[🇧🇩] Bangladeshi Achievers

[Bilal9]

Avik makes history with podium finishes in Dubai​

He secured 2nd and 3rd place finishes in 2 fiercely competitive races, beating competitors from Russia, Germany, India, UK, Egypt and Italy

https://www.dhakatribune.com/366866


Ace Bangladesh motorsport driver Avik Anwar
Tribune Report

Published : 02 Dec 2024, 05:46 AM
Updated : 02 Dec 2024, 05:46 AM

Premier Bangladesh motorsport driver Avik Anwar made history by his incredible performance at the Renault Clio Cup Middle East, round two.

Besides representing Bangladesh on the international stage, he also secured second and third place finishes in two fiercely competitive races.

Beating competitors from Russia, Germany, India, United Kingdom, Egypt and Italy on Dubai Autodrome's GP Layout, the dedicated Avik showed his testament to racing.

Clio Cup is the oldest touring car racing format where all cars are equal in terms of performance with only a driver’s talent alone making all the difference.

 

[Saif]

Four Bangladeshis honoured with 2024 Diana Award

Four Bangladeshis were honoured with the award for their outstanding contribution to society.

www.thedailystar.net

Four Bangladeshis honoured with 2024 Diana Award

Established in 1999, The Diana Award is an international accolade given out in memory of Princess Diana. It exists to recognise and celebrate young changemakers between the ages of 9 and 25 who have made a positive impact on society through humanitarian and charitable activities for at least 12 months.

This year, four Bangladeshis were honoured with the award for their outstanding contribution to society. They are Adiba Binte Ahmad Tuba, Jawad Araf Khan, Shawon Mahmud, and Tamzid Rahman.

Adiba, 15, founded the "Esho Pashe Darai Foundation" to address poverty and resource gaps in Bangladesh. She started this journey of hers at the age of 13. Currently, Adbia's initiatives include improving education for underprivileged children, organising winter clothing drives, distributing mosquito nets, and providing food during Ramadan.

Jawad, 24, founder of "Trio Business Cubers", provides innovative business solutions to those who need them. He has conducted free training sessions, equipping over 30,000 young people with business and entrepreneurship skills. Jawad's live online shows like Hustle & Bustle and Let's Amaze, have connected youth with global experts, allowing him to reach an audience of 100,000 worldwide.

Shawon, 24, founded "BigyanPriyo" in 2018 to address gaps in science education as well as combat 'pseudoscience' in Bangladesh. Currently, the platform has become the largest Bangla science network, reaching over a million students globally thanks to its engaging content and community-driven initiatives.

Tamzid, 17, founded "BloodLink Foundation", Bangladesh's first peer-to-peer blood donation app. He took this initiative after losing his cousin to Thalassemia. Tamzid's aim is to eliminate child mortality due to a lack of blood transfusions. BloodLink Foundation has already reached over 20,000 people and enabled over 2,500 connections between donors and recipients.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladeshi-born Australian named 'Business Person of the Year' by Australian Financial Review

Robin Khuda, a Bangladeshi-born entrepreneur and founder of the data centre company AirTrunk, has been named The Australian Financial Review’s (AFR) Business Person of the Year for 2024.

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladeshi-born Australian named 'Business Person of the Year' by Australian Financial Review
Robin Khuda

Robin Khuda, a Bangladeshi-born entrepreneur and founder of the data centre company AirTrunk, has been named The Australian Financial Review’s (AFR) Business Person of the Year for 2024. Photo: AirTrunk official website

Robin Khuda, a Bangladeshi-born entrepreneur and founder of the data centre company AirTrunk, has been named The Australian Financial Review's (AFR) Business Person of the Year for 2024. Jack Gance, Sam Gance, and Mario Verrocchi, founders of the discount pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse, were also recipients of the award this year.

Khuda moved to Sydney from Bangladesh at the age of 18 and pursued an accounting degree at the University of Technology Sydney. He later completed an MBA in finance from Manchester Business School in the UK and further studies in the USA. After working in the corporate sector, he transitioned to entrepreneurship, using his retirement savings to establish AirTrunk in Sydney in 2015, according to SmartCompany, an Australian publication.

In an article discussing the recognition, the AFR highlighted Khuda's journey, describing him as "the penniless student who arrived in Australia from Bangladesh", who "defied the doubters (and an empty bank account), and did something truly unique."

