What can we Bangladeshis in USA do for our country?

[yanakhka]

I think it is about time that enlightened Bangladeshis living abroad, especially USA,(since I live here),unite together to do something about the present political turmoil in Bangladesh. This present deadlock situation is harming our economy, our international credibility and most of all the citizens of Bangladesh. We were fortunate enough to get out of that mess of politics and live here, but we have to get together and do something for the unfortunates who are languishing and suffering in Bangladesh. Please give me some constructive suggestions and take the first step in building up our country.
Thanks.

[Aqaiyum]

Speaking from UK, Sadly nothing. We cannot influence a country by living elsewhere. It would be a waste of time and we would stress our daily life living abroad. I have visited bangladesh during my university break. I have lived there for three months and i know hows it like.

The only possible way of seeing our country thriving is through education. One must educate their children if s/he has the means. It is therefore essential that the Govt. takes every pride to ensure this, that education becomes one of the main priorities. And better service for tourists of course!!

Thanks

Abdul Qaiyum

[yanakhka]

Dear Aqaiyum,
Thank you very much for your reply.

However, since we remit a lot of our earnings back to Bangladesh, we definitely have a powerful stand in our country. However,what we need to think about is how we can use our power to influence the Govt. of Bangladesh to stop entertaining hartals, etc. that are ruining the country. You may recall that it was the present PM who was very much an advocater of hartals, so when does this stop? The next government will come and again the opposition will use the same tactics. Politics have entered all education levels, especially the univeristy level. What can we do to separate the university from politics? These are some of the questions I would like to pose to all citizens abroad who are sending their hard earned foreign exchange back to Bangladesh. Can we influence our family members living there (the first step starts at home) to ensure that all children get proper education and if the children resort to politics, instead of education, then we the financier, must put a stop to financing these family members. Once we can stop our own families from indulging in dirty politics, then that is one step forward.

We really must put our heads together and do something about the present situation. The country demands heavily on our foreign exchange or remittances, so we do definitely have a power. The government has to listen to our opinions, but who is to start that process?

Please continue with this discussion.

[Aqaiyum]

To be honest i think we are wasting our time. Don;t you think so? I hope the political leader or who ever that person is reads our discussion and does something about it. I'll tell u what Malaysia, Singapore improved immensely in the last couple of year. Bangladesh will never make it.#

sorry to say that.

Take care

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Abs

[AbdulMiah]

One thing comes to mind: stop giving money to politicians who promote such destructive behavior as "hartals". Many politicians from all parties frequently come to the U.S. and other countries begging for money. Demand better than the cat fights that have been taking place the last few years between the two leading ladies!

[galib]

Have you ever wondered how you could help your fellow countrymen in Bangladesh easily? Have you ever wondered how you could elevate five people out of poverty for $5 a year? Yes, that's $5 per year, not per week or per month! Here's how.

Most of you have heard of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. The average micro credit that GB lends is worth approximately US$150 that brings a family of five out of dire poverty within a year. You can open an interest free account with the Grameen Bank with US$150 initial deposit. If you don't withdraw the money within a year, you would bring five people out of abject poverty.

This money is not a donation. It's yours to withdraw any time you wish, including within that first year. However, it's best if you leave it there for at least a year. Your cost of doing so would be the interest you forgo or perhaps not even that if you don't use an interest bearing account. At current interest rates, it amounts to about US$5-7 a year. Certainly you get a big bang for your buck with an account at GB.

Many overseas Bangladeshis visit home regularly. Ticket prices, the inevitable shopping and spending money adds up before you know it. Wouldn't it be easier to deposit money into your GB account occasionally so when you do go for a visit to Bangladesh, you won't have to worry about spending money or unforeseen expenses that might come up? In the process, you would have brought several people from the vestiges of poverty, malnutrition and many other predicaments that ail our society.

Here's more information on the program including the form for account application. It's the easiest way you can make a big contribution with hardly a dent in your pocket.

Meet the Grameen Bank account holders and get information on the program: http://www.grambangla.com/js/frame_AccHolder.htm
Account Opening Form: http://www.grambangla.com/js/gram_acc.htm

Thanks to Mujtaba Fida ul Haq (haqmf@zip.com.au) in Sydney, Australia for introducing this to me.


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Galib

[azmi]

By thinking of it, a relative of mine has a promising goal, and it is to go Bangladesh from USA and starting and institute for smart sudents and rising Bangladesh's power, with descovering and enhancing to new technologies, and cures for present uncurable diseases such as AIDS, HIV. And my goal is to invest it, start a powerful enterprise, all it is needed is the citizen's support from Bengali's from Bangladesh and from the world.