The Bangladesh state structure is far too centralised. Political and economic decisions taken in Dhaka do not always reflect the ground reality in the regions. For example, Sylhet has a large diaspora community residing in the UK, America and Canada who remit significant sums to the local economy through relatives living in Sylhet. They also extensively support good works through religious charities. Yet the Bangladeshi government concentrates on large scale projects in Dhaka/Chittagong and refuses to match diaspora expenditure with investment in the region. This despite the foreign currency reserves being filled by our remittances.

I think an elected regional government with devolved powers in the areas of finance, investment and preservation of Sylheti culture (our language and close family values rather than the Dhaka imposed language) through control of local education and culture would be more democratic. This local body could be staffed by local people who are held in high regard in the areas of Sylhet, Habiganj, Moulvi Bazar and Shunamganj. Such individuals should be neutral ie. no AL, BNP or JI nonsense.


Sylhet is already a division in it’s own right. It’s time it also had local devolved powers. It worked in the UK and the Federal system in the US. It can work in Bangladesh too. Power to the people!

I agree in the sense that Federal Govt. should not be involved with everything and they should give some power to the regional govt. Not just for Sylhet but other greater regions in Bangladesh as well.

While federal / state system such as in US is plausible, I don't see the necessity in a small and mostly homogenous country like ours. US is spread over a very large area which makes decentralisation necessary...even so, state governments do not try to promote local culture to exclusion of others...that is the role of various cultural institutions. UK is also different scenario since there were well established nations long before United Kingdom came into being as well as ethno-cultural differences of Celts vs Anglo-Saxons (which have faded over time). Also I disagree with previous comparisons made to East Pakistan, since democratic disenfranchisement and ethnic descrimination are not applicable here, plus there has been recognition of contribution of Sylhetis with accordance of divisional status and with Sylhet city being 3rd in development despite being 6th largest. Sylhetis are not alone in providing remittances...all Bangladeshis do this...my own family like most others has sent a lot of money over the years to help relatives at home. Basing autonomy on share of remittances is a slippery slope...Sylhetis were the first Bangladeshis to immigrate in large numbers hence their share of remittances was dominant...but today people from all parts of Bangladesh go abroad...so what happens when their share of remittances increase? Should every region be given autonomy then on that basis? I feel such scenario is unnecessary and would make governance more complicated rather than efficient. If some region, like Sylhet, does provide disproportionately to national treasury, then certainly it deserves reward...but can this not implemented through divisional / district / or thana system? We are still a poor country...development is concentrated in Dhaka not because anyone wants to deny it to outlying areas but out of practicality. Inshallah in not-too-distant future as development gathers pace such concerns will be moot and all provinces benefit to greater degree.

i think sri-lanka has federal/state government system and they are doing much better than us in many ways because of their system.

i think sri-lanka has federal/state government system and they are doing much better than us in many ways because of their system.

If that's the case I may well be wrong. Since I am not knowledgeable on the topic...how has the system benefited Sri Lanka?

While federal / state system such as in US is plausible, I don't see the necessity in a small and mostly homogenous country like ours.

That is absolutely right.

Also I disagree with previous comparisons made to East Pakistan, since democratic disenfranchisement and ethnic descrimination are not applicable here, plus there has been recognition of contribution of Sylhetis with accordance of divisional status and with Sylhet city being 3rd in development despite being 6th largest. Sylhetis are not alone in providing remittances...alll Bangladeshis do this... today people from all parts of Bangladesh go abroad...so what happens when their share of remittances increase? Should every region be given autonomy then on that basis?

This is also right and just observation. If I recall correctly about $700 - $800 million of total $6 billion remittance was sent from UK. I think Sylheti has to come down to earth before making irrational agenda.

I feel such scenario is unnecessary and would make governance more complicated rather than efficient. If some region, like Sylhet, does provide disproportionately to national treasury, then certainly it deserves reward...but can this not implemented through divisional / district / or thana system?