AirTrunk, now among the largest data centre groups in the Asia-Pacific region, operates 11 hyperscale data centres across Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. In September 2024, the company was sold to private equity firm Blackstone for $16.11 billion. This deal, reportedly the largest data centre transaction in history, is also Blackstone's largest investment in the Asia-Pacific region and one of the largest Australian buyouts in recent years, according to an article by Reuters.

On LinkedIn, Khuda acknowledged the recent achievement and credited the AirTrunk team for their role in the company's success, stating, "I'm truly humbled, honoured, and privileged to receive this prestigious accolade. But this recognition belongs to all AirTrunkers who worked tirelessly and with passion to make AirTrunk a global success."

Khuda also received The Australian Financial Review's Business People of the Year for 2023. At the time, AirTrunk in an official press release noted that Khuda's risk-taking and perseverance were critical factors behind his leadership in scaling the company.

As per a recent report by AFR, AirTrunk has also announced plans to expand into South Korea and India, with a goal of surpassing a valuation of $100 billion.​

 

[Saif]

Project involving 3 BRAC University students wins international pitch competition

A plastic recycling project of a multinational student team, whose three members are from BRAC University, has been awarded the first prize of USD 1,500 at the international pitch competition, “Launch a Different World 2024”.

www.thedailystar.net

Project involving 3 BRAC University students wins international pitch competition

A plastic recycling project of a multinational student team, whose three members are from BRAC University, has been awarded the first prize of USD 1,500 at the international pitch competition, "Launch a Different World 2024".

The project focuses on converting recycled plastic into cost-effective 3D printing materials and sustainable products, and in the process, empowering communities, reducing plastic waste, and promoting a circular economy.

Of the members of "Team Repurpose", Mohammad Imran Uddin (MBA in Marketing), Mohiuddin Ahmed (BBA in Finance), and Abtahi Abrar (BBA in Marketing) are studying at BRAC Business School of BRAC University.

Of the remaining two members, Wei Jou Huang (MS in Oceanography) is a student at National Taiwan University, while Maria Vlaykova (BBA in Management) is from the American University in Bulgaria.

The team plans to launch pilot production and distribute their initial batch of 3D printing filament for testing among firms and services in Bangladesh that create architectural models and personalised gifts. They are also working on collaborations with the Eindhoven University of Technology, filament company Recycling Fabrik, and 3D printing service provider Tangible Creative.

The team believes that the future of sustainability lies in Bangladesh and that if it can be done in this country, it can be made possible anywhere in the world.

The pitch competition was run under an Open Society University Network (OSUN) course titled Social Entrepreneurship Practicum which was taught in the Fall 2024 semester. The course was co-taught by faculty members of universities and entities in Bangladesh, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Bulgaria, the United States, Lithuania, South Africa, the Netherlands, the Philippines and Ghana. The prize was sponsored by Bard College. At BRAC University, the course is taught by Dr Sebastian Groh of BRAC Business School and Neealana Naushin of the School of General Education.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladeshi-Australian entrepreneur donates $100 mln for women in STEM

Robin Khuda, a Bangladeshi-Australian tech entrepreneur, has donated $100 million to the University of Sydney (USYD), to support a two-decade program aimed at increasing participation of young girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladeshi-Australian entrepreneur donates $100 mln for women in STEM

Robin Khuda, founder and CEO of AirTrunk. Image: AirTrunk.

Robin Khuda, a Bangladeshi-Australian tech entrepreneur, has donated $100 million to the University of Sydney (USYD), to support a two-decade program aimed at increasing participation of young girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

According to the vice-chancellor of the University of Sydney, this donation is the largest single philanthropic contribution in the university's history and across New South Wales which will fund a comprehensive support system for female students from high school through university. The program, developed over two years in consultation with Khuda, will provide tutoring, mentoring, and financial assistance, culminating in guaranteed scholarships and university placements for eligible graduates.

According to a recent report by The Guardian, the initiative will begin in 2027 with six partner high schools, providing academic support in mathematics, physics, and engineering for students in years seven to ten. In their final years of school, 1,200 students will have the opportunity to join the "Khuda Academy," receiving mentoring from University of Sydney students and financial bursaries to encourage STEM studies. Graduates of the academy will receive a guaranteed place at the university, along with scholarships covering tuition and accommodation.

