21st Century Kunta Kinte by Farhad Reza

st 21
Century Kunta Kinte !
21st Century 21st Century Kunta Kinte! Kunta Kinte!
Century 21st Century Kunta Kinte! Kunta Kinte!
21st Century 21st Century Kunta Kinte! Kunta Kinte!
Century 21st Century Kunta Kinte! Kunta Kinte!

st 21
st 21
Farhadur Reza
FarhadurRezas
21st Century Kunta Kinte

DEDICATION
youcan'tgobacktoyourmother'swomb,so youbetterlearntobeagoodfighter
To themostcourageousperson taughtmetodreambeyondimagination, mymotherRabeyaKhatun
21 Century Kunta Kinte!

(Stolen generations of the 21st Century!!)
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by
Farhadur Reza
(commenced writing in late 2005)
I have won all my battles, But lost the war

FarhadurReza,2020
Chapter1:21 CenturyKuntaKintebyFarhadurReza 1
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Chapter
Revealing the untold!

Thisstoryunveilsanewdimensionofhumanconspiracyeverimplementedby mankind.Itisabouttheuntoldstoryofknowledgeslavery,stolengenerations andtheshamefulconspiracysociallyengineeredbyhumancivilisationbelongstothe developedworld. Thisstoryisasocialfiction! Itisaboutthejourneyofknowledgeslaves. Noonewouldfindthetermknowledgeslavesintodaysdictionary.Thetermwas developedandidentifiedwithinaverystrictandconfidentialhiddenconspiracy amongthedevelopedcountriesinthe1950s.Underthisinternationalconspiracy thedevelopedcountrieshavebeenprocuringtargetedhumanbeingasknowledge slavesfromalloverthedevelopingworldandimportingthemtocountrieslike Australia,Canada,USA,UK,GermanyandFrancetoworkforthedevelopedworld. Theknowledgeslavesaretrappedasvictimoftheattractions,glamourand promisesforabetterqualityoflifetocomplementthecorethemeofthisbiggest conspiracyofslavery,thecivilisedworldhaveeverexperienced! Thisistheundercoverhumantraffickinginthenameofhumanity! Yes,Iamtalkingabouttheinternationalimmigrationpolicyinventedbythe developedworld.Thisissuewasdiscussedheavilyinthe1960sasbraindrain, whenlotsofCanadiansweremigratingtotheUSAwithanexpectationofabetter life. Iknowitsoundsodd!Iknowitsoundscrazy!ButIwouldliketoadvocatethis schoolofthoughtthatinternationalmigrationpolicyisanintegralpartofa conspiracytheory! In1989,wewillinglycametoAustraliaasmigrantwithgreatselfishhopeto improveourownqualityoflifeleavingourparentsandsiblingsoverseasina developingcountry.Wedidnothaveanycluethatwewerepartofahuge internationalsocialconspiracyengineeredoveralongperiodoftime.Wewere importedandslowlyexploitedtoupgradethequalityoflifeofAustraliansby workingforAustraliaandbyenhancingAustralianeconomythroughoursweatand blood!
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Thiswasthebeginningofafirstgenerationmigrantslikeusinthoseinitialdaysof slavery. Ittookmorethan20yearsformetounderstandthedeepmeaningofthe internationalmigrationpolicyforthedevelopedworld.Migrationpolicyisthe civilisedtitleforSlaveCatching.Theyarenotphysicallytorturingus,wearenot chainedlikeKuntaKinte,theAfricanslave,butwearetrappedwithaninvisible chainofpreplannedimposedcommitmentsandliabilitiesonus! ThisisprobablythegreatestconspiracyinrelationtoprocureslavessinceKunta KinteasportrayedbyAlexHalleyinhisnovelRoots. Iamoneofthevictims!Aknowledgeslaveofthe21stcentury. Iknowatthisstageallofyouarethinkinggobacktoyourcountry,whereyouhave comefromthen! Icantblameyou.YouareabsolutelyrightandIwillgobackonceIamfreefrommy trappedlife.Butthatisnotaneasyescape! Thisisthejourneyofa21stCenturyKuntaKinte. Thisstoryonlyhasabeginningwithoutanendingasitisanongoingirony,an ongoingjourneyforlotofus.Theconclusionisinyourhand,howyouasthewitness ofthisconspiracywouldliketoendthisstory!! Thisismystory!
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Chapter
The realisation!
Migrationamongmankindisnothingnew.Humanmigrationisusuallyinfluencedby twofactors:thepullfactorsandthepushfactors. Longago,mankindcommencedmigrationeithertohuntforfood,fertileplacesto live,toavailsometypesofeconomicopportunitieswhichwerenotavailableintheir placesofresidenceortoconqueranotherland.Thistypeofhumanmigrationis directlyinfluencedbythepullfactors.Theothertypeofmigrationtakesplacewhen peoplehavetoleavetheirhomelandunwillingly,asaresultofwar,politicalviolence, naturaldisaster,healthissuesandsoon.Thistypeofmigrationiscausedduetothe pushfactors. Thisnaturalhumanaspirationtomigratewasverycunninglysociallyengineeredby thedevelopedworld.Thishumancharacteristicwascapturedandexploitedbythe developedworldtoplanandimplementtheformalfaceofhumanmigration.They endedupdevelopinganationalandinternationalpolicytitledthecountrys Immigrationpolicy. Overnight,allthesedevelopedcountrieswereequippedwithlargedepartmentsof immigrationtoadvocate,promoteandfacilitatethismigrationaspiration.They developedapackageforprospectivemigrantsfullofyummygoodiesconsistsof veryattractivepullfactors. Iampartofthisgenerationofmigrants,verymuchinfluencedbytheseattractive pullfactors.Unfortunatelyorunknowingly,wehavetrappedourselvesintoa conspiracyofmodernslaveryinthenameofskilledmigration. ItwasafreshcoldMelbournemorninginApril1989,whenmyjourneybegan. WewillinglycametoAustraliaasskilledmigrantunderaveryelitemigration segmentcalledindependentcategory.Wearrivedwithagreatselfishhopeto improveourownqualityoflifeleavingourparentsandsiblingsoverseasina developingcountry.Wedidnothaveanycluethatwewerepartofahuge internationalconspiracy.Wewereimportedandslowlyexploitedtoupgradethe qualityoflifeforAustraliansbyworkingforthiscountry.Therewerenodirect opportunitiesofferedtocontributetoourcountryoforiginthroughanyformal programsdesignedbytheAustraliangovernmentasagestureofthankstothose countriesforsharingtheirtalentedbrains!
Chapter2:21 CenturyKuntaKintebyFarhadurReza
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Ittookmorethan20yearsformetounderstandthedeepmeaningofthemigration policyforthedevelopedworld.Migration,policyisthecivilisedtitleforSlave Catching.Theyarenotphysicallytorturingus,wearenotchainedlikeKunta Kinte,theAfricanslave,butwearetrappedwithaninvisiblechainofpreplanned imposedcommitmentsandliabilities! Thisisprobablythegreatestcoveredupconspiracyinrelationtoprocureslaves sincetheAmericanscapturedKuntaKinteasportrayedbyAlexHalleyinhisnovel Roots. Ithinkitistimetoraisethisissuenowinthe21stCenturybeforeitbecomesworse inthecomingcenturies.Ournextgenerationmigrantsneedtoknowourfeelings andalsothetrapsthatwehavealreadysteppedin.Thisisawarningforthemand alsoaneyeopenerforfutureprospectivemigrantstothedevelopedworld. ThislongtermconspiracywassociallyengineeredaftertheSecondWorldWarwhen mostofthedevelopedcountrieswereaffectedanddidnothaveenoughactive humanresourcestosupportthecountrysociallyandeconomically.Alarge numberofItalians,GreeksandpeoplefromsomeEastEuropeancountrieswere attractedtocountrylikeAustraliaandmigratedheretoimprovetheirownqualityof life.Theycommencedworkmainlyasphysicallabourer,veryfewofthemwere capableoftakingamoreintellectualresponsibilityorwhitecollarjobsinthe knowledgeindustrytoprogressthesecountriesintothepostwarera. Agapforhumanresourcewasidentified!Thatgaptriggeredtheconspiracy. Sincethen,fewdevelopedcountriestogetherplottedtheplantoestablishhigh standardacademicinstitutionsinvariouspartsofthedevelopingworldincluding Asia(eg.AsianInstituteofTechnologyinThailandestablishedin1959).These institutesweretoproduceintellectuallycapableknowledgeslavesbyattracting talentedstudentsfromthedevelopingcountries.Atthesametime,thedeveloped worldcreatedandofferedscholarshipsforbrilliantstudentsfromthedeveloping countriestodotertiarystudiesincountriesliketheUSA,UK,CanadaandAustralia. TheyestablishedorganisationslikeBritishCouncilandUSIStodisseminateattractive informationontheircountries. Theoreticallytheobjectivewastosendthegraduatesfromtheseinstitutesbackto theircountryoforigintosupportthedevelopmenteffortsofthepoorcountryby implementingtheirknowledgeaftercompletingtheirstudies. But,inreality,underthecoverofscholarships,stipendsthehiddenplanwasto supportmajorityofthesegraduatestosettleinathirdcountryliketheUSA,UK, CanadaorAustralia. Thisviciousplotattractedpeoplelikeustoliveandworkinthedevelopedworld throughamechanism,popularlyknownasimmigrationpolicy.Thesecountries conspiracytocapturethistalentedpoolofresourcesissoopenthatitisdirectly
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comparablewiththeslavecatchersduringtheKuntaKintetime.Theyused chains,netsandgunstocaptureslavesfromAfricawhiletodaysslavecatchers usesattractiveuniversitydegrees,scholarshipsandpromiseforabetterqualityof lifeasthebait.Thedevelopmentofinternetcomplementedtheirefforts tremendously.Thebaitlookssonaturalandhealthythatyouwouldacceptthe importationprocesswillingly! Justlikethefisharewillinglyattractedtoourbaits(withacoveredsharphook) underwater. Iamoneoftheirvictimsaknowledgeslaveofthe21stcentury. IamFarhadurReza,anArchitectPlanner,marriedtoNigarAshfaqReza,another ArchitectPlanner.WehavetwolovelydaughtersKishoreeandAuditya. IwasbornandbroughtupinBangladeshinitscapitalcityofDhaka.Bangladeshisa developingcountrywhichisstillstrugglingtohaveapoliticallystablegovernment evenafter40yearsofindependencesince1971. Thecountryitselfhasaveryproudhistoryofhappiness,prideandveryrichcultural heritage.Villagesarestillheartofthecountry.Bangladeshisarealwaysveryproud oftheindependencewarof1971whichhelpedtoachievefreedomfromPakistan andevenbeforethat,howtheyendedtheBritishcolonialerain1947.Theonly shortcomingwastheverylowrateofliteracy,populationexplosionandverylow socioeconomiccondition.Ontheotherhandthereisahugepoolofprospective humanresourceswithuntappedtalentsandwillingnesstoforwardthecountry. Bangladeshisaperfecttargetfortheinternationalconspiracytocaptureongoing knowledgeslaves! TheinternationalmigrationpolicyhadinfluencedBangladeshisocialfabriclong beforetheindependencein1971.Itstartedinthe1950sduetotheBritishcolonial influenceandEnglishconnectionsthroughvariousregionalcitiesofBangladeshlike Sylhet.SylhethadextremelywellconnectionswiththeUnitedKingdomthroughthe teagardens,oncemostlyownedbytheBritish.Asaresult,intheearly1950sand 1960salotofBangladeshismigratedtotheUKandeventuallycaptureda considerableproportionoftherestaurantindustrybyestablishingIndian restaurantsinalmosteveryprominentcities. Forourgeneration,theimpactofmigrationattraction,startedaroundthemid 1980s. Itwasearly1986,IsawtheadvertisementonadailynewspaperinBangladesh regardinghigherstudiesopportunityinaninternationalprestigiousinstitutelikethe AsianInstituteofTechnology(AIT)inBangkok,Thailand.Iknewsomeofmyfriends hadalreadytakenthisopportunityandgonetoThailandbefore.AITwasofferinga fullscholarshipincludingplanefair,accommodationandahandsomebursary.
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Theconditionwasverysimple,youhavetobeanoutstandingacademicstudentand needtogothroughaveryrigorousselectionprocess.Asafreshgraduatefromone ofthebestuniversitiesinBangladeshthebaitwastooattractiveformynewly marriedwifeandI. Wewerehooked. Theintentionwasverynoblefromthedevelopedcountrysperspectiveitwasto increasetheliteracyrateofalldevelopingcountriesbybuildinginhousecapacity. Allthesebrilliantstudentswilleventuallyservetoimprovethequalityoflifeoftheir ownpeopleaftercompletingthecoursebyreturningtotheircountry. Butthehiddenagendawastrulysecret. Ateamofextraordinarytalentedpeoplefromthedevelopedworldwereworking dayandnighttoputtherealintentionundertheglamorouscoveroftheir ImmigrationPolicy.Thisbehindthesceneworkwastotallyunknowntoallofus untilwebecamepartoftheAustralianconspiracyin1989andbeyond! NigarandIgraduatedfromAIT,theprestigiousInstituteinThailand,withaMasters DegreeinSocialSciencewithspecificfocusonHumanSettlementsDevelopment.It wasveryappropriatedegreetoimplementourknowledgebackinBangladeshto improveoneofthebasicneedsforourcountryaffordablehousing.Insteadwe wereattractedbythewordofmouthregardingtheimmigrationpolicyof Australia. AustralianGovernmentannounced,duetothebicentennialyearforAustraliain 1988theyareofferingpermanentresidencytoanygraduatefromtheAITtoliveand workinanycityofAustralia.Obviouslythepromotioncametouswithattractive video,postersandleafletsexplainingtheglamorouslifeinAustralia.Itwastoohard torefuseforayoungcouplefromBangladesh! Wewerehookedagain.Huntedbythehunter,trappedbytheslavecatchervery timely. WewereofferedanimmigrationvisainDecember2008andatimetoreach AustraliaandstartthedreamlifebyMay1989.Wehadtowaitfewmonthsin ThailandduetothebirthofourfirstdaughterKishoree.Evenaftergoingthrough theexperienceofthebirthofourfirstchild,wewerestillsoattractedbythe campaignoftheAustraliangovernmentthatfinallylandedinMelbourneonthe29 April1989withatwomonthsoldbaby. Someofourfriends,alreadyvictimsofthesocalledimmigrationpolicy,cameto receiveusattheairportwithsomewarmjacketstoprotectusfromthewindy Melbourneweather.Butnoonehadanycluethatwhatwewerenotprotectingwas oursoul,alreadydefeatedbythegreatestconspiracyonearth!
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WewereimportedtoAustraliaforacause,toservetheAustraliansasour master.Andinterestinglynoneofourhighlyeducatedmigrantfriendsincludingus hadanyclueaboutthisinternationalconspiracyofcapturingKnowledgeSlaves. Officiallythiswasawilfulmigration!CalledSkilledmigrationunderthe independentcategory! IdontthinkIwillbeabletodescribeourtruefeelingsnowfromthatmomentof April1989.Itwasreallyafantasticexperience,tremendoussatisfaction, overwhelmingpleasure,asifwehavereachedourfinaldestination,ourpromise land.Asif,wehavewonafightagainstthemightygladiatorsinfrontofhundreds ofspectators.Asif,itwasasmallstepforusbutagiantleapforourwholefuture life!
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Chapter
The beginning!
Imentionedbefore,thisstoryhasgotastartbutnotanendyet.Wearestillinside thisjourney!Itisnotonlyus,migrantsfromothercountriesarepartofthisjourney orwentthroughthisphasesofhope,love,dreamandfrustration Iwouldliketoadvocatethatwehavetocomeupwithsomeplanstochallengethis plotofslavery! Wehavetobestrategicorvocal(butnotthroughjonoshova)toinfluencethe Governmentsofthedevelopedworldtolistentousandoururgetopaybackour countryoforiginforcapitalisingonourbrainpower. Alotofmigrantsfromvariouspartsoftheworldhaveinfluencedgovernmentlike Australiatolistentotheirviews!Theyhavecapitalisedontheopportunitytheyhad inAustraliatosupporttheirowncauses. But,how?Thatisthequestion.Iwillcometothatpointtowardstheendofthis story. ThisstorywillnowtravelthroughmypersonaljourneyinAustralia,whichIbelieve maynotbeverydifferenttoalotoffirstgenerationmigrantsstory! April29,1989,ourAustralianlifebeginsinMelbourne. Wewerestayingwithoneofourfriends,whocamesixmonthsagotosettlein Australia.Babu,ShilpiandtheirninemonthsoldsonNirjharwasverywelcoming. WesharedtheirtwobedroomrentedunitinBrunswick.Itwasluxuryforamigrant couplewithafortydaysoldbabyandUS$400inhand! Yes,US$400incash,thatsallwehadafterspendingourearningsinBangkokfor travelexpensestoAustraliaandnecessaryshopping.Thus,whateverwehavenowis amultiplierofaninvestmentofUS$400plusourbrains! WhyMelbourne? Therewasaveryspecificreasonforthat.Weknewthatasfirstgenerationmigrant wehavetostruggleforsurvival.WedidnotwantourfamilyinBangladeshtoknow aboutthatstruggle.AswehadcloserelativesinSydneyandCanberraatthattime, wedecidedtogotoMelbournetostaywithourfriendsandstrugglewiththem ratherthanlivingintheshadowofourverysuccessfulrelativesinotherstates.
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However,Melbournewasgreat! IwasveryluckytogetajobasadesignArchitectwithaprivateconsultingfirmin Melbournewithinthefirstweekofourarrival.Istillremember,itwasSundayandI tooktheSaturdayTheAgenewspaperoutfromthegarbagebinandwentthrough theemploymentsection. Ifoundfewrelevantjobadvertisementsinthepaper.Butdidnothaveanyclue,how todevelopmyresumeortowriteanapplication.Whatachallenge! BabuhelpedmewithhislimitedAustralianexperiencetofinalisemyresumeand application,relevanttoAustraliancontext.Itworked! IusedBabusmanualtypewritertotypeupmyresumeandapplications.Hebought thetypewriterfromagaragesalefewmonthspriortoourarrival.Itwasreally challengingwithoutacomputerandaprinter!Ifyoumakeanymistake,youhaveto retypethewholethingashedidnothavethecorrectionfluid(tooexpensiveforan unemployedperson)anditwasalsoabouttheimpressionthemistakesmaymakeon aprospectiveemployer! However,themostchallengingdialoguesbetweentheprospectiveemployerandI wasmypreviousandexpectedsalary! AsafreshgraduateIwasgettingaroundTk3,000permonthinBangladeshin1987 priorgoingtotheAsianInstituteofTechnologyinBangkoktodomymasters.So,I reallydidnotknowhowmuchsalarytoaskforanAustralianjoboffer.Converting BangladeshisalaryintoAustraliandollarwasnotveryencouragingatthattime.Ileft thesalarybitemptyandhighlightedthatIamhappytonegotiateinrelationtothe employersproposedscale. In198889,Melbourneseconomywasverystrong. Atthesametime,IhadanotherGovernmentjobofferonmyplatebutsalarywise theArchitectsonewasmuchbetter.Betterinasensethatonewasoffering $26,000perannumandtheotheronewas$28,000perannum.Iacceptedthe Architectsjobwithasalaryof$28,000peryearwithoutanysuperannuation.One caneasilyunderstandthatIdidnothaveanyknowledgeabouttheAustralian incometaxsystem! Basically,Ihadtolivewithafortnightlypaymentofaround$800incash.Yes,itwas achequeof$800thatyouneedtotaketothebanktogetoutequivalentcashasthe electronictransferfacilitywasnothereinAustraliaatthattime. Withmyfirstsalary,inadditiontothebasicneeds,Iboughttwomemorablepieces ofstufftoysformydaughterandmyfriendssonasasouvenir.Mydaughter,inher early20snow,stillhastheteddybearinherroom!Iamveryproudofthat.
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Thefirstjobforafirstgenerationmigrantwithatechnicaldegreeisalwaysastruggle toproveyourselfandyourabilitytoworkinadevelopedcountry.Itwasaconstant questionandanswertoreflectmyknowledgeofArchitectureinrelationtocolour, buildingmaterials,plans,landscapeetc.Thebosshadapreconceivedideaabout architecturalknowledgeofpeoplefromdevelopingcountries.Itwashardforhimto believethatwehadthesametrainingstandardsinArchitecture(insomecasesitwas better,becauseoftheEnglishandAmericaninfluenceinoureducationsystem)asin Australia. BythetimeIprovedmyselfascompetitiveasanyothermainstreamArchitectsby goingthroughtheinterviewwiththeArchitectsRegistrationBoardinVictoria, assessmentthroughtheArchitectsAccreditationCouncilsofAustraliainCanberra,I gainedmoreconfidence.IwastoldbysomeofmyfellowseniorBangladeshi AustralianArchitectsthatourBangladeshidegreewasnotrecognisedasequivalent degreeinAustralia. Ialwaysbelieveinfirsthandinformationratherthandependingoninformationfrom othersources.IwentdirectlytotheauthorityandprobablyIamoneofthefirst BangladeshiArchitectsin1989togothroughtheassessmentprocesstogaina positiveresponsefromtheArchitectsAccreditationsCouncilofAustralia. Theadventurespartofthisjourneystartsnow. Bythistimewemovedoutfromourfriendshouseandrentedourownone bedroomapartmentinBrunswick.Inamonthtime,werealisedthattheapartment wasathreattothehealthofourfamilyasithaddampwallsaroundthebedroom, whichwascoveredwithfreshpaintbeforelettingittous.Itwasreallyrisky particularlytoour6monthsoldbaby,Kishoree. WeimmediatelyreportedtothehealthareaofBrunswickCityCouncilandthereal estateagent.Weimmediatelylefttheflatforalittlebitbettertwobedroom apartmentinanotherpartofBrunswick.Becauseofourshortstayandduetothe breechofourleaseagreementwenevergotourbondmoneybackfromtheagent. Bondmoneyisequivalenttoonemonthrentthatyouhavetopayinadvanceasa securityagainstdamage,rentevasionetc.Therealestateagenttoldustoappeal throughtherentaltribunalifweareinterestedtogetthebondmoneyback.Wedid nothavetheknowledgeorcouragetogothroughthatprocess! Afterworkingforoneyearforthearchitecturalfirm,Ifoundanotherjobwith anotherconsultingfirm,inCroydon(stillinMelbourne),withanincreasedsalaryof $2000upto$30,000perannum!Ifeltlikeahero.Whatagreatachievement! Overthenextoneandhalfyearswewerealreadytrappedfinanciallybythebanks, whoofferedusattractivecreditcardswithhighinterestratesaspartofAustralian wayoflife.Weeventuallystartedtoincreaseourliabilitieswithinthevicious cycleofcommitmentswithoutunderstandingthenegativeconsequences.
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Meanwhile,ourbabydaughterwasreceivingfreecheckupsbythecommunity nurses,subsidiseddaycarefacilitiesforbeingababyfromnonEnglishspeaking familyandsomeextramoneyfromtheGovernmentformumtolookafterthechild. Thiswasthebeginningofourjourneyasaslavewithoutanyrealisationor understandingthatitwasthesecretplanbytheGovernmenttochainuswithinour ownliabilities! Nigar,mywife,waslookingafterourdaughterwithoutgettingintotheworkforce. Afteroneyear,shedecidedtocommencework.Aspartoftheconspiracypolicy, thethenCommonwealthEmploymentServices(CES)offeredtheirhelpinghandsto her.TheyfoundherajobwithMelbourneWater,oneofthebigcorporations,asa trainee. Interestinglytheofficer,MrHowardfromtheCES,whohelpedNigartogetthejob, stronglyinsistedtochangehernamefromNigartoNadiaforsomestrangereason thatisstillunknowntousasaprerequisitetocommencethework!Hewasnteven interestedtoknowthemeaningofthenameNigar,whichisacommonnameinthe IndoPaksubcontinent,becauseofitsbeautifulmeaning,fragrance. Asaveryvulnerableknowledgeslavehowcouldsherefusethejobofferevenif sheneededtochangehername!NigartheslavebecameNadia,justlikeKunta KintebecameTobie! Afteroneyearoftraineeworkwithoutanypositivefutureprospects,shedecidedto gobacktotheUniversitytodoanotherdegreeordiplomainamoredemanding subjectthanarchitectureandplanning.Shegotherselfadmittedtoapostgraduate diplomainGeographicInformationSystems(GIS)atMelbourneUniversity. Shefallsintoanothertraphere! Sincethecoursefeewasveryhigh,theGovernmentofferedfinancialassistance (loan)throughtheirHigherEducationContributionScheme(HECS).Byaccepting HECS,Nigarwastrappedforfirstfewyearsofherworkinglifetorepaythe Governmentsloan.IstronglybelievethisHECSispartoftheconspiracypolicyto ensurethatshewillworkforAustraliaaftergraduation.Chainedagain! However,everythingwasworkingverywell. Wewereverymuchfulfillingtheconspiracybyworkingandspendingourtotal earningsinAustralia.Iappliedforadrivinglicenceandwasveryconfidenttogetit, asIhad14yearsofcardrivingexperienceundermybeltfromoverseas.Itisstillhard formetobelievethatIfailedmydrivingtesttwiceduetomylackofunderstanding ofAustralianwayofdrivingcars!Surprisesurprise! Butthirdtimelucky,Igotmylicenceaftertakingfewdrivinglessonsfromalocal drivinginstructorverysensible.
