Now that's what I call Qatar 32: Bangham

Good day to you All,

Today is Thursday and that for me means WEEKEND! its always a tough week when you come back from abroad on Sunday (the western worlds Monday) and have this constant jet-lag feeling, yet at the same time, you don't want to come earlier because it means less time on holiday or at home, so I try to tough it out for the week and then get rest at the weekend, which im planning to do this weekend.

The last entry was much more of a review than anything else so this one will be more about my thoughts about something close to my heart,

Well jus been reading the news and read this http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/01/09/d70109040331.htm

Oldham football team is going to be touring Bangladesh, first uk team to do, I think its really cool and great way to promote the team, I have very mixed feelings towards my mothers country, I mean I love it, and I am proud of being Bangladeshi, I think the country does have beautiful aspects, but there is so much wrong with the country, that I am complexed to understand how anyone can survive in such a atmosphere.It is always up there in the most corrupt countries in the world league, and I know alot of people say poverty drives crime and corruption, (think of all poor areas where u live, that is where most likely the highest crime will be) however its not that straight forward I think. I mean no matter the level of wealth of someone from the orient, they always tend to do well at education (OK im going to be saying some huge generalisations but still I think I have a valid point!) whereas people from Africa tend not to do well at education. Obviously there are anomalies, however I feel the vast majority of cases can be put in these cases, and there are plenty of stats. Now some will say well those Africans tend to be from poorer up bringing and don't have as many opportunities, however the Chinese people in the UK tend not to be overtly wealthy, and yet excel in school. Now I think its more down to work ethic and culture, the orient has a great wealth of intellectual knowledge whereas Africa has a strong physical- work ethic culture. That is why you see so many black people in sports.

Now getting back to Bangladesh, the thing is, it used to be part of India and Pakistan, yet Indians have this strong work ethic and Pakistan is kind of in the middle, whereas Bangladeshis continue to do terribly in school, and even worse in university and working life. This is where it gets confusing in terms of theories, I mean it cant be about wealth, as you have people from other poor backgrounds doing well, and it cant because of the culture or ethic of the country as Bangladesh has a similar culture to India, so what the hell is it??? I don't know to be honest, its something that greatly puzzles me, and is worrying for the future of British Bangladeshis, because the knowledge pool is decreasing by the day whilst other communities are taking advantage of being privileged to be schooled in the UK. If those kids who fuck up at school, go back to Africa and Bangladesh they would realise exactly how lucky they are, I lived in Bangladesh when I was growing up for 9 months, it wasn't long, however did have a impact on my life, and made me realise just how good the education is in the UK. I still messed up at school, but thank God, I managed to realise before it was too late. Unfortunately many kids these days don't realise till its to late.

I was speaking to a guy at my work, this Bangladeshi guy, who has a very low paid job, and was telling him Im having a problem finding a cleaner, and was worried about it, and then I asked him how he was, and he was like has ok, he has problems, but not like mine, implying we live in different worlds, it hit home, that though im doing well for myself here, there are so many other people who are just getting by, and I mean just. The conditions for low level people here are terrible, 15-20 guys in a small room, one toilet, they work 18 hours a day 6-7 days a week, some don't get paid as their employers screw them, its really terrible. The fact he is Bangladeshi makes me think that it could have been me in his position and he in mine, its just by Gods will, that I am me and he is him. It makes you feel like you can walk and the other person needs to use a wheelchair, I mean I need to make use of my life, and do good with it, as I have been blessed, like the guy with the legs, I have learnt to think that my education was a right I had but was a gift and I need to make use of it....


Well that's it for my folks,

Take care of yourselves and enjoy your weekend.

Asif