Khuda selected the University of Sydney over other local universities, citing its outstanding academic and research reputation. He described the initiative as an effort to give back and create lasting change in the sector, as per the report.

Robin Khuda, who founded the data centre company AirTrunk back in 2015, launched his philanthropy foundation in 2020 to promote gender diversity in technology. His commitment to social impact follows the USD 16.1 billion (AUD 23 billion) acquisition of AirTrunk by US private equity firm Blackstone, after which he distributed $22 million in bonuses to employees.

Robin Khuda, founder and CEO of AirTrunk, moved to Australia at the age of 18 to study accounting at the University of Technology Sydney. In recognition of his achievements, he was named The Australian Financial Review's (AFR) Business Person of the Year for 2024.​

 

[Bilal9]

Avik Anwar makes history by finishing 2nd and 3rd for 2 races of the Renault Clio Cup! Representing Bangladesh, Avik won in the oldest racing format where all cars perform the same, only difference is the one behind the wheel. Looking forward to more wins from Avik!
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Here is a story sometime ago about Avik in one of the Dhaka News Magazines. He is a local legend in auto-racing circles.

Avik Anwar- FORMULA ONE,In Pole Position​

by K Tanzeel Zaman

Racing is a sport of fine margins, often coming down to matters of split seconds, even less. One error, one bad judgement call and just like that, your lead is gone. And it’s precisely this aspect of the game that helped the meticulous Avik Anwar bag his first international race win. Avik, who spent the first two laps trailing, noticed how his opponent would always brake late at a specific corner and completely miss it. That’s the error he decided to capitalise on during the third lap, and after that, he was just too fast to catch. All of Avik’s hard work culminated into a single moment of sheer genius which led him to win the 2019 VW Ameo Cup, making him the first-ever international race winner from Bangladesh. However, this is only the start of aspirations and ICE Today caught up with the man who is usually rather difficult to catch to get to know more about his roots, how he put Bangladesh on the map in the racing world and his next goals.

How it all began
Avik’s passion for Racing dates back to the late ’90s when he developed a fascination towards F1 Racing. Speaking fondly of his earliest memories, he recalled. “I remember that we got a cable dish so that I can watch formula one. The year was 1997, so F1 wasn’t really broadcasted in any local channels, so that was the only way. Every time I watched it on television, I just knew that this is what I wanted to do when I grew up”. Avik’s father though didn’t share this view, according to him, this career option was not a suitable one for his son as due to its low popularity in Bangladesh. So, despite having all the passion in the world, he had to settle for a different career path and pursued economics, a field in which he excelled as well. But Avik wasn’t going to let go of his dreams of Racing so quickly, and while pursuing a masters degree in, he also attended racing school on the side. “I did two side jobs just to be able to pay for racing school”, he recalled.

Initial hurdles and shifting the gears
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Avik. Sure, he knew the basics of Racing since he was a child and was naturally gifted, but there were still a lot of obstacles. Apart from the mental and physical challenges, he had to face a lot of financial challenges. “It’s a pretty expensive sport so you need sponsors which can be hard to come by since this is not cricket or even football,” he added. He has even participated in races without any sponsors.

On top of that, there was always some sort of societal pressure. “Tamim Iqbal didn’t become Tamim Iqbal in one day. Even for him, it took some time to gain his flow, and the same applied to me. I didn’t start winning instantly and would place 4th or 5th most of the time when I first began. People didn’t understand why I still kept going. Little did they know that their scepticism only motivated me to shut the haters up”, he elaborated.
His first win came in 2014 in a racing event where he was an underdog with no sponsors. “There were three runs, and after a shaky start, I came second on the second run and won the third run. That was my first taste in victory”, recalled Avik. This was only the beginning as he won his next race, that too with a fractured foot. “The night before the race, my mother asked the doctor to fix me up so that I can participate. I had so many pain killers; I could barely feel my hands when people congratulated me afterwards. It was a tough experience, but I was overwhelmed by my mother’s support”, he added. Victories started pouring in left and right, and pretty soon Avik realised that there were no more competitions in Bangladesh to conquer, so it was time to take his game global. First, it was India, then came to Malaysia. Obviously, it took some time for him to adapt because Racing against people with more experience is no walk in the park. Still, he has the “pace in him” to overcome all obstacles, and after placing the first few races modestly, he was back in his winning ways.

