off to Natore to show Katalyst work to a DFID high up.

wonders some seed capital would have made him into a serial entrepreneur, with some killer biz ideas he has.

IS AVAILABLE AT http://ping.fm/WE7Id

is convinced that partner management is a big challenge in development sector

is at IFC-SEDF for teaching French

Katalyst is hiring Business Consultants in Services Division.

is wishing you a lightful and delightful Diwali! Shine on you crazy diamond!

is playing with ping.fm

is going for a meeting at Banglalink

Sensible Supporters

The supporters of Bangladesh cricket are no wonder having a good time after Tigers’ sensational defeat over India and South Africa. Just a word of reminder in these merry-making times, that cricket is after all a game and our players are mere humans. Its natural for supporters to expect a win or ‘good performance’ in every match that follows. But let us be loyal supporters to the Tigers, so that we don’t abandon them when they play bad and can’t meet the expectations. Let us take lessons from the burning neighborhood and refrain from burning effigies, destroying houses of our cricketers. Let us not allow the companies to commercialize the cricketers in every product endorsements. That way I hope we can keep the feet of our cricketers and our own expectations, both firmly on the ground.

Lost Camera, Lost Memories

I am still suffering from the loss occured in the Phi Phi Island, Thailand. I lost my digital camera there, along with many beautiful memories, the device is lost under the white sands of the beautiful island. The lost gadget can surely be replaced with a new one, but what about the moments? Especially the four snaps taken on the plane along with none other than Dr. Yunus, the first Bangladeshi and the third Bengali Nobel laureate! He was kind enough to accommodate me next to his seat and pose...I even gave him my visiting card and asked his whereabouts....I wished him luck and he sought 'our' support in his future endeavours. Well, it was like a trophy to me...the photos....alas it was so short-lived. Everytime I see him now in the newspapers, TV...and people taking photos with him, it pinches me real bad. I wish I had kept the camera with me that day...and not had given it to a friend, who misplaced it. I wish I had not got lost in the island on my way back to the ship, so that I could atleast search for the device....I wish...I get another chance to be next to the most coveted Bangladeshi of recent times.

Bengal Tigers in the Caribbeans

For a long time, some mouths needed to be shut, some critiques needed to be silenced, some insults needed to be retorted and the time has come to keep our heads high and start believing in our claws and jaws.

Hoping to witness the Tigers' forward and upward trails now and always.

Bangladeshi TV Channels in West Bengal

The rise of the electronic media in Bangladesh in the form of NTV, Channel i, RTV, Channel 1, Boishakhi, BanglaVision etc. had been phenomenal, impressive and gives the audience wider access to information, news and entertainment. US based STV and UK based Channel S are also catering to the Bangladeshi audience worldwide. My frustration lies in the fact that Bangladesh-based television channels are not broadcasted in West Bengal. It goes without saying that Bangladeshi TV channels are superior in presentation and content, informal sources also claim from time to time that there is demand from Bangla-speaking West Bengali audience for greater exposure to Bangladeshi entertainment programs, news, music etc.

Linguistic and cultural similarity between ‘Punjabi Indians’ and ‘Punjabi Pakistanis’ have prompted them to open their electronic media spaces to each other, encouraging exchange of cine personalities, performers, singers etc. resulting in synergy and cooperation among the Hindi/Urdu speaking audience. Bangladeshi TV channels also keep on inviting celebrities from West Bengal but the gesture is rarely reciprocated.

It seems that the satellite TV operators of West Bengal are united to resist broadcasting of Bangladeshi TV channels. I wonder what our TV channels are doing in policy level to cure this unfair restriction to a commendable Bangla-speaking audience in West Bengal. Cultural invasion is inevitable. I believe its payback time.