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Wecouldnotwaittosavemoneyforacar.Aspartoftheoverallconspiracywewere allowedtoborrowmoneytobuyacar.Weboughtourfirstcar,againtrappedbythe carsalespersonandendedupbuyingacarwithaloanof$14,000withaveryhigh interestratefornextfiveyears.Itcertainlycreatedextrapressureonourhousehold budget. AftertwoyearsofresidencyinAustraliawehadtovisitBangladeshduetothedeath ofmyfather.WetravelledtoBangladesh,forthefirsttimewithourdaughteras proudAustraliancitizenswithourAustralianpassports.WeleftforBangladeshin earlyDecember1990andcamebackinJanuary1991,inthemiddleofthefirst MiddleEastWar. Asanyonecanunderstandourcreditcardswereexhausted,ourbankbalancewasin thenegatives.Andsadly,AustraliawasalsoverymuchaffectedbytheMiddleEast war.Ithadaverybadimpactonthebuildingindustryandtheoverallemployment market.Oneoftheworstrecessionswehadtohave,hitAustralia. Myofficegotbroke,therewasnojobforArchitects.Iwasntevengivenanynotice tolookforanotherjob.Iwascalledbymybosstoreceivethebadnews!Ilostmy job,onedayafterwecamebackfromBangladesh! IdontthinkIcanexpressmytruefeelingofthatmomentnow.Icamebackhome earlyandtoldNigarthebadnewsandsatandlookedateachother,Idont rememberforhowlong! Probablyweweregoingthroughmillionsofquestions. ForthefirsttimeIhaveseentheuglysightofanAustralianemployerwhowasnt concernatallabouttheeffecttheunemploymentwouldhaveonmyfamily. Eventually,IrealisedIdidnothaveanysuperannuationwiththefirm;Ididnot receiveanylumpsumpaymentstocontinueourlife. WesawanewdimensionofourAustralianlifeinMelbourne.Wefeltthepressure everysecond,particularly,aftergoingthroughmymentalagonyduringthatperiod ofunemployment. Iremainedunemployedfortwomonths. OnlyaftertwoyearsinAustraliawewerefeelinglikeadefeatedsoldier,whohas lostthewaragainsttheirpride,theirhope,theirdream!Wewerethinkingofthe consequencesofgoingbacktoBangladeshandstartinganewlifethere! ForthefirsttimeIwenttothethenDepartmentofSocialSecurity(DSS)toseek financialhelpasweweretrappedwithourownfinancialliabilitiesoverlastcoupleof years.
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Aspartoftheconspiracyandtominimisetheriskofloosingtwoongoing,active andpotentialknowledgeslaves,theDSSdiscouragedustogobacktoourhome countryinsteadhelpeduswithareasonablefinancialsupporttorunourlifein Melbourne.Wewerehookedagainwiththebaitcalledtheunemployment benefitalongwithrentalassistanceprovidedbytheGovernmentincludingsome additionalmoneyforourtwoyearsolddaughter. Ithinkthiswasoneofthemostconfusingtimesofourwholelifesofar.Ididnot knowwhattodo,wheretogo,whotoaskforhelp.Sadly,mostofourhighly educatedBangladeshiAustralianmigrantfriendshaveleftusbythistime,aswe belongtoalowersocioeconomicstatusthen. Thissituationhadaterribleimpactonouregoasaverybrightstudentandall rounderfromBangladeshwholosthisjobinacountrythatpromisedtoemployus! Promisedtoimproveourqualityoflife!Promisedtolookaftermyfamily!Inever thoughtitwillhappenthroughwelfare! WithamisleadingadvicefromoneofourBangladeshiAustralianfriends,wemoved backfromourtwobedroomapartmenttoanaffordableonebedroomapartment again!TheydidnottellusthatDSSprovidesrentalsupportinthissortofcaseto retainthecurrenttenancy.Theywereinsimilarsituationandtooktheadvantageof DSSrentalpaymentsbutdidnotsharethatinformationwithus.Instead,they influencedustocompromiseourqualityoflife. Itwasverylateforus,whenwediscoveredthisinformationonrentalassistance!So, hereweare,backinaverysmallonebedroomapartmentagain. However,fromouronebedroomapartmentonthefourthfloor,wecouldseethe skylinewiththeGreatDivingRangeatadistance.Bylookingatthosemountains,I knewonedaywewillcrosstherangesandcomeoutofthishurdle! Oneofthebestthingsabouttimeitisnotstaticandflowsontowashoutthetime ofsadness,thetimeoftoughness.Wetalked,discussedandseekadvicefromour limitedgoodfriendsincludingDrHemayetHossainandDrZubaidaBegum. Nigarwasafulltimestudentatthistime,sothefamilyincomewaszero.Itwas ratherminuswithallourongoingcommitments,loansandliabilities. DrZubaidawasheadinguptheMigrantResourceCentreinRichmondatthattime. Shesupportedmebygivingasmallconsultancyworktodevelopasoftwareforthe VietnamesecommunitytolearnEnglish.WiththehelpoffewITfriends,Idelivered theworkwithhighprideandearnedsomemoneyforthefirsttimeasaconsultantin Australia.Butthatwasthefirstandthelast,astherewerentanyotherconsultancy jobforanunknownconsultant. Wewerestillstrugglingtorunourhousehold!
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WithmyoverseasexperiencewithmediaandImpressvideoinBangladesh,Igota casualjobwithoneoftheweddingphotographersinMelbourneinresponsetohis advertisementinthelocalnewspaper.Heofferedmethejobofhisassistanttohelp himasthecableboyfor$50perweddingperday. ItwascertainlynotthebestofferorthejobIwantedtodoinAustraliabutI acceptedit.Mytrappedconditionforcedmetoaccepttheposition.Ididthree weddingswiththisItalianAustraliancameramanbutcouldnotsurvivelongenough duetohisattitudeandmisbehaviour.Hewastreatingmelikeatrueslaveasifhe boughtmetoservehim.Afterthreeweddings,Iwasstillwaitingformypaymentof $150. Irealised,Iamnotgettingthemoneyfromhimveryeasilyandhetoldmetogoto thecourtifnecessaryashisclientsweredelayingpayments.Ineverwentbackfor thefourthweddingandneverheardfromhimagain.Ileftthejobwithoutgetting anymoney!Istartedtounderstandtheriskyfieldofmigrantlabourexploitation scenarioinAustralia. Sincetherewerenojobadvertisementsforarchitectsinthenewspapers,Idecided toexploreopportunitiesforoverseasjob,particularlyinthemiddleeasttoearnlots ofmoneywithinashortperiodoftime.Nigarwasalwaysagainstworkinginthe middleeastbutthecircumstancesmadehertoagreetolookforjobsinthatpartsof theworld. WewereveryexcitedtoreceiveaveryquickresponsefromaGoalCoastbased employmentagencywithanemploymentopportunityinBahrain.Thesalarywas good,termsandconditionsdidnothaveanyflaws,thefreevideodiskcamewiththe offerdemonstratedthecredibilityofthiscompanyandtheexcellentlifestylein Bahrain.Wewereimpressed! Theonlycatch,toavailthisopportunity,Ihavetobeamemberoftheemployment agencybypaying$700upfrontwithinaweektime.Thejobwassodemandingthat withoutpayingthatmembershipfeesImaylosetheopportunityinaweektime.It wasimpossibleforustoarrangethatamountofmoneyinaweektime.WheredoI getthe$700? Thisislikethedreamjob,Ihavebeenwaitingforsothatwecancomeoutofour messsooner.Withouttellingthecause,Iborrowedthe$700fromoneofourgood friends.Idepositedtheamounttothenominatedbankaccountfortheagency.It workedimmediately.Ireceivedaletterofconfirmationwithnotificationthata joiningdatewillbeinformedlater. ThiswasthegreatestsecretforNigarandIkeepoutsideourfriendsandfamilies knowledge.WeweregettingreadytoleaveAustraliawithahugedreamagain!We wereplanningtogivethebiggestsurprisetoourfriendsandfamilies! ButGodhadadifferentplanforus!
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Oneweekgone,twoweeksgone,fourweeksgonenoresponsefromthecompany! Outofdesperation,IrangtheirGoldCoastofficenumberfornextoneweek continuouslywithoutanysuccess.ThemessageIwasgettingisthenumberhasbeen disconnected.Icontactedthepoliceafteroneweekoffrustration.Unfortunately, theyconfirmedthatIwaspartofabigfraudoperationandIshouldnotexpectmy $700back.Theborrowed$700wasgonetotheblackwholewithoutthinkingthe consequencesformeandmyfamily! Wewerecheatedandourdreamtocomeoutofthemesswasshutteredandputus intomuchdeeperwaterofagony! Ilostmyconfidenceonmyself,myjudgements,mycapabilitiesanddecidedtogo backtostudytoregainmypride! IappliedforascholarshipatMelbourneUniversitytodomyPhDinArchitectureand Planningbycapitalisingonmyexcellentacademicresults,asadvisedbyDrHemayet Hossain,whowasaprofessorattheUniversityatthattime.Withtheacademic resultsandanappropriatethesisproposalIwasselectedtogettheAustralianPost graduateResearchAward(APRA)of$14,000pataxfree.Iwasoverthemoon! IcommencedmyfirstattempttocompleteaPhD.Atthesametime,Iwasalso lookingforfulltimeworkopportunities. Aftertwomonthsofunemployment,IwasplacedwithaGovernmentagency,the thenVictorianMinistryfortheArts,asaRegionalPlannerthroughtheCESandagain bythesameofficerwhohelpedNigarfewmonthsback.Butthistimehedidnotask metochangemynameasIwasmuchmorevocalthanmywife. Icommencedtheworkinaparttimecapacitywithafulltimeequivalentsalaryof $32,000peryear.TheAustralianbossMsSueClarkwasreallyverykindand consideratetome.Itwasstillanonongoingcontractpositionwithoutanyproper superannuationorleaveloading.Butforanunemployedpersonthiswasthebest thinghappenedtomeduringthatdisastrousperiod. MeanwhileNigarcompletedherdegreeinGISin1992.Shewaspartofthefirst batchofgraduatesinthishighlydemandingsubjectfromMelbourneUniversity.She immediatelygotajobofferfromMelbourneWaterbutinadifferentsectionwitha verygoodremunerationasacontractor.Theonlyproblem,itwasanonongoing contractaswell. Howeverstillsomeearningswerecomingtothefamily.Forthefirsttimewehad somesavings! ButtherewasachangeinpoliticsinVictoriawhichhadanunexpectedimpacton me.DuetothechangeofGovernmentfromLabourtoLiberalallcontractorshada
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twoweeksnoticetoleavetheircurrentpositionaspartofthenewGovernments restructuresprocess.Iwasagaininthevergeofloosingmyjob! IhadtwoweeksinmyhandandIdidnotwanttodiscussthissituationwithNigaras shewasjustenjoyingthepleasureofamoresettledlifethroughherjob.Itwasagain adesperatetimeforme,anotherhurdletocross,anothertesttopass!Iwasvery desperateandveryaggressivelystartedtoapproachallmycontactsinMelbourne andurgedforajob. Fortunately,IwassuccessfulwithMelbourneCityCouncilandgotanothercontract jobwithinthosetwoweeksandcommencedassoonaspossible. Nigarstilldoesntknowtherealstory;toheritwasanothercareerprogressionfor measIwasofferedasalaryof$36,000peryearbuttheonlyconditionwastowork fulltime.TheregoesmyPhDattemptnumberone! Tosavethesubstantialfamilyincome,IsacrificedmyPhD.Itookthejob. Thingsweregettingbettersincethen.Iwasgettingproperrespectandappreciation formycontributionforthefirsttimeinAustralia.Forthefirsttime,Iworkedwith peoplelikeSallyVivian,JimGiffordandGeorgeKonstantanidus,whowerevery sympatheticforthefirstgenerationmigrantsandtriedtoeliminatethefeelingof slaveryfromme.However,Iwasstillaresultoftheinternationalconspiracyof exploitingmigrantlabour! Meanwhile,wewereplanningtohaveasecondbaby. Nigarbecamepregnantforthesecondtimeandshehadtoleavethecontractjobas thepregnancywasgivinghertoughtime!Westartedtofeelthefantastichealth servicesprovidedbythelocalhospitals.Ourdoctorwasveryniceandthehospital nurseswerereallyhelpful.Butthehappinesswasveryshortlived. Welostthebabybeforeevensharingthenewswithfamilyandfriends. Unfortunately,Nigarhadamiscarriage! Thiswasthefirstgenuineshockofloosingsomethingorsomeoneinour Australianlife! Istillrememberthathorrorwinternight. Nigarwasinhertwomonthsofpregnancy.Onenight,around10pm,shewasfeeling paininherstomach.Wecalledthehospitalhelpline.Theresponsewastowaitabit longerandifthepainpersistscontactthemagain.By2am,itwassevere;Icalledthe hospital,sameresponse.By2.30am,Icouldseebloodandforthefirsttimeinmy life,Iprobablyfeltreallyhelplesslikeatrappedmouse.Ididntknowwhotocall;I didnotknowwhattodo!
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Nigarwaslosinghersensegradually!Iwokeupmyfiveyearsolddaughter,packed herintoablanket,andbroughtthecaroutofthegaragewhentheoutside temperaturewasbelowzerodegree.Iputherintothebackseatofthecar.Istill rememberthosedarkblackblanksleepyeyes,lookingtowardsdadandtryingto understandthesituation.Tryingtofindthemeaningofsuchemergency! IcarriedNigarsomehowintothecar.IstilldontrememberwhetherIhavelocked thehouseornot!IstraightdrovetotheSt.Jameshospitalwhichwasabout15 minutesdrivefromourhome. Afteranhouroftestingandconsultation,wewereconfirmedthatwelostthebaby andNigarneedstostayatthehospitalforobservation.Wejustholdourhandsand lookedateachother,Icantrememberforhowlong! ForthefirsttimeinAustralia,Ifelttearscomingoutofmyeyes. IthoughtIwasstrongbutwhenrealityhitsyouwiththatmagnitude,Ibelievethe strongestpersonwouldcrytoo.IcontrolledmyselftocalmdownNigarwithgreater hopesforthefuture.Remindedher,whateverhappensmusthappenforareason,if thiswasGodswish,letusacceptit. IstillwishIhadthemagicwandtoturneverythingaroundanddesignourfatethe waywewantedthingstohappenforus.Butthiswasreality!! Icamebackhomewithourdaughter,leavingNigartorecoverbyherself.Bythe timeitwasmorning.Morningalwaysbringshopeintopeoplesheart.Mydaughter wassleeping;Iputherintoherbed.Istoodinfrontofthekitchentableand discoveredmyselfwithinanoceanofsorrownesscomingoutofmysadeyes.Iwas consciousofnotmakinganynoiseasKishoreewasstillasleep.IwishIcouldcry louder!IwishIcouldsharemysadnesswiththewholeworldincludingmyfamilyin Bangladesh. ProbablythatwasthefirstandlasttimeIshearedtearsinAustralia!That mammotheventmadememuchmoreresilientperson. ButIthankedgod,westillhaveourfirstchild!Thatwasthemagictune,whichgave usenoughstrengthtomoveon! Iaskedmyself,whoamItryingtoimpressinAustralia?whatamIdoingin Australiawithoutanyfamily?whyamIhere? However,timeisthegreatesthealerofpainsandallowsustocontinueour adventurewithnewspirit. AspartofthenaturalprogressionoflifeinAustralia,westartedtoseetheGreat AustralianDreamofahousewithbigbackyardwithahillshoistclothrail.Ourown lawnmower!Ourownhouse!!
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IwouldlovetorunmyownlawnmowereveryalternateSundaymorning,ourchild wouldhaveherownswingandslidesinthebackyard,wewillhaveourown vegetablegarden! Wedidnthaveanyideathatthiswasalsoapartoftheimplantedconspiracyand maybecomeanightmareratherthanadream!
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11
Chapter
The dream!
Ihavejustrealisedandquestionedmyselfafterreadingmylastepisodes,amI portrayingalifefulloffrustration! AmItalkingagainstthelifeweareenjoyinghereinAustralia?AmIdiscussing somethingwhichisatabuinacountrybuiltbymigrants?DoIreallyhavepointsin identifyingtherelationshipsbetweenmylifeandthelifeofslavesinthe17th century? MylifehereinAustraliaiscertainlynotonlyfulloffrustration!Therewere,areandI knowwillbebettertimetoremember.Iwilldevotethenextchaptertothepositive eventsinAustralia. ThepublicationofthisarticleitselfisagreateventinmylifeinAustralia.Inever thoughthowmuchdiscussionanddebatethisarticlemaygeneratewithinour community.ItishugeencouragementformetocontinuesharingourlifeinAustralia withthewidermigrantcommunities.Iagree,whatIfeltasalifeofslavery,a conspiracytheory,maynotbesameformyfellowfirstgenerationmigrants.Iagree, eachofushasdifferenttypesofexperiences,differentviewsanddifferentwaysof interpretingissueswithinourownlifestyle. OneofourBangladeshiAustralianfriendsafterreadingmyexperiencesinAustralia raisedaverystrongquestionaboutourtrappedlife.Sheisanacademicwithvery highintellectuallevel.Irespecthercomments.Herpointwasthat,arentwealso trappedwhenwedecidedtobecomeparents?Arentwetrappedbecauseofour ownactions?Veryvalidquestions! Yes,wearesometimetrappedduetoourownactions.Whatothertrapcouldbe morelongtermthantobecomeaparent!However,itisprobablyoneofthe greatestjoy,IeverhadinmywholelifewhenIbecamethefatherofmychild.To me,weshouldnotseeparenthoodasatrapbutajoyforever. Culturallywedevoteourwholelifeforthebettermentofourchildrenandwelove doingit!Wesacrificeatahighestleveltogainbetterqualityoflifeforourchildren. Forus,childrenareourjewelinthecrown. Ibelieve,developedcountrieshavecapitalisedonthissentimentandemotion.Can youbelieve,beingamigrantfromBangladesh,youwouldgetmonitoryincentiveto haveababy?Thisisafantasticpolicytoencouragecitizensincludingmigrantsto havebabiessupportedbybabybonuses.Wegetmoneytohavebabiesasthe decisionmakersindevelopedcountriesareverymuchawareaboutoursentiments
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forchildrenandtheirwellbeing.Yes,myfriendwasprobablyright,wearetrapped withchildren! Oneofthemanyreasons,weareencouragedtofallintothetrapbecauseofthevery cleverlydesignedsocialpolicy.Weallknowthatitbecomeverydifficultforusto thinkaboutanythingelsebutthechildrenoncewebecomeparents.Itisvery difficultforustothinkaboutevengoingbacktoourcountryoncewebecome parents.AndthatswhereIbelievetheconspiracytheorytokeepusinthiscountry works! Inrelationtothesetypesofissues,Ijustwantedtoraisefewquestionsfrommyown experience. Questionone:WhydoIhavetoshowmyAustraliacitizenshipcertificateand/or writethenumberonmycitizenshipcertificatewhendealingwithanyofficial activities(includingjobinterviews)withAustralianGovernment?Whydontthey acceptmyAustralianPassporttoprovemycitizenshipasanalternative? Unfortunately,thoughthepassportisadocumentsupersededthecitizenship certificate,stillisnotcountedasanequivalentdocumentlikethecitizenship certificate.Iknowitisanoptionalthingtohaveapassportbut,mypointisthatif youhaveone,youshouldhavetheopportunitytouseitasanalternative. Otherwise,likemydaughter,whocametothiscountrywithuswhenshewas40 daysold,needtocarrythecitizenshipcertificateforrestofherlife! Whywouldsomeonestilldifferentiatebetweenme,andpeoplewhowerebornin thiscountrywithafenceofapapercertificatewhichwasgiventome23yearsago, whenIhave,Australianpassport,taxfilenumber,employmenttrackrecordto demonstratemyloyaltytothiscountry. Ibelievethisisapolicytoidentifytheslavesupfront! Questiontwo:Doyouknowthatafter3040yearsofservice,canyoutakebulkof yoursuperannuationsavingsoutofthiscountrytoinvestanywhereintheworld includingBangladesh?Unfortunatelyyoucant! ButmigrantsfromcountrieslikeGreece,UnitedKingdomhavereciprocal arrangementswithAustralianGovernmenttotaketheirsuperfund(whatever amounttheyneed)backtotheirowncountrieswhenevertheyareentitledtohave it. Asaknowledgeslave,wecanwithdrawourentitledpensionoverseasbutstillcan nottakethewholeamountoutofthiscountry,evenifIneedto.Tomethisis anotherpolicyneedtobereviewed.Itisanotherquestionofequalrights! Sorryforthelongintroduction.Letmegobacktomyoriginaltrackbycontinuingmy ownexperienceagain.
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Mylastchapterconcluded,whenwecommencedourdreamofowningahouse.This isthegreatAustralianDream! InOctober2007,ProfessorBarbaraNormanandherassociatesreleasedthe publicationUrban45byRMIT,wheretheyhaveraisedforthefirsttimewhether affordablehousingisthegreatAustraliannightmareratherthanadream! Wewereverymuchdreamingaboutourownhouseaswewerestillinthe1990s. Owningahomeisanothermisconceptionorpresentedinsuchawaythatyoufeel likeyouownahousebutinrealityyouaretrappedinaplannedliabilityfornext30 yearsofyourlife.Thisisanotherstepintotheconspiracy.Thebigbanksareready tolendyouthousandsof$tobuyyourhouseandtrapyoufornext2530yearsat minimum. In199495,wehadtwocontractjobsandbynowwehavearound$14,000savingsin thebank.Thebanksaidwewereeligibletoapplyforaloanbutwithourhousehold incomeandcurrentinterestrateof11%(yes,itwas11%atthattime)wewontbe abletoborrowmorethan$150,000tobuyaproperty.In1995,youcouldstillbuya housefor$150,000veryeasily! Finallyin1995,IgotapermanentjobwiththeMelbourneCityCouncil.Apermanent job,whichofferedmeasalaryof$36,000peryearplussuperannuation,leave benefits,holidays.IwasagainoverthemoonandNigarwasthefirstpersontoshare thenews.Andshehadsomegoodnewstoshareaswell.Shewaspregnantagain! Thingsstartedtolookgreener,brighter,better! WenowhaveBanksapproval,savingsandatleastonepermanentjob.Verywell groomedcouple,readyforsacrifice.Itprovidedaperfectcombinationtofallinto thetrapofsocalledhomeownership. Wedidnothavetowaitlongtobuyourfirsthome.Weboughtalovelythree bedroomsuburbanhouseonacornerblockwithalovelybackyardinTemplestowe for$135,000byborrowingmostofthemoneyataninterestratearound10%per annum(asafirstyearhoneymoonrate).Therepaymentwasaround$1,000per fortnight.WeweretrulyhookedwiththegreatAustraliantraptokeepmigrants hereinAustralia. Thiswastheultimatechainformigrantlabours.Onceyouarein,verydifficultto comeout!ForthefirsttimemypoormotherinBangladeshrealisedthatshehas lostheryoungersonforeverinthebushofAustralia! Istillrememberhercomments,soyouhaveboughtahousenow,doesthatmean youarenotcomingbacktoBangladesh?Ididnothavethetrueansweratthattime butIprobablyknewtheanswerinsidemyheart.Iwantedtotellherloud,Iam trappedmum,comeandrescuemefromthismess,likeyouhavealwaysdone.I couldnt,asthiswasslaverybychoiceforme!!
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Oneincome,mortgageandanewbaby(ourseconddaughter),thatshowwestarted our1996inAustralia.Toughtime!Mortgagerepayments,bills,rates,car registration,carservicing,supermarket,socialcommitments,housemaintenances, itcantbeofanymorecomplicatedthenthis. Wewerefrustratedagain! Somedaywelookedforwardfordinerinvitationtoourfriendshousesothatwe donthavetobuyfoodtosavemoney.Somedaywereallydidnothaveenough moneytofeedourselvestwiceaday.Yes,wewereverybadmoneymanagersand obviouslyveryweekinmaths! Butthebanksnevertoldusaboutalltheseadditionalexpenditurethatwehadto putupwithaspartofthehomeownershiptrap.Wenevercalculatedexpenseslike councilrates,utilitybills,variationininterestratesetc.Weweregenuinelytrapped! Godwasouronlyhope.Ongoingprayingtogodoneveryoccasionwasmydailylife ritual.DoesntmatterwhereIam,IalwaysprayedtoGodtorescueusfromthis mess.Onmywaytoworkinthebus,drivingcartoafriendshouse,cookinginthe kitchen,watchingTV,Irememberprayingtogodforrelieve! GoingbacktoBangladeshorseekingfinancialhelpfromfamilieswasshameful defeattome.Thisismywar,Ihavetofightforittowin!! Istartedtoapplyforjobswithaconsiderablehighersalarywithhigherranked position.Iwasconfidenttoperformtheresponsibilitiesbutnotcourageousenough toapplyasIwasdiscouragedbysomeofmycloseBangladeshiAustralianfriends again. Fortunatelythosediscouragementsworkedasinspirationandjeedforme.Finally therewasabreakthrough! AStateGovernmentdepartmentinVictoriaofferedmeapermanentseniorposition withasalaryof$50,000perannum. Thebuswasnttravellingfastenoughonthatday,theradiowasnotplyingtheright songs,thesunwasntstrongenoughtocomplementmyhappiness.Iwantedtogo homeassoonaspossibletosharethenewswithNigar,whowassufferingfroma tremendouspostnataldepression. Iremember,aftergivingbirthtoourseconddaughter,Nigarwasinthemidstofa dilemmawithallthesecommitmentsandresponsibilitieswithverylittlemoney.She wasntwellenoughtogobacktowork!Shewasverydepressedfornotbeingableto contributeinsuchacriticaltime.Wewerenotinapositiontosendthebabytoa childcare,whichwasagainexpensiveforus.
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Shewenttoadeepdepressionwhichwaswitnessedonlybymeandsometimefelt byour7yearsolddaughterKishoree.Everynightwesharedourtears.Weregretted ouractionssomanytimes,blamedeachotherthousandtimes,cursedthebanks millionstimes. Buteverybadfeelingwassupersededbythebilliondollarsworthofloveand affectionwesharedbetweeneachotherandourtwodaughters.Ourstrongbelieve inGod,whoIstillbelieveworksinmysteriouswaysandourlovegaveusthestrength tocomeoutofthisdepression.Andwedid! However,Isteppedintonewtrapswithanewjobbutstillcontemplatingthe consequencesofgoingbacktoBangladesh.AsIhaverealisedbythistimeitwillbe hardforustosustaininthisenvironment.ButIcouldntforwardtheagendaasIwas trappedagainwithmoreluxurypackagestosuitmyrequirements.Someunknown forcewasworkingbehindmetoensure,Icanteventhinkofreturningtothe developingworld.Iwasmoreorlessbrainwashed Istillbelieveeverymigrantcomestothiscountryhasanunwrittenhiddencase managerworkingbehindthescene.Thecasemanagersareassistingthisgreat conspiracytosucceed.He/shetracksthem,advicethemdirectly/indirectly,mentor themandfollowthemaroundtoensuretheycantleavethiscountryalive! Weallarecasemanagedsubjects.Iamstillsearchingformycasemanager!!
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Chapter
The flash back!