The intricacies of the game
Avik’s biggest inspirations are Niki Lauda and Fernando Alonso. He admires the perseverance and meticulous approach of the former and is a massive fan of how the latter can perform in sub-par machinery, something in which Avik himself excels in. On a surface level, Racing only seems like a one-man show, but there’s more to it than meets the eyes. “Racing is a team effort, even if the driver is good on his own; he needs to be in sync with his team to find success. When I race in Malaysia, we have our own team, they take data from the car and tell me in which corners I’m slow and where I’m doing good. So they’d tell me to focus on the weakest part of the track. We also compare my data to that of other drivers to point out the areas I need to work on”, he explained. Racing is not just about how fast you can go; it is about how well you can pay attention to fine details, how well you can brake and how well you can turn. It’s a sport of great finesse.


Sky’s the limit
Avik’s dream is to someday participate in Le Mans, and he is slowly building towards achieving that. Now obviously a 24-hour race is no joke and will require any individual to be in peak physical and mental conditions and Avik is consistently working to take his game to the next level. “I have been doing a lot of endurance racing. For instance, last year, I did Sepang 1000km in Malaysia, which is a 9-hour race. I did it with one of my teammates from India, and I drove for 5 hours, and he covered for the rest. We beat a lot of top guys from around the world”, he explained. One of the keys to winning an endurance race is having a lot of patience. Another crucial factor is that all the drivers involved in a team must match each other’s pace and be at the same level. Avik and his teammate were up against decorated drivers who have won the likes of the Taikyu GT Cup in Japan but were able to outlast them because they didn’t push their vehicle too far and were in perfect harmony with each other throughout the race. “This was a 9-hour race, next we want to do a 24 hour one. Before the whole Covid-19 situation, I was supposed to participate in one in Thailand, but sadly that fell through. But I intend to participate in as many endurance racing as possible so that I can eventually take part in Le Mans”, he stated.

Avik is also working to popularise Racing in Bangladesh and is planning to build a race track in Gazipur industrial area. The project had just kicked off, and talks were ongoing with a few companies to finance it, but things are currently at a standstill due to the pandemic, but it’s safe to say that once this blows out, Avik has big things planned out for the sport of Racing and its prevalence in Bangladesh. In his closing remarks, he asked aspiring racers not to be disheartened by how expensive the sport is. “I know it can get quite expensive, but you get simulators these days which makes the process much easier. There are also racing schools in India and Coimbatore that you can look into. My only advice for anyone who wants to follow my footsteps will be to start young,” he concluded.

 

[Saif]

Bangladeshi researchers at Shanghai Ocean University mark breakthrough in fish species

A joint team of researchers from Shanghai Ocean University and Jagannath University in Bangladesh recently unveiled three groundbreaking research findings on Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha), a flagship species in Bangladesh and its national fish, marking a new milestone of international...

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladeshi researchers at Shanghai Ocean University mark breakthrough in fish species

A joint team of researchers from Shanghai Ocean University and Jagannath University in Bangladesh recently unveiled three groundbreaking research findings on Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha), a flagship species in Bangladesh and its national fish, marking a new milestone of international cooperation in the species' study, management and protection.

These breakthroughs were made by three Bangladeshi researchers, namely Md Rashedur Rahman, Kishor Kumar Sarke and Anirban Sarker, all of whom are PhD graduates from the Lab of Molecular Systematics and Ecology of Shanghai Ocean University. Their research mainly focuses on three landmark studies on Hilsa shad, including its sex reversal, whole genome sequencing, and population genomics.

Notably among them, Rahman, who completed his PhD in Shanghai and returned to his own nation in December, has for the first time proved the sex change phenomenon in Hilsa shad. Through biological and histological analyses on 203 samples from six regions including the Padma River, Meghna River and the Bay of Bengal, his research revealed that this species undergoes protandrous hermaphroditism, meaning individuals transition from male to female at a certain stage of their life cycle.

This discovery provides critical insights into the apparent scarcity of male Hilsa, which has long puzzled researchers and fisheries managers, and provides an important scientific basis for understanding the complete life cycle, reproductive strategies, and sexual transition mechanisms of shad.