Random Thoughts on Bangladesh

• Before any revolution takes place on the streets, it has to take place in our minds first.
• What we need now is a knee-jerk reaction to the political impasse, enough of dialogues and protests.
• The reasons we have fever is because of any malignant virus, to cure it or to control it, we take anti-biotics which are in turn viruses themselves. To cure the political disease of intolerance and destruction in Bangladesh, we need to employ the ‘healing virus’ by spotting and destroying the political leaders who are the virus causing our national disease. Hire hitmen and kill them, we do not have law and order and enough room in prisons any ways.
• When we rush an ailing patient to the emergency, the doctors and relatives do not sit around the distressed soul and converse. They also do not wait patiently, seeking divine miracle to cure the pain, rather they apply ‘shock therapy’, to revive the senses first, to get life back on rhythm first, then diagnose the disease and observe medical care. Similarly Bangladesh has become a 35 year old ailing youth, because of the ill politics. What we need now is no more tolerance of the political leaders, rather we need to give the system a ‘shock therapy’, eliminating corrupt politicians in the most ruthless way they would always remember, if they are alive.
• Fear spreads faster than love, and if you cannot be loved, atleast be feared. There could be a way to instill fear of death, defame in the minds of corrupt politicians.
• We need to agree with the basics first and then move on, as the two ladies have hijacked the nation as they themselves are tied up in the pasts.
• What do you call a man still unsure about his father’s identity? What do you call a nation still disputing over it’s founding father?
  Let it be clear who the father of the nation is.
  Let it also be clear what his shortcomings were, but keep in mind that there is still no denying that he still remains the father of the nation.
  Now lets look in future can we?
• It always takes a few persons to spoil the whole show, similarly the number of peace loving Bangladeshis would outnumber the corrupt ones, however the evil ones still rule. I believe it would take a few of us only to bring about a change, atleast can’t we get the ball rolling?
• Even a human baby is born after 10 months of wait and pain, a nation born within 9 months of war is probably premature, unable to comprehend and sustain the value of freedom.
• We Bangalees have always been good subjects, still suffering from ‘colonial hangovers’. First it was the ‘white British’, then it was ‘Fellow Muslim Pakistani Brothers’, now we are ready to listen to anybody who is NOT a Bangladeshi. Our ex-finance minister was even jealous of Dr. Yunus winning the Noble Peace Prize. I wonder if its possible at all to bring about a positive change in our nation’s fate by ourselves? Or do we need foreign intervention? Although we started fighting against Pakistan from 26th March 1971, India intervened in 3rd December and East Pakistan became Bangladesh in 13 days, in 16th December 1971. Probably we should have delayed India’s intervention, so that every family in Bangladesh would have had lost someone in the fight for independence, then they would have probably understood the value of loss and gain.
• Bangladesh is not ready for democracy. Majority do not know how to spell ‘democracy‘ or ‘Gonotontro’ in Bengali, confused which ‘n’ to use. A ‘Benevolent Dictator’ is what is required now, so that we do not waste time, head in one direction for a few years and then talk about democracy when we think like that.
• What we are suffering from is called ‘identity crisis’. We do not have a national leader, national icon, national dress, we do not have anything to boast off to the outside world.
• Our national cricket team rightly reflects the nature of Bangladeshi people. The 11 players as a team do not acknowledge that cricket is a mind game too, involving temperament. Individually they are very nice human beings, down to earth, soft spoken and modest. They are rarely aggressive, abusive or offensive, they lack the killer instinct, they do not attack the bowlers (when they do they lose their wickets in quick successions), they do not attack the batsmen (how often do they put attacking fielding? How often do they sledge? How often do they exchange fiery looks with opponents?). However it is argued that sometimes you need to think outside the box, act outside the norm, to win a game or to bring about a change, sometimes you need to lose patience and starve for success, and change. Is the time now?
• How about a ‘Rang De Basanti’ type revolution?
  
  

Alien invasion

I think he was from North India...as he started to talk to me in Punjabi as his wife was embarassed and was trying to drag him away...I didn't understand a single word what he was saying...so he asked me if I were Asian or not...upon getting a positive response he asked me which country I was from...when he came to know that I am from Bangladesh...he said that he was from India...and added that still we are both Asians...so its the same. This incident took place in the narrow alley of Ripon Bhai/Farhana's place in Turnpike Lane this evening. I think the Indian family must have arrived recently in the UK and the guy must have been very eager to meet fellow countrymates/Asians in the greatest melting pot of the world...London. However this small incident reminds me of something....Bangladesh bears the unwelcome label of being the 'largest delta' in the whole world...unwelcome because this causes serious floods every year....partly due to natural climate changes and partly due to neighbourly expressions of 'water generosity' from time to time....causing great misery to people...the only thing that remains 'not drowned' in floodwater are the rail tracks...so inundated human beings take refuge on those rail tracks awaiting the flood to subdue...interestingly enough..a strange cohabitation of humans and animals could be seen during these times....for example humans with their minimal household items could be seen with stray dogs, cows, cats, foxes, goats, poultry etc. trying to accommodate each other as the calamity continues...the deadliest of enemies would even shake hands in cooperation when both of them are hit hard by another enemy...so they better coexist and survive first...then they can resume their bitter enmities....say for example if something like the movie 'Armageddon' does happen to the Earth....what would happen then? I assume we will see fighting nations of the world would abandon their earthly causes and would unite to fight the bigger 'alien' threats...to save the Earth from destruction by a flying rock or from alien invasion from the planet Krypton...we might see the Bush-Laden duo working hand in hand to find out a way to destroy the deadly rock and save the mankind from 'final destruction'...this pair have already proved to be very successful in terrorising the whole world with their mutual enmities...one with his promise to find WMDs and make America and the world safer from tyrants...and the other by taking a franchisee of Islam and thus ensuring everyone 'explosive' one-way tickets to heaven....but in the face of third party danger...they can combine their brains and do something worthwhile....we might also see that Israelis and Palestinians are sorting out plans to save the holy lands of Jerusalem from being destroyed by the unexpected meteroid out there to blow the Earth to pieces...America, UK, France, China, Israel, India, Iran, Pakistan, North Korea etc. would stop aiming their hidden nuclear bombs to each other's asses and would start aiming them towards the Big Rock...the Rock which might be million times destructive than their combined nuclear bombs...and would blow all of their asses in a second....I wonder if the Sunni's and Shiites would stop killing each other in Iraq and Pakistan....if they would realise that they belong to the same faith in the end of the day...I wonder if India and Pakistan would stop fighting over Kashmir and hold hands in leading the sub-continent in the world economy by virtue of its sheer manpower....and the human beings of different countries, different religions, colors would realise that they are humans first...and foremost...being human was in the hand of nature...rest are all man made...and they would keep this in mind when the 'flood' would die away and they would be able to return to their 'homes'....all this I was talking about because the Asian man I met this evening became very happy to have found another Asian in me...in a European country...if I would have met the same person in India...I am sure he would have sniffed me out wondering if I have proper documents to be in India or not, what faith I follow etc....strange isn't it? So moral of the story is 'Alien invasion is the only way out to solve world's political problems'...if any four-eyed six-legged green-blooded alien is reading this blog...please feel free to email me and abduct me beforehand to your planet incase you decide to attack our one and only beloved Earth.

