in the UK since there are so many Sylhetis there. Those orgs can even have affiliations with DP when DP happens to do something that interests your community.
Alternatively, you could be in DP and postively influence DP London to consider projects of interest to Sylhetis.
You could choose to do nothing and just blog away because that’s so much easier than actually doing something.
But you can’t expect DP London to only cover Sylhet as there is a big world outside of your home district. It sounds really sad that Sylhetis cannot “empathise with ppl from other regions” - maybe one of your projects could be to meet more non-Sylhetis, realize we are all human, and start a project to broaden the horizons of your Sylheti compatriots.
It would be easy for others here to dismiss you as a fringe element but I suspect you speak for many, many people. We may disagree, but we should try to understand each other.
Going back to the thread, we are always thrilled to see new Bangladeshi writers, no matter where they live and whatever region in Bangladesh they come from. And in some cases, no matter how poorly they write. It’s awesome to have a new generation of ethnic Bangladeshis publish in English.
December 26th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
First of all, as a very proud (and at times parochial) Sylheti I should say that I find some comments made in the name of Sylhetis in the above posts quite obnoxious. Apologies to all Sylheties and non-Sylheties.
While I do subscribe to a separate identity for Sylhet and work very actively for development programs in the Greater Sylhet region, I strongly believe to succeed we need to have a more nationwide macro view of things. We are in the same boat, my friends, and if one part sprouts a leak, we all better start bailing.
On a related topic I do not see much initiative (bar a few) by non-resident Sylhetis (Londonis as we call them) towards the development of the “home” district. Other than skyrocketing property prices and fancy homes not much has some in form of investment or development aid to the region. It’s a shame. The enterprising nature and resourcefulness of Londonis coupled with their relative prosperity and sheer capacity of hard work should have translated to a dynamic and economically vibrant Sylhet. Unfortunately I do not see any indication of this happening. For this Londonis have no one to blame but themselves.
Dristipath London should, if possible, engage the vast Sylheti community there to see how this can be activated.
PS. Good Luck Rose! I’m looking forward to reading the book.
December 26th, 2006 at 2:50 pm
‘I do not see much initiative (bar a few) by non-resident Sylhetis (Londonis as we call them) towards the development of the “home” district. Other than skyrocketing property prices and fancy homes not much has some in form of investment or development aid to the region. It’s a shame. The enterprising nature and resourcefulness of Londonis coupled with their relative prosperity and sheer capacity of hard work should have translated to a dynamic and economically vibrant Sylhet. Unfortunately I do not see any indication of this happening. For this Londonis have no one to blame but themselves.’
You are a Dhakaiya, living in Dhaka with no connections to the reason.
Even someone like me who has never lived in Bangladesh has more in common with the Sylheti ppl than you do.
Request for Information:
Can Asif Saleh please clarify DP’s relationship with the Daily Star newspaper for the sake of public accountability?
As far as I can see Asif, Naeem and Nazim have at one time or another written for the newspaper, and Tahmira Anam’s father runs a paper widely perceived as being secular and Pro-Awami League.
What impact (if any) does this have on DP stances eg. on the election issue. For example, are you soft on AL or harsh on BNP? Does Mahfouz Anam have any say about the issues you tackle?
Does Drishtipat actually have any members who do not write for the Daily Star newspaper and are not on first name basis from back in Dhaka?
It might come as a surprise to you then that we Sylhetis settled in Britain do not think you are elites and will never accept you as anything other than ‘freshies’ ie. newly arrived immigrants no matter how many baseless grand-sounding organisations you set up.
ps. We once had the former AL Minister for tea around at our cousins restaurant, in order to campaign for funds for his elections. Doesn’t say much for the dignity of a cabinet minister, does it Nazim?
[admin: As comments in this thread are fast degrading to unconstructive bashing and out of context name calling, we will only allow comments in this thread that add value to the discussion. ]
December 26th, 2006 at 3:44 pm
Lanacian,
I can give full disclosure provided that I know who is asking for the information and at what capacity? I usually don’t give much credence or value to people who hide behind psuedo names. If you have strong views, you should be able to have the courage to state it publicly in your own name and the organization you represent, if any. By the way, do publish your real email if you want to discuss our February program on this history of sylheti migrants in London. Hope you are not the kind of person who just wants to complain without contributing.
December 26th, 2006 at 6:44 pm
Lanacian,
Decide what you are first. In post 6 you said you are a dhakaiya and then in post 17 you are saying you are sylheti!
Why don’t you do something instead of just being critical of what we do tell us something that you have done or doing.
