BHC lauds diaspora's role in development of Bangladesh

Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina appointed Dr M Sayeedur Rahman Khan as High Commissioner to UK in April last year. Earlier, he was attached to Department of Applied Physics and Electronic Engineering, Rajshahi University which he joined in 1970s. He was conferred PhD degree from London in 1977 and did post-doctoral researches from Sweden, China and London in 1990, 92 and 93 respectively. Dr Khan began to work as a lecturer at Rajshahi University in 1970, where he was promoted to the rank of Professor in 1986. Subsequently he was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the same University for a term of four years in 1999. Dr M Sayeedur Rahman Khan is determined to improve better relationship between Bangladesh and Britain. He says Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government is determined to develop the country and improve social and economic condition as well as living standard of common man. The Asians’ team interviewed him on various issues related to Bangladeshi Diaspora.

The Asians: Will you please let us know about yourself?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: I basically belong to teaching profession and am attached to Rajshahi University for the last 39 years which is the second largest higher educational institution in the country. However, I was appointed as High Commissioner to UK by Government of Peoples Republic of Bangladesh. London is not an unknown place for me because I did Ph D from London University in 1976. I love my country very much and it is my endeavour as High Commissioner to further enhance the image of my country.

The Asians: What is the numerical strength of Bangladeshi community in this country?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: The exact number is not known but they are estimated at around 0.5 million most of them from North eastern district of Sylhet. If I am not wrong they number 90%. The reason for coming here was definitely in search of a better living. These people are business minded.

The Asians: What problems Bangladeshi community are facing?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: The majority of Bangladeshi community carries British citizenship. They have merged in this society. The second largest majority is of Bangladeshi student undergoing education in different institutions. The students usually face different kinds of problems. Only last year some 15 thousand students faced serious problems. Many of them had paid admission fee but on their arrival here they were shocked to know that registration of their colleges had since been cancelled. Another problem was of finances. They had thought that they would meet their expenditure by doing some part time job but the country was already facing serious unemployment problems and they had to contact the high Commission. The High Commission could have done little to address their part time job problem but expiration of college registration had definitely a genuine issue as their admission fee were at stake as the authorities had advised them to get seek admission in other colleges. The High Commission took up the matter with the authorities concerned High Commission officials held meetings with Foreign Office and Education ministry and succeeded in prevailing upon them that the students had no fault as they were in possession of valid visa and college admission letters. The authorities reconsidered their earlier stand and resolved the issue. As I have said earlier the majority of Bangladeshi has British citizenship but anyone who approaches the High Commission in connection with their problems it is our responsibility to help him. The majority of Bangladeshis here are in restaurant businesses as they number around 12 thousand which is a big support t British economy. The children and relatives of the restaurant owners are studying here in colleges and universities and it is quite natural they would not like to join restaurant business after getting professional education. That has resulted in shortage of skilled workers chefs and waiters. In this background we are trying to convince the authorities to allow workers in these categories from Bangladesh to fill in the gap in this industry. But British government has its own immigration policy. However, we are still working on it.

The Asians: Are you agreed that Bangladeshi community lags behind local community in education and other sectors and faces many economic problems?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman : I do agree with you but only partially. If we look at the statics of the last three years it clearly shows that Bangladeshi students had performed better in GCSE, A or O’ level examinations than students from other ethnic communities. The High Commission gives Outstanding Achievement student of the Year Award every year. Many of these students are studying in Cambridge, Oxford and other institutions. Younger generation is very talented but this is also a fact that their grand fathers’ great grandfathers who came here were uneducated. Most of them came here after 1971. Had they come 20 or 30 years before the situation would have been different?  But I think the situation is now improving.  Social problems linked with education, employment and other factors. If these youth get employment the situation would definitely better. Bangladeshi youth are auguring well in the British society that is a good omen. Many Bangladeshi origins were elected councillors, mayors and the first woman MP Rushanara Ali MP in the last elections.

The Asians: How do you visualise the future of SAARC? Why didn’t it succeed like European Union?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: Good question, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation or SAARC is not that old. It came into being only 25 years before and the western press termed it as zero plus zero is equal to zero.  But in my opinion it had made some progress that could not be ignored no matter that it could not achieve the objectives for which it was formed and I am very much optimistic about its future. The last and the 16th meeting addressed the environmental changes an issue equally important for all SAARC members to counter natural calamities. Progress was also achieved on two agreements one about environmental changes and the other about trade and services. Besides, the SAARC leaders also discussed food security issue as the region is a home to one of the largest population of the world whose food requirements are the responsibilities of the government concerned. Another important issue was of terrorism as they have no frontiers or religion. They sneak into one country from the other. It’s a global issue. SAARC leaders reached consensus on convention on weeding out terrorism and additional protocol under which all member countries would play their role in combating terrorism. May there are political differences among us but the process is stalled. The third and common problem is poverty and every member is making its own efforts for its alleviation. South Asian Trade Area (SAFTA) has been constituted on the pattern of NAFTA under which food items would be traded among member countries like European Union easily and without tariff. Nut the major hurdle in its implementation is disagreement over the list of tariff and non tariff items. Every country has given its own list and the concerned committee has finalised a list with consensus and it’s to be hoped that food items would be transported from one member country to the other as is the case in European Union. The leaders also reached consensus on power supply and water distribution, which definitely are important issues for the region. Culture, education and SAARC Games also came under discussion.