Long Lost Buddies

I met him after 3 years...in between I had gone back to Bangladesh from India....and then came here in the UK...he took a job in India..was placed in Cyprus and came to the UK this month only for a business trip...it was so good to meet my good old uni friend from Delhi....we recalled memories...talked about who is doing what...and what lies next...and talked about 'beyond description' crazy, whacky, funny, interesting incidents that took place while we studied together...I finally saw my friend off this evening saying goodbye and not knowing when and where we will meet next...straight from Heathrow I headed to Stratford to meet another LLB (Long Lost Buddy)...this time...from school...I came to know just yesterday that he had been in London for the last 4 months...and had been living in the same place where I used to go so very frequently till end April..when my friends/ex-colleagues used to stay there....a couple of friends are still left there...and from this topic to that topic my school buddy realised that both him and his housemates have a common friend...that's me....so I decided not to delay any further and meet him straight away....after long 11 years I met my LLB and hugged him as if we were school boys...we realised our languages took sudden dip and lingos/slangs/swearwords used in 1995 came down flowing...we also realised that the sincerity felt inside in asking whereabouts and wellbeing...was so true...and heartfelt...there was no sense of selfishness, jealousy....comparison of our individual gains...the joy in meeting a long lost friend was pure and precious...we realised how pure, precious and simple life was when we were in school...amidst all the confusion and complication of present life...it was still worth to enjoy the same feeling for a short while in the company of my long lost friend.

Binding Boundaries

A true example of 'hidden cost striking hard' was when my supervisor asked me to hard bind my dissertation and make three copies of it...one for the sponsor company, one for the university and one for myself...so that I could show it to my grandchildren in future...The shop near the university quoted 45£ for a 3-day hard binding service...I was alarmed to calculate that in order to hard bind three copies of my dissertation would cost me around 200£...including the printing costs...I was so shocked and unprepared financially for this sudden expense that I was determined not to let this happen...so I finally gave a spiral-bound version (9£) of my dissertation to the sponsor company..and found that they were pretty happy with it...on a test basis I decided to go ahead with one copy from that 'next-to-uni' shop...and saw my 45£ go there...adamant not to let this happen in the case of the last copy...I seeked help of the Googlegod...and came to know of a company in central London who do the same job for just 25£!I was at my wit's end...and realised that had I waited longer and done a bit of research...I would have found more affordable options...however I then opened London journey planner website and found out the easiest way to go to that place by bus...next morning it took me around 40 minutes to reach that binding shop in Ludgate Hill...happy I was and I told them I would recommend them to my friends as well..as they are providing such affordable thesis binding...happily I returned home and happily I collected it from them after a few days...all went well when a friend of mine informed me that day itself that there is another binding shop close to university and guess what...just next to where I live..sharing the same emergency exits....they offer the same job with special discount for students at a price of only 22£ !!! This was the latest when I felt like a complete fool...the cheapest binding shop at my nose-tip and I travelled across central London to look for one...I was shell-shocked and couldn't look at the mirror for the next few hours...moral of the story...'its always a good idea to know your neighbourhood first and know it well'.