(part one)
Yes,Istillbelievethereisacasemangermanagingthecaseofaskilledmigrantand commencedhis/herworktoinfluencemylifelongagoprobablyevenbeforeI arrivedinAustralia! ItisalmostfourmonthsnowthatIhavebeenwritingthisongoingsagaofmylife, whichisprobablynotmuchdifferentthanalotofotherfirstgenerationmigrants.I amhumbledthatalotofpeoplearereadingitandsendingmeemails,discussing someoftheissueswhenImeetthematsocialgatheringsand/oracommunity functions!Iamhighlygratefultothosereaderswhohavetakentheirvaluabletime toreadthisreflectionofmylifeasaskilledmigrant. Istillgetquestionslike,whyamIwritingthis?whatismymotive?wheredoIwant togowiththis? Theansweris,Idonotknow! Ireallyhavenomotive!Idonothaveadestinationwiththis!Butonethingistrue thatIwouldliketosharetherealityofmymigrantlifewithothersincludingmy familiesandfriends,whoprobablyhaveverylittleideaaboutthestrugglewehadto gothroughasamigrantinAustralia.Thepullandpushfactorsworkbehindusto influenceourlifedecisions. Iwishtodocumentmyexperienceandfeelingasfirstgenerationmigrantfroma developingcountrytothedevelopedworld.AsIhavementionedfewtimes,thisis solelyMYexperienceandfeelings.Assomeofmyfriendssaid,itisthereaders choicetoreadornottoread! Atthisstage,Iwouldlikeyoutotimetravelwithmeinthelate1970sDhaka, Bangladesh.IwouldlikeyoutohaveamuchclearerideawhereIamcomingfrom. Whatwasinmymindandlifeatthattime.Ibelieveitistimetoflashbackthe memorieswhichactuallyinfluencedmetofallintothistrap! Iwouldliketoreflectindepth,howIendedupinsuchalovelycountrylikeAustralia. Itisinteresting,whenIrealisedthatbothpullandpushfactorshavegotlottodo withmebeingoutsideofBangladesh.ItisnowmoreyearsofmylifeIhavebeen livingoverseas,ithasbeenmoreyearsthatIhavebeenlivingwithmywifethanI havelivedwithmymother!Thishastobeaturningpointofmylife!
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Flashbackstartsin1976,completedmyHSCfromNotreDameCollege,Dhakawitha greatpushfrommyparents(likeanyotherparentsinBangladesh)tostudyMedicine orEngineering.IalwayswantedtostudyLawbeingoneofthewinnersofthe NationalDebateChampionshipin1976inBangladesh;Ialmostbecamealawyerin myhead! IgotallrequiredformsfromDhakaUniversity,readytosubmit.But,mymother,yes, itwasmymotherwhohadseriousobjectionforhersontostudylaw!Shegrewupin afamilywhereherfather(myNana)washeavilyinvolvedatthecourtinthe1940s and1950s.Shecouldnoteventhinkofanotherblackrobeinthefamily! Sheobviouslyhadahugeinfluenceinmylife! Tofulfilherdream,IsacrificedmydreamandwenttositforaninterviewforDhaka MedicalCollegeafterpassingtheirwrittentest.In1976,IwasaverywellknownTV presenterpresentingparticularlyprogramsforcollegeanduniversitystudents. SomeweekIhadtwoprogramsonairandhavingonlyoneTVChannel(Bangladesh NationalTV)inthewholecountryIhadacaptiveaudiencewhoknewmeverywell! HereIam,sittinginfrontofthreeseniorDoctorExaminersandreadytoreceive bullets! After15minutesofnormalacademicquestions(whichIthoughtIwentwellbutI certainlydidnot!)theyturnedaroundthesceneintoanastyattackonmyrole withtelevision,mylookwithlonghair(yes,in1970sthefashionwastohavelong hair)andfinallytheytoldmethattohaveacareerinMedicineIhavetoleaveTVand needtohaveadecentlookwithafairhaircut! Istillremember,Istoodup,lookedatthepanelmembers,smiled,myfingerswent uponmyheadtocrossmylonghairandIwalkedoutjustaftersharingmymessage withthemthatIdonotwanttobeaDoctor!Thankyou. TheregoesmymothershopetohaveaDoctorson! So,theonlyoptionIhadnowistogoforEngineering.Ineverlikedengineeringasa subjecttooboringforme.Butasweallknow,toatypicalmoddhobittoparentsin Bangladeshiftheirchildrenarenotastudentofmedicineorengineering,their studentlivesarenotworthy! Interestingly,anassignmentcamefromAliImamvai(youngprogramproducerof BangladeshTelevisionatthattime),todoaprogramatEngineeringUniversitywith thestudentsofFacultyofArchitecture.IhavebeentotheEngineeringUniversity severaltimesforvariousTVprogramsbutneverknewwherethisFacultyof Architecturewas.
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Thedayhasarrived;IhavetorecordaprogramonthestudentsoftheFacultyof Architecture.IwaspartoftheBangladeshTelevisionteamwiththeirOutdoor Broadcasting(OB)VanandwearrivedattheFacultyofArchitecture. UsuallyweenterinBUETandturnlefttowardstheCivilEngineeringbuildingwithout evenlookingontheright.ForthefirsttimeIenteredthroughtherightentry. Wow! Itistotallyadifferentworld!Whatalovelyenvironmenttostudy!Boysandgirls weresittingunderthebuildingandsomewereplayingguitars,someweresinging, someweresmokingfreely(somehadgaanjaaswell)andsomewerejustdrawing pictureseverystructuralcolumnoftheuniquelydesignedbuildingwas complementedbylivehumansculpturesanddiversifiedactivities! ThisseemedtobethestudentlifeIalwayswanted! Anyway,workscomefirstIinterviewedthefinalyearstudentMozaffarvai(Imet withhimagaininAustraliainthe1990s),whosefinaldesignworkonahospital buildingreceivedhighestgradethatyear.IinterviewedWahidvai,Polyapa(bothof thembecameourteacherslaterandlivingintheUSAnow)butIcantremember whattheothercontentsofmyTVprogramwerebutIstillrememberthedentIhad inmyheadandheart! Bythen,IwasconfidentthatifIcontinuemystudyinBangladesh,Ihavetobea studentofthisFacultyofArchitecture. Nextday,Iwasthereagainbuttheadmissiontestisonlyfewweeksaway!Itriedmy bestbutfaileddidnotmakeit!Iwasntselectedaspartofthe35prospective studentsofArchitecture.Asyouwouldrealisebythistime,Ididnotsitforanyother admissiontestforanyotherEngineeringDepartments! Doesthatmean,mydreamhavefailedagain!Iobviouslydidnotsharemy adventurewithDhakaMedicalCollegewithmymotheryet. Whattosay,whattodo,whotoseekadvicefrom? AliImamvaicomesastherescuer! HerecommendedmetojointheInternationalRelationsDepartmentofDhaka Universityforrestoftheyearandprovidedmewithastudentcontactfromthe DepartmentofArchitectureandinspiredmetogoforArchitectureagainnextyear! IstillvaluethatadviceandthatcontactwithArchitectYaminvai(nowlivingin Canada)whotaughtmesowellandpreparedfortheadmissionexamthefollowing yearthatIwasfireduptogoforArchitectureforthesecondtime.
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MeanwhileInternationalRelationsattheArtsFacultyofDhakaUniversitywasfun! Finallythetimecame,aftersixmonthstheadmissiontestforArchitecturebecame realityonly35placesagain.IknewthatmathswasnotmystrengthsoIhavetodo verywellinothercomponentsoftheexamination.AndIprobablydid! Aweekortwo,theadmissiontestresultswereoutbutwhowillgotocheck!Idid notsharethispartofmylifeadventurewithanybodyfromourfamilyoranyofmy friendsasifthiswasamissionImpossibleforme.Yes,Iwenttoseetheresultsby myselfsothatIcanburymyunsuccessforeverifneeded! Istartedfromthetop,Iamnotthere,IamnotthereandIamnotthere! Buthangon,thepagewhichwasstickingonthewallonlygoesuptothetop25 results!Wherearetheresultsfortheother10? Yes,Iwasright,theresultsforthelast10wasdestroyedbysomeunrulyfailed candidate/s.Thelastpagecameoutagainitwasonthewallwiththelast10 successfulstudents.ThistimeIstartedfromnumber35Iamnotthere,Iamnot there,suddenlyIdiscoveredthatIamthereonnumber28!Icouldnotbelieveit. Anotherglance,yes,itisme,FarhadurRezaasnumber28. Yeh!IhavebeenselectedtostudyArchitecture!AsifIconqueredthewholeworld! Nothavingamobilephoneorapublicphonenearby,Ihadtowaittillthedinner timetosharethenewsofmysuccesswiththefamily.Themostimportantthingwas thatIwillbeastudentoftheBangladeshUniversityofEngineeringandTechnology withoutgoingthroughtheboringcurriculum! Afterfiveyearsoffuntime,in1984,IgraduatedfromBUETinDecemberwith excellentacademicresultandabonusbyacquiringtheloveoflife.Yes,Nigar graduatedwithmeandwebothhadrealisedbythattime(afterfiveyearsof studyingtogether),wewerereadytoshareourlivesmorethanweusedtoshareas classfriends.WewereplanningtocommenceaShongshartogether! Fewmonthsbeforemygraduation,IhadajobofferfromoneofBUETsbestteacher ArchitectShamsulWarestoworkwithhiminhissmallArchitecturalpractice.Atthat time,thiswaslikeagoldenopportunitytoworkalongsidethegreatArchitectlike Waressir.HewaslikethelegendarydesigneramongtheArchitectscircle,ouridol, ourdreamdesignertoworkwith!Iwastheonlyonegotthatopportunitytowork withhimevenbeforeIwasgraduated! Thecatch,withasalaryofTk1,500permonth!ThatsalarywasincreasedtoTk3,000 inDecemberafterIbecameagraduateArchitect.Iwashappywiththepay,asIdid nothaveanyfamilyliabilitiesandthepublicservicepaywasaroundTk2,850per monthtofreshgraduates.
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ThenextpersongotthesameopportunitywasNigar.Shecommencedworkwiththe samepracticeinJanuary1985. Thiswasforthefirsttimeandlasttimeweworkedtogetherinthesameoffice! Buteventhejointincomewouldnowaysupportustofulfilourdreamofa Shongshar. Ialwayshadadreamtobecomeateacher,dreamtoworkforBangladesh,dreamto involveactivelyintheculturalarenaandmedia.Ineverhadanywillingnesstolive overseas.IneverthoughtthatIwillspendmostofmylifeoverseas. Yes,manproposesbutgoddisposes! IwasshortlistedforaninterviewforthepositionoflecturerattheDepartmentof ArchitectureofBUET.Iwasveryconfident(probablyoverconfident!)thatIwillget thejob.Ididnotmentionanyoneathomeabouttheinterview;Icantremember whetherNigarwasawareabouttheinterviewasIwantedtosurpriseeveryonewith thegoodnews!!AnotheroneofmysecretMissionImpossible! Ihadthebestacademicresultamongallcandidates,Ihadchampionshiptrophiesfor nationaldebateundermybeltbroughtnationaltrophysforBUETfewtimes, regularpresenterontheonlyTVChannel(BangladeshTV)comparing entertainmentsprograms,programsonarchitectureandplanningandprogramson contemporaryindustrialdevelopmentinBangladesh.Whowouldhavemore crediblecasethanme! Well,theinterviewwasgoingverywellwiththethanViceChancellorofBUET,Dean andHeadoftheFacultyofArchitecture. Suddenly,afterhalfanhourtheinterviewturnednegative!Itstartedtogodownhill! ThemomentImentionedaboutworkingwithArchitectShamsulWares,itseemsthe wholeroomwascoveredwithcoldair.Thepanelhadadifferentplanformylife outsidethelifeofanacademic!IdidnotrealisethetensionbetweenWaressirand thefacultyatthattime.Imadeacompletebooboobyhighlightingmyjoyand happinessaftercommencingworkwithWaressir. IstilldontknowwhyIdidnotgetthejob! AllIwastoldbythepanel,IwillbebetteroffworkingasaprofessionalArchitectwith professionalpersonlikeWaressiranditwouldbebetterfortheArchitectureof BangladeshifIkeeponrepresentingArchitects/Architecturethroughthemedia Thiswasshocknumberone!Oneoftheaccumulatingpushfactorstoinfluencemy exitfromBangladesh!
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BacktoWaressirspracticewithTk3,000salary! Timemoveson.BythistimeNigarhasmovedtoanotherpracticewithalittlebit moresalary.Ihavestartedtoearnalittlebitmoremoneythroughsomeprivate projects.TimetoapproachNigarsfamilytoagreeforustogetmarried! IhadagreementfrommymotherandmysiblingsaboutNigarbutIhavenever testedmyapprovalratingwithNigarsfamily! Attemptone:myolderbrother,brotherinlawsandsomeoftheirfriends(asmy fatherwentoutofourlivesin1976)wentwiththeweddingproposaltoNigars familyattheirhomeinDiluroad.Afterlisteningtoallthefantasticcredibilityofthe proposedgroomincludingtheearnings,myhopetobeFatherinlawverynicely butboldlyrejectedtheproposal. Theregoesmydreamwedding! Hismainconcernwasthebunchofyoungpeoplebringingthissortofserious proposalforhisdaughterandwhendidthisclassfriendofherdaughterbecomea prospectivegroom.HewasalsoconcernwithasalaryofTk3,000!! Veryvalidquestions. ProbablyIwouldasksimilarquestiontomydaughtersiftheybringtheirclassfriend withsimilarproposal! But,Iwasnachorbanda. Istartedtogathersometrumpcardstobereadyforasecondattempt! Inthe1980s(probablystillin2012),oneofthemostvaluedtrumpcardatthat timewasprospectofanoverseaseducation,overseasscholarships,migrationetc etc.IstartedtoworkonthatandluckilygotascholarshiptodomyMastersin ArchitectureatauniversityinVienna,Austria.Iwasobviouslyhappytoenhancemy credibilitywithaconfirmedforeignadmission.IhadtobeinViennabySeptember 1985tocommencemystudy. Attempttwo:Withthattrumpcardofascholarshipforhigherstudy,thistimeall thebiggunsfromourfamily(mylatedoctorunclewhowasaninternationally renownedcancerspecialist,armyofficeruncle,brotherinlawworksfortheUNetc etc.)wenttoNigarshousewithamuchmoreconcreteproposal.Bythistime Nigarssiblingswereonmyside. Hooray!Itworked! Everyoneagreedtothewedding!Mytobefatherinlawveryreluctantlyagreedas allhisteammemberstransformedintooursupporters!
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Democracyprevailed! July7,1985,wegotmarriedandAugust61985wewelcomedNigartoourfamily home. Thiswasanotheraccumulatingfactortoinfluencethepushfactor!Myinlaws familyincludingmynewlymarriedwifewishedforustosettleoverseas! September1985,Iwasoutofthecountrywithaplantostayoverseasforlongtime (atleastthatwastheplan).IwasinVienna,butstillwithahopetocompletemy higherstudyandreturntoBangladesh. Firstweek,startedtomissmynewlywedwife,whowasstillinBangladesh.Withlots ofcourage,Iwenttomyprofessorandasked,whencouldIbringmywifeto Vienna?Hejustlookedatmewithsurpriseandrepliedthatitmaytakeayear.I havetobefluentinGermanlanguageandonlythentheywillallowmetobringa dependent.Iwasterrified! Threeweekslater,Iwentbacktotheprofessorandaskedthesamequestion.Got thesameanswerbutthistimethereplywasntassoftaslasttime.Igotthemessage thatIwasstillaskingquestionsinEnglishratherthaninGerman! Fourthweek,themissingwifebarometeralreadycrossedtheredlines.Iwas desperatetohavepermissiontobringmywifetoVienna.BythistimeNigaralready commencedlearningGermanattheGermanCulturalCentreinDhaka,shewentback toherFathershousetospendlastfewweeksbeforeflyingtoViennaetc.etc. IalsogotajobinViennawithalocalArchitecturalfirmtodesignamosqueinVienna. FortunatelymyexperienceindesigningfewmosquesinBangladeshhelpedmetoget thatjob. Fifthweek,themissingwifebarometerultimatelycrackedwithveryloudnoise! Withallthisammunitions(myjob,brokenGermanconversation,Nigarsattendance attheGermanCulturalCentre),IwentbacktomyProfessorandrequestedhimto assistmetoinitiatetheprocessformywifetojoinmeinVienna. Helookedatmeagain,andthistimetheresponsewasevenharshthanlasttime. HewantedtoknowthepurposeofmyvisittoVienna?Hewantedtoknowwhether itwastostudyortostaythereforeverwithmywife?Hewasquestioningmyloyalty tomycountry!Hewasquestioningthemotiveformebeingsodesperatetohavemy wifewithme!
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Atthatpoint,IthoughtofhimasoneofthemostcruellestpersonIhaveevermet. Hedidnothaveanyconsiderationorsympathyformebeingoverseasformorethan amonth,leavingmynewlymarriedwifeinfarfarawayBangladesh! Beingaveryvocalperson(evenatthattime),Istillrememberarguingwithhim aboutmyprioritiesandhowNigarspresence/absencemayinfluencemystudy.I triedallknowntacticsfrommybook,Itriedallmytechnicstoimpresshimtoagree tomyproposal.Iurgedhimtoconsider! Noreaction,likeatypicalGermansoldierbelongstotheHitlarclanthatweseein mostoftheSecondWorldWarmovies,hewasamanofsteelheart!amanwithout asmile! Well,ImademyowndecisionIhavejudgedbetweenmyprioritieseducationor wife,wifeoreducation!IreflectedsignificanceofeventsinmylifeandIhad projectedthequalityofmylifewithoutNigaroverthecoming12months.WhatI didnotjudgewastheconsequencesofmydecision! Sixthweek,straightwenttotheofficeofAeroflotAirlines,reconfirmedmyreturn ticketonthefollowingdayandwenttotheViennainternationalairporttoflybackto DhakawithoutinforminganyoneathomeincludingNigar! October1985,aftersixweeksofHighereducationinEurope,hereIamBackatthe thanKurmitolaAirport.Obviously,noonewastheretoreceivemeunlikethenightI leftthecountrywithmanywateryeyesandsadfaces! Butthetruthis,Iwasfeelinggreat,happyandjoyful!IleftViennatomeetmywife!! IleftViennatomeetmymother,tomeetmyfamilyandfriends.IleftViennatobein Bangladesh!!IleftViennatolivewithmyfamily!! Highereducationthatcanhappenanytimeinthefuture.Iamstilltooyoungfor higherstudieswithoutmywife!Thiswastheconversationgoinginmyhead.This wastherationaleIhad,tosupportmyactions! ItookaBikolpotaxifromtheairport.Ittookthetaxiaroundfortyminutestoreach ourhome.Ipinchedmyselftoconfirmthatitisnotadream.ItisrealandIamhome! Itwasaround11.30am.Iclimbedthroughthestairsuptothethirdfloor.Iknocked onthedoor.Ididntknowwhowillopenthedoorandwhatwillbehis/herreaction afterseeingme! Irealised,thisisprobablytheshortesttimeforanyonetoreturnfromaplanned higherstudyandprobablythelongesttimeforanyonetowaitoutsidethefrontdoor oftheirownhouse!Iknockedthedooragain.Ithinkatthisstagemyheartbitswere alsoveryloudandfast.Istartedtofeelthetensioninsideme,myheartstartedtobit fasterandfaster!
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Iwasreadytoknockagain,thedooropenedwithapairofeyeswhichprobably experiencedthebiggestsurpriseoftheirlife!Ihaveneverseensuchapairofeyes fullofdisbelief!! AllIrealised,Godmusthaveadifferentplanforme/us!
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Chapter
The flash back!