I also think additional bureaucracy would not help at all in development of Sylhet. In fact during tenure of last 3 govt, Sylhet was vastly developed compare to other region. And all were under current administrative structure. Sylhet has now int’l airport which can accommodate greater frequency of int’l flights. It has a great university. Communication btw Dhaka and Sylhet vastly improved and distance is shortened. In context of Bangladesh, infrastructure development including industrial park (underway) in Sylhet would catch anyone attention.

In our country most remittance were used for non productive sector like land, home, convenience. Many people who has ability to make productive use of money like setting small and mid size business; used their money in palatial home. You will find plenty of examples even in village corner of Sylhet.

Sylhetis are lucky to have so many people with resources. They could do better job developing Sylhet by taking private initiatives. I don’t think any special local administrative system is needed for such development initiative to be successful. Sylhetis just need to bring out their enterprunueral sprit and get to work. Instead of influenced by bad external elements, Sylhetis could identify and plan for the area they can invest their money on. Rather than thinking unproductively here are some thoughts hope Sylheti can ponder and give us feed back.

1) Develop next generation poultry industry and processing plants in Sylhet – target market UK and European restaurants and grocery market.
2) Develop fruit and food processing according to UK and EU standard target market UK and EU.
3) Develop furniture industries.
4) Create direct air link (both passenger and cargo) btw Sylhet and UK.
5) Develop world class tourist hub in Sylhet including site, hotels and other infrastructure development.

I don't see any significance of this topic. First of all, Sylhet has a local government body similar to other divisional cities. How to make it more effective and efficient to better serve the citizens can certainly be discussed. Second of all, all Bangladeshis from all walks of life are contributing by sending in remittance. So, it's not just Sylhetis contributing, but people from all over Bangladesh are contributing and therefore deserve benefits and privileges equally.

The view point presented in the starting thread lacks strategic vision and in a way quite narrow and thus harmful for the country as a whole. Sylhet should not get any preferential treatment or facilities that are not available for other divisional cities such as Barisal or Rajshahi. Dhaka is getting all the developments because it is the capital and most populous city of the country. Demand and supply concept is playing a big role in the development of Dhaka as oppose to Sylhet. I think Sylhet will get its share of development, but not because Sylhetis are sending in more money.

All of Bangladesh is equally important to us and therefore we should not treat one specific part differently based on some inaccurate claim.

^^ Agree wholeheatedly on statement of remittance use for housing vs. business. Sylhetis are investing disproportionate amount of hard earned remittance into fancy real estate developments...not that this is bad in and of itself but it isn't the best use of this capital. Sylhetis have enough money to establish strong small business sector but instead seem confortable with waiting for govt to build big factories like gas / paper etc which I think does not diversify their ecnomic interests to extent that it easily could / should be.

Regarding the Sylheti proportion of remittances, I would have to ask for Snoq's source for the meagre figures he seeks to rely on. According to Professor Kamal Ahmed Chowdhury (SUST), at least 50% of foreign remittances originate from the Sylheti diaspora. (Source: Daily Star http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/06/22/d6062201011.htm)

Sylhetis have always dominated the diaspora. We have contributed tens of billions into the BD economy since the 1960's when largescal;e migration really took off and yet these monies have been squandered in Dhaka and Chittagong. IT IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE THAT THE GOVERNMENT TREATS DHAKAIYAS EXCEPTIONALLY AT THE EXPENSE OF SYLHETIS AND OTHER REGIONS. This is discrimination.


Investment in the Sylhet region tends to be diaspora-led. Investment in land, housing and supermalls is preferred due to the poor investment atmosphere in Bangladesh due to crime & disorder and corruption. The above are seen to be secure investments which can be overseen by relatives. This is the reason Sylhet has a vibrant retail and construction sector.

However, large-scale industries eg. garments which would further job opportunities are absent as the Bangladeshi government is simply not not interested in encouraging such investment. A regional government could provide the motivation and expertise to encourage Sylheti diaspora investors to open industries in Sylhet. Local people making local decisions would mean central beaurocracy and redtape could be dispensed with.

Also, much of the petroleum (Fenchiganj), coal (Habiganj) and tea ie. natural resources earning Bangladesh much needed foreign currency comes from our region, yet benefits all of Bangladesh. In 1971 we Bangalis complained Pakistanis were stealing the jute wealth. It seems to me that a similar argument can be made here. Also the tea, coal and petroleum industries have high proportions of non-Sylheti personnel, directly taking jobs from indeginous Sylhetis. Again an unacceptable intrusion.