"The Hilsa shad, a flagship species in Bangladesh, holds immense economic and ecological value. These findings not only deepen our understanding of the biological characteristics of the Hilsa shad but also provide a scientific foundation for the conservation and sustainable management of this critically important species," said Huang Xuxiong, executive deputy dean of the College of Fisheries and Life Science at Shanghai Ocean University, at a news briefing on Feb 27.

Li Chenhong, a professor at Shanghai Ocean University and supervisor of the lab, pointed out that the research findings are the results of nearly 10 years of hard work made by three classes of Bangladeshi students in countless days and nights.

"We hope that these results will provide a scientific basis for the conservation and sustainable utilization of Hilsa shad, and we also hope that the educational cooperation between the two universities will bear more fruitful results," he said.​

 

[Saif]

2 IUB students reach finals of Elon Musk’s ‘Not-A-Boring Competition’ in the US

Two undergraduate students from Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) have secured a place in the finals of the 2025 Not-A-Boring Competition, an annual engineering contest organised by The Boring Company, the tunnel-digging venture of billionaire Elon Musk.

www.thedailystar.net

2 IUB students reach finals of Elon Musk’s ‘Not-A-Boring Competition’ in the US
Bored Tunnelers are scheduled to reach Texas between March 18 to 22, with their machine scheduled for shipment on March 23

Two undergraduate students from Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) have secured a place in the finals of the 2025 Not-A-Boring Competition, an annual engineering contest organised by The Boring Company, the tunnel-digging venture of billionaire Elon Musk.

According to a recent blog by IUB, Shah Asif Hafiz, from the Department of Accounting, and Dewan Md Alif, from the Department of Finance, are part of Bored Tunnelers, a 19-member multidisciplinary team made up of students and researchers from various universities across Bangladesh. The team will compete in the final round of the competition, which is set to take place from March 27 to 29, 2025, at The Boring Company's R&D headquarters in Bastrop, Texas, USA.

Bored Tunnelers, formed in 2023, has developed a micro tunnel boring machine (MTBM) using an interdisciplinary approach that integrates robotics, mechanical, electrical, civil, and computer engineering. The team previously competed in the 2024 edition of the competition, and earned the 'Rookie Award' for their innovative concept. The team was also invited to trial their MTBM at The Boring Company headquarters in Texas.

The Not-A-Boring Competition challenges teams to construct a 30-metre-long, 500mm-wide tunnel as efficiently as possible, with the objective of advancing tunnelling speed and reducing costs. The event serves as a testing ground for future tunnelling technology with applications in urban planning, high-speed transportation, utilities, defence, and space colonisation. Teams compete across three categories—Innovation, Accuracy, and Speed—with the overall winner determined by tunnel completion time.

Despite their achievements, the team faces financial challenges in funding the local testing phase, manufacturing, shipment, and travel costs for the final round in Texas. However, they remain committed to advancing tunnel boring machine (TBM) technology in Bangladesh.

According to the IUB website, Bored Tunnelers is working closely with manufacturing partner Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (BITAC) and has secured sponsorship from Grameenphone, GIGABYTE AORUS, Super Star Group (SSG), and the Ministry of Public Administration.

The team has also expressed their gratitude for receiving guidance from Salman Khan Promon, Graduate Teaching and Research Fellow at the University of Houston, USA; Md Mamunur Rashid, Executive Engineer at BITAC; and Md Ashrafuzzaman, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration in Bangladesh.

The 2025 Not-A-Boring Competition will bring together teams for safety inspections, technical presentations, and networking opportunities before the main event. Final presentations and inspections will take place from March 24 to 26, leading up to the competition including tunnel drilling and performance evaluations from March 27 to 29. The event will conclude with post-competition cleanup on March 30 and final packing on April 1.​

 

[Bilal9]

From Brick Lane to Boardrooms: The Remarkable Rise of British Bangladeshis​

byMunzer Ahmed Chowdhury

March 13, 2025

The Rise of British Bangladeshis

The British Bangladeshi community stands as a vibrant and increasingly influential part of the UK's multicultural tapestry. Their journey, marked by resilience, entrepreneurship, and a strong commitment to community, is a testament to the transformative power of immigration. From humble beginnings to significant achievements across various sectors, the British Bangladeshi story is one of remarkable success.