(part two)
Yes,timetravelcontinues.October1985,IhavereturnedfromViennawithout informinganyoneathome.Iwassoobsessedwithmyowndesireandselfish objectivethatIneverrealisedtheconsequencesofcomingbacktoBangladesh! Iwassuchafoolishpersonwithoutanyvision(Iprobablystillam)! But,doIregrate?Notatall! IbelieveeverythinghappensforareasonandGodmusthaveadifferentplanforme! Yes,hedid. Iamstandingoutsideofourfrontdoor,waitingforsomeonetorespondtomydoor knock.Thedoorstartedtoopenitwasprobablythelongesttimeneededtoopena door.Iwasverykeentoseethepersonontheothersideofthedooropeningof everycentimetrewastakinglongerthanusual! FinallyIcouldseetheperson;finallyshecouldseeme. Itwasthepairofeyesofmyonlysisterinlaw,KonaReza.Sheprobablyhadthe biggestsurpriseofherlife!Hereyescouldnotbelievewhatshewaswitnessing!Her throatwentsodrythatshecouldnottalk,shoutorcallmymother.Herhandswere sonumb,sheforgottohugme,herfeetwerestucktothefloor,shecouldnotmove backtoallowmetocomein.ShecouldnotbelievethatIambackfromViennaonly aftersixweeks! Shethought,shewasdaydreaming! BeingaregularviewerofhorrormovieswithNigar,itwashardforhertobelievethat itwasme!Shethought,itwasmysoulcamebackaftersomethingserious happenedtotherealFarhadRezainVienna! Ihadtohughertobringherdowntoreality.Ihadtopushherbacktoenterintothe house. SuddenlyKonastartedtotalk!Questionsafterquestions,clarificationsafter clarifications,graduallyhertonewentfromhardertoalittlebitsofter.Shewas
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alwaysonmyside.Ithinkshewasthefirstone(andprobablythelastone)tobe convincedbymethatwhatIdidwasright.Sheranintothehousetogivethegreat newstomymotherwhowasbusywithherregularscheduleofwriting(yes,sheisan author). Thehousewasveryquiet!Mythirstyeyeswerelookingforsomeone,whowasthe reasonformetocomebacksoearly,whowasthereasonformetoignoreallmy possibleprospectsandopportunitiesinEurope. Inside,IwasfeelinglikethekingofEngland(KingEmperorEdwardVIII),whogaveup histhronefortheloveofhislife!Greatstory! Konatoldmethat,itwasjustyesterdaywhenNigarleftforherparentshouseto stayfortheperiodshewasmeanttobeinBangladeshbeforedepartingforVienna. Shealsotookmostofourfurniturewithheronathelagari. Howfrustrating! IrequestedKonanottocallNigarandletmegiveherasurprise.Ohboy,whata surpriseitwas!! Iwenttomymothersroom.Shewasstillsittingonherchairandstoppedhervery powerfulpenafterthenews.ShejustturnedaroundassoonasIenteredintoher room.Irealised,howmuchIhavemissedherandshehadmissedmeoverlastsix weeks! Asusual,notears,nosignofstress,nosurpriseinherexpression,notension,no anger,justtheveryfamiliarsmilewithahugewelcominghug! Ithinksheisprobablytheonlyonewhoknew,Iwouldcomebackasshenever wantedmetogooverseasinthefirstplace. Isatwithheronherbedandagainstartedtoclarifytheresponsefromherwasno clarificationneeded,shewasveryhappythatIhavereturnedingoodhealth.Itmay meanIwillnevergooverseasagainandstayinBangladeshforrestofmylifewith thefamily.Sheseemedlikethehappiestmotherintownatthatpointoftime! Icalledmytwosisters,brotherinlawsandmyelderbrothertogivethemthe greatnewsofmyarrival!IreallycantremembernowtheirreactionsbutallIcan sayitwasntaspositiveasmymotherormysisterinlaw.Theywantedtocomeand seemeintheevening.TheonlycommonquestionIhadfromallofthemwasdid Nigarknow? Iwaseventuallygettingmyconfidencebackafterhavingtwoconsecutivepositive welcome.IwasalmostfeelingthatIhavedonetherightthing.Istillwouldhavehad thesamefeelingifIdidnothavetogotoNigarshousetogiveherthesurprise!
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Itwasaroundlunchtime,ItookarickshawtogotoNigarshouseasthecarwasnt availableandIwasntverykeentowaitlonger.IprobablywouldwaitabitlongerifI knewwhatsurprisewaswaitingforme! Again,therickshawwasnotfastenough.Theroadwastoolong.Thetrafficwastoo slow.Itseemedlikeeveryoneonthestreetwastellingmetoslowdown,tellingme tocalmdown,tellingmetothinktwice,tellingmetothinkalternativewaysof informingheraboutmyreturnallrubbishthoughtswereinmyhead. Iwokeupattherickshawpullersvoice.IwasoutsideofthefrontgateofNigars house.Thegatewasclosed.Youhavetogothroughthesmallerdoorontheleft sideofthegateratherthanopeningthebiggate.TherickshawpullersaskedforTk20 andguesswhat,Iwassohappytobethere,IgavehimanoteofTk50andtoldhim toprayforme(IdidntknowatthattimethatIneededitdesperately). Nigarshousewasstillatraditionalonestoriedbuildingwithalongverandhain front.Toreachtheverandahyouhavetocrossabitofopenspaceafterthemain gate. Iopenedthesmallerdoor.Believeitornot,itsrustysoundwasevensweeterthana singingbirdinVienna.Iwasintheopenspaceandwalkingtowardstheverandah.I realisedthatsomeonewassittingintheverandhaandreadingthedailynewspaper BangladeshObserver.Thesomeonewasmyfatherinlaw,anditwasbasicallyhis passtimeeverydaytogothroughthecurrentnews. But,heprobablydidnothaveanycluethatinminutestimehewasgoingtogetthe mostunexpectednews,thenewshewouldnoteventhoughtinhisdream! Ihavealmostreacheduptotheverandahnow.Iamclimbingthesteps! Thenewspapermovedawayveryslowly.Thefaceofmyfatherinlawcameout frombehindthenewspaper.Hehadhisreadingglasseson.Itcameoutinhishand.I dontthinkhebelievedwhathewasseeing!Helookedatmeforages(itseemedlike thatatthemoment).Hewasprobablydoingsomerealitycheckinhishead.Idont rememberhowlongweweresilentfor! TheconeofsilencebrokeassoonasIgavemysalam. Istillthink,withinmomentofrealisingwhathadhappenedjustthen,myfatherin lawwentthroughhisflashbackregratingtheapprovalofmymarriagetohis youngestdaughter.HewasneverhopefulwiththisclassfriendofNigarandnowit isprovedthatheisgoodfornothing.Hasanyoneeverheardthatsomeonecomes backafter6weeksfromEuropeforsuchastupidreason?Hasanyoneeversaw someonesohappyafterdoingsuchacrime?Hemusthadthoughtaboutthefuture ofhisyoungestdaughterhemusthadtheguiltyfeelingofgivingthehandsofher daughtertosuchauselessman!
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Butinreality,hedidnotsayanyharshword!Whywouldhe?Iambackbecauseof hisdaughter.IamheretobewithNigar!AsyoucanrealiseIwasstilllivinginmy fantasyworld! Justlikeagentleman,herespondedtomysalamandinvitedmetohislivingroom insidethehouse.But,hiseyesweretalkingtome,hisbodylanguagewas messagingmethemistakesIhaddone.Iwasprobablygettingthefeelingofwhat mayhappenwhenIseeNigar. MyfatherinlawdisappearedinsidethehouseandIwassittingandwaitingforNigar tocomeandwelcomeme! Everysecond,everyminuteIwasgraduallyfeelingthepainofmymistake,my actions,thereactions,theemotions,thequestionswhydidIdoit?DidIdothe rightthing? Thedoorscreenbetweentheinnerhouseandthelivingroomwentonesideata30 degreeanglewithlargeropeningatthebottomandstilltriangularopeningonthe top!AftersixweeksandfewhoursofwaitIcouldseethefaceIwasdyingtosee,the womanIwasdyingtomeet!Yes,itisthesameNigarbutwhathappenedtoher? WhyisntsheashappyasIam?WhatdidIdowrong? After27yearsofmarriage,Istilldontknowwhatwasgoingthroughherhead,what wasshethinkingaboutherbelovedhusband.AllIknewatthemoment,shewasnt appreciativeofmyactionsatall.Ibelieveshewasfeelingtheshameofhumiliationin frontofherparents,infrontofherpeergroup,infrontofherself!Istillthinkthis wasprobablythetimewhenshewasthinkingoraskingthedhoronimatatobreak throughthemiddleandshecandiveinbetween! Imetmymotherinlaw,bythattimethingsweregettingabitnormalatleastonthe outside.Shegaveussomespacetotalk. Idonotremember,howlongthattalkwentforbutallIremember,itwasmetalking andrationalisingmyreturnratherthanlisteningtoNigaraboutherfeeling(some peopleblamemedoingthateventoday).Bythattime,IhadrealisedthecrimeI hadcommitted.Iopenedupmydefencemechanism.Istartedtocreatea reasonablestoryinmyheadtorationalisemyreturnwithamoreappropriate cause.UnfortunatelyIwasnotdoingverywellastherewasnootherstorytoplot! ItoldNigarthatmydeparturefromViennawastemporaryandIwillgobackagain nextyeartothesameuniversitytocontinuemystudy.IwastryingtoestablishthatI hadanunderstandingwithmyProfessorthattheywouldacceptmenextyear.But insideme,Iknew,thiswasnottrue!Ineverhadanysuchdiscussionswithanyone fromtheUniversity.IevendidnotbothertellingtheProfessorthatIwasleavingfor good!
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Iwasjusttryingtocalmdownthecurrenttensionandstress.Itwasalietomaintain thepeaceandtocoverupfortheimmediatedisaster!Istillbelieveitwasntasinto doso. Lookingatthepairofeyesfullofsadnessandthetearscomingoutofthose,gaveme verygoodindicationwhatshewasthinking.Wasshethinkingofleavingme,wasshe feelingsuicidal,wasshefrustratedandtiredatthisverybeginningofourlife?Istill dontknow. ItseemedlikeshehadthewaterfromBongoposagorinsidehereyesasthetears werecominglikeaneverendingwaterfall.IwishIhadtheKaptaiDamtoputinside hereyestopreservesomeofthetearsforfuture! Shewasprobablythinkingherselfasabrokengirlwhofailedinherassessmentofa person.Shewasprobablythinkingthatthiswastheendofherdreams,thiswasthe endofherchallengethatshetookbymarryingaclassfriendagainstthewillofher father. Iwishsheknewatthattime,wemayhavetofacemoredifficulttimesthanthisand neededtosavesomeofthetearsforfuture! Iwasgraduallyrealisingtheseriousnessofmyactions.Yes,itwasprobablyturning intoacrimeofabusingmywifesdream,humiliatingmywife,challengingthe dignityofmywife,losingmyselfrespect,losingmydignity! But,unfortunatelyitwasaonewayreturnticketfromVienna! Thiswasshocknumberthree!Oneoftheaccumulatingpushfactorstoinfluence myreexitfromBangladesh! Iwasalwayshopefulandfulloffuturedreams.Istillbelieve,yourdreamscan becomethevehicleofyoursuccess.Youhavetodream,youhavetopraytoGod forit,youhavetotrytoachieveityoumaygetit! Bythattime,ourcarcametopickusupfromNigarsparentplace.Wewentbackto ourhouse.Istillrememberthesilentdrivethatwehadforthat20minuteswas probablythequietestdriveinmywholelife.Ididnothavethecouragetostarta conversation,Ididnothaveawordofconsolation,Ididnothaveanyhopetoshare withNigar. OnethingIhavetoagreethatthebestthingabouttimeis,timemoveson.Thebest thingaboutlifeis,lifegoeson. Withtwobrokenheartsandfewbrokendreams,werestartedourlifeinDhakain late1985.
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Withinfewdays,IrealisedthatIwaslosingmyrespectamongmypeergroup.Even amongmyfamily!Iwasbecomingthetalkofanyfamilygathering,Iwasidentifiedas asymboloffailure,asymbolofdefeatedsoldier!Thecauseformyreturnto Dhakawentdownthedrain.Itbecameajoke! Themorepowerfulthejokewasbecoming,mydeterminationwasgettingmore strongertoshowtheworldthatIamnotafailure!Ihadmyjeedback. NigarwasworkingwithDDC,aconsultingfirmandIwasobviouslyunemployed! Withintwoweeksorso,IgotajobofferfromSthopotiShanshad,anarchitectural firm,toworkasanArchitectwithasalaryofTk3,000permonth.Iwasagainoverthe moonatleastIhaveajob. Icommencedworkingforthemandafteraweekgottheconfirmationthattheyare happywithmyworkandIcouldcontinue.Iwantedtobreakthegoodnewsatthe dinnertablethatnight.Iwashappybutfeltthecoldreactionofmyelderbrother, FaridurRezaSagar,whowasalreadyanestablishedbusinessmanbythen.Ididnot realisethatthenewsofTk3000salarywillhithisegosohard. Afterdinner,myelderbrotherwantedtoknowthereasonformetoacceptajobfor onlyTk3000permonthwhenarestaurantwaiterfromKhabarDabar(restaurant ownedbyourfamily)earnsmorethanTk3000permonth!Healsowantedtoknow whatwastheuseofmestudying5yearssohardifIamhappywiththatsalary.He offeredmeajobwithhiscompanyImpressVideoformoremoney.Hewantedmeto jointhefamilybusinessasanownerratherthanremainingasanemployeeforrest ofmylife. ForthefirsttimeinmywholelifeIwasshuttered,Ifeltreallyinsulted,humiliated mydreamofbecomingatrueArchitectflewthroughthewindow.Myownbrother, whoIhadandstillhavetremendousrespectfor,comparedmewiththewaiter, offeredmeajobwithhisvideocompanyratherthantryingtocapitaliseonmy architecturalqualification.Isearningmoneyeverything?Ismoneythemeasureof statusinoursociety?Ismoneythekeytobuyhappiness? (probablynowin2012,Iaminamuchbetterpositiontoanswerthosequestions aboveIwassobloodyemotionallydrivenman!) Thiswasshocknumberfour!Oneoftheaccumulatingpushfactorstoinfluencemy reexitfromBangladesh! Ineverwantedtodobusiness,neverwantedtobepartofmyfamilybusiness.I neverwantedmyfamilytooffermefinancialsupporttoleadmylife.Iwasalwaysa bitindependentwithabigego!Andthisincidentmadememoredeterminedtodo somethingwithinmyowncapabilityandgetestablishedwithoutanysupportfrom myfamily.AllIneed,isalittlebitoftime.
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IstilldontknowwhyIhadthatattitudebutIwascertainlyinfluencedbyNigars ideologyonthisnonbusinessattitudeoverlastfewyears. IreallyhadaverystrongegobutatthesametimeIlovemybrother,Ilovemy family,Iwantedtobewiththem,Istillenjoythefeelingofafamilylivingtogether. Nextmorning,IwentbacktoSthopotiShangshadandsubmittedmyresignation letteronlyafterworkingthereforoneweek.IjoinedImpressVideowithadifferent planinmyhead! Itwasreallychallengingtimeforme.IstillrememberthesupportIgotfromNigar. Wewerestilldreaming,dreamingforalifeoutsideBangladesh,dreamingforalife farfarawayfromthishumiliation,thenegativeenvironmentsurroundingus,farfar awayfromthisbusinesscentricmoneymakingland. OneofthegreatestqualityofNigaristhatshecancopeupwithdifficultsituation veryfast.Sheisapanicqueenbutstillcapableoftacklingthatsituationvery strongly.Ontheotherhandme,apersonwithnostress,notension,livefortheday, nolongtermplanning.Istillbelievelifeistooshort! 1986,IwasworkingforImpressVideo,makingdocumentaries,musicvideos, weddingvideosandsoon.NigarwasstillworkingforDDC.Iwasalsogettingsome Architecturalworksthroughpersonalcontacts.Lifewasgoingalrightbutwestilldid notgiveuponourdream.Butnothingwascomingourway! IappliedforanArchitectsjobwiththePublicWorksDepartment(PWD).Atthe sametimebothofusappliedforascholarshipforamastersdegreeattheAsian InstituteofTechnologyinBangkok.Weneverkneworeventhoughtaboutthetrap wewereheadingfor. Miraclehappens! ItwasunbelievablebuttruethatIreceivedtwoofferlettersonthesameday.One offeringmeajobwithPWDandtheotherofferedmeascholarshipinBangkok. WhatdoIdo? MyfamilyparticularlymymotherwasverymuchinfavourofacceptingthePWDjob. IlookedatNigarandIsawthosedreamsfiredupagaininhereyes,Isawherhopes wereupagain,Isawherconfidenceinmyability!Igotthemessage,veryloudand clear.AsifNigarwasgivingaspeechatthepoltonmoidantothepublicand requestingeveryonetoinfluencemetofollowtherightchoice! Unfortunately,NigarwasntofferedascholarshipinBangkokthroughthisprocess. Solikerewindaplay,itwasme(solo)goingoverseasagainbutnotthatfarlike Vienna!ItwasonlyuptoBangkokthistime.
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IacceptedthescholarshipanddeclinedthePWDoffer.Ihavetosaymymother wasntthehappiestmotherinBangladeshonthatday.Myelderbrother,likealways blessedmeandwishedmeluckwithaverystrangesmileasifheknewthatIwas comingbackinfewmonthstimeanyway.Mysisterswerehappyformebutwasnt surewhatwillhappeninnextcoupleofmonths. Nigarsfatherwasveryhappywiththenews.Ibelieveforthesecondtimehewas veryproudofmewithextracaution.IbelievetheirwholefamilyincludingNigar wasgettingtheconfidencebackonme.Itwaslikeasecondchanceformetoprove myself! May,1987,IarrivedinBangkokwithverystrongdeterminationthatIwasnotgoing backtoBangladeshjustforthesakeofgoingback.Yes,Iwasfeelingverylonely,sad, upsetthinkingwhatdidIachieveoverlastoneyear?IfIhadtocomeoverseas withoutNigar,whydidnotIstayinVienna?Whatanirony! But,IdidnotrealisethatGodhadadifferentplanforus.Itwasjustthebeginningof hismysteriousplan. ItwasMonday,onthefirstdayofmycourseIstillrememberthataround3pmafter theclass,MrR.WArcher,anAustralianfacultymemberandtheheadofmy Department,wantedtoseemeinhisoffice.Hewasveryinterestedinmyresume andtheworkIdidwithmediainBangladeshonBangladeshihousing,planningand environment. Iwenttohisroom.Iwassurprisedtoknowthathehadallinformationaboutme includingmyreturnfromVienna.Istilldonotknow,howhehadallthose information.Wehadachataround30minutesandatonestageheaskedmeabout myfamilyandgraduallymywifeandsoon.Itookthefirstopportunitytotellhim thatmywifeNigarwasanapplicantforthisscholarshipbutshewasntsuccessful.I alsoaddedthathowmuchitwouldmeantousifwebothhadthescholarships. ItseemslikeNigarsnamegeneratedsomethoughtstoArchershead.Heopened hiscupboardandbroughtoutaveryheavyfileandwentthroughthatfornextten minutes.Meanwhile,Iwassittingthereandstillexplaininghowgoodwewereas classfriendandhowwehadcomplementedeachotherduringourstudies,whydidI comebackfromViennaetcetc. Archerlookedatmeandasked,Hasyourwifegotapassport?Myanswer,Yes. Question,CansheaffordtobuyatickettoBangkok?AnswerYes.Question,Can shegetavisaonashortnotice?Answer,Yes(thoughIhadnocluehowlongit maytaketogetaThaivisa). Afterthat,whateverhappened,happenedforareason.IbelieveGodwaswriting ourfateinhisownhandatthatmoment!
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ArchertoldmethatNigarsnamewasfirstonthewaitinglistandoneofthe prospectivecandidatejustdeclinedhisoffer.Archercanofferthatscholarshipto Nigarifsheisinterested.TheonlyconditionisthatsheneedstobeinBangkokby Fridaythisweekotherwisethescholarshipwillgotosomeoneelse. IwasjustlookingatArcher,listeningtohimandthought,wasthisreallyhappening? Wasthistrue?WasIdreaming?Hashegonemad! Iwasalmostdroppedoffmychairandrantotheinternationalcentreasthosedays wedidnothavemobileorinternationalphoneeverywhere.Itriedtocallourhome andfoundthatNigarhasagaingonetoherparentshouseforthetimebeing.Icalled Nigarshouseandfoundher. Icantrememberwhattheconversationwasandhowlongitwentfor,butmy conclusiontoherwas,miraclehappenedandyouhavetotakethisopportunityto comeandjoinmeinBangkok.IstilldontknowthereactionthatNigarhadonthe otherendbutIcanonlyimaginethereliefandconfidenceshegotfromthatphone call. Nextfewdayswereverylongforme.Itwasjustwaitingandwaiting.Nigargother visabyThursday,ticketsconfirmedbyWednesdayforaflightonFridayafternoon. May1987,forthefirsttimebothofusrealisedourpresenceinaforeignsoil togetherwherewewereexpectedtostayforalongerperiodoftime.Finallymy dreamwasfulfilled,evenbeforeIlearntBahsaThai,Ihadmywifewithmeand importantlyshewastherenotonlyasmywifebutwithherownright. Istilldonotknow,howdidthishappen?HowArcherdidhaveallinformationonus? Werewereallypartofaconspiracy? Ormiraclehappens!
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Chapter
Back to reality!
Iwonder,howmanypeoplehaveconsideredmyflashbacksasaninfluenceforme toacceptaselfdecidedBonobashsupportedbythedevelopedworld.From1987 to2012,itisnow25yearsthatwehavebeencallingadifferentlandhome. Isittimetoraiseourvoicetoattainequalopportunitylikesomeothermigrantsfrom othercountries? IsittimeforustoraisepolicyissueswiththeAustralianGovernmentandraisetheir awarenessaboutsomeoftheissuesbotheringsomeofus! Alotofourreadersagreedtotheissueofcitizenshipcertificateandtheissue regardingsuperannuation(ref:Chapter3). Or,isitutopiatodreamthatonedaythecitizenshipcertificatewillbesuperseded bytheAustralianPassport? Isitfaraway,whenwecangetequalstatus(inrelationtotheuseofsuperannuation funds)likesomeothermigrantsfromcountrieslikeUKandGreece? However,itis2012,therealityisIaminAustralia,servingtheAustralian GovernmentandAustralianpublic.Icamehereasaskilledmigrantthisismycore business. Butreflectingthepast,Icanstillconfirmthefactorspushedandpulledmeintothis situation. DoIregrate? No,Idont.Notatallasitwasaconsciousdecisionatthattime! Istillwouldliketohighlightsomecriticalissuesthough,whichIbelieveworthraising nowacrossthedevelopedworld! Ijustwanttosharemyownexperienceandfeelingswithyouall.Butagainasoneof ourclosefamilyfriendsalwayssays,Bhaia,feelingsaresosubjectiveandvalue basedthatitvariesbetweenpeople,evenifwecomefromthesamecultural, religiousand/orsocioeconomicbackground. Oneofmyfriends,aseniorofficialwiththeAustralianGovernmentdifferedwith someofmystatements.Ihighlyrespecthisview.Iagreewithlotsofhis disagreementsasitrelatestohisownpersonalexperience.Beingoneofthe
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pioneeringfullfeepayingstudentinAustraliainthe1990sandeventuallybecoming acitizenofAustraliahisperspectiveisverydifferentthanaskilledmigrantwithout anyinstitutionalqualificationsachievedinAustralia. Oneofhisviewsaboutaccessingtheunemploymentandotherbenefitsfromthe AustralianGovernmenthasvalidpoint.Hearguedthattheseservicesareavailable forallAustraliansnotonlyforthemigrantslikeus.Soobviouslyitisnotaserviceto hookmigrants! IagreeandIwouldliketobelievethat! Howeverthehistoryoftheseservicesmayleadtoadifferentview. Itisveryinterestingthatattheturnofthecenturytherewasnosocialsecurity systeminAustralia.Charitablereliefwasprovidedtoneedypersonsbyvoluntary organisations,insomecaseswiththeassistanceofgovernmentgrants. Themainareasofneedwhichattractedcharitableassistancewerethe'sickpoor', neglectedchildren,oldpeoplewhoweredestituteandwomenwhohadbeen desertedorwhohad'fallen'pregnant.Theunemployedwereassistedbygrantsof wages,orrations,inreturnforreliefworkprovidedbythegovernment. TheCommonwealthofAustraliawasformedon1January1901byfederationofthe sixStates(andlatertwoadditionalTerritories)underawrittenconstitutionwhich, amongotherthings,authorisedthenewCommonwealthParliamenttolegislatein respectofageandinvalidpensions.Thenewpensions,whichwerefinancedfrom generalrevenue,cameintooperationinJuly1909andDecember1910respectively, supersedingStateagepensionschemes. Thenewpensionwaspaidtomenfromage65.Itwaspaidtowomenatage60,but notuntilDecember1910.Theagepensionwasalsosubjecttoaresidence qualificationof25yearswhichwasreducedto20yearsshortlyafterintroduction.In 1912theCommonwealthintroducedamaternityallowance.Thisallowancewasa lumpsumcashgrantpayabletoamotheronthebirthofachild. WhyamIgoingthroughthehistoryofwelfare? Because,nationalsocialsecuritypaymentslikeunemployedbenefitwasnot introduceduntiltheendoftheSecondWorldWar.OnlyQueenslandhadan unemploymentinsuranceschemein1923. TheCommonwealthDepartmentofSocialServiceswascreatedin1939andbecame fullyoperativein1941.Pensionshadpreviouslybeenadministeredwithinthe DepartmentoftheTreasury.
