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Message from Captain M.A. Jalil 1st Batch Aktar Hossain from 22nd Batch: Please pray for his early recovery
ABMA Resolution number 2
Dear All,
Salam.
Pls find the minutes of ABMA resolution No.2, related to the naming of ABMA & the formation of the same, attached .
Also find the attendance sheet for Dhaka & Chittagong, held at the same time.
Hope you will find above in order & bear with us for the common goal & interest .
Kind Rgds.
Capt Malek.
Gen secy, ABMA.
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Happy New Year
Thanks to Capt Malek for clariying the position. I however regret to say that I see no place for myself in ABMA as I was never a cadet of Bangladesh Marine Academy and I can not be an alumni of that institute. I was a cadet of Mercantile Marine Academy, Juldia. Likewise I was former cadet of East Pakistan Cadet College, Foujdarhat and that way I am a Foujian and I see no reason why I can not be a JUldian.,.
Thanks and regards
Salahuddin Ahmad 18 E1
On 19 Nov 2013, at 22:50, [email protected] wrote:
>
> Dear All,
>
> Salam
>
> I refer to my email update about formation of the Ex cadet Association (ABMA) on 19 September 2013.
>
> Please find attached minutes (resolution no. 2) of ABMA meeting held at Dhaka and Chittagong on 16 November 2013 for your information.
>
> May I kindly request all recipients of this email to circulate among other UK Continent based Ex-Cadets not in the recipient list for their information.
>
> I am also in the process of creating a Facebook page “ABMA UK CONTINENT” and the Resolutions are is being posted at https://www.facebook.com/groups/698599606816750/files/ . I have invited a small number of ex-cadets with admin right in order to invite others ex-cadets to the group.
> Further update will be given to all concern by email and facebook group about participation, membership etc when the are available.
>
>
> Kind regards
>
> Habib Chowdhury
> Westhill
> Aberdeenshire
Dear Mr Chowdhury
With due respect, may I ask you to kindly clarify in what capacity you have sent the email appended below to all the Bangladeshi Mariners living in the UK, including those who are NOT ex cadets of the Marine Academy at Juldia. I do not recall you being elected or even nominated by this group to represent us to any forum in the UK or elsewhere. As far as I am aware, you do not even belong to [email protected], the only active group for the Bangladeshi Mariners living in the UK.
There have been exchanges of lot of emails between Canada, USA, UK, Bangladesh, Singapore and Australian BD mariners very recently but you never expressed your views from the UK with our concerns or otherwise. So I am surprised to see you popping up suddenly! You may not have realised that your email has attempted to create a deep division among majority of the Bangladeshi Mariners living in the UK as a family under the umbrella of bdmarinersuk yahoogroups, irrespective of their pre-sea, sea-going, academic, professional, religious or regional backgrounds.
As an active member of the bdmariners UK group, I would like to reassure the Group that we are still a close-knit group and our ties remain strong as before under our unique umbrella.
You may wish to clarify your position with regard to Bangladeshi mariners in the UK in due course.
Kind regards
Captain Khairul Anam
Dear Capt. Anam Sir,
With utmost respect, I would like to assure you and all others reading in copy, there has been no intention on my part to create a deep division as alleged in your email or even a tiny bit of unease among ex-cadets of Bangladesh Marine Academy living in the UK and I was really surprised by the tone of your email.
If you please recall, this was my second email on the ALUMNI OF BANGLADESH MARINE ACADEMY (ABMA) and the first was with the resolution 1 on 19 September 2013.
Following the circulation of the news of ABMA there were numerous discussions in various Bangladeshi mariners forums in US/UK/Canada/Singapore and Australia about legal and ethical grounds and possible mergers with JMMA etc.
Subsequently ABMA convened to discuss above and decided as the resolution no2 of ABMA which directs me to circulate updates and exactly that is what I was doing at capacity of overseas EC member.
I am certain that all Ex-Cadets of Bangladesh Marine Academy living in the UK will participate/join the ALUMNI OF BANGLADESH MARINE ACADEMY (ABMA) to cement our deep rooted tie with the Academy. And at the same time continue their social connection here in the UK (as you have mentioned in your email to me) as a family under the umbrella of bdmarinersuk yahoogroups, irrespective of their pre-sea, sea-going, academic, professional, religious or regional background.