If you have nothing constructive to say then I suggest you find some other worthless blog where you can blog away with your stupidity.
I will not comment on your nonsense anymore and I hope rest of you will do the same.
December 26th, 2006 at 6:52 pm
If you must know, my name is Abu Sufian and I work for the London Assembly as a Core Group policy officer for the Labour Group. I am a member of the party and related to an ELECTED (Sylheti of course) member of the assembly. Contact me on Abu_Sufian560@hotmail.co.uk (work addy strictly for business).
Not being a Bangladeshi (by citizenship, at least) I don’t give two hoots about Bangladeshi party politics as you do.
I was one of those who was at the Nazrul Centre when M Bhowmik performed her cultural show you highlighted in DP and was one of those (along with ’starmans’ bro and Ruzi) who booed her when we saw that she was disrespecting Sylhetis by performing her show exclusively in her Dhakaiya language in a centre paid for by us Sylhetis!!!! I also signed the petition against this.
We are an informal grouping of second generation Sylhetis and one of our ‘hobbies’ is to ‘out’ unrepresentative groups working out of London claimimg things they’re not. Our first victim was the ‘City Circle of East London’, an Islamist outfit led by a Punjabi Pakistani who was all for holding seminars about the genocide against his ‘brothers’ in Kashmir and Palestine but not the one in Bangladesh. He was trying to brainwash young Sylhetis.
We did 3 things:
-Leafleted everyone going in to the seminars with their hypocritical stance.
-Found out where he worked and let his employers in on his secret after hours activities ie. proclamations that Jews are evil and support for Khilafa etc.
-We wrote a judicious letter (just the one) requesting the Charities Commission to investigate political activity by this group. Partisan party politics is not permitted for org’s recognised as charities.
Last we heard this org were dropped by Friends House (charity) and were forced to piss off to a more Pakistani area to preach their crap.
The reason I’m letting you know this: Nobody can strike out at us because we do not exist as a group. Merely a body of opinion out for some thrills….and doing some good while at it.
December 26th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
Will take your word for it for now. Although Thara, Lanacian, etc comments are coming from the same IP address.
I will entertain your request for disclosure. As stated in the paper, I am a free lance contributor to the paper. We write for Daily Star because of its subscribes to the values we subscribe to and also because it is the number 1 English newspaper in BD. None of any thing we do is influenced by the paper.
If you read my op-ed and Mahfuz Anam’s commentary in today’s Daily Star, you will see that they are not quite friendly to AL.
These issues of Sylheti/NonSylhetis have been debated endlessly in the past in the Monica Ali and Parapar thread in the blog and our stand has been explained clearly.
At this point, these debate is not constructive and a waste of time both for the reader and the writers and us, the blog admins. We will conclude this debate here.
Let us agree to disagree. Just as we don’t claim to represent any community, 2/3 of you do not represent the community as well. What you have stated here is your own personal opinion. We will hope that your and ours opinion will converge at some point in the future.
December 27th, 2006 at 3:46 am
Hello Drishtipat
Please continue highlighting the achievements of the Bangladeshi diaspora in Britain and abroad. As a Briton of Bangladeshi extraction, I couldn’t care less if the people and issues we discuss pertain to this or that district of Bangladesh.
Most importantly, please do not cave in to the intimidation of small-minded, mealy-mouthed individuals who are critical of DP’s mandate for no other reason than “why are you not representing me and mine”!
The ridiculous, adolescent negative campaigns that have been mentioned here shows that you’re dealing with a crank(s) with a lot of time on their hands, very large chip on their shoulders and zero backup from the “community” they claim to be representative of.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
-Book of Proverbs
Good luck to Tahmima Anam. I look forward to reading her book.
January 10th, 2007 at 8:42 am
This campaign in the name of Sylhetis is a conspiracy by non-Sylhetis to give Sylhetis a bad name. No Sylheti with self respect can humililate the whole region and its people like this. I want to hear the names and the name of the organization of these people who are going to different blogs and portraying (through their racist opinion) Sylhetis as myopic, backward and racist class. Sylhetis, whose tradition in encouraging education and culture go back hundreds of years whose struggle to establish the rights of the migrants in this country is legendary, are much bigger than this. I urge these campaigners to stop tarnishing the image of Sylhetis like this. If they have grievances, rather than using the Sylhet’s name, they should mention who they are and which organization they represent clearly and their contact information and phone number. Otherwise, we can conclude this is an organized ploy to destroy the good name of Sylhet and its residents.
May 10th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Tahmima yuo r our national hero