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Therewasamajorextensionofthesocialsecuritysystemin1945withthe introductionorCommonwealthunemploymentandsicknessbenefitsintheformof flatratepaymentsfinancedfromgeneralrevenueandsubjecttoanincometest. Theintroductionofthesenewbenefitstookplaceagainstabackgroundofmajor changesintherevenueraisingfunctionsoftheCommonwealthandtheStates.But stillAustralianGovernmentdecidedtointroducetheunemploymentbenefitscheme. Oneschoolofthoughtsuggeststhatthisschemewasimplementedtosupportthe newmigrantsfromtheEuropeancountries.JustaftertheWorldWarII,thebiggest flowofmigrantshitAustraliaandfewotherdevelopedcountries.Australiawanted tohostthesemigrantsappropriatelyratherthanlosingthemtootherdeveloped countries.Hencethenewlyintroducedunemploymentbenefitworkedasmiracleto retain/attractnewmigrants! Australianeededthemigrants! AccordingtotheAustralianDepartmentofImmigrationandCitizenship,thepurpose ofAustralia'sSkilledMigrationProgramistodeliverworkerswiththeskillsAustralia needs.Togetthemaximumeconomicbenefitfromthisprogramitisimportantthat skilledmigrantsaresuccessfulinthelabourmarketenjoyingahighrateoflabour forceparticipation,alowrateofunemploymentandahighpropensityforskilled employment. http://www.immi.gov.au/media/factsheets/14labour.htm pleasereadbetweenthelines!! Oneofmylearnedfriends,againworkingfortheAustraliangovernment,agreedand defendedtheconceptofmigrantslaveryandarguedoursituationasmental slaveryratherthanphysicalslavery.Again,Iagreewithhimasitisprobablycoming fromhisownexperienceinAustraliaasanotherskilledmigrant. Howaboutunskilledmigrants? Theyareprobablyinamuchworsesituationinlotsofcases(notgeneralisinghere). ThousandsofforeigndomesticworkersarelivingasslavesinBritain,beingabused sexually,physicallyandpsychologicallybyemployers,accordingtoaninvestigation screenedbyChannel4intheUK.Morethan15,000migrantworkerscometoBritain everyyeartoearnmoneytosendbacktotheirfamilies.ButaccordingtoaChannel4 dispatchesinvestigation,manyendureconditionsthatcampaignerssayamountto moderndayslavery. Kalayaan,acharitybasedinWestLondonthathelpsandadvisesmigrantdomestic workers,registersaround350newworkerseachyear.
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Wednesday,23May2012:Anewreportrevealedthedarkunderbellyofthefood industrywhereworkersareexploited,connedandabused.Theconclusionof researchbytheJosephRowntreeFoundationReporterslooksatthegrim realityContemporaryformsofslaveryexistinBritain. Thecharityinterviewed62migrantworkerswhoworkedinthefoodindustry.Many saidtheirbosseshadliedtothem,withheldtheirwages,paidlessthantheminimum wageandbulliedthem.Somedescribedstealingfoodinordertosurvive.Often workerslivedinshockingovercrowdedandunsafeaccommodationthatwastied totheirjob.Somehadtheirpassportsretainedbytheiremployerforuptoayear. Oneworkersaidthatsupervisorsdidnotcallusbyournames,wewerecalledby numbers.Theytreateduslikeslaves. Dontthissoundsimilar/familiarinthelineofKuntaKinte! APolishmandescribedworkingconditionsasbeinglikeaconcentrationcamp. AndaChinesemigranttoldresearchersthatfeelingbulliedorsuppressedisnormal andunavoidable.Racismandsexismwereusedtobullyworkers.Andtheywere sackedforbeingpregnantorsick. PatienceisadomesticworkerfromWestAfrica,whoseformerbosswasaLondon solicitor.Shesaidthatforalmostthreeyearssheworked120hoursaweekforlittle money."Iwastreatedlikeaslave,notallowedtogoout,tomakefriendsshe'd pinchme,slapme.Ididn'thaveanyonetotalkto." SimilarsituationhappensinothercountrieslikeThailand.Monday,4June2012, DemocraticVoiceofBurmahighlightedthatapoliceraidthatweekonagarment factoryinBangkokbroughttolighttheshockingconditionsfacedbymigrant labourers,manyofwhomaretraffickedintothecountryfromimpoverished neighbouringBurma,LaosandCambodia.Around60Burmesemigrantswerefreed fromwhattheysaidwereprisonlikeconditionsinthefactorywheretheywere forcedtowork16hoursadaywithlittlepay,andforbiddenfromleavingthe building. Theseareonlyfewofthesadexamples! Isntittimeforustoestablishaforumtotalkthroughourexperience,ourfeelings, ourviewstocomplementourwaysoflife. Doesntmatter,whetherwehavecometothiscountryasaskilledmigrant,unskilled migrant,throughfamilymigrationorasaresultoftheunacceptableinhumane processofhumanrightsviolationwehaveeveryrighttoshareourtruefeelingsto warnotherprospectivevictims! Backtosharingmyexperience!
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1996,wehaveourfirsthouseinMelbournemortgagedwiththeCommonwealth Bank.Wehavetwodaughterswithanagedifferenceofsevenyearsbetweenthem. Nigarisnotworking.Wehaveonereasonableincome.Notbad! WeboughtalargenewcarametallicsilversecondhandFordFalconstationwagon toaccommodatefourmemberswithababypramandotheressentialstobereadyat anytimeatanyplacewithababy.Ialwayswantedtoownastationwagon.Thiswas anotherdreamcametrue! Itgivesacertainsomethingperhapsinthe1990s,owningaFordoraHolden makesyoumoreAustralianratherthandrivingaJapanesecar!Thiscarservedus fornext10years.IttookustotheGoldCoastandBrisbanefewtimes,travelledall overVictoria,SydneyandobviouslyCanberra. WesharedlotsofgoodmemoriesinMelbournebetween1989and1998.We travelledalloverVictoria,wesharedcommunityevents,weorganisedand performedatcommunityevents,weraisedfundsforBangladeshwheneverneeded tosupportfloodvictimsorforanyothercauses. WeworkedtowardstheinclusionofBengalilanguageaspartofthemainstream curriculuminVictoria.WeworkedwiththeMulticulturalResourceCentreto promoteBangladeshiculture.Wewereinvolvedinorganisingprogramsinvolving shilpicomingfromBangladeshtosharetheirtalentswithusinMelbourne. WeinitiatedSrotarAshoreinMelbournetopromotelocalartistsandtoencourage localaudiencestoshareShusthomusic.SrotarAshoreisstillrunningandsomeof ourfriendsarestillholdingtheBoitha! WehadauniquegroupinMelbourneandIamstillreallyveryproudofthatgroup. Wehadahiddentendencytocompeteagainsttheculturalactivitiesand performancesbyothermigrantgroupsparticularlyfromtheWestBengal,India. Istillremember,onedayataveryearlystageofourlifeinMelbourne,oneofthe commentsfromaninfluentialpersonfromCalcutta(currentlyKolkata)didputa stronginjuryintoourhearts.Hewastalkingaboutthesubstandardperformances ofaBangladeshicommunitygroupsthathehadwitnessedandimmediately generalisedthat. AsifallBangladeshiperformancesarelikethat! Beinginvolvedwithsuchculturalactivitiesandperformancesthroughoutmylife,I wasveryannoyedwiththatcommentandinvitedhimandhisgrouptoournext performanceinOctober1990attheRichmondCityCouncilhall.Oneofourfriends workedfortheCouncilasanEngineergottheauditoriumforfreeofchargeorfora verylowprice. Whataperformanceitwas!
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WewroteanoriginalscripttoportraytheglorioushistoryofBangladesh.Thestory commencedfromtheveryhappydaysbeforetheBritishcametorulethesub continent,culminatedwiththeindependenceofBangladesh. Withallouramateurfriends(onlyone/twoofushadsomeperformanceexperience onastage)andarehearsaloversixmonthsitwasaflawlessperformance.Itwas designedandstagedplayedinsuchawaysothatthemainstreamAustraliancould understandthemessagewewereveryproudof. ObviouslythoseKolkatapeoplewerethereandtheywenthome,notonlywithhigh appreciationfortheprogramorganisedandperformedbyBangladeshisbutwith hugerespectandwithanappetitetojoinusforthenextone! IhavetohighlighttheactivesupportwehadreceivedfromMelbournianslike Hemayetvai,Dollyapa,Chobivabi,Gopaboudi,Mintuvai,Minuvabi,Robertdaand Shativabiwhoassistedustoproveourselvesasgenuineperformerstothe1990s Melbourne! Sincethatprogram,wedidlotsofotherprograms.Bythen,ourfocusshiftedfrom thecompetitiveattitudeagainsttheKolkatapeopletocomplementtheever challenginglifeofournextgenerationmigrantsandtoretaintheculturalprideof BangladeshamongtheBangladeshimigrants. Westartedtowriteplay,songs,designedfestivalstoinvolvemoreandmoresecond generationmigrants,toconveymessagesaboutouridentity,cultureinsucha differentandchallengingsocialenvironment. Interestinglyitmaysoundodd,butinrealitysomeofourfellowBangladeshi migrantsalreadychangedtheirnamesandthenamesoftheirchildrentoEnglish namesexpectingahigheracceptanceamongthemainstreamAustralian communities. WewereintroducedtochildrenofpureBangladeshioriginandfamilywithaname likeDanny,Diana,Susan,Mariaetcetc.Ididnothaveanyproblemswiththenames butitraisedsomequestionsinmymindwhentheyreplacedtheiroriginal Bangladeshinames! Howshockingisthat! Atthisstage,wedidnotgiveupourboxingglovesyet! Wecameoutwithnewplayssatiretoreflectthelifeofthissegmentofour communityandhowitmayinfluenceournextgenerationwrongly.Wecalledour playAbarToraBangaliHo.ItwassuchahitthatourfriendsfromSydneyborrowed thescriptandplayeditintheirtowninthemid1990s.
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WeinitiatedtraditionalJatratoconveymessageregardingthebenefitofpromoting Bengalilanguage,cultureandkrishtyinAustralia.Itwastitledappropriately ShirajudDoulaEkhonMelbourn.Againitwassuchahit,atalaterstageitwas performedinCanberra,SydneyandeveninNewYorkbylocalBangladeshimigrants. WeinitiatedthefirstdaylongprogramtocelebrateBanglaNoboBorshoin Melbourne.ObviouslywewereinfluencedbythegreatdaylongBoishakhiMela alreadyestablishedinSydney. Itwassuchagoodtimeenhancedourqualityoflife,assistedmigrantstosatisfy theirculturalneed,reinforcedtheirsenseofidentity,engagedmigrantstoforget abouttheirtoughtimes,hidetheirfeelingsofslavery(ifany)! Doesntmatterwhetheritwasmentalorphysical. Atleast,Ineverthoughtofslaveryatthatpointoftime.Lifewasbeautiful. After25yearsofselfdecidedBonobash,Iamreflectingmylifeasmigrant, probablywithadifferentpairofglasses! IfIgobacktoallthoseactivitieswedidinMelbourneatthattimetokeepus engaged,empowered,entertainedinterestinglyallthoseactivitiesweresupported bytheAustralianGovernmentorVictorianGovernmentatlarge! Greatinitiativeandsupportfromthegovernments,butwhy? Istillbelieve,oneofthereasonswasobviouslytoretainthemigrantsbysatisfying theirculturalaspirationsothattheycancontinuecontributionstowardsthe developmentofthisgreatcountry. WewerehookedwiththeinspirationalfundingfromtheGovernment! Late1997,NigargotajobatMelbourneCitycouncil.Shecommencedworkwiththe strategicplanningareaoftheCouncil.Shealwayswantedtoworkinthefieldof ArchitectureandUrbanDesignandinterestinglywithintwomonthsshewasoffered ajobwiththeUrbanDesignareaofMelbourneCitycouncil.Shewashappierthan ever! Weweregettingbackontoourfeetagain! TheMelbourneskywasneversoclearforus,neverithadsomanyfullmoon nights,theMelbournebirdsneversangsomanybeautifulsongsandthestreet treeswereneversogreen! Itseemed,IwastheguitarandNigarwasthetune,Iwasthelyricsandshewasthe song,IwasthemusicnotesandshewastheShorolipi!Ourdaughtersweretheonly audienceswehadtoshareourhappinessinfull.
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WewereinlovewithMelbourneagain.Westartedtoloveourmigrantlife. Whosays,wewereslaves! Wewerefeelinglikethatwehaveagainreachedourdestinylikein1989whenwe arrivedinMelbourneonacoldnight! Withreasonableincomesandaffordability,wewereplanningtoextendourhouseto adoublestoriedmansion.DesignwasfreeinourhouseholdbuttwoArchitects makingdecisionsoversamedesignwasntagoodexperience! ThehouseremainedonestoriedforrestofourlifeinMelbourne. March1998,IwasinCanberraforworktopresentapaperataconference.Iwas approachedbytwoseniorpeoplefromtheChiefMinistersDepartmentoftheACT Government.Afterquestionsandanswersaboutmypresentationsandcurrent works,theyaskedwhetherIaminterestedtoworkfortheminCanberra. Ineverhadthissortofexperiencebefore!Iwasabitvabachaka! Usually,Irunfortheworkforthefirsttimetheworkwascomingtowardsme! Wasitagainamiracleoranotherplanbehindthescenetoensuremycontribution toAustralia.ButIwasfine,IwasntplanningtoleaveAustralia,Iwashappyworking forVictorianGovernment.Sowhatwasthemotive! Ididnotknowwhattosay. Ihaverequestedsometimeformetothinkanddiscussitwithmywife.Iwasgivena weektorespond. IwentbacktoMelbourne. ItookNigarthroughtheproposedoffer,prospectofcareerprogressionformeand prospectofmovingtoCanberraforgood! Istillthink,myproposaldidnotgoverywellwithNigar.Forthefirsttimeinour migrantlifewehadachievedsomestabilityandIhavebroughtaproposaltoshake thefoundationagain. AmIfoolorwhat! Again,IamlookingattheproposalfrommyownselfishperspectiveforgettingNigar hasjuststartedacareerinMelbourneinafieldwhichshelovesmost. SixdaysgonenoresponsefromNigaryet!
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Withlotsofcourage,Iaskedagainatthedinnertable.NovocalresponsebutIgot themessagefromhereyes! SeventhdayIgotaninterestingresponse.Nigaragreedformetoexplorethereal possibility.Wetookadecisionthatwewilldiscussthisseriouslyifthereisaconcrete offerfromtheACTGovernment. IinformedmyintenttotheofficialattheACTChiefMinistersDepartment.Iwastold therewasanadvertisementforthepositionandifIaminterested,Ishouldapply. Iapplied! IwasshortlistedforaninterviewinCanberra.TheACTGovernmentprovidedthe returnticket,whichtomewasalreadylikewinningtheposition! Istillrememberthedayoftheinterview.EventhoughCanberraistheonly Australiancityfullydesignedfromscratch,itwasalwaysconfusingtometofind anythingasIwasnotfamiliarwiththecityplan. Myinterviewwasat11.00amatCanberraNarraCentreinthecity.Myflightwas delayedandIhadataxidriverwhowasnewintownanddidnothaveanyclue whereCanberraNarraCentrewas.ObviouslytherewasntanyGPSand unfortunatelythedriverdidnothaveastreetdirectory. Howmanythingscouldgowronginoneday! AllIknew,thebuildingwasinthecitysomewhere.Iwasdroppedoffatthecornerof SydneybuildingandNorthbourneAvenue.Itwas10.45already! Iwastotallylosttryingtounderstandmybearings.LookingformyNorthernStar.I feltlikeCaptainCookinthespiritofdiscoveringCanberraNarraCentre! Ihadtoaskfewpeoplethedirectionformydestination.Finally,afterwalkingand sweatingforhalfanhour,Ireachedmydestinationat11.15.Iwaslucky,asthe candidateaftermewasalreadythereandthepanelswaphertimewithmine.Somy interviewwasrescheduledat11.45. Iwasready!WasI?Notsure! WasmyfuturealreadywritteninCanberra?
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Chapter
Turning point!
July2012,threeweeksago,inaCanberrasocialgathering,oneofmyfriends, anotherseniorofficialworkingwithstatisticalfactsandfiguresatthehighestlevelof AustralianGovernmenthadexpressedhisconcernsaboutmytheoryofconspiracy. Again,Ihavenotarguedwithhimasheobviouslyhaddifferentexperienceasa migrantthanme.HehadstrongpointsandIhadtoagreetheywerevalidpoints fromhisownperspectiveandIhadtorespectthat. However,whenIcontinuedmyresearchonmigrationanditslinktoslavery,itwas veryinterestingformetofindthatIamnotalone! RhondaV.Magee1oftheUniversityofSanFranciscoinherarticleSlaveryas Immigration?arguesthattransatlanticslaverywas,insignificantpart,an immigrationsystemofaparticularlypernicioussortasystemofimmigrationaimed atfulfillingthebuddingcountry'sneedsforacontrollablelabourpopulation,and desireforaracialisedone.Assuch,thelawandpolicyofchattelslaveryshouldbe viewedasperhapsthemostimportanthistoricalprecursortocontemporary immigrationlawregardinglowandunskilledlabourintheUnitedStates. Followingananalysisofthetreatmentofchattelslaveryingeneralimmigration historyscholarship,andinscholarshiponthehistoryofimmigrationlaw,theauthor concludesthatimmigrationlawtextsmustincludeadiscussionofchattelslavery thatproperlylocatesthatsystemasaforerunnerofmodernimmigrationlawand policy,andimmigrationscholarsshoulddevotemoreattentiontochattelslavery. TheUnitedStatesexperiencedmajorwavesofimmigrationduringthecolonialera fromthe1880sto1920.ManyimmigrantscametoAmericaseekinggreater economicopportunity,whilesome,suchasthePilgrimsintheearly1600s,arrivedin searchofreligiousfreedom.Fromthe17thto19thcenturies,hundredsofthousands ofAfricanslavescametoAmericaagainsttheirwill. Thefirstsignificantfederallegislationrestrictingimmigrationwasthe1882Chinese ExclusionAct.Individualstatesregulatedimmigrationpriortothe1892openingof EllisIsland,thecountrysfirstfederalimmigrationstation.Newlawsin1965ended thequotasystemthatfavoredEuropeanimmigrants,andtoday,themajorityofthe countrysimmigrantshailfromAsiaandLatinAmerica.
Rhonda V. Magee. 2009. "Slavery as Immigration?" http://works.bepress.com/rhonda_magee/3
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TheSouthernPovertyLawCenter,USAanonprofitcivilrightsorganisation dedicatedtofightinghateandbigotry,andtoseekingjusticeforthemostvulnerable membersofoursocietyincludingdisadvantagedimmigrants. Accordingtothem, Immigrantsperformsomeofthehardest,mostdangerousjobsinoureconomyfor theleastamountofpay.Buttheyareroutinelycheatedoutoftheirwagesand deniedbasicprotectionsintheworkplace.Intheircommunities,theyaresubjectedto racialprofilingandharassmentbylawenforcementandfrequentlyforcedtoprove themselvesinnocentofimmigrationviolations,regardlessoftheirlegalstatus.And theyare,increasingly,targetedforviolenthatecrimes. TheSouthernPovertyLawCentertookoncasesthatfewprivatelawyerswould accept,seekingsystemicreformsandrepresentingvictimsofinjustice,likethese: Migrantworkerswhowentmonthswithoutbeingpaidwhilecleaningupand rebuildingNewOrleansafterHurricaneKatrina. WeldersandpipefittersfromIndiawhoeachpaidupto$10,000forjobsin GulfCoastshipyardsafterbeingtoldfalselytheywouldgainpermanentU.S. residencyonlytodiscovertheywouldbeforcedintoguardedlabourcamps. Amigrantbeanpickerwhosawhislifesavingsconfiscatedbypoliceduringa trafficstopinAlabama,eventhoughhewasneverchargedwithacrime. Farmworkerswhowereroutinelycheatedoutoftheirpaybyasubsidiaryof oneofAmericaslargestandbestknownfoodcompanies. Thistypeofexploitationisexperiencedbyimmigrantsandmigrantworkersevery dayastheystriveforopportunityinacountrythatwelcomestheircheaplabourbut recoilsattheirpresenceandfailstoprotecttheirrights. SolomonGifford2inhisarticleLEGALImmigrationAToolforModernDaySlavery (Friday,November4,2011),hasstated: WhenNumbersUSAairedthe"LowerLEGALImmigration"adduringtworecentGOP nationaldebates,anumberofindividualspostedcommentsonTwitterindisbelief thatanyorganizationwouldadvocatelowerlegalimmigrationlevels.Amnestyisthe onlyformofLEGALimmigrationthatsomearewillingtostandagainst.However,just becausesomethingislegaldoesn'tmakeitmorallyright.Forexample,iftheAfrican Slavetradewerestillinoperationtoday,Iwouldstandagainstit. Healsomentionedthatsomelegalimmigrationisaningredientforreplacinghard workingAmericanswithmoderndayimmigrant"slaves."
https://www.numbersusa.com/content/nusablog/sgifford/november-4-2011/legal-immigration-tool-modern-dayslavery.html
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OregonLivereportedthattheDepartmentofLabourfoundthatOregonianforestry contractorswhohadreceivedfederalstimulusfundsusedthemoneytohireforeign workers.ThecontractorsusedsomeloopholeswithintheH2B(lowskilltemporary workvisa)programtoavoidhiringU.S.workerstohirecheapforeignworkers instead. InanotherUSAincident,48legalimmigrantworkersfromthePhilippines,Jamaica, Bellarus,Turkey,andIndonesiahavefiledaclassactioncomplaintinMississippi alleginghumantraffickingviolationsundertheTraffickingVictimsProtectionAct.3 Theimmigrantworkerscouldnotaffordtopaysomeoftherelevantfees,sothey weresenttospecificloancompaniesintheircountryoforiginwheretheywere requiredtosignblankcheckstopaybackthemoneyloanedonceitwasearnedin theUnitedStatesaswellasrequiringfamilymemberstocosigntheloan agreementssotheloancompanieswouldhavesomeonetoleanonintheircountry oforiginiftheycouldpaytheloansbacks. Plaintiff'sCounselNickNorrisstated, "Fromtheevidencewehaveseensofarwebelievethisisacaseofmodernday slaverywhereimmigrantworkersarebeingtrickedintoworkinginsubstandard conditionstheydidnotagreetowhentheylefttheirhomecountries,andarestuck workingthesejobsbecausetheyhavetopaybacktheseloansforvisaexpensesfor theirfamiliesandcan'tgoworkforotheremployersintheUnitedStatesunderH2B visaprogram." Istillbelievethatthereisaconspiracytheorylinkedtotheveryexistenceofthe immigrationpolicyinitiatedbythedevelopedworld! Ifitsintentionissonoblethenwhyarewerestrictingpeoplesmovementbetween countries,whyarewetyingourselveswithacountrytag,whyareweputtinglines onlandoroceanstolegaliseourowncountry!Restrictingpartsofmankindfrom sharingourresourcesandprosperitythroughalegalpolicyframework! Whyarenttheyallowingustobecomeworldcitizenglobalcitizen(whichweare alreadythroughthedevelopmentintheICTsector,ifweareluckytoaffordit)like JohnLennonsdream: Imaginethere'snocountries Itisn'thardtodo Nothingtokillordiefor Andnoreligiontoo Imagineallthepeoplelivinglifeinpeace
http://stopslavery2012.com/blog/b_12393_48_legal_immigrant_workers_from_the_phillippines_jamaica_bellarus_tur key_and_indonesia_have_filed_a_class_action_complaint_in_mississippi_alleging_human_trafficking_violations_und er_the_trafficking_victims_protection_act.html
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Whilecontinuingmyfurtherresearchintothematter,Iwouldstillliketosharemy personaljourneyasamigrantwithabrightpossibilityofresettlinginCanberra,the heartofthenationAustralia. 1998,Iamenteringtoaroomwithunknownaudiencesforaninterview.Ihavebeen shortlistedforapositionwiththeACTChiefMinistersDepartment.ACTstandsfor AustralianCapitalTerritoryandCanberraisthecitycentreworkingasthecapitalcity fortheAustraliannationalcapital.ACTworkslikeamegalocalgovernmentwith bothresponsibilitiesasaterritorylevelgovernmentandalsoasalocalgovernment withallthemunicipalservices.ThisisauniqueroleinAustraliathattheACTplays. NigarandIalwayshadanextrafascinationaboutCanberrabeingtheonlyplanned cityinAustralia.1913,whenahusbandandwifeArchitectteamwonthe internationaldesigncompetition,itwasahistoricmilestoneforallArchitectural schoolsacrosstheworld.WehadtostudyplanningofCanberraandsomeofthe iconicbuildingsinCanberrawhenwewerestudentsofArchitectureinBangladesh. TheYPlan,theHighCourtbuilding,NationalArtGallery,WarMemorialwerevery familiartousevenbeforecomingtoAustraliaasamigrant. Ienteredintotheroom.Isawtwomalewithverydarkblacksuitandafemalewitha nicedresssittingononesideofabigtable.Anotherpersonissittinginanothertable torecordtheinterview.Itseemedlike,Iwasabolirpathaandverysoontheywill cutmeintopiecesandhaveafestivemeal! Iwashappytoseeatleastonefamiliarface,thepersonwhoencouragedmeto applyforthejobMrPeterBrown,aseniormanagerwiththeACTChiefMinisters Department.ButIdidnothaveanyideaabouttherealPeterBrown! Thefirstbulletcametowardsmeasthequestion,whydoIliketomovetoCanberra whentheusualtrendisotherwayround.PeopledoescapefromCanberrato MelbourneorSydney! Thiswasfollowedbyaseriesofotherquestions. Bynow,Ihavepassedthenervousphaseandreadytofacemorebullets! Iansweredeveryquestionandeventuallytheinterviewturnedintoagroup discussionsessiononplanning,architecture,socioeconomicstatusandmigrant labourforceparticularlytheirattractiontoMelbourneandSydney. IwentbacktoMelbournewithafeelingofsatisfactionasIdidnotmissanyanswer. Itwasagoodinterview! Oneweeklater,IwasinformedthatIamtheirpreferredcandidateandtheywould likemetojoinassoonaspossible.IbrokethenewstoNigarbutstillhavent discussedthisopportunitywithmycurrentbossinMelbourne.