Kind regards
Habib Chowdhury
Member ABMA
Dear Salahuddin Sir,
With due respect I will humbly disagree with you for the following reasons:-
(i) You said you found no place in ABMA, because you were never a cadet of Bangladesh Marine Academy.
I would have fully agreed with you, if one Bengali person who was born in (the then East) Pakistan, was unable to find a place within (current) Bangladesh (community), and so (say, if he is currently an expatriate working at U.S.A.) found his place in “Pakistan Association of U.S.A.”, instead of finding his place in “Bangladesh Association of U.S.A.”. For a Pakistan born (current) Bangladeshi Citizen, This is simply impossible to think of.
(ii) BUET was previously known as “EPUET”, until 1971. ALL EPUET and BUET gradutes are now under one umbrella named “BUET AA” (AA means Alumni Association), and nobody including any EPUET graduates said that they find “no place in BUETAA”, as they were not a BUET Graduate. In fact, both old and new graduates accepted the reality of current name of their alma mater, without feeling “isolated” or “being left out”.
(iii) Current “Rajshahi Cadet College” was named as “Ayub Cadet College” till 1971. All ex cadets of this cadet college (both pre and post 71 graduates) feel proud to be a member of “ORCA”, which means “Old Rajshahi Cadets association”. Nobody, again felt “isolated” or “being left out”, and nobody suggested to rename the Association as “Old Ayubian Cadets association”.
(iv) Like yourself, Sir, I am also an Old Faujian,and I have discussed in details, as to why we are called a “faujian”, and why an ex cadet of “Jhenidah” is NOT called a “Jhenidian” in following Link, and I would earnestly request you to kindly browse through the same: https://themaritimeblog.org/2013/10/message-from-fr-chowdhury-oct-28-2013/
(v) All persons, whose permanent address is in Chittagong, may claim themselves as “Chittagonians”. Similarly All persons, whose permanent address is in Juldia, may claim themselves as “Juldians”. However any one who studied in “Juldia Marine Academy” , or “Juldia Pilot High School”, or in “Juldia Madrasha”, can not just logically call themselves as “Juldians”.
Sir, please think again , and be fully assured that, all ex cadets of present “Bangladesh Marine Academy”, and all ex cadets of it’s predecessor “Juldia Marine Academy”, have a permanenet respected place in “ABMA”, as current “BMA” is simply the current batton holder of previous “JMA”, in the same way that all East Pakistan born Bengalis are no more called “East Pakistani” now, but they all are now a proud “Bangladeshi”. I am personally an example of this situation (Initially Pakistani, now Bangladeshi).
With Kind Regards
Engr. Muztaba Reza/14th Batch
Some people intentionally forget to read the history of the alumni association. The founders of ABMA were fully aware of the existence of JMAAA; in fact, Eng. Sajid Hossain (the Commandant of the Academy) was also one of the founders of JMAAA . It is strongly advised that all of us read the information including the constitution that remains as a revered document of JMAAA. The constitution of JMAAA is a universal one that took into account branches all over the world with their headquarters in Chittagong or inside the Marine Academy itself.
Why re-invent the wheel when already a fraternity existed and were doing splendid things from their own funds. Unlike ABMA which has taken 13.5 lacs from the collection of the Golden Jubilee, JMAAA has accomplished many things with funds raised by the Alumni.
Before forming ABMA, it was incumbent on the organizers of this new fraternity to talk to the founders of JMAAA. Simply making name of the organization an issue is self serving. Name cannot and should not be an issue. It is spirit and the intent. JMAAA was formed with alumni from Bangladesh as well as those from abroad after careful discussion and eventual promulgation. It was meant to be for all Marine Academy alumni from the first batch to the 50th. As a matter of fact, the charter of JMAAA says; anyone graduating from the Marine Academy are automatically alumni members as soon as they graduate even if they do not pay any subscriptions.