^^ I bet, if you had statistics from 30 years ago, almost all remittance would be Sylheti. Why? Because Sylhetis were the only people going abroad then. That proportion is going down and their share of remittance is also going down.

Find me example of one other poor country where investment is not concentrated in capital or chief city.

Govt not interested in investment? Most successful businessmen in Dhaka did not wait around for govt to become interested. Sylhet can promote small easily indenpedent of govt...if there is significant growth of private sector industry then govt will start showing interest without you asking for it.

1) Develop next generation poultry industry and processing plants in Sylhet – target market UK and European restaurants and grocery market.
2) Develop fruit and food processing according to UK and EU standard target market UK and EU.
3) Develop furniture industries.
4) Create direct air link (both passenger and cargo) btw Sylhet and UK.
5) Develop world class tourist hub in Sylhet including site, hotels and other infrastructure development.



Investments in land, hotels & shopping malls are attractive to ordinary Sylheti investors because they require little in the way of startup expertise. The same cannot be said for garments factories and other industries. As for airlinks, there are Sylheti airlines operating or planning to operate like Air Sylhet and Golden Bengal Airlines.

The Dhakaiya government provides loans, land, tax free holidays etc in Dhaka but has no similar plans in Sylhet. It could direct govt & private capital throughout all the regions of Bangladesh does not do so. Hence no factories in our region and a situation leading to Sylhetis moving abroad in large numbers in search of better opportunities and increases Sylheti separateness and sense of nationhood.

It seems to me that the large number of Dhakaiyas on this board condone discriminatory govt practices as long as it benefits their region and hence their families.

It seems to me that the large number of Dhakaiyas on this board condone discriminatory govt practices as long as it benefits their region and hence their families.

Yeah, no doubt that's why we don't like your secessionism and emotion-based economic viewpoint :ohno: In case you haven't noticed, your viewpoints are somewhat unsual even among Sylhetis.

Most people living in Dhaka didn't come from Dhaka originally. In my case I don't even live in Bangladesh...but like most probashis Sylheti or otherwise, I care what happens to BD. Maybe we should start demanding that govt not use any remittance we send in Dhaka but instead to maternal / paternal "desh" of origin. That would be most logical use of resources no?

[QUOTE=tanzirian;16813301Most successful businessmen in Dhaka did not wait around for govt to become interested. .[/QUOTE]


Many of these 'businessmen' and 'industrialists' are leading members of the AL and BNP eg. AL's Sobhan Chowdhury. They have access to state funds and political power. The governing elite use state funds for themselves. Unfortunately most of these are Dhakaiya. Hence even if local govt is corrupt, it will benefit Sylhetis/other regions more.

Sylheti business acumen is well known. This is the region ours is a retail hub and the community in the UK are so highly entreupunerial. Unfortunately being politically/economically marginalised, Sylhet is seldom the benefactor of corruption.

^^ There is no doubt that political parties have favored their own in business. But there are also plenty of small-scale businessmen who could care less for politics and don't have ties other than what used to be the necessary ghoosh every now and then. Progress of BD economy owes no small part to such people. In a small and poor country these people come to Dhaka not because of some Dhaka conspiracy but because of practicality. I doubt I can change your mind on this...but I assume like most of us you are also young so you will hopefully in your lifetime see BD progress in development and then realize that no one is wanting to limit economic development in Dhaka, as devleopment spreads outward from the capital....and does so without establishment of autonomous regions.

Sylheti here is a link of paper from BD representative to WTO / UN with graph showing amount of remittances from various countries to BD. They are consistent with statistics previously quoted by Snoq. By far greatest amount coming from Saudi Arabia, then USA, with UK and UAE tied for third. This would suggest that the statement from Dr. Chowdhury may be inaccurate.

http://www.un.org/ga/second/62/dbhattacharya.pdf

For Sylheti,

Govt make industrial and business policy for whole country not for specific region. More clearly policy supports are given to specific type industries than area. For example IT and agro industries are considered thrust sector. Immediate past govt allocated 250 cr taka very low interest loan for these sectors. That loan was available to anyone who is interested including people from Sylhet. But you know what? Those loans were unused - means there were not many interested people for setting agro industry. Off course picture is different now. But my question and anger is where were you then? That’s just one example. Oh, don’t bring up EPZ in Chittagong that is there for specific reason and beyond your understanding.