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Bothofuswerenowveryconfused! Yes,therewasabitofcareerprogressionformewithahigherpositionbutloosing Nigarsjobwouldendedushavinglessincomewithtwodaughters.Wediscussed theissueoverandoveragain.Manysleeplessnightswithonlyoneagenda,whatto do?Welistedtheadvantagesanddisadvantagesinrelationtoourprospective decision. MeanwhileIinformedACTGovernmentthatitmaytakeawhileformetotakeany concretedecision.Interestinglytheyagreedandallowedmefewmoremonthsto makeadecision. Bynow,Kishoree,ourolderdaughterwasoldenoughtocommentonfamily decisions.Sheopposedthemoveverystronglywithinhercapacitytoinfluencethe familydecision.Nigarwasnotfullyinfavourofthemoveaswell. Moresleeplessnight,moreanxiety,morediscussions,moretimepassedaway! Finally,wecametoadecision.WeagreedthatIwouldonlyacceptthepositionif NigargetsajobinCanberraatthesametime. Whatanimpossibledream! ButasIsaidinmypreviouschaptersyouhavetodream,asdreamisthevehicleto takeyoutoyourdestination. IwasdesperateagaintofindajobforNigarasIwantedtojointheACTPublic Service.Watchingmetryingsohard,NigarinitiatedsomecontactswiththeNational CapitalAuthority(NCA),formerPlanningandLandManagement(PALM)andfew otherplacesforherownopportunities. September1998,Nigargotfewpositiveresponses.AnnabelPegrumfromNCAand LincolnHawkinsfromPALMagreedtomeetwithherinCanberratodiscuss opportunities. MyfirstresponsetoACTGovernmentIwouldliketovisitCanberraandseethe workplace,meetsomeofmyprospectivecolleaguesandtonegotiatesomefiner pointsinSeptemberpriorcommittingtosuchahugemove.Theyagreedandwe visitedCanberrabetween22and24September1998formymeetingsandplanned opportunityhuntforNigar. Wealreadyhad/havefewverynicefriendsinCanberraandweusuallystayattheir house.EhsanvaiandKhukuvabiwereonthetopofthelistwiththeirexcellent friendshipandhospitality.Wealwaysstayedwiththemevenwhenwecametovisit Canberrawithourparentsintheearly1990s.
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Thistime,sincewehaventsharedthenewswithanyoneyet,westayedinahotelin Canberracity.But,weinformedthemaboutourvisittoCanberra.Obviouslywe visitedthemlotsoftimesandstayedwiththemthenightbeforeleavingCanberra. ThenightswereneverlongenoughtocompleteouraddawithEhsanvaiandKhuku vabiasourrelationshipwentbacktoourAITdaysinBangkokinlate1980s.Welook forwardtovisitCanberrafortheseaddasessions.Itwasalwayslikeaneverending fairytaleadda! September221998,thedaywearrivedinCanberra.Iwenttoseetheofficialsatthe ACTChiefMinistersDepartment.Mywork/negotiationsweredonebylunchtime. NigarsappointmentwithNCAandPALMwasintheafternoon. IdrovehertoNCA,shehadaverypositivemeetingwithNCAwithoutanyimmediate tangibleoutcome.IdrovehertoPALMbadnews,LincolnHawkinshadtoapologise ashehadtogooutforanotherurgentmeeting.ButhehasreferredNigartohis DeputyMsElizabethClarktodiscussprospectiveopportunities. Ibelieve,everythinghappensforareason.MissingmeetingwithLincolnandhaving LizClarkinstead,wasblessingforNigar.Lizwasunabletoofferanyopportunitybut shereferredNigartooneofherfriendsMsJudithBedford,whowasheadingupthe StrategicPlanningareaofQueanbeyanCityCouncilaneighbouringlocal governmentlocatedjustoutsideCanberra. JudithwantedtoseeNigarthenextday. Ooops! WehavepromisedEhsanvaiandKhukuvabitostayattheirhousetonightand plannedtoleavefromtheretomorrowmorning.Westillhaventtoldthemthe purposeofourvisit! Wetookadecisiontosharethenewswiththemastheywere/arealwaysour Shuvakangkhi. Wesharedthenewswiththematnight.Khukuvabiwasoverthemoonandgot reallyexcitedabouttheprospectofusmovingtoCanberra.Wehadseveralvisitsto CanberraandtheywentoncetovisitusinMelbournebutthisseemedlikeaspecial visitwithspecialnews.Istillremember,tomarktheoccasionKhukuvabicookedher famouschomchom(aBangladeshisweetadoneofmyfavourites)forthefirsttime inherlife.Itwasaverywelcomingfeelingforus. Nextmorning,IdroveNigartoQueanbeyanCityCouncilthroughLanyondrive. Believeitornot,itseemedlikeweweredrivingtoaremotecitywithdenseforest onbothsidesandaverynarrowLanyondrive.Finally,wearrivedattheCityCouncil officeinCrawfordstreet.
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Nigarwentinsidethebuildingandcamebackwithanuncertainsmileafteronehour. Accordingtoher,Judithwasaverynicemotherlyperson,sharedallherconcerns andofferedhertositforaformalinterviewonthenextday. Ooopsagain! WewereleavingtomorrowandIhaventgotmyleaveforthedayafter. NigarraisedthiswithJudithandshehadagreedtotakeatelephoneinterviewonthe followingday. Ihadthefeelingthatsomethingwasworkingverypositively.Wasthereapositive windpushingustowardsCanberra? Nextday,wereturnedtoMelbourneandNigartooksomepreparationforher interviewonthefollowingday. Telephoneinterviewisalwaysannoyingtome!Youcantexpressyourselffully,you cantseethebodylanguageoftheinterviewersetcetc.ButNigarwasextra comfortablewithtelephoneinterview.Shehadallhernotesinfrontofherand readyfortheinterview. TheinterviewwentextremelywellandsurprisesurprisetheyofferedNigarthejob onthefollowingday! Miracleshappen! WewereagainsharinganothermiracleafterourscholarshipstoThailand.Irealised, nothingcanstopusnowfrommovingtoCanberra. Wehadmoreextensivediscussionsessionsamongus.Moresleeplessnights! Finallywedecidedtolookitfromapositiveperspective.Iinformedmyworkin MelbourneaboutmyopportunityinCanberra.NigarinformedMelbourneCity CouncilaboutherjobofferinQueanbeyan. ButthetoughestchallengewastoinformourfriendsinMelbourne! AfterhavingusinMelbournefor10years,Idonotthinkanyofthembelievedthe newsofusleavingMelbourneinthefirstinstance.Noneofthemwerereadyto confrontwithsuchnews.Everyonewasshockedbutitwasagreatfeelingforus, wefeltloved! InegotiatedatimewiththeACTGovernmenttojoinon1November1998andNigar negotiatedtojoininDecember1998.
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AllourflightsandrelevantexpenseswereprovidedbytheACTGovernment.We werealsoprovidedwithafourweeksaccommodationinGriffinApartmentin Kingston. October301998,Melbournedomesticairportveryrarelyhaveseensuchascene. SomeofourfriendsincludingShahidvaiandSwateevabiandtheirdaughterAdrita cametoseeusoff.Itwasawaterfallofosru!Ihaveneverexperiencedsucha reedoybidarokdeparture. Everyonewascrying(exceptme)! WewerenotdyingordepartingforeverweareonlymovingoutofMelbourneto startanewlifeinCanberra! LikeanyothertraditionalBangalibidaaey,welostthetrackofourtime.Werealised thatbynowthewholeMelbourneairportistalkingaboutourdepartureandknew ournamesasQANTAS(theAustraliannationalairline)wasannouncingournamesas missingpassengers.Theywererequestingustoboardimmediatelyastheflightwas abouttoleave. Weturnedoffthetapofosruandproceedtowardstheaerobridge. Itwasprobablyoneofthelongestonehourflightsinmylife.Ididnotrealisethat Canberrawassofar!TheMelbournelandscapewasgraduallyvanishingfrommy eyesight,Melbournewastryingtofindplacesinmymemorybook,Melbournewas probablyrequestingmenottoforgetthetimewehadinMelbourneasourfirst Australianhome. WearrivedatCanberraairportjustbeforedusk.Canberraairport,abuildinglikeno otherIdonotthink,Ihaveseensuchanunimpressiveairportbuildingatany othernationalcapitalintheworld! However,noonewaswaitingforustoarrive;noonewastheretoreceiveus! Justfourofus,firstgenerationmigrantcoupleandtwodaughterswithahuge challengeaheadofus. Mostofourheavyfurniture,luggageweretransportedthrougharemovalist organisedbytheACTGovernment. WithfoursuitcasesandapramforAuditya,wehiredataxitotakeustotheGriffin ApartmentinKnigstononeofthetrendysuburbsofCanberra.Itsinterestingbut truethatIhadasimilarfeelingfromthedaywhenwearrivedinMelbournein1989 asnewmigrant! Newtown,newair,newsky,newroad,newtrees,newlandscape,newhopes,new dreamsjusttheoldfamilyoffour!
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Chapter
Life Goes on
Ithinkaftersevenchaptersofcontinuouspreachingonthehiddeninternational conspiracytoattractskilledmigrantstothedevelopedworld,itisworthaskingthe questiontomyself: Isitreallyhappening? Isitcontributingtoenhancetheskillbaseofthedevelopedworldbyattractingand retainingscholarsfromthedevelopingworld? IsthereabrutalsocialpolicyhiddenundertheglossycoverofImmigrationPolicy? Isitjustmysociallyengineeredmindsetfromaveryownandpersonalexperience? Recently,afterwatchingthesecondseasonofoneofthebesttelevisionrealityshow onSBSinAustralia,GoBacktoyourCountryWhereYouCameFrom,gavememore confidencetopreachinthesameline. Canyoubelievethatwithallpositivewillingness,policiesandprogramsinplace,the AustralianGovernmentacceptedaround190peoplefromSomaliain201011outof atotalof13,799intakesundertheHumanitarianProgramgrants. Bycontrast,theskillstreamoutcomeof113,725placesaccountedfor67percentof thetotalmigrationprogramin201011.Theplanninglevelfortheskillstreamof the201213migrationprogramis129,250placeswhichalsorepresents68percent ofthetotalmigrationprogram. Asweallknow,Australia'sImmigrationprogramhastwocomponents: MigrationProgramforskilledandfamilymigrants HumanitarianProgramforrefugeesandothersinrefugeelikesituations. Iseriouslyquestiontheseintakepoliciesfromahumanitarianperspective! Cantwereversetheintakeorder? Itwillstillbethesamenumberofpeoplecomingtoourcountry.Justundera differentcategorywithoutenhancingskilledmigrantsintakeinbulktosatisfyour greedforknowledgeslaves!
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Cantwesupportmoredisadvantagedandunderprivilegedinternationalcitizens ratherthanattractingmigrantsimmediatelyabletocontributetooureconomywith theknowledgetheyhaveacquiredoverseas? Iacknowledgetheneedforsuchskilledmigrationaswellbutcantwebalanceitout basedontheneedsfromtheworldcommunityratherthantheneedfortheir talenttodevelopedcountries! RecentlyatanEiddawatinCanberra,Ihadanexcellentphilosophicalviewabout theissueofretentionofmigrantsfromoneofmymuchrespectedeldersister Khurshidaapa(anArchitect)andobviouslyareaderofthisseries. Sheraisedavalidpointonthedifferencesofpeoplegoingoverseasforlongerperiod oftimebetweennowand30/40yearsago.Shepointedoutthatinthe1960s70s peoplestillwentoverseastodostudy,job,travelandsoon.Butthebiggest differencebetweenthenandnowispeoplewhowereliteratewentbacktotheir homecountrieswhilepeoplewhowerenotskilledstayedinthatforeigncountryfor amuchbetterlife. Bycontrast,probabilityofpeoplestayingforgoodinadevelopedcountryismainly theskilledones,thosewhoarehighlyqualifiedandhappytospendmajorityoftheir lifeinthatcountry. Thequestionwaswhatphilosophicalchangestookplacebetweenthenandnow resultingsuchbehaviouralchangeamongprospectiveexpatriates? BacktomyexperienceintheHeartoftheNationCanberra. IreallydidntknowwhatwaswaitingformeinCanberratoreconfirmmybelief towardsmigrantslavery!Ireallyhadtodiscoverfewpeoplesattitudetowards migrantworkers.Asif,weweretheirpersonalasset! Yes,thisisNovember1998andweareinCanberra.WeleftMelbourneforgood. Melbourneisbynow,nothingbutmemoriesforafirstgenerationmigrantfrom Dhaka,Bangladesh. Doesitreallymattertoamigrant,whichcitytheyliveinaforeigncountry? Whichcultureisaroundthem? Whatsortofpeopletheyhavetolivewith? Whattypeoffriendstheyhaveinanewtown? Istronglybelieve,youneedtoseriouslythinkaboutyourfriendsifyouareplanning tomovetoanewcity.Wewereverylucky!
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WeareinourapartmentinKingston,providedbytheACTGovernmentasmy employer,atleastfornextfourweeks.Weareinaverydepressedmood.Stilltrying torationaliseourmovefromMelbournetoCanberra! Itwasthemomentoftruth,whenIopenedthedoorandsawourfriendsthere,not onlytowelcomeusbuttosharesomeofourpain.Yes,itwasthesmilingfacesof KhukuvabiandEhsanvai,standingoutsidethedoorwithhomecookedmealforus intheirhandstofeedusinanunknownTerritory. TheyweretheFIRSTguestsinourCanberrahome.Westillvaluetheirfriendship andrespecttheirthoughtsatthattime.Istillremember,Khukuvabiwascomforting Nigarandshecouldnotresisttearsfromherowneyes.Butitwasaverygood sessionwithlotsofdiscussionaboutlife,children,migrationandourtimein Bangkok.Idontremember,whattimetheyleftbutallIknew,itwasverylateandI wasfeelingveryrefreshedaftertheirvisit! Nextday,Iwenttowork.Itookthebusnumber35fromKnigston(in1998)tothe City.Ourcarwasntstilldeliveredbytheremovalists,wewerecarless! Ihavetosay,atthatpointoftime,IwasreallyproudtohaveajobwiththeACT ChiefMinistersDepartmenttoworkonregionalstrategyasaSOGC(SeniorOfficer GradeC).IdidnothaveanycluewhatSOGCmeantatthattime!But,theweightI wascarryingwithmewasveryheavyinmymindbecauseIwashiredfroma differentstate,asiftherewasnooneequivalenttomeinCanberra! Thesalarywasveryattractive(around$55,000peryearplussuperannuation)with allexpensesthatIhadforthetransferfromMelbournetoCanberra.Withaprospect ofadditionalincomebyrentingourhouseinMelbourne,wewerehappywiththe decision. Imetwithmyboss,MrPeterBrown,teammemberMrGopalRathuria(anIndian Australian)andfewotherpeopleintheoffice. Itwasastrangefeeling! Everyonewasabitfishyaboutmydecisiontotakethejobbyacceptingsuchabig move!Withinthreedaysofmycommencement,IwassurprisedtoknowthatIhave togothroughathreemonthsprobationperiodbeforeIgetconfirmationofmy permanentwork. Thiswasnewstome! Obviously,Iunderstandtodaythatthisisanormalprocedurebutatthatmomentit wassomethingthatIcouldnotsharewithanyone! Doesthatmean,afterthreemonths,ifmyperformanceisnotsatisfactory,Petercan sendmebacktoMelbourne?
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Yes,hecould! Iwasconfidentthatitcanthappenlikethat.Iamahardworker.Iknowmy deliverables.Iknowwhatmystrengthsare! However,atwork,everyonehadinterestingviewsaboutPeter!Themomentthey heardthatIwasgoingtoworkcloselywithPeter,everyonehadastrangesmile. Onthefirstday,GopaltookmeoutforlunchandaskedmetogobacktoMelbourne ifIstillhadthatopportunity.HeworkedforPeteroverlasttwoyearsandfromhis personalexperienceheidentifiedPeterasoneofthemostracistbossheever workedfor.HehadaverystrongviewaboutPeteremployingmigrantworkers.One ofthereasonsPeteremploymigrantworkerssothathecanexploitthemeasily. IabsorbedGopalsview!IdontthinkIhaveeversharedtheseinitialviewswith anyoneincludingNigar. ButIwasafighter!Istillhadmyboxinggloveson! AftercrossingsomanyhurdlesinlasttenyearsofmymigrantlifeIwasntscaredat all.ButprobablyIwasabitnervouswhichIcouldnotsharewithNigaroranyoneas Iwassofullofmyachievementsratherthanconsideringtherisks. Thefirstdayatworkwentwelllotsofcatchuptodo,lotsoffilestogothrough, welcomecakesanddrinksIfoundPeterverysupportiveratherthanintimidating. Twodaysgone,wearestillattheKingstonapartment.Nigarwillcommenceworkin fewweekstime.Herjobwascertainlyacontractwithoutanycommitmenttoa permanentpositionattheendofoneyearperiod.Sheleftherexcellentpermanent jobwithMelbourneCityCounciljusttosupportmycareerambition. AnothersacrificeNigardid! Itwasaround8pm.Therewasaknockontheapartmentdoor.Ilookthroughtheeye hole. Wow!ItwasanotherknownfacefromCanberra.Hehascometovisituswithhis lovelywife.TheywerethesecondguestinourCanberrahome. ItwasAbedvaiandTulipvabi. ThemomentIsawAbedvai,mymemorytravelledbackinthemid1970swhenhe wasastudentofNotreDameCollege.HecametoourhomeinDhakafewtimesbutI stillrememberhisfirstvisitandthestrangereason. HewasstudyingwithmyolderbrotherFaridurRezaSagar.ThatshowIknowAbed vai.Itisinterestingtothinknow,thatthisisthesameAbedvai,whoisapridefor
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BangladeshiAustraliansbecauseofhisexcellentcontributionsinthefieldofscience, cametoourhousebecauseheneededcriticalsupporttoconductoneoftheir biologyexperiments. HisfirstvisittoourhousewastodoagroupprojectwithSagarvaiwherethey neededtodissectafrog!Yes,afrogatypicalexperimentinabiologycourse. Interestinglynoneofthemhadthecouragetocatchalivefrogforthedissection. Whilemyrelationshipswithinsects,ants,cockroaches,earthworms,frogswas alwaysencouragingandsomehowthatnewshadbeentransmitteduptotheBiology labofNotreDameCollege. Iwashiredbythetwoborovaitocatchafrogfromourbackyardandpinthat ontoatray(abookshelfdrawerwasusedasthetraywithanoilclothontopofitto holdwaterwhataninnovativeoperatingtable).Thefrogwaspinnedupsidedown forthemtocommencetheoperation. Ihavetosay,Iwasfeelingveryproudtobepartofsuchabigoperation!Iwasalmost feelinglikeacollegestudentmyself. LookatAbedvainow,Ibelievethatpoorfrogcursedhimandasaresulthecould notdivorcesciencefromhiswholelifeitremainedalifelongpartnerforhim. Eventhoughhehassomanyothercreativetalentsasweallknow.Heisawriter, poet,speaker,organiser,teacher,socialactivistandsoon. ThisisthesameAbedvai,thescientist,standingonourdoorstepinCanberrawith Tulipvabi. InevermetTulipvabibeforebutIknewofherfromherfather,anothergreatman thatIhadopportunitytomeetwith.Hewasaverygoodfriendofmylatefather. TheygraduatedfromthesamecollegeinCalcutta. Soheretheyare,oursecondvisitorsinCanberra.Itwasreallyencouraging discussionwehadwiththem.Tulipvabiparticularlyhighlightedsomanypositive aspectsofCanberrathatIwasntthinkingofanypossiblenegativeconsequences afterspendingtwodaysatworkwithPeterBrownandtheteam. Ourlifewasgoingonwell. NigarcommencedherworkwithQueanbeyanCityCouncil,Kishoreewasadmittedto RedHillPrimarySchoolinyear4andAudityastartedherdaycarecentrelifeat WhiteHouse(closetotheRedHillSchool). Ourtypicallife,Nigarstartsat7.30andfinishesat3.30pmtopickupthechildren.I startaround9.30amtodropoffthechildrenandfinisheslate.OurMelbournehouse wasaddinglittleextraincomeafterthemortgagepaymentasitwasrentedout throughanagent.WerentedasmalltownhouseinIsaacsinCanberra.
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ThewholewayoflifeinthisearlyperiodofCanberraremindedusalotaboutthe initialdaysofoursettlementinAustralia,justalittlebitconfidentnow! Gradually,IrealisedthatPeterBrownwasbecomingchallenging.Hebasically wantedmetodoallhisworkbuttookthecreditwiththebigbosses.Iknowthisis normalandweprobablydoitsometimeaswell!Butthereisacutoffpoint! ThatcutoffpointdidhappenandIstillbelievehehadcrossedthelineaftertwo monthsofmyemployment. TherewereseriesofincidentsthatIcouldstillremember,pushedmetostand againstPeterBrown. Oneday,whenIgotacallfromKishoreesschoolthatshewassickandtheywanted metopickherearlyifpossible.Onthesameday,Ihadhugeworkpressuretodeliver somereportbynextmorning.Unfortunatelyin1998,Ididnothaveablackberryor opportunitytoworkfromhomewithremoteaccess. Iwenttotheschool,pickedupKishoreeandbroughtherbacktomyworkwithme sothatIcouldcompletethetasks.Kishoreewas/isalwaysaquitechildandseriously shewasjustsittingaroundtheaislewithoutdisturbinganyone.Petercrossedfew timesandsaidhellotoKishoree.Iwashappyandendedupmyreportfornext morning. Nextmorning,yesthedramastartednextmorning! Iwascalledbythebigboss,thenewlyappointedExecutiveDirector(ED)ofthe PolicyArea(Petersboss)ofACTChiefMinistersDepartment.Sheshowedmea formalcomplaintbyPeterBradyregardingmebringingthechildatworkandhow destructivethatwasforallotherstaffmembers.Healsoclaimedthatithadnegative impactonourproductivityandasaresultofthatthereportwhichwasduethis morningwascompromisedqualitatively. Ihavetoagree,priortothisincident,Ihadfewsmallerdebatesandhotemail exchangeswithPeterregardinghisknowledgeonsomecriticalissues.Iwasalways confidentthatIwasemployedbytheACTGovernmentandIwouldalwaystryto supportthepolicyandapproachesoftheGovernmentoftheDay.Thiswasnot necessarilyPetersview.Ichallengedhiminfewoccasionsparticularlywhenitwas withinmyknowledgeandexperience. IcouldgraduallyseetheracistPetercomingoutofhisshell! Hewantedtocapturemeasoneofhisownshadowandwantedmetobe influencedwithhisphilosophyandworkethicsaboutpeoplefromanotherculture andreligion.Healwayshadthissupremeattitudeabouteveryaspectsofwork.He couldnottakeanycriticismorconstructivesuggestionsparticularlyfrommigrant workers.
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Icouldseeclearlynow,GopalsconcernsbutIhadmythreemonthsprobation period,whereIneededtohavePetersagreement/signaturetoconfirmmy permanentjobinCanberra! Soitdidnttooklong,Petercameoutwithhismasterslaveattitudetowardsthe endoftwomonths! Everyweekoverlastfourweekswashell.ItriedtoshareitwithNigarbutdidnot havethecourage,especiallywhenshewasenjoyinghernewjobsomuchwitha commitmentforapermanency. Yes,Gopalwastheone,wesharedalotofcommonsadness.Therewasanother plannerguy,whosometimesjoinedwithGopalandmeandsharedsomeofhis terribleexperienceswithPeter.Anotherguy,RobHollard,whoiscurrentlyinavery highpositionwiththeACTGovernmentandatthattimewastheHRManagerofACT ChiefMinistersDepartment,sharedlotsofsympathy. IwasstillintheEDsroom.Iamstillverycalmandatthesametimemybrainwas runningfasterthanthehighspeedCuriositythatlandedonMarsfewweeksago.I waslisteningandplanningmyplanofattack. Whattosay?Wheretostart? Iwasgatheringalltheevidencesinmyheadtosetmydefence.Notonlythat,Iwas alsoplanningtotakethisopportunitytolaunchmyformaloffencetoPeter. Evidencenumberone,IgatheredthedraftreportPetershowedtotheEDwasanold versionandIimmediatelyprovidedherwiththelatestoneIdidlastnight.Shewas verysatisfied. Evidencenumbertwo,IinvitedGopalintotheroomasanevidencetoclarifyPeters claimofmydaughterbeingacausefordestruction.Hisevidencewasgoodenough toembarrassPeter. Yes,thewholetimePeterBrownwassittingnexttomeintheroom! Evidencenumberthree,IrequestedourEDtotalktomyplannercolleaguetogather factsonsimilarscenariosfromPeterspreviousstaffs.Shetookthephoneup instantlyandtalkedtotheperson.Istilldonotknowwhatsheheardfromtheother sideofthephone.ButitcertainlywasnotgoodnewsforPeter! Iwasprobablydesperatetowin.Itwasdoordieforme! IdonotthinkPeterthoughtofsuchretaliationinresponsetohiscomplaint.