If the intentions are good, then why did the ABMA sponsors not bother to talk to JMAAA at least to make an attempt to make it all inclusive? Or there should have been alumni participation on a wider scale.
I would ask the alumni to kindly read all the JMAAA proposals, minutes of meetings as well materials that are there in this website. Only then one should be make comments. It is unfair to simply put the original alumni organization aside because it did not fit the name that some other group chose. That is called arrogance similar to what we see with Bangladesh political leaders.
One should ponder; do we need to make a disaster like what the Faujian organizations did? If this ABMA phenomenon goes through, be prepared for additional organizations with a more innovative names in the future.
There are many competitors of the Academy that would like it to disappear. Is that what you all want?
Ghulam Suhrawardi (6th)
Thank you Dear Suhrawardy Sir,
First of all, for not addressing ABMA as a “so called ABMA”, like some of us, including Capt. K. Anam,as trying to insult other’s sentiments often is counter productive. I took a note of your points and would try to explain point wise as below (with your comments and my replies one after another para.):
Your Comments:
Some people intentionally forget to read the history of the alumni association. The founders of ABMA were fully aware of the existence of JMAAA; in fact, Eng. Sajid Hossain (the Commandant of the Academy) was also one of the founders of JMAAA . It is strongly advised that all of us read the information including the constitution that remains as a revered document of JMAAA. The constitution of JMAAA is a universal one that took into account branches all over the world with their headquarters in Chittagong or inside the Marine Academy itself.
My Reply:
AA) ABMA proponents fully agree and recognise the role of JMAAA pioneers with due respect, as mentioned in their Resolution No. 2 itself and in their earlier Resolutions too. They also agree to have a “universal “ Organization, with HQ at BD. They only can not accept the name of Alumni, containing the word “Juldia”, for reasons detailed as under:
AA1) There was never an institution or Academy named “Juldia Marine Academy”.
The official Names of our Alma mater are given below:
1962-1971: Mercantile Marine Academy
1972-2010 : Marine Academy
2010-till date: Bangladesh Marine Academy
Historically, never there was any name like ‘Juldia Marine Academy’! Probably this is a “wishful name” exists silently in initial batch ex-cadets.
So, why would we name our Alumni after an Institution, which never existed? This naming can not be explained or justified during Registration of the Alumni under current Laws of the Land.
AA2) Even in the Letterhead and Website on the JMAAA, the Logo of the Academy reads as “Marine Academy, Bangladesh”, and NOT any thing like “Juldia Marine Academy”, so it is not logical to name the Alumni after “Juldia”.
AA3) The choice of current name of Academy was really a foresighted and “fool proof” decision, as it means , this Academy will remain as the core academy amongst all such academies that might be established in future in our country. This is similar to naming of BUET, whereas the subsequent UET (University of Engg & Technology)s of the country are named as CUET, DUET,KUET,RUET etc. The name BUET explains itself that it is the core University of it’s kind in Bangladesh. Similarly the naming of BMA has the same effect that we all should share, enjoy and be proud of.
AA4) Juldia is only name of a village, whereas Bangladesh (being the name of our entire country, including 68,000 villages like Juldia) puts the Academy in a unique and greater perspective, both at home and in abroad.
AA5) 90% of the ex cadets (from 10th till 49th ) only knew their Alma Mater as Marine Academy or Bangladesh Marine Academy, so they have a nostalgic and sentimental attachment with the name “Juldia”. Why we will try to impose a different name on them, where they never belonged to and/or have no sentimental attachments for same?
AA6) Believe me Sir, a “name” matters. Not sure if you are aware , probably about ten years (or so) ago, the then BD Govt. Tried to name an “University of Engineering and Technology” located in the Ghazipur area of Dhaka as “GUET”. The then students just did not like the first two alphabets of proposed acronym (as the same in bangla language means faeces!). So, they vigorously reacted with prolonged agitations, and the then Govt. had to change the name to “DUET”, as it is still called by. The lesson from this incident is that, “better do not impose any name on the users, name anything which the owners would love and be proud of while using”.
AA7) The naming of Alumni after “Juldia” belittles the role of the Institution, where as naming after “Bangladesh” broadens the role.