In garments industry govt did not invest a dime directly, all it done was given policy support like tax incentive etc. These incentives WERE and ARE available anywhere in country. And expertise for running garments industry is not that much and govt did not provide any of these, private sector developed their own and hired people who has expertise. So can any Sylheti entrepreneur can do. By the way, Sylhetis are in UK for great many years and in great many numbers. I don’t think there is dearth of entrepreneur and expert there.

Well I know many Sylheti businessmen who had and is setting business in Bangladesh. Remember the name Regency Dhaka hotel, great many Sylheti investors are part of it. And in coming days many more projects will shape up Sylhet economic and business environment.

I can give hundreds example that will prove your gibberish dead wrong.

But I highly doubt you have slightest idea about anything we are talking about. You are here to push ill agenda of another country. I had suspected your agenda was indoctrinated by certain quarter from our next door neighbor. But thanks to your daily star article - that article cleared those doubts. Daily star editor and publisher has been center of conspiracy for many things that happened against Bangladesh. I hope you realize soon what and who you are listening to.

Sylheti here is a link of paper from BD representative to WTO / UN with graph showing amount of remittances from various countries to BD. They are consistent with statistics previously quoted by Snoq. By far greatest amount coming from Saudi Arabia, then USA, with UK and UAE tied for third. This would suggest that the statement from Dr. Chowdhury may be inaccurate.

http://www.un.org/ga/second/62/dbhattacharya.pdf


'Official figures' mean little in the Bangladeshi context. The figures are only partial and records money sent through official channels. The govt doesn't keep accurate figures in ANY field ie. simple everyday matters like births & deaths. More importantly figures change when AL/BNP change regime. Yet these figures purport to go back to 1990.....


One word: Hundi.


Sylheti alternative banking outside the rudamentary & insecure Bangladeshi banking sector is well known and established. We were the pioneers. Walking down Whitechapel Road one sees every second shop has remittance facilities. The middlemen are almost always Sylhetis trusted in the community. We trust our own people (who are often relatives) and the grey economy more than the Bangladeshi govt. Most Sylhetis don't trust the govt. Neither do most Non-Sylhetis, when it comes to money. Remittances from the Middle East by migrant workers tend to be heavily regulated in contrast to those from the West. These people are Bangladeshi citizens after all.

Sylhetis have not only moved in large numbers to the UK but also the US (Detroit and parts of New York come to mind) and Canada. Our ethnic group tends to settle in the West as well as send migrant workers to the Gulf. In addition we concentrate invrestment in our home region in a way people from other regions do not. We are more family orientated and believe in the extended family more than other Bengalis.

For Sylheti with questionable identity:

Once again you came up with foreign indoctornated gibberish. First of all there is no ethnic divide in Bangladesh period. There is only one ethnic group in Bangladesh that is Bangladeshi – they all share same language, culture and homeland. As Tan had mentioned Bangladesh is a homogenous country. Your evil foreign agenda of pushing artificial ethnicity is purely motivated and laughable. You are trying to define Sylhits are different because they more family oriented. So does rest of Bangladesh. It shows how little you know about Bangladesh. Now one should ask, are you from Bangladesh or somewhere across? Because no other Sylheti would refer another fellow Bangladeshis as “other Bengalis”. This trait only exists from people across the border. Moreover, anyone from Bangladesh would know this simple fact that family orientation and concept of extended family is a Bangladesh wide phenomenon.

Use of hundi has NOTHING to do with trust in govt, it has more to do with getting better rate and get money faster than banking channel. Although banking Channel has improved vastly (and improving) over last 5 years and rate free floted for last 3+ years now. BUT you dont know that, do you? Hundi was and is used from everywhere not only in UK. People from other region send more money through hundi as they are greater in numbers. So once again you have shown how little you know about REAL Bangladesh and your funny math only works for chapabazi, not in REALITY.