Signs

Do I call these mere coincidences? well if you say so...but let me tell me more...I came to London with 1200£ to buy a laptop...which disappeared in front of my eyes while settling down in the expensive city, I tried to keep track of it, but I was always eluded...I finished my one year MBA without any laptop...deprived of the facility of doing my assignments from the comfort of my room...where I resided...I made my way to local cyber cafe after work...in the bitter English winter...progressed on my assignments withstanding hunger and exhaust...then made my way back home braving the chilly wind...and after finishing the coursework..when I was left only with my dissertation...and when the need of a laptop was paramount...somehow my credit score passed and I could get a laptop of my own...ironic wasn't it? Well and good...so far so good...all went well..I worked on my dissertation and finished it well before time while my laptop gave me the comfort and luxury to do things from my own room...thanks to the unsubscribed wireless internet connection...which did use to drop from time to time...but it was just perfect for me...and now...in August..when I am done with my studies and dissertation...willing to prolong my stay here in the promise land...my poor laptop is unable to trace and connect to any strong wifi internet...at the same time...I am about to lose my job...as I don't have my passport with me..to show them that I am legally eligible to stay in this country and continue with my work...and dreams...as my travel document still lies with the decision-makers..still awaiting consideration....they haven't decided yet..whether to let me stay...or show me the door...I wonder how and why does my wifi internet connection fails when I am finally done with my studies...and the big questions hangs over my head...whether to stay here or go back home...hardly plans fall according to how they are expected to be isn't it? Are these all signs of something we don't control? I don't know...as of now..I know that I am drifitng away...either from the shore....or to the shore I am supposed to be.

In search of peace

Life never has been so stressful perhaps since the good old school days in early 90s...we never had to bother about being stigmatised for our names, our color or the faith we believe in...things have changed over the years till now..and they have changed for the worse...I wonder why we decided to leave our countries in the first place...to get better education...to earn more money...to have a decent lifestyle...to have a peacuful life I suppose...free from political instability, corruption and heat and humidity ( I hate that)...over which we don't have control..as individuals...but now it seems that that it is nothing but a mere mirage in a oasis of confusion and frustration...seems that we don't know now that when we wake up everyday whether we will be back home alive in one piece...or would be blown apart into pieces...in tubes, buses or airplanes...we are caught in the crossfire between policymakers and their opposers...and we are prone to becoming history... for wars fought in different corners of the world...any nightmare is a step away from becoming reality...I wish we were born in or would have settled in countries which are 'not very hot and humid'...and which are not involved in any conflict with any particular group of people in the world...say countries like Sweden, Finland, Norway or New Zealand fall into this category...they don't have hot weather..and they don't invade any other countries...they don't supply arms to any other countries...and they are not in any direct conflict with any other country or community....well...wishful thinking I guess....that is all we can do now.

Burning Book Method

First it was Salman Rushdie with Satanic Verses, then it was Taslima Nasreen with Lajja and now its the turn of Monica Ali with Bricklane...The Bricklane Association here in London, the people at the helm of upholding the culture of Bengalis, have decided to burn copies of Bricklane this Sunday....why? well...no wonder its summer time here in London any ways, the folks don't need any extra heat by burning those letters written on paper...they think the author has written something insulting to the curry businesses and to the Bengali-British community as a whole...and since the author had her freedom of expression....so they also have freedom 'to burn books'.....wonderful i'nit?I really don't have much to say...if this is what they represent after living in this country for decades....their view of the world have remained the same...myopic...i am sad to say....even narrower than Bricklane itself...or than any remote alley in their 'fele asha desh'....I wonder how many of them have actually read the book in the first place...I have always wondered why don't they write something called 'Quranic Verses'..in reply to Rushdie...something called 'Gorbo' (Pride) in reply to Taslima's 'Lajja'...or write up something in reply to..as a retort to Monica's Bricklane....but they chose to do the easier act...prepare a rally...preach some shit..or hate..burn the books...and go home happy...understandably writing a novel is tougher...and requires brain...more than brawn. Nevertheless all this 'burning book' syndrome has made the authors of those controversial books...very famous overnight...they didn't have to do anything much...I think Rushdie, Taslima and Monica can very well fire their personal agents...as the folks in Iran, Bangladesh and Bricklane are doing their job pretty well...bringing them to limelight by creating a fuss over something probably which is not worth in the first place...anyways...inspired by the activities of the activists...I have finally decided to write a novel....hoping that very soon it will be able to create a controversy strong enough that they will try to burn my book too....making me famous in the process...what do you think? atleast I am trying to apply my brain here...come on!All these years of studies and all..what for? I am nobody still....if there are freelancers there who are willing to make me famous by burning a few copies of books...what's wrong in that?