YOUR COMMENTS:
BB)Why re-invent the wheel when already a fraternity existed and were doing splendid things from their own funds. Unlike ABMA which has taken 13.5 lacs from the collection of the Golden Jubilee, JMAAA has accomplished many things with funds raised by the Alumni.
My Reply:
BB1) A wheel can always be repaired or improved, even replaced, without re-inventing. Realising the tremendous contribution of the initial JMAAA founders with profound thanks, I see no reason why the name can not be “put more logically right”, at a later date.
BB2) The ex cadets contributed towards the Golden Jubilee Fund, where they proudly participated, and this pride later was converted in the formation of an Alumni, which we may call the continuation of the spontaneous wishes of hundreds of ex cadets. So, the money was rightfully shifted for the same cause.
YOUR COMMENTS:
CC)Before forming ABMA, it was incumbent on the organizers of this new fraternity to talk to the founders of JMAAA. Simply making name of the organization an issue is self serving. Name cannot and should not be an issue. It is spirit and the intent. JMAAA was formed with alumni from Bangladesh as well as those from abroad after careful discussion and eventual promulgation. It was meant to be for all Marine Academy alumni from the first batch to the 50th. As a matter of fact, the charter of JMAAA says; anyone graduating from the Marine Academy are automatically alumni members as soon as they graduate even if they do not pay any subscriptions.
If the intentions are good, then why did the ABMA sponsors not bother to talk to JMAAA at least to make an attempt to make it all inclusive? Or there should have been alumni participation on a wider scale.
My Reply:
CC1) Mostly agreed with you Sir. The key issue is the “spirit and Intent’, as you have very rightly spelled out. I believe all members and supporters of both “JMAAA” and “ABMA” have whole hearted “spirit and Intent’, no question about it. Yes, the founders of ABMA could have contacted more explicitly with the JMAAA, however I believe, they did not do so, as they thought JMAAA is a local US/Canada based Organisation, where as ABMA will be operating with BD base, so one’s interests and roles will not collide with the other; I do not believe that the ABMA was formed to “self serve”, as you have alleged. Now that JMAAA claims to be the forerunner of ABMA, and ABMA gladly acknowledges same with thanks, this particular point may be considered as solved.
YOUR COMMENTS:
DD)I would ask the alumni to kindly read all the JMAAA proposals, minutes of meetings as well materials that are there in this website. Only then one should be make comments. It is unfair to simply put the original alumni organization aside because it did not fit the name that some other group chose. That is called arrogance similar to what we see with Bangladesh political leaders.
MY REPLY:
DD1) ABMA did not ,at least did not intended ,to exclude JMAAA, which is evidenced from their Resolution No. 2. However as a key founder of JMAAA, you were hurt ,being not duly consulted with, and this is what you term as “arrogance”. I think they could have been “just too excited” to form an Alumni for ex cadets, most of whom either did not hear about (,being remotely located in, or does not agree with the name, of) JMAAA (they do not consider themselves as simply Juldians) after successful Jubilee. I would urge you to come forward to solve the “naming issue”, on the basis of “current reality” and “wishes of most of the ex cadets”.
YOUR COMMENTS:
EE)One should ponder; do we need to make a disaster like what the Faujian organizations did? If this ABMA phenomenon goes through, be prepared for additional organizations with a more innovative names in the future.
There are many competitors of the Academy that would like it to disappear. Is that what you all want?
MY REPLY:
EE1) Unfortunately OFA(I am a member of this alumni too) had two committees in recent past and finding internal quarrel, The Adjutant General of Army did not call any one of them for routine meeting, they have now merged as one body, again, to every one’s relief.
Sir, with due respect to both sides, I see “arrogance” on both sides, JMAAA does not understand the reality of today in the sense that, “most of the ex cadets belonged to Bangladesh Marine Academy, whilst Juldia Academy never existed in this name”. On the other hand ABMA proponents are not keeping any options open for progression of the issue.
Our current crisis is only with the”Name”,so I believe it is more easy to solve, provided we all show the due sense of respect to others and due sense of proportion.