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Iamstillveryproudofmyactionsonthatdate.Ibelieve,forthefirsttimesomeone actuallystoodagainstPetersracistviews,hisphilosophyofexploitingmigrant workers! Ihadthelastlaugh! Yesitwasahugevictoryforme. TheEDagreedformetoworkunderanewbossandtransferredPetertoadifferent areaonspecialduties. Mythreemonthswentwell,IbecameapermanentstaffoftheACTGovernment.I hadtheopportunitytoworkcloselywiththethanChiefMinisterKateCarnelland sheactuallycametooneofourfirstPohelaBoishakdaylongprogramatStage88in April1999. IamstillveryproudtobepartofthatfirstdaylongprograminCanberrain1999.We managedtohaveparticipantsfromMelbourne,Sydney,Adelaideandinterestingly alltheBangladeshiassociations(yes,thereweretwoBangladeshiAssociationsat thattime),TheBangladeshHighCommissionandtheUniversitiesworkedtogether tomakethatprogramasoneofthemilestoneprogramsforCanberra. ThiswasthetimewhenImetfewextraordinaryinspirationalCanberranslike Bodiuzzamanvai(whowastheDeputyHighCommissionerinAustraliafor BangladeshGovernmentatthattime),Hashmotvai,Zillurvai,Jainalvai,Mokhlesvai andaboveallourbelovedSheikhBelal(theFirstSecretaryofBangladeshHigh Commissionatthattime).Ialsohadtheopportunitytoworkwithsomeextra ordinarytalentedpeoplelikeDaliavabi(arenownedsingeranddancerfrom Bangladesh),BinaDcosta,NasrinVabi(wifeofBelal)andMitulvabi. ThislistcouldgoonasIstillbelieveCanberraisfulloftalentedpeopleand inspirationalspirityoujusthavetodigalittlebitdeepertoactivatethose aspirations! However,thisis2012,Kishoreecrossedthehighschoolhurdleandcontinuingher studyattheAustralianNationalUniversity.Weasherparentareveryproudofher personalityandachievements.Shewaspartofeverybitofourstruggleasdaughter ofanewmigrant,asourfirstchildasourfirstparentalexperimentinadifferent country. Audityacrossedherhighschooldaysandenjoyingcollegelife.Weareveryproudof hertalentparticularlywhenshestronglyclaimsthatsocialisationismy specialisation!Sheisgrowingupwithapassionfordrama,musicandmedia.I believethisinterestmusthavecomefrominsideherblood!Bothmyparentswere activelyinvolvedinmedia,moviesanddrama.Buttheinterestingpointisthat,outof 8grandchildren(6ofthemaregrowingupinBangladesh)ofmyparents,theone
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growingupinacountryfarfarawayfromBangladeshhaspickedupthemediaand dramasideofhergrandparents! NigargotapermanentjobofferfromQueanbeyanCityCouncilin1999.Sheleftthe Councilin2006tojointheACTGovernmentforabriefperiodbeforemovingtoa CommonwealthGovernmentDepartment.Nigarhasalsoestablishedherprivate architecturalpractice(adreamforher)inCanberra. AfterhurdlingthroughprivatesectorsandalllevelsofAustralianGovernments, FarhadRezaiscontinuinghisprofessionalworkswithaCommonwealthDepartment. Inaddition,stillsupportingfriends,familiesandcommunityeventsaschirokaler kamla.YoucanalwayscontacthimatChirokaler.kamla@gmail.comandthekamla willbewithyou! Evenafter25yearsoflivinginsuchanicecountrylikeAustralia,Istillbelievewe haventgotequalrightslikesomeothermigrantcommunitiesinthiscountry! Ibelieve,thisepisodeiscomingtoanend.AsImentionedinmyfirstchapterthat thisstoryhasntgotanendaswearestillACTINGinit!HopingtheOscarwillcome oneday! But,likeanyotherfirstgenerationmigrant,wealwaysthankgodandstrongly believethateverythinghappensforareason. And,youknowverywell,whensomeofyourclosefriendsgetsomuchinvolvedin yourwritingthattheystartedtodictatewhatyoushouldwriteandwhatyou shouldnot,itistimetoputthecurtaindown! Thanksgodforwhateverwehaveuntilnow.
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Wecheckedin.Noneofuswereenergeticenoughtounpackthesuitcasesaftera monthofpacking,selectinganddeselectingthingsacrosstheMelbournehouse.We wereverytired.TheonlyenergeticpersonwasAudityashewasreallyenjoyingthe newchangewithoutgivinganyimportancethatwehavemovedtoCanberrafor good! NigarandIlookedateachotherandaskedthequestiondidwedotherightthing? WhatarewedoinghereinanapartmentinCanberrawithoutanysupport,family andfriends?Wedidnotrealisetheharshnessofrealityitwaslikeanisolated bonobashagain. Idonotremember,howlongweweresittinglikethatasNigarwasconstantlycrying andIdidnothaveanyconsolationforher.Itwasagainaconsciousdecisiontakenby bothofusparticularlyinfluencedbymyinput(Iamprobablystilllikethat!) Itwas7pm.Therewasaphonecallfromdownstairsreceptionthatwehaveavisitor. Weweresurprisedandwantedtoknowwhothevisitorswere! ItwasagentleknockonthedoorthathelpedustoorganiseouractsandIwentto openthedoor. IwasopeningthedoorveryquietlyasIwaskeentoseethevisitorsface.Ilook throughtheeyeholeonthedoor.Iwasntsurprisedatall. ThefacesIhaveseenthroughtheeyeholewereveryfamiliarandveryfriendly. Whosaid,wedidnthaveanyfriendsinCanberra.Isaidintheparagraphabove!I withdrawmystatement! Thepresenceofthesetwopeoplewasasignageoftheirtruefeelingsforus.Their presenceinsuchavulnerablemomentwassoeffectiveforustoacceptreality.Their caringandsharingmomentswillbetreasuredinourmemoryforrestofourlife. Iwelcomedthemintotheapartment.Ibelieve,itwasoneofthehappiestmoments forNigarinCanberraafterseeingthosesmilingwelcomingfaces. TheywerethefirstvisitortoourCanberrahome.Thevisitturnedmoresensitiveand touchywhentheybroughtoutplasticcontainersfulloffooditemsforustohave dinner.OurfirsteveninginCanberrafirstdinnerinourhouseinCanberra,cooked byourfriend.Ihavetoaccept,bythatstageweweresogratefultoourfirstvisitors becausewewerecertainlynotinamoodtocookonourfirstnight! Asif,theyweresentbygodtoprovideuswithcomfort,assuranceanddinner!
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Chapter
10
Epilogue
IwasoverwhelmedbythecommentsIhavereceivedinAugust2012frommy readersaboutendingthisseries.Commentscamefromallovertheworld.Ithas beenaninterestingjourneyformetoreceivesomanycommentsandIhavetoagree notallofthemwerepositiveorsupportivetotheconspiracytheory.Butmajority ofthereadersdidfindsomesimilaritieswiththeirownmigrantlife,struggle,hopes anddreams! AlotofmylocalreadersfromCanberrajustgotexcitedaboutusbeingarrivedin CanberraandtheywantedtosharemyexperiencesinCanberrathesamewayI sharedmyexperiencesinMelbournewiththem.Someofthemweregenuinely disappointed! Yes,IcertainlywouldliketosharemyexperiencesinCanberrawithmyreadersone day!Yes,Canberrawasagainamixfeelingaboutgood,sillyandawesometimeswith great(andnotthatgreat)people. Iamsorry,youjusthavetowait,untilIbringthiswritinguptoaminimumstandard sothatsomepublisheriskindenoughtopublishitasabook.Iwouldliketoshare mytruefeelingsasafirstgenerationmigrantwithmuchwideraudiences. Yes,PriyoAustraliaisthebeginningofmyjourney! Itworkedasagreatplatformforlaunchingmyconspiracytheoryonimmigration policyofdevelopedcountries.ThankstotheeditorofPriyoAustraliaforallowingme topublish21stCenturyKuntaKinte! Icanassureyouall,bythetimeIamreadytopublishanotherbook,itwouldhave mycomprehensiveexperiencesinCanberranotonlyasaninternationalmigrantbut alsoasadomesticmigrantfromMelbourne! However,Ihavementionedinlastchapterthatthisseriesisgoingtoendsoon.As weallknow,thisstoryhasnoendingyetaswearestillinit,wearestilllivingand breathingAustralianair,wearestilltrappedinourlifeinadevelopedworld! Probablythedimensionofthetraphaschangedbetween1989and2012! Inthislastepisodetowardstheendofthisseries,Iwouldliketohighlightfewevents happenedinAustraliawhichraisedgenuinequestionsaboutourimmigrationpolicy anditsimpact.
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Fewyearsback,reflectingtheunfortunateeventwithDrHanifandafterlisteningto somecommentsataconferenceoftheFederationofEthnicCommunityCouncilsof Australia(FECCA),itwasmuchclearertomethatmajorityoftheskilledmigrantsare theKnowledgeSlavesofAustralia. Thisreflectionofmytrueexperienceshelpedmetounveilanewdimensionof humanconspiracyeverimplementedbymankindtocreateknowledgeslaves. Ittookmorethan20yearsformetounderstandthedeepmeaningofthemigration policyforthedevelopedworld. Ithinkitistimetoraisethisissuenowinthe21stCenturybeforeitbecomesworse inthecomingcenturies.Ournextgenerationmigrantsneedtoknowourfeelings andalsothetrapsthatwehavealreadysteppedin.Thisisawarningforthemand alsoaneyeopenerforfutureprospectivemigrantstothedevelopedworld. However,thistrendofmigrationtothedevelopedworldfromthedevelopingworld hasbeencontinuingforyearsandIbelievewillcontinuemuchmorestronglyinthe future! SomeofmyreadersdisagreedwithmyconspiracytheoryandIrespectedthatbut weneedalongtermwinwinsolutionforthis. Boththedonorandrecipientgovernmentscanhaveanagreementsothatboth cangetbenefitoutofthismigrationprocess.Itisaquestionofgiveandtake.Most ofthedevelopingcountriesareoverpopulatedandmostofthedevelopedcountries areinneedforappropriateskilledhumanresources. IaskedfewquestionsonChapter3inrelationtothesetypesofissues.Ijustwanted torepeatthosequestionsfrommyownexperience. Questionone:whydoIhavetoshowmyAustraliacitizenshipcertificateand/orwrite thenumberonmycitizenshipcertificatewhendealingwithanyofficialactivities (includingjobinterviews)withAustralianGovernment? WhydonttheyacceptmyAustralianPassporttoprovemycitizenshipasan alternative? Unfortunately,thoughthepassportisadocumentsupersededthecitizenship certificate,stillisnotcountedasanequivalentdocumentlikethecitizenship certificate.Iknowitisanoptionalthingtohaveapassportbut,mypointisthatif youhaveone,youshouldhavetheopportunitytouseitasanalternative. Otherwise,likemydaughter,whocametothiscountrywithuswhenshewas40 daysold,needtocarrythecitizenshipcertificateforrestofherlife! Whywouldsomeonestilldifferentiatebetweenme,andpeoplewhowerebornin thiscountrywithamanmadefenceofacertificatewhichwasgiventome23years
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ago!WhileIhave,Australianpassport,taxfilenumber,employmenttrackrecordto demonstratemyloyaltytothiscountry? Ibelievethisapolicytoidentifytheslavesupfront! Questiontwo:Canyoutakebulkofyoursuperannuationsavingsoutofthiscountry toinvestanywhereintheworldincludingBangladeshafter3040yearsofservice? Unfortunatelyyoucant! However,Australiapresentlyhas27internationalsocialsecurityagreements,with severalmoreundernegotiation.Theseagreementsarebilateraltreatieswhichclose gapsinsocialsecuritycoverageforpeoplewhomigratebetweencountries.Theydo thisbyovercomingbarrierstopensionpaymentinthedomesticlegislation,suchas requirementson: citizenship minimumcontributionsrecord pastresidencerecord currentcountryofresidence Australia'sagreementswithAustria,Belgium,Chile,Croatia,theCzechRepublic, Finland,Germany,Greece,Ireland,Japan,Korea,theformerYugoslav,Republicof Macedonia,Netherlands,Norway,Poland,Portugal,theSlovakRepublic,Switzerland andtheUSAalsoincludeprovisionswhichregulatetheSuperannuationGuarantee contributionsandcontributionstopartners'countriessocialsecuritysystemsfor nonresidentworkerstoavoiddoublecoverage. Generally,AgreementsallowAustralianresidentstomaximisetheirincomeby helpingthemtoclaimpaymentsfromothercountrieswheretheyhavespentpartof theirworkinglife. Alltheseagreementsarebasedontheconceptofsharedresponsibility! Sharedresponsibilityagreementsarereciprocal.Partnercountriesundereach agreementmakeconcessionsagainsttheirsocialsecurityqualificationrulessothat peoplecoveredbytheagreementmayaccesspaymentsforwhichtheymight otherwisefailtoqualify. Inthisway,responsibilityforsocialsecurityissharedbetweenthecountrieswherea personhaslivedduringtheirworkingyearsandthepersonisabletounlockpotential entitlements. Generally,apensionfromonecountrycanbeaccessedinthesecondcountry, althoughthepayingcountrymaintainssomediscretioninthecurrencyanddelivery mechanismsused.
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Undertheseagreements,Australiaequatessocialinsuranceperiods/residencein thosecountrieswithperiodsofAustralianresidenceinordertomeettheminimum qualifyingperiodsforAustralianpensions. TheothercountriesgenerallycountperiodsofAustralianworkingliferesidenceas periodsofsocialinsuranceinordertomeettheirminimumqualifyingperiodsfor payment. Usually,eachcountrywillpayapartpensiontoapersonwhohaslivedinboth countries. WhycantweinfluenceAustralianandBangladeshGovernmentstoestablishsimilar arrangementssothatBangladeshimigrantscantakesimilaradvantageslikethe other27countries? Whycantwepushsuchagreementalittlebitmoretoforcepolicymakersofboth thecountriestothinkoutsidethesquare? WeallknowthattheworldofmigrantinAustraliahaschanged!Itisobvious;we needtoadoptadifferentapproachtoreducethefeelingofslaveryamongsomeof us.Weneedtohaveabetterunderstandingofthechronologicaldevelopmentof Australianpoliciestosupportmigration.Weneedtoproposetherightpolicyatthe righttimeattherightplaceandtotherightpeopleandpolicymakers. Ibelievenowisthetime! TherapidchangeindiversificationofAustraliancommunityisconstantlydemanding toclarifyourunderstandingofanysegmentofthemigrantcommunityonaregular basis. Morethan47%ofAustralianpopulationhasatleastoneparentbornoverseas.The changesindemographics,economy,climate,technologicaldevelopment, immigrationpolicies,globalpoliticshasobviousinfluenceonAustralian communities.Weneedtorethinkthewayweinvolvemigrantsinvariousaspectsto establishsocialcapital,trustandconfidenceineachother.Itdemandsadynamic frameworkandamoreproactivecommunityengagementandcommunity developmentpolicy. Australia,amongallotherdevelopedcountries,hascomealongwayfromthe WhiteAustraliaPolicytoadoptpoliciestosupportmulticulturalism. MulticulturalismhasbeenAustralianGovernmentpolicysincetheearly1980s,andit wasformalisedin1989inTheNationalAgendaforaMulticulturalAustraliaaspart ofthebicentennialcelebration.TheNationalAgendaforaMulticulturalAustralia definesmulticulturalasasimpletermtodescribeculturalandethnicdiversityof contemporaryAustralia.Italsoreinforcesthatweare,andwillremain,a multiculturalsociety.
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Asapositiveprogressionfromthismulticulturalismandtocomplementthespiritof multiculturalismtheAustralianGovernmentinitiatedtheLivinginHarmony initiativein1999coincidingwiththeUnitedNationsInternationalDayfor EliminationofRacialDiscrimination.Thedayismainlytargetedatprimaryschool agedchildrentodemonstrateAustralianGovernmentscommitmenttopromote communityharmonyandtoaddressissuesofracisminAustralia. Evenafteralmost20yearsofpositivecampaignoncommunitydiversity,negative impactsofracism,wehavefailedtoconvincesomesegmentsofourcommunityto understandtheimportanceoflivinginharmonyorthevalueofmulticulturalism.But wecertainlydonotwanttoleavebehindthatlegacyofhatrate,angerand misunderstandingamongourfuturegenerations.ThebeautyandvalueofAustralian societyisintheexistenceofourfaithinmulticulturalismandlivinginharmony. ThisisourstrengthasaunitedharmoniousAustraliancommunity. ThelaunchoftheMulticulturalPolicyandtheLivinginHarmonycampaignhadaten yearsgapbetweenthem.HarmonyDaywillcelebrateits14thbirthdayin2013andas anaturalprogressionofthepoliciestopromotethevalueindiversityweneedto movetowardsamoreinnovativedirectionwhichiscapableofempoweringaverage Australianstorespectthediversityinourcommunity,preservethecommonvalues andworktowardscommongoals. MulticulturalismandHarmonyDaywasdesignedtoempowerthebaby boomers,thefirstgenerationmigrants,whostillvaluethelongdistance nationalisticfeelingsandalwayswanttopassthattothenextgenerationsof Australianchildren. Thesechildren,whoareAustralianbornand/orgrowingupinamuchdiversified socialenvironmentthantheirpreviousgenerations,haveadifferentdemand.They needtheknowledgeandcapacitytoengagewiththewidercommunitiesincluding businessesandalllevelsofgovernmenttoenhancesocialinclusionratherthan debatingontheimpactsofdiversification. Weneedanewandappropriatedirectiontocopewiththesechangingdemandsby constantlyupdatingourpolicydirectionsandapproaches,dependingonthetarget communityinneedatanyparticulartimeoftheAustralianhistory.Itistimetomove forwardkeepinginmindthatharmonyday,multiculturalpolicyoverlasttwenty years,establishedastrongfoundationforAustralianculture,Australianwaysof lifeandessenceforcurrentGovernmentspolicyprioritiesonsocialinclusion. Ibelieve,wearenowmatureenoughtocommencedialoguesbetweenthe countries,sothat: migrantscangobacktotheircountryoforiginafterservingthedeveloped countryforanegotiatedperiodoftime(maybe1015years)withsomesort
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oftaxincentivestotheirsavingsandtransferoftheirassets; migrant/citizencangobacktotheircountryoforiginwithentitledbenefits fromthepensionfunds(similaragreementssignedbetweenAustraliaand27 othercountries); developcountriesmayborrowtheintellectualcapacityofprospective migrantsbyreimbursingtheamountofmoneythedevelopingcountryspent forthedevelopmentofthatpersonbynegotiation;and themigrationprocessistransparentandbenefitedforboththecountries. Finally,Iamnotagainsttheprocessofmigrationasitisanaturalprocessbetween thedevelopedanddevelopingworld.Butitneedstobemuchmoretransparentand helpfulforboththecountryoforiginandcountryofdestinationsothatpeoplelike medonthavesimilarfeelingofexploitationafter20yearsoflivinginahost country. And,hopefully, OnedaytheBangladeshimigrantswillhavethefulladvantagesinrelationto theinternationalsocialsecuritypolicyliketheother27countriesenjoying withAustraliain2012. Oneday,wemigrantsmaynothavetokeepourcitizenshipcertificateto issueourdeathcertificate! Oneday,developedworldwillrealisetheirselfishgainandcomplement developingcountriesforitsinvestmentglobally! Oneday,wemigrantswillcallourselvesasassetsforourcountryrather thanslavesinanothercountry! Fromanotherperspective,millionsofBangladeshicitizensarelivinginoverseas countriesasexpatriates.Bangladeshreceivesmillionsofdollarsintermsoffinancial remittancewhichishelpingtoreinforcetheeconomicfoundationofBangladeshand enhancequalityoflifeofpeopleacrossthecountry.Thereisaformalsystemin placetofacilitateandmanagethisfinancialremittancethroughvariousnationaland internationalfinancialinstitutions. Inadditiontoearningaliving,theseexpatriatesarealsogatheringextensive knowledgeanduniqueexperiencethroughtheirworkresponsibilitiesoverseas.They areverymuchwillingandabletosharethisknowledgetosupportBangladesh, wheneverandwhereveritisneeded.UntilnowsomeBangladeshiexpatriatesare sharingtheirknowledgeandexperiencesinBangladeshinaveryadhocand unplannedmannermostlywithoutreceivinganysupportfromtheirresident country. Unfortunatelythereisnoformalplatformthroughwhichtheseexpatriatescanremit theirknowledgetocontributetowardsthedevelopmentofBangladesh.Asaresult,
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thishugepoolofexpatriateresourcesissometimemissedouttosharetheir knowledge,missutilisedorunderutilisedtheirwillingnessandpassiontosupport Bangladesh. Thereisacriticalneedforaformalplatformtostreamlinetheaspirationsand availabilityofexpatriatesexpertisetosupportBangladesh. Asafirststep,inadditiontoinfluenceAustralianGovernmenttoextendtheir supportforthecountryoforiginlikeBangladesh,wehaveproactivelyinitiatedthe establishmentofKnowledgeRemittanceGlobal(KRG)asaformalnongovernment platformtocreateopportunitiesfortheBangladeshiexpatriatestoassisttheir countrybydonatingknowledgeandexperiencegainedoverseas.ThisisaWorld Firstinitiativetakenbyanyexpatriategroupsfortheirowncountry.KRGbelieves, thiscommunitystrengthbasedmodelcanbereplicatedbyexpatriatesfromother developingcountriestosupporttheirowncountries. KRGistheinternationalgatewaytosupportBangladeshiexpatriatesbyprovidinga formalplatform,directionandlocallogisticstodonatetheirknowledgein Bangladesh(butnotlimitedto). Iwouldliketofinish21stCenturyKuntaKintewiththeAustralianNationalAnthem asweallknowitstartswiththewordsAdvanceAustraliafairbutitisstillkeptusin thedarkfromthe16th,17thand18thlinesoftheAustralianNationalAnthem. Theselinestalkaboutharmony,talkaboutinclusion,talkaboutsharing,talkabout communityengagement. QuotefromtheNationalAnthem, Forthosewhohavecomeacrosstheseas Wehaveboundlessplainstoshare Withcourageletusallcombine ToAdvanceAustraliafair However,IwillstillcontinuewritingmytrueexperienceasamigranttoAustraliato reflectthereasonsformyfeelingasaknowledgeslave.Iwillpushtheagendato haveBangladeshimigrantsequalrightsliketheother27countries.Iwillcontinue sharingmyfeelingswithmyfellowmigrants! Thankyouforbeingwithmeoverlast9chapters. Goodlucktousallasthefirstgenerationmigrants!
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FarhadurReza FarhadurReza,neverwroteabookornevereventhoughtofwritingabook! Anarchitectplannerbyprofession,heiscurrentlylivinginCanberra,AustraliaandworkingfortheAustralian Government. HewasgraduatedinArchitecturefromBangladeshandeventuallymigratedtoAustraliain1989.Farhadwasa verysuccessfultelevisionpresenterwithBangladeshTelevisionandawardedasthebestNationalTelevision Debaterin1980s.Comingfromafamilyoverwhelmedwithliterarytalents,Farhadwasboundtowrite somethingatsomepointofhislife! FarhadistheyoungestsonofthelegendaryBangladeshiauthorRabeyaKhatunandyoungerbrotherofFaridur RezaSagar,aliterarypersonalityamongyoungergenerationsinBangladesh.HisoldersisterKekaFerdousi, hostofapopulartelevisioncookingshowandwriterofmanycookbooks.Hisyoungestsister,Farhana Mahmud,alwaysvolunteertosupportmarginalisedcommunitiesinBangladesh. BeingafirstgenerationmigranttoAustraliafromBangladesh,Farhadispassionateaboutraisingissuesto improvefutureprospectsforexpatriateBangladeshis.Hehasbeenproactivelyworkingwithmigrant communitiestoenhancetheirqualityoflifebycapitalisingontheirsocial,economic,humanandcultural capital. HeisaregularcommentatoroncontemporarysocialissuesinBangladeshandAustraliaatvariousmedia outletsincludingCanberraTimesandChannelIsatellitetelevision.Heshareshisthoughts,ideasandwork outcomesthroughvariousnationalandinternationalwebsites,seminarsandconferencesregularly. Thisishisfirstbookreflectingasocialfiction21stCenturyKuntaKinte.
st 21
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st 21