Historical Context and Early Settlement: The initial wave of Bangladeshi immigration to the UK, primarily from the Sylhet region, began in the 1950s and 1960s. Many arrived seeking economic opportunities, filling labor shortages in industries like textiles and manufacturing. These early immigrants often faced significant challenges, including language barriers, discrimination, and difficult living conditions. They established tight-knit communities, particularly in areas like Tower Hamlets in London, which became the heart of the British Bangladeshi presence.

The history of the British Bangladeshi community is a rich and complex narrative, marked by resilience, adaptation, and significant contributions to British society. Here's a summary of key historical points:

Early Presence: The earliest presence of people from what is now Bangladesh in the UK can be traced back to the era of the British Empire. Many were "lascars" (seamen) who worked on British ships, arriving in port cities like London and Cardiff.

Early 20th Century: Small numbers of individuals from the region began to settle in the UK in the early 20th century.

Post-World War II Migration: The major wave of Bangladeshi immigration occurred after World War II, driven by labor shortages in the UK. Many immigrants came from the Sylhet region of what was then East Pakistan (later Bangladesh).They found employment in industries such as textiles, manufacturing, and later, the restaurant sector.

Settlement Patterns: Significant communities developed in urban areas, particularly in London's East End (especially Tower Hamlets, including Brick Lane), as well as in other industrial cities like Birmingham, Manchester, and Bradford.

Formation of Community:

1971: Bangladesh Independence: The independence of Bangladesh in 1971 played a crucial role in shaping the community's identity and sense of solidarity.

British Bangladeshis played an active role in supporting the independence movement.

Bangladeshi community at the forefront of anti-apartheid movement in Britain:

A small park, formerly St Mary's Park, in the City of London, Billet, on Edler Street, White Church Lane, and White Chapel High Street. As soon as you enter the park, you will see 'Altab Ali Park' written in English in big letters. Altab Ali was a Bengali immigrant from London. He worked as a factory worker. In the seventies of the last century, there was an anti-apartheid movement in Britain. On May 4, 1978, on his way home from work, he was brutally murdered by some unidentified racists in East London's Edler Street. Two Bangladeshis were killed in this movement.

Thousands of people erupted in protests over the death of Altab Ali in a racist attack. Anti-apartheid movement gets a new dimension. People come down the street. Altab Ali's death served as an important 'turning point' in this movement. An Altab Ali's name spread through people's mouths through massive protests. That is why in 1998 St. Mary's Park on Edler Street in East London was named Altab Ali Park in his honor. In the name of Altab Ali Park in London, it is established as a tower of inspiration for Bangladeshis to fight against the racist forces. This Shaheed Tower was built in the southern part of Altab Ali Park in East London in 1999, which is the first Shaheed Minar built outside the country.

A Story of Progress: The Thriving British Bangladeshi Community Today

The community established mosques, community centers, and cultural organizations to preserve their heritage and provide support to new arrivals. The creation of Bangladeshi owned businesses, most notably restaurants, became a staple of British culture.

Contemporary British Bangladeshi Community: The British Bangladeshi community is now a vibrant and integral part of British society, contributing to its cultural diversity and economic prosperity.

Economic Contributions and Entrepreneurship: One of the most notable achievements of the British Bangladeshi community is their entrepreneurial spirit. The "Bangladeshi restaurant" has become a staple of British culinary culture, with thousands of curry houses across the country. These businesses have not only provided employment opportunities but also contributed significantly to the UK economy. Beyond restaurants, British Bangladeshis have excelled in other sectors, including:

Retail: Establishing and managing independent shops, supermarkets, and other retail businesses.

Real Estate: Investing in property and contributing to the development of local communities.

Finance: Increasingly entering professional roles in banking and finance.

Technology: A growing number of British Bangladeshis are forging careers in the technology sector, reflecting the community’s adaptability to evolving industries.

Political Representation and Civic Engagement: The British Bangladeshi community has made significant strides in political representation. From local councilors to members of parliament, their voices are increasingly heard in the UK's political landscape. Notable achievements include:

The election of numerous British Bangladeshis to local councils, enabling them to influence local policies and address community needs. The election of British Bangladeshi MPs to the House of Commons, providing a platform for national representation and advocacy.