Muztaba Reza(14th batch)
Thank you Dear Suhrawardy Sir,
First of all, for not addressing ABMA as a “so called ABMA”, like some of us, as trying to insult other’s sentiments often is counter productive. I took a note of your points and would try to explain point wise as below:
Re your Para 1:
AA) ABMA proponents fully agree and recognise the role of JMAAA pioneers with due respect, as mentioned in their Resolution No. 2 itself and in their earlier Resolutions too. They also agree to have a “universal “ Organization, with HQ at BD. They only can not accept the name of Alumni, containing the word “Juldia”, for reasons detailed as under:
AA1) There was never an institution or Academy named “Juldia Marine Academy”.
The official Names of our Alma mater are given below:
1962-1971: Mercantile Marine Academy
1972-2010 : Marine Academy
2010-till date: Bangladesh Marine Academy
Historically, never there was any name like ‘Juldia Marine Academy’! Probably this is a “wishful name” exists silently in initial batch ex-cadets.
So, why would we name our Alumni after an Institution, which never existed? This naming can not be explained or justified during Registration of the Alumni under current Laws of the Land.
AA2) Even in the Letterhead and Website on the JMAAA, the Logo of the Academy reads as “Marine Academy, Bangladesh”, and NOT any thing like “Juldia Marine Academy”, so it is not logical to name the Alumni after “Juldia”.
AA3) The choice of current name of Academy was really a foresighted and “fool proof” decision, as it means , this Academy will remain as the core academy amongst all such academies that might be established in future in our country. This is similar to naming of BUET, whereas the subsequent UET (University of Engg & Technology)s of the country are named as CUET, DUET,KUET,RUET etc. The name BUET explains itself that it is the core University of it’s kind in Bangladesh. Similarly the naming of BMA has the same effect that we all should share, enjoy and be proud of.
AA4) Juldia is only name of a village, whereas Bangladesh (being the name of our entire country, including 68,000 villages like Juldia) puts the Academy in a unique and greater perspective, both at home and in abroad.
AA5) 90% of the ex cadets (from 10th till 49th ) only knew their Alma Mater as Marine Academy or Bangladesh Marine Academy, so they have a nostalgic and sentimental attachment with the name “Juldia”. Why we will try to impose a different name on them, where they never belonged to and/or have no sentimental attachments for same?
AA6) Believe me Sir, a “name” matters. Not sure if you are aware , probably about ten years (or so) ago, the then BD Govt. Tried to name an “University of Engineering and Technology” located in the Ghazipur area of Dhaka as “GUET”. The then students just did not like the first two alphabets of proposed acronym (as the same in bangla language means faeces!). So, they vigorously reacted with prolonged agitations, and the then Govt. had to change the name to “DUET”, as it is still called by. The lesson from this incident is that, “better do not impose any name on the users, name anything which the owners would love and be proud of while using”.
AA7) The naming of Alumni after “Juldia” belittles the role of the Institution, where as naming after “Bangladesh” broadens the role.
Re your Para 2:
BB1) A wheel can always be repaired or improved, even replaced, without re-inventing. Realising the tremendous contribution of the initial JMAAA founders with profound thanks, I see no reason why the name can not be “put more logically right”, at a later date.
BB2) The ex cadets contributed towards the Golden Jubilee Fund, where they proudly participated, and this pride later was converted in the formation of an Alumni, which we may call the continuation of the spontaneous wishes of hundreds of ex cadets. So, the money was rightfully shifted for the same cause.
Re your Para 3:
CC1) Mostly agreed with you Sir. The key issue is the “spirit and Intent’, as you have very rightly spelled out. I believe all members and supporters of both “JMAAA” and “ABMA” have whole hearted “spirit and Intent’, no question about it. Yes, the founders of ABMA could have contacted more explicitly with the JMAAA, however I believe, they did not do so, as they thought JMAAA is a local US/Canada based Organisation, where as ABMA will be operating with BD base, so one’s interests and roles will not collide with the other; I do not believe that the ABMA was formed to “self serve”, as you have alleged. Now that JMAAA claims to be the forerunner of ABMA, and ABMA gladly acknowledges same with thanks, this particular point may be considered as solved.