I am very familiar with Sylheti community in US including elected MP Shaheen, from Sylhet region. Sylheti community will simply throw you out for your disgruntle and foreign indoctrinated motivation.

But all these family stuff has nothing to do with economic development and entrepreneurship. You blamed govt and everybody else; now show us some good ideas on what you can do in Sylhet and for its people who live there, not in London

sorry double post

Sylheti, I have problem with people claiming that they are better than everybody else. You are losing me, buddy.... and I have started to lose respect for you. Was it nice to bring in those family stuff?

Sylheti, the govt figures are undoubtedly an underestimate. But govt does not selectively underestimate Sylheti remittances. When people give money to their relatives back home it often goes through unofficial channels, however Sylheti people are not more likely to do this than others. So on average the figures I posted link to still accurately reflect the proportion of sources. While I have not gone and done a census of the whole Bangladeshi population in USA, I do live in a fairly "average" American town, and the proportion of Sylhetis here is about equivalent to their percentage of BD population...which is what would be expected. And those particular families are no more or less likely than other Bangladeshies to help their relatives back home. Nor have I ever heard any of them think of themselves as anything other than Bangladeshi or heard any of them complain about how Sylhetis get the short end of the stick (which is not surprising, since it is not true).

For Sylheti with questionable identity:

Once again you came up with foreign indoctornated gibberish. So once again you have shown how little you know about REAL Bangladesh and your funny math only works for chapabazi, not in REALITY.

I am very familiar with Sylheti community in US including elected MP Shaheen, from Sylhet region. Sylheti community will simply throw you out for your disgruntle and foreign indoctrinated motivation.




Interesting. Again this silly theme of my being a ‘foreign agent’. Amusing really since I have never claimed to be a Bangladeshi citizen (most ppl here are immigrants to the West I’m guessing). I can hardly be more foreign or traitorous! You’re not from the fundamentalist military forums resided in by the likes of Manbil are you? :D

Sylhetis form the bulk of the diaspora and hence the bulk of the money coming from the West tends to be concentrated in our area.

You may be ‘familiar’ with the Sylheti community but I AM a Sylheti. I speak Sylheti and I am part of the community here in the UK and in BD when I visit. YOU will never be accepted as one of our own. Most Sylhetis will not even understand your language.

Yeah, no doubt that's why we don't like your secessionism and emotion-based economic viewpoint :ohno: In case you haven't noticed, your viewpoints are somewhat unsual even among Sylhetis.

Most people living in Dhaka didn't come from Dhaka originally. In my case I don't even live in Bangladesh...but like most probashis Sylheti or otherwise, I care what happens to BD. Maybe we should start demanding that govt not use any remittance we send in Dhaka but instead to maternal / paternal "desh" of origin. That would be most logical use of resources no?


How many of the contributers here are Sylheti? No, I didn't guess any of you were.


If the Bangladeshi govt actually matched investment in Sylhet equal to the foreign currency it earns from the diaspora contribution, natural gas, coal and tea then I don’t mind if tax generated in Dhaka is spent in Dhaka. It’s only fair after all.

It is unrealistic to expect the Dhakaiyas to continually rape the countries resources for development in Dhaka and environs and for other regions to accept this situation. Remember that Sylhet was a part of Chittagong division before Londoni-led agitation made it a division in it’s own right. Given widespread separatist feeling amongst most Sylheti, I expect the next logical step to be economic regional autonomy.

Sylheti, I have problem with people claiming that they are better than everybody else. You are losing me, buddy.... and I have started to lose respect for you. Was it nice to bring in those family stuff?


Can you point to any other region where chain migration has occurred as in Greater Sylhet? If not, my comments regarding our close extended family ties have basis in fact, no?

When one Sylheti family member comes over, he/she will do all they can to bring their family over. Dhakaiya are more selfish/nuclear family orientated. This is why Sylhetis have migrated in such large numbers to the UK, US and Canada. That’s not saying Sylhetis are ‘better’ than anyone else, it’s just stating a fact of life.