Active participation in civic organizations and community initiatives, working to improve social and economic conditions.

Educational Attainment and Professional Success:The younger generation of British Bangladeshis is achieving remarkable success in education and professional careers. Increased access to higher education has led to a surge in graduates in fields such as medicine, law, engineering, and academia. This upward mobility is transforming the community's socioeconomic profile.

Rising numbers of British Bangladeshi doctors, lawyers, and other professionals are contributing to the UK's workforce.

Growing representation in academic institutions, with British Bangladeshi scholars and researchers making valuable contributions to various fields.

The rise of British Bangladeshi figures in the arts, media, and creative industries.

Cultural Identity and Community Cohesion: Maintaining a strong cultural identity is a vital aspect of the British Bangladeshi experience. The community has successfully preserved its heritage while integrating into British society. This is evident in:

The preservation of Bengali language and cultural traditions through community centers, schools, and cultural events. The celebration of Bangladeshi festivals and cultural events, fostering a sense of community and identity.

The blending of British and Bangladeshi cultural influences, creating a unique and dynamic cultural expression.

Why Bangladeshis behind in British politics?

Bangladeshis, especially the Sylhety people, have passed one hundred years as a community in Britain. Compared to Indians, Pakistani & other South Asians, and many other ethnic minority communities living in the country, Bangladeshis are lagging behind in terms of education, employment, mainstream politics, and even health.

However, in recent years in Britain, Bangladeshis have spread the light of success in education and research. The participation of our new generation is growing slowly in British mainstream politics.

The fourth generation of thousands of Sylhety families continues in Britain. There are 600 parliamentary seats in the House of Commons. There are only four British Bangladeshi MPs among them. At least four-thirds of the fourth-generation expatriates are originally from Sylhet. But there are only two MPs from Greater Sylhet in the current British Parliament. All four MPs of Bangladeshi origin belong to the Labour Party. All are women. Our women are more successful in politics in the UK. All four of the current MPs are second-generation British Bangladeshis. The community of Bangladeshis has been established in the country for a century. The residence of Indian Pakistanis is also centuries old. British Pakistanis went to the British Cabinet. Sadiq Khan, the repeatedly elected mayor of London, is also of Pakistani descent.

Apart from the two seats in East London, Britain's policymakers have no other place in the country to judge the outcome and impact of the Bangladeshi votes. British Bangladeshi's far behind in mainstream politics because our community was not careful because of the lack of foresight of the previous generation and the ego and jealousy of the current generation. In Britain, if a candidate of Indian or Pakistani origin is nominated by any major party, the natives of that country spontaneously come forward to campaign with their own labour and their own money. They don't get divided on the issues of who they belong to in their country or who they believe in, and they don't spread division in their own community. But, at the same time, we have to admit with shame that Bangladeshis are the main obstacle to the advancement of Bangladeshis in British politics. If a Bangladeshi has the opportunity to go to the House of Lords or the House of Parliament, it is the social negative trend of the community of people to prevent him from campaigning for a different country's candidate, slandering the candidate's personal and family life, and writing complaints. People who wanted to give moral leadership could not come out. Most people are disappointed with the practice of dragging behind someone who is ahead rather than pushing someone forward in the country. A large number of Bangladeshis live outside Tower Hamlets in Camden, London, Oldham, and Birmingham, outside London. Since there are thousands of conscious voters of their own country in these seats, there was a chance to get elected MP of Bangladeshi origin long ago. It did not happen, only because of the lack of unity in the Bangladeshi community. The youth complained of the negative trend of socially discouraging the new generation in politics rather than encouraging them.

Even after living abroad for many years, the slander of opposition to domestic politics and not being able to unite on any issue of public importance have left Bangladeshis behind in Britain's mainstream politics. As long as we do not get out of the culture of support and opposition for the regionalization of the country's village and union level in local government councillor elections in this country, until we can't get out of the culture, relative people will not be able to reach mainstream politics.

Hopefully, in the midst of this negativity of breaking the journey of others by cutting off one's own nose, the participation of the new generation of Bangladeshis in British mainstream politics, councillors, and local government elections has increased more than before. Last year, British Bangladeshi Ismail Uddin showed surprise by being elected as a councillor at the age of 19 in independent elections without the support of any party. The participation of Bangladeshis in the posts of garlanded mayors in councils without voting has increased. Still, the participation rate of Bangladeshis as major party candidates in general elections is much lower than that of Indians and Pakistanis.