Re your Para 4:
DD1) ABMA did not ,at least did not intended ,to exclude JMAAA, which is evidenced from their Resolution No. 2. However as a key founder of JMAAA, you were hurt ,being not duly consulted with, and this is what you term as “arrogance”. I think they could have been “just too excited” to form an Alumni for ex cadets, most of whom either did not hear about (,being remotely located in, or does not agree with the name, of) JMAAA (they do not consider themselves as simply Juldians) after successful Jubilee. I would urge you to come forward to solve the “naming issue”, on the basis of “current reality” and “wishes of most of the ex cadets”.
Re your Para5:
EE1) Unfortunately OFA(I am a member of this alumni too) had two committees in recent past and finding internal quarrel, The Adjutant General of Army did not call any one of them for routine meeting, they have now merged as one body, again, to every one’s relief.
Sir, with due respect to both sides, I see “arrogance” on both sides, JMAAA does not understand the reality of today in the sense that, “most of the ex cadets belonged to Bangladesh Marine Academy, whilst Juldia Academy never existed in this name”. On the other hand ABMA proponents are not keeping any options open for progression of the issue.
Our current crisis is only with the”Name”,so I believe it is more easy to solve, provided we all show the due sense of respect to others and due sense of proportion.
With Kind Regards
Muztaba Reza(14th batch)
Thank you dear Suhrawardy Sir,
First of all, for not addressing ABMA as a “so called ABMA”, like some of us, as trying to insult other’s sentiments often is counter productive. I took a note of your points and would try to explain point wise as below (with your comments and my Replies one after another
YOUR COMMENTS:
AA)Some people intentionally forget to read the history of the alumni association. The founders of ABMA were fully aware of the existence of JMAAA; in fact, Eng. Sajid Hossain (the Commandant of the Academy) was also one of the founders of JMAAA . It is strongly advised that all of us read the information including the constitution that remains as a revered document of JMAAA. The constitution of JMAAA is a universal one that took into account branches all over the world with their headquarters in Chittagong or inside the Marine Academy itself.
MY REPLIES:
AA) ABMA proponents fully agree and recognise the role of JMAAA pioneers with due respect, as mentioned in their Resolution No. 2 itself and in their earlier Resolutions too. They also agree to have a “universal “ Organization, with HQ at BD. They only can not accept the name of Alumni, containing the word “Juldia”, for reasons detailed as under:
AA1) There was never an institution or Academy named “Juldia Marine Academy”.
The official Names of our Alma mater are given below:
1962-1971: Mercantile Marine Academy
1972-2010 : Marine Academy
2010-till date: Bangladesh Marine Academy
Historically, never there was any name like ‘Juldia Marine Academy’! Probably this is a “wishful name” exists silently in initial batch ex-cadets.
So, why would we name our Alumni after an Institution, which never existed? This naming can not be explained or justified during Registration of the Alumni under current Laws of the Land.
AA2) Even in the Letterhead and Website on the JMAAA, the Logo of the Academy reads as “Marine Academy, Bangladesh”, and NOT any thing like “Juldia Marine Academy”, so it is not logical to name the Alumni after “Juldia”.
AA3) The choice of current name of Academy was really a foresighted and “fool proof” decision, as it means , this Academy will remain as the core academy amongst all such academies that might be established in future in our country. This is similar to naming of BUET, whereas the subsequent UET (University of Engg & Technology)s of the country are named as CUET, DUET,KUET,RUET etc. The name BUET explains itself that it is the core University of it’s kind in Bangladesh. Similarly the naming of BMA has the same effect that we all should share, enjoy and be proud of.
AA4) Juldia is only name of a village, whereas Bangladesh (being the name of our entire country, including 68,000 villages like Juldia) puts the Academy in a unique and greater perspective, both at home and in abroad.
AA5) 90% of the ex cadets (from 10th till 49th ) only knew their Alma Mater as Marine Academy or Bangladesh Marine Academy, so they have a nostalgic and sentimental attachment with the name “Juldia”. Why we will try to impose a different name on them, where they never belonged to and/or have no sentimental attachments for same?