I’m an immigration solicitor. Observing UK Immigration patterns form a part of my job.

Do realize, Sylheti, that you cannot write whatever you want in this forum. You are welcome to make your point, but in doing so you cannot make derogatory comments about other people...which you done several times in case of "Dhakaiyas." Persist in that regard, and you will be given the boot...this is not the first instance of impropriety on your part either. Interesting that for all your outrage, you have yet to supply any credible statistics to support your viewpoints...only nebulous personal quote from Daily Star. One would think an "immigration solicitor" could provide something more substantive.

Tan, Snoq and others, please do not reply to Sylheti's comments. Simply ignore him and what he has to say. He represents only himself. He does not represent any Sylhetis living anywhere. Both my parents are Sylheti and as a result almost all my relatives are all Sylheti. None of them feel anything even remotely close to what Sylheti feels. Bangladesh always comes first and then Sylhet. I have stopped replying to Sylheti's posts. You guys should do the same. If he insults anyone one time then I will make sure he gets banned. Good day.

Tan, Snoq and others, please do not reply to Sylheti's comments. Simply ignore him and what he has to say. He represents only himself. He does not represent any Sylhetis living anywhere. Both my parents are Sylheti and as a result almost all my relatives are all Sylheti. None of them feel anything even remotely close to what Sylheti feels. Bangladesh always comes first and then Sylhet. I have stopped replying to Sylheti's posts. You guys should do the same. If he insults anyone one time then I will make sure he gets banned. Good day.

You are right, Tmac.

Actually whatever this Sylheti guy said. I've heard it all before, when I was in secondary school a couple of years ago. So I'm guessing he's no immigration solicitor but some kid with issues. And yeah, they also used the term Dhakaiya in an derogatory way.

Tan, Snoq and others, please do not reply to Sylheti's comments. Simply ignore him and what he has to say. He represents only himself. He does not represent any Sylhetis living anywhere. Both my parents are Sylheti and as a result almost all my relatives are all Sylheti. None of them feel anything even remotely close to what Sylheti feels. Bangladesh always comes first and then Sylhet. I have stopped replying to Sylheti's posts. You guys should do the same. If he insults anyone one time then I will make sure he gets banned. Good day.



If Tmac is a Sylheti then why does his nik read ‘Dhaka-Ottawa-DC’?

Sylhetis are a separate ethnic group with a unique language and culture in it’s own right. Sylhetis are Sylheti first and Bangladeshi second. We speak Sylheti, our families are Sylheti as is our preference for marriage partners.

You may reply or not to my posts. That is your choice. But please don’t pretend to be a Sylheti. Your upbringing is clearly not Sylheti.

If Tmac is a Sylheti why does his nik read "Dhaka-Ottawa-DC"?

Maybe if it read "London" then that would make him a Sylheti :ohno: . Repeated prejudicial remarks are grounds for being banned.

I have no clue why I should be called a "dhakaiya"? :dunno:

try other names too.... like tetulian, teknafi, sylheti, etc. etc. etc.

I have no clue why I should be called a "dhakaiya"? :dunno:

try other names too.... like tetulian, teknafi, sylheti, etc. etc. etc.

ha ha ha.. Nice one.. :lol:

My mother is from Dhaka. And her mother(my nani) is from sylhet. So I am a quarter dhakaiya, quarter sylheti and half ghoti(my father is from west bengal). :)

ha ha ha.. Nice one.. :lol:

My mother is from Dhaka. And her mother(my nani) is from sylhet. So I am a quarter dhakaiya, quarter sylheti and half ghoti(my father is from west bengal). :)


Really?Then you should definitely visit us in Dhaka someday...and ofcourse visit Sylheti in Sylhet:lol:

Really?Then you should definitely visit us in Dhaka someday...and ofcourse visit Sylheti in Sylhet:lol:

No, remember, this fake Sylheti doesn't even live in Sylhet. For all we know he's never even been there.

No, remember, this fake Sylheti doesn't even live in Sylhet. For all we know he's never even been there.

Oh,LoL.

Well SarafIndian,you should visit Dhaka and Sylhet anyway:)

Yes, Saraf. Do visit Sylhet. What Sylheti is saying is very true..... Sylhet is a very very beautiful place.