The Asians: Don’t you think that Indo-Pak relations are made stumbling block in the success of SAARC?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: To some extent you are right as both are important countries of the region. SAARC ideas was flatted by Bangladesh and had been continuously vying for is success. It is hoped that the differences between the two countries would be assuaged and SAARC would have a chance to auger well.

The Asians: Democracy could not take firm root in Pakistan and Bangladesh in the region. What you think are the main reasons?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: People of Bangladesh are basically democratic liberal and progressive minded and democratic system worked well for the first three and a half year of its existence but certain secret forces matured our great leader Sheikh Mujibur Rehman and a government was put in place with military support that remained in power for 15 years. But the people never accepted it and struggled against it as a result of which democracy was restored in 1991 that remained in place for another fifteen years than again army captured power for two years but had to leave in face of public protest and the country returned to democratic order in 2008 under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with a heavy mandate. The army dislodged democratic governments on charges of corruption while it was the duty of the people to make accountability. If some politician is corrupt the people would reject him. So far as Pakistan is concerned had there a democratic government there had been no issue of war against Taliban and terrorists.

The Asians: There has been a major role of hereditary politics in the region. What you have to say about this?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: It has been so in Pakistan but in Bangladesh students have very active in politics. Now well educated youth are entering into politics and situation is fast changing.

The Asians: Do you think extremism and fundamentalism is on the rise in Bangladeshi youth?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: I don’t think so now. But in the past extremism was on the rise and such thing happens when government itself sponsors it.  But the present government is fully determined to take all possible steps to deal with such elements either they are religious or far left. There presence in any country not in the interest of the development. There has been considerable decrease in extremists as the government is very serious about the issue. There should be regional cooperation in combating terrorism as it would be problem if any terrorist enters Bangladesh from India where extremist organizations such as ALFA are very active, or any one from here crosses into India. The government should take this issue very seriously and help each other.

The Asians: Has government placed any moniritng system over religious seminaries?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: Madaris should be the centre of religious education but unfortunately certain institutions are providing bases for fundamentalists against whom the government has taken a number of strict measures and introduced subjects like social science and modern science in their syllabus so that they could earn their livelihood in a respectable manner. The government has introduced new education policy and made basic changes in the educational system.

The Asians: What role the countries of the region could play in establishment t of peace in South Asia?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: Much head way could be made if we strengthen SAARC. The leaders of these countries sit around negotiation table and produce an atmosphere of understanding. It’s not a win-win but lose –lose game. A major chunk of budget of the countries of the regions goes to defence that could be spent on the welfare of the people. If people of these countries press their respective governments many things could be changed.

The Asians: Economic activities are gradually shifting from west to the east especially to South Asia. What is your opinion about this?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: Good question. Many economies in South Asia are on the path of progress especially in the backdrop of global economic recession. The growth rate in South Asian has shown improvement e.g. the annual growth rate of GDP in Bangladesh remained 6 per cent and that of India 8 per cent comparing to the European countries where it is zero to 0.5 per cent. Similarly positive economic growth is quite visible in Pakistan and other countries. Our products are available in all super markets of Europe contrary to the past when it was a one way traffic.

The Asians: What steps your government has been taking for poverty alleviation and improving social and economic situation?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: Despite a short period of one hand a half year to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, many important steps have been taken in this regard. The government under its vision 2012 had made many long and short term planning. It has planned to make primary education cent per cent. Our agriculture has also shown improvement and we have nearly achieved food autarky. The government has also planned to achieve 6% GDP growth by 2013 and 10 per cent by 2017. Presently we are reckoned among low family income group but by 2017 we will counted among middle income group. Presently female education is free upto Inter level which the government plans to degree level. 40 per cent people are living below poverty line which the government plans to decrease to 15 per cent. Under the millennium goal provision of potable water and health and sanitation facilities is the responsibility of the government. At present 70 million people are using mobile phones while efficient internet service is also available. Under Digital Bangladesh programme internet and IT sector would be made more effective by the year 2021. There are presently 90 universities in the country of which 35 in public and remaining in private sector. The government also wants to assuage its dependence on foreign assistance. Under this programme 60 per cent expenditures would be pooled from national resources while 40 percent on foreign aid which we be gradually decreased. 1000 MW electricity has been generated to overcome power shortage. Demand and supply of electricity would be balanced within three years.

The Asians: What steps have been taken by the government to deal with national calamities and floods?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: Our people are very brave and face difficult situation with great courage. Shelters home have been built in coastal areas to protect from floods. The government has also set up environmental changes fund so that affected people could be provide relief  in flood and natural calamities without any delay but in this task we need also need international support. If the global warning increases with present rate most part of Bangladeshi would be submerged. Brittan and European Union are supporting us in this matter but we need more assistance as the issue has been created by the West.  We have the best cyclone warning system but we need more sensitive instruments to assuage the number of people hit by these calamities.

The Asians: What role the Bangladeshi community here can do for the development of Bangladesh?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: They are already playing their role in his regard. Their remittances are a big support and help to their country. The professionals of second and their generation are investing in different projects while the doctors are also helping their previous country. We have achieved success in ship building and are now exporting ships to Europe. British Bangladeshi have made big investment in this sector.  They have set up hotels and health care centres. There are ample opportunities in investment in power, IT and tourism sector for foreign investors as the government has made very friendly investment policy.

The Asians: Would you like to give some message to your community?
Dr Sayeedur Rahman: Asian community has played an important role in development of this society. My message to them is that they should discharge their responsibilities for the progress of this society honestly.