AA6) Believe me Sir, a “name” matters. Not sure if you are aware , probably about ten years (or so) ago, the then BD Govt. Tried to name an “University of Engineering and Technology” located in the Ghazipur area of Dhaka as “GUET”. The then students just did not like the first two alphabets of proposed acronym (as the same in bangla language means faeces!). So, they vigorously reacted with prolonged agitations, and the then Govt. had to change the name to “DUET”, as it is still called by. The lesson from this incident is that, “better do not impose any name on the users, name anything which the owners would love and be proud of while using”.
AA7) The naming of Alumni after “Juldia” belittles the role of the Institution, where as naming after “Bangladesh” broadens the role.
YOUR COMMENTS:
BB)Why re-invent the wheel when already a fraternity existed and were doing splendid things from their own funds. Unlike ABMA which has taken 13.5 lacs from the collection of the Golden Jubilee, JMAAA has accomplished many things with funds raised by the Alumni.
MY REPLIES:
BB1) A wheel can always be repaired or improved, even replaced, without re-inventing. Realising the tremendous contribution of the initial JMAAA founders with profound thanks, I see no reason why the name can not be “put more logically right”, at a later date.
BB2) The ex cadets contributed towards the Golden Jubilee Fund, where they proudly participated, and this pride later was converted in the formation of an Alumni, which we may call the continuation of the spontaneous wishes of hundreds of ex cadets. So, the money was rightfully shifted for the same cause.
YOUR COMMENTS:
CC)Before forming ABMA, it was incumbent on the organizers of this new fraternity to talk to the founders of JMAAA. Simply making name of the organization an issue is self serving. Name cannot and should not be an issue. It is spirit and the intent. JMAAA was formed with alumni from Bangladesh as well as those from abroad after careful discussion and eventual promulgation. It was meant to be for all Marine Academy alumni from the first batch to the 50th. As a matter of fact, the charter of JMAAA says; anyone graduating from the Marine Academy are automatically alumni members as soon as they graduate even if they do not pay any subscriptions.
If the intentions are good, then why did the ABMA sponsors not bother to talk to JMAAA at least to make an attempt to make it all inclusive? Or there should have been alumni participation on a wider scale.
MY REPLIES:
CC1) Mostly agreed with you Sir. The key issue is the “spirit and Intent’, as you have very rightly spelled out. I believe all members and supporters of both “JMAAA” and “ABMA” have whole hearted “spirit and Intent’, no question about it. Yes, the founders of ABMA could have contacted more explicitly with the JMAAA, however I believe, they did not do so, as they thought JMAAA is a local US/Canada based Organisation, where as ABMA will be operating with BD base, so one’s interests and roles will not collide with the other; I do not believe that the ABMA was formed to “self serve”, as you have alleged. Now that JMAAA claims to be the forerunner of ABMA, and ABMA gladly acknowledges same with thanks, this particular point may be considered as solved.
YOUR COMMENTS:
DD)I would ask the alumni to kindly read all the JMAAA proposals, minutes of meetings as well materials that are there in this website. Only then one should be make comments. It is unfair to simply put the original alumni organization aside because it did not fit the name that some other group chose. That is called arrogance similar to what we see with Bangladesh political leaders.
MY REPLIES:
DD1) ABMA did not ,at least did not intended ,to exclude JMAAA, which is evidenced from their Resolution No. 2. However as a key founder of JMAAA, you were hurt ,being not duly consulted with, and this is what you term as “arrogance”. I think they could have been “just too excited” to form an Alumni for ex cadets, most of whom either did not hear about (,being remotely located in, or does not agree with the name, of) JMAAA (they do not consider themselves as simply Juldians) after successful Jubilee. I would urge you to come forward to solve the “naming issue”, on the basis of “current reality” and “wishes of most of the ex cadets”.
YOUR COMMENTS:
EE)One should ponder; do we need to make a disaster like what the Faujian organizations did? If this ABMA phenomenon goes through, be prepared for additional organizations with a more innovative names in the future.