No, remember, this fake Sylheti doesn't even live in Sylhet. For all we know he's never even been there.

YUP! He's from London. Probably born there aswell.

The Bangladesh state structure is far too centralised. Political and economic decisions taken in Dhaka do not always reflect the ground reality in the regions. For example, Sylhet has a large diaspora community residing in the UK, America and Canada who remit significant sums to the local economy through relatives living in Sylhet. They also extensively support good works through religious charities. Yet the Bangladeshi government concentrates on large scale projects in Dhaka/Chittagong and refuses to match diaspora expenditure with investment in the region. This despite the foreign currency reserves being filled by our remittances.

I think an elected regional government with devolved powers in the areas of finance, investment and preservation of Sylheti culture (our language and close family values rather than the Dhaka imposed language) through control of local education and culture would be more democratic. This local body could be staffed by local people who are held in high regard in the areas of Sylhet, Habiganj, Moulvi Bazar and Shunamganj. Such individuals should be neutral ie. no AL, BNP or JI nonsense.


Sylhet is already a division in it’s own right. It’s time it also had local devolved powers. It worked in the UK and the Federal system in the US. It can work in Bangladesh too. Power to the people!
what hashish you on? the major chunk of the remittance comes from the middle east and majority of the people are non sylheties

take your ad hominem somewhere else, this is not a place for your belligerence

'Official figures' mean little in the Bangladeshi context. The figures are only partial and records money sent through official channels. The govt doesn't keep accurate figures in ANY field ie. simple everyday matters like births & deaths. More importantly figures change when AL/BNP change regime. Yet these figures purport to go back to 1990.....


One word: Hundi.


Sylheti alternative banking outside the rudamentary & insecure Bangladeshi banking sector is well known and established. We were the pioneers. Walking down Whitechapel Road one sees every second shop has remittance facilities. The middlemen are almost always Sylhetis trusted in the community. We trust our own people (who are often relatives) and the grey economy more than the Bangladeshi govt. Most Sylhetis don't trust the govt. Neither do most Non-Sylhetis, when it comes to money. Remittances from the Middle East by migrant workers tend to be heavily regulated in contrast to those from the West. These people are Bangladeshi citizens after all.

Sylhetis have not only moved in large numbers to the UK but also the US (Detroit and parts of New York come to mind) and Canada. Our ethnic group tends to settle in the West as well as send migrant workers to the Gulf. In addition we concentrate invrestment in our home region in a way people from other regions do not. We are more family orientated and believe in the extended family more than other Bengalis.3

one word dawg it is illegal, by this process you are depriving the govt of revenue i.e the govt aint getting a penny

and you expect the govt to use all its recourses and develop a shit hole?

there are two kinds of people i hate with passion 1 arabs and 2 sylheties

hell if i wasnt a muslim i'd never try to associate with anything related to arabs

Take this back - please. You don't hate anybody.

Dope, you can not say stuff like this. It will not be tolerated. You can not say that you hate a certain group of people here. There are other ways of voicing your opinion. I hope I never have to remind you or anyone of this again.

Tmac, why don't you lock this thread. No one has said anything constructive here for a while now. Both Sylheti and the rest of us have stated our points...I doubt there is anything reasonable worth adding here by any of us.

Take this back - please. You don't hate anybody.
i do and arabs are in the top, do you even how they frown upon us and their audacity of calling us miskins and some even think that we are hindu

in 1971 they supported the packers because they thought we were hindus so why should i like em?

Dope, you can not say stuff like this. It will not be tolerated. You can not say that you hate a certain group of people here. There are other ways of voicing your opinion. I hope I never have to remind you or anyone of this again.
the statement wasnt meant to offend any one, you cannot ignore reality many sylhetis esp. in the UK are like that hell some even think that bd is a part of sylhet

anyways i applogise if i have offended or hurt your sentiment in any way

Dope, check your inbox.

With great deal of disapointment I am locking this thread. It is sad to see that we can't have open discussions on anything without name calling and insulting others. In the eve of our 36th Independence Day I ask all of you to be a little more sensible and responsible when posting comments here.