In the two general elections of the 1990s, four candidates of Bangladeshi origin were shortlisted for the Labour Party nomination for MP in the East London seats of Bethnal Green and Bow. They are the late Jahangir Alam, Councillor Rajan Uddin Jalal, Paula Manjila Uddin, and Kumar Murshid. The late Jahangir Alam and Councillor Rajan Uddin Jalal were left off the shortlist twice. In Britain, the men of the Bangladeshi community have lost many potential politicians by leaving the party without getting a party nomination, opposing party ideology, supporting the candidate of the opposition party, and changing parties again and again.

The major point of crisis is, In the field of politics in the UK, the Bangladeshi community hasn't yet gotten a political leader who can be imitated, who can be an example as an idol, and who can be an example to the new generation. Which is true in many other ethnic minority communities. Apart from the voting season, he introduced himself as a proud representative of the Bangladeshi community, standing by the people of the community in any issues who would be encouraged by the new generation to build a career in mainstream politics in Britain, a huge void in that place.

As millions of British Bangladeshis of the new generation cannot read and write Bengali, the place for learning Bengali in Britain is gradually shrinking.

In many of our families, our children do not want to speak Bengali, even at home. The institutional space of the crisis has become visible as schools teaching Bengali have been closed by the government on the pretext of a lack of budget. Sadly, there is no planned and coordinated effort by our politicians to raise the barriers to progress in the health, education, culture, and livelihood of Bangladeshis at the policy level in Britain.

There are hundreds of Bangladeshi community organisations in Britain. The 50-year-old community organisations are being torn apart for selfish personal reasons, spreading division.

May the chapter of the Bangladeshi community shine brightly in the sovereign journey of a traditional nation-state like Britain. In Britain's mainstream politics, in Parliament, and in the Cabinet, British Bangladeshis should be able to proudly hold up their British identity as well as their Bangladeshi roots.

Despite their successes, the British Bangladeshi community continues to face challenges, including:

• Persistent socioeconomic disparities in certain areas.
• Ongoing issues related to discrimination and prejudice.
• The need to address the needs of an aging population within the community.

However, the future prospects for the British Bangladeshi community are bright. The younger generation's educational achievements, coupled with the community's entrepreneurial spirit and growing political influence, suggest a continued trajectory of success. As they continue to contribute to the UK's economy, society, and culture, the British Bangladeshi community will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in shaping the nation's future.

Munzer Ahmed Chowdhury

 

[Saif]

65 Bangladeshi students win Top in World award

Sixty-five Bangladeshi students have been honoured with ‘Top in the World’ awards at the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards 2024, a prestigious event co-hosted by the British Council and Cambridge International Education at a hotel in the capital on Saturday...

www.newagebd.net

65 Bangladeshi students win Top in World award
Staff Correspondent 30 November, 2024, 23:08

Sixty-five Bangladeshi students have been honoured with ‘Top in the World’ awards at the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards 2024, a prestigious event co-hosted by the British Council and Cambridge International Education at a hotel in the capital on Saturday.

The students were recognised for exceptional achievements in the June 2024 Cambridge examination series, said a press release.

A total of 98 Bangladeshi students received 121 awards at the 2024 OCLA. These global accolades celebrate the highest achievers in Cambridge International exams, with over a million students worldwide taking part in Cambridge’s internationally recognised courses each year.

Cambridge International Education has been holding global examinations for more than 160 years.

The awards recognise achievement in four categories: Top in the World, High Achievement, Top in Country, and Best Across.

Among the 121 awards presented, sixty-five Bangladeshi students were honoured with the prestigious ‘Top in the World’ awards, given to those who have achieved the highest marks worldwide for a particular subject.

Of these winners, 98 students received this accolade across Cambridge O Level, Cambridge International AS & A Level, and Cambridge IGCSE subjects.

Professor SMA Faiz, chairman of the University Grants Commission, and James Goldman, acting British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Shahin Reza, Country Manager for Cambridge International Education in Bangladesh and Rod Smith, group managing Director of International Education at Cambridge, also spoke, among others.​