Century Kunta Kinte !

21st Century 21st Century Kunta Kinte! Kunta Kinte!

Century 21st Century Kunta Kinte! Kunta Kinte!

21st Century 21st Century Kunta Kinte! Kunta Kinte!

Century 21st Century Kunta Kinte! Kunta Kinte!

21st Century Kunta Kinte

To themostcourageousperson taughtmetodreambeyondimagination, mymotherRabeyaKhatun

21 Century Kunta Kinte!

I have won all my battles, But lost the war

Revealing the untold!

IwouldlovetorunmyownlawnmowereveryalternateSundaymorning,ourchild wouldhaveherownswingandslidesinthebackyard,wewillhaveourown vegetablegarden! Wedidnthaveanyideathatthiswasalsoapartoftheimplantedconspiracyand maybecomeanightmareratherthanadream!

The flash back!

Iwasreadytoknockagain,thedooropenedwithapairofeyeswhichprobably experiencedthebiggestsurpriseoftheirlife!Ihaveneverseensuchapairofeyes fullofdisbelief!! AllIrealised,Godmusthaveadifferentplanforme/us!

The flash back!

Rhonda V. Magee. 2009. "Slavery as Immigration?" http://works.bepress.com/rhonda_magee/3

http://stopslavery2012.com/blog/b_12393_48_legal_immigrant_workers_from_the_phillippines_jamaica_bellarus_tur key_and_indonesia_have_filed_a_class_action_complaint_in_mississippi_alleging_human_trafficking_violations_und er_the_trafficking_victims_protection_act.html

Century Kunta Kinte!

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