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It often just creeps up on you, a tad insidiously sometimes. College, grad school, a few years of work experience in between, and after, and then some. And before we know it, we’re wearing the Probashi label and looking about a little confused, wondering where the last decade vanished.
Often we actively seek out others like us and sit around, often over the cha’er cup and chanachur, and try to find the right avenues to connect, reconnect, reach out, explore, discover, learn, understand and make a difference.
Once you’ve found your niche within the many expatriate initiatives, maybe you’ll contribute with ideas, with your volunteering time, or with constructive criticism. Maybe you will help these initiatives grow. In turn, maybe you’ll be inspired, informed, or hopeful!
“Kob’e Holam Probashi?” is one such expatriate initiative that I wanted to share with you today. Presented by Drishtipat London, it is the Premier Screening of “Deshantori” (Migrant), followed by a discussion and live performance.
Deshantori tells the tale of 26 migrant workers who left Dhaka with dreams of making it big in the glitzy “foreign” lands of Spain. It tells of their journey in 2005 through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea – a journey fueled so powerfully by hopes of a brighter future, yet a journey that only a fraction of the original 26 eventually survived.
The docudrama showcases a fascinating depiction of perspectives from across the cross section of the youth of our country, striving to leave home to join the migrant community. It revolves around the question that pops up ever so often, “Is this the country we fought to create 35 years ago?” and invariably ends in our youth’s infallible national pride and optimism, despite deep frustrations.
Deshantori is a must see. For all of us. The diaspora community benefits from a reawakening and a renewed connection – often the critical first step towards real meaningful involvement and contribution. Those of us in Dhaka will share in on the invigorating experience, and will feel spurred to greater civic consciousness.
Deshantori was screened informally in Boston last fall, and more formally at the Owning Our Future initiative in Dec 2006. It was screened last week in Dhaka, and will continue to be screened at different locations in Dhaka. On Feb 3, it will be screened in London. I believe there’s word of it reaching New York sometime in April, with a few more screenings planned for Boston as well. So stay on the lookout!
“Kob’e Holam Probashi?” will be presented on February 03, 2007, by the local London chapter of Drishtipat (http://drishtipat.org/). Drishtipat focuses on safeguarding human rights and social justice in Bangladesh. Their tagline of “Hear, Speak Out and Help” clearly demonstrates their strong commitment towards Awareness, Assistance and Advocacy. They have local chapters in NYC, DC, Boston, Virginia, Canada, London and in Australia and you can contact them to find out how you can be involved.
Often, my friends tell me that they want to be involved in somehow affecting the way things work back home in Bangladesh, or they want to volunteer and help out in some way. The frustrating block then is – how? As young academics and professionals residing outside of Bangladesh, do we always have access to information regarding the various avenues through which we can contribute to Bangladesh?
I’ve recently been involved with Owning Our Future, an initiative about a few months old, and with its roots in Boston and Dhaka. Part of the organizers’ vision to distinguish this endeavor from the countless other diaspora-based volunteer organizations is to start with a strong base in Bangladesh, and to help forge a bridge between the diaspora community and our home.
A bridge that will close the information gap and raise awareness about career opportunities, professional growth potential and ways to be involved in Bangladesh. A bridge that will close the gap between the need for expertise and professionals skills at the grassroots level in Bangladesh, and the wealth of resources that we share amongst us in the diaspora community all over the world. A bridge that helps us come closer to home, regardless of where we live, scattered throughout the world.
To share ideas and get involved, find them online.
A group of students, young professionals and music enthusiasts came together not too long ago, to celebrate their love for Bangla, Bangla music, and Bangla traditions and heritage. Their first program in 2003 was supported by almost a year long research into the history and evolution of Bangla music, coupled with 9-10 months of rehearsals with over 150 people involved in the project. They presented 1000 years of Bangla musical history, tracing how the needs of the times were expressed through the styles and musical forms of those times.
When asked which performance troupe was responsible for such quality rendition, the participants looked around and shrugged, “eito, amra kojon” [meaning, why, just a few of us].
And Amra Kojon they are.
The concept arose initially when a few music enthusiasts were frustrated by the division and grouping amongst ourselves based on perceived differences. Groups with different ideologies, different political affiliations, different religious faiths tended to cluster among themselves and the lack of collaboration was stifling the quality of music that each group were able to bring to their audience.
Amra Kojon wanted to come together, united by our common love for music, regardless of how different we were otherwise. We wanted to find out whether it was at all possible to maintain our differences, stay true to our different beliefs and ideologies, and yet to cooperate closely with a group of people who all shared our common passion for music.
Fascinatingly – somehow, it worked. We were able to put aside our differences and work together to showcase our musical heritage to a wide audience. Since then, the group has evolved, with a continuous flux of participants – and the one gift that each outgoing member takes away is the spirit of cooperation, of caring, giving and working together with others from a wide range of different backgrounds, beliefs and goals.
Amra Kojon is really a concept. Some have even called it a way of life. My involvement has taught me not only invaluable professional skills in my roles of responsibility within the organization, but also that tolerance for our differences can be such an enriching experience. It has definitely empowered me personally and I encourage you all to check out their website, keep up to date with events, and come join in on the fun when you can. While the group may not be able to solve world hunger, cure cancer and AIDS, or bring about world peace – it can definitely inspire YOU to try.
To find out what members and our audience say about Amra Kojon, visit the AK blog. If you’d like to be closely involved and share in on the magical experience, leave them a comment!
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