There are many competitors of the Academy that would like it to disappear. Is that what you all want?
MY REPLIES:
EE1) Unfortunately OFA(I am a member of this alumni too) had two committees in recent past and finding internal quarrel, The Adjutant General of Army did not call any one of them for routine meeting, they have now merged as one body, again, to every one’s relief.
Sir, with due respect to both sides, I see “arrogance” on both sides, JMAAA does not understand the reality of today in the sense that, “most of the ex cadets belonged to Bangladesh Marine Academy, whilst Juldia Academy never existed in this name”. On the other hand ABMA proponents are not keeping any options open for progression of the issue.
Our current crisis is only with the”Name”,so I believe it is more easy to solve, provided we all show the due sense of respect to others and due sense of proportion.
Muztaba Reza(14th batch)
Dear Gentleman Alumni Mr. Muztaba Reza:
I am unable to relate your response to my comments as to whether you are responding to what I wrote? Are you talking on behalf of yourself or as a spokesperson of a group? Are you responding as a representative of ABMA?
Anyway; I assume you tried to make a rebuttal to my comments. I tried hard to read through your rebuttals but cannot make any relevance to what I tried to say.
Even though you tried hard to make a point, it is clear that there needs to be an understanding about doing collective good for the alumni. Deeds are better than words. Forming a motivated organization is not a solution. It is counterproductive.
While you went so far to make some scores, you have totally forgotten to write about the money (over 13 lacs) that was raised during the Golden Jubilee. That money cannot and should not belong to ABMA. I would appreciate if you can tell us what is the status of that money? Who has it and what is going to be done with it?
Best regards
Ghulam Suhrawardi (6th)
“Rome is on Fire… Nero(es) on their Flutes”
Dear respected Ghulam Suhrawardy Sir,
I would like to reiterate here that I was not trying to “rebut” your comments, however in a democratic Society, we may have difference of opinions, and only with the discussions and putting forward of one’s opinions in a discussion forum (like this platform), we may arrive at a consensus .
I have responded to you in my personal capacity, although I am a member of ABMA (like wise you are a founder member of JMAAA). My opinions are of mine only. ABMA may agree or disagree with me, but I have raised the points for dicussion on a wider forum of audiences, whose voices are important as well.
It is unfortunate that you were unable to relate my responses to your comments, although these were arranged in sequence. As I mentioned, a free and open discussion with equal speaking right of all ex cadets are necessary to solve this apparent naming crisis. I have offered my responses sequentially for some of your comments as detailed below:
AA) Your comments were regarding Formation/History of JMAAA (the naming the Alumni as JMAAA was decided during formation, so the history of JMAA and the History of naming of JMAAA are same)
AA 01-07) My responses were to draw everyone’s attention why the naming of JMAAA was and still is inappropriate, and how ABMA thanked JMAAA and started an Alumni with opinion of mass ex cadets belonging to batches 10-49.
I would be interested to know your responses to my comments Sl. AA01-07.
BB) You had questioned as to the justification of forming ABMA despite the existence of JMAAA, (re-inventing wheels was the term you rightly used) and the reason why 13 Lacs of Golden Jubilee collections were diverted to ABMA Funds.
BB 01-02) My responses were to draw everyone’s attention why ABMA was formed despite existence of JMAAA (“Improvements of wheel, without re-inventing” to” put wheel in more logically right order” was the term I used). I have also responded regarding the justification of diverting funds of Golden Jubilee to ABMA for the cause of the community.
However if JMAAA is so objecting to divert funds to ABMA, I propose these fund may be distributed between JMAAA and ABMA in the ratio of membership strengths of both Alumnies, OR it could be kept isolated for funding towards facing the Maritime University issue alone, subject to approval of both Alumnies EC body.
CC and DD) Your comments were related to the need/importance of ABMA pioneers to talk/discuss with JMAAA office bearers.
CC1 and DD1) I responded as to why they could/did not do it, and also since ABMA acknowledged JMAAA contribution, this subject should be forgotten now.
EE) Your comments were to draw similarity and consequence of divided situation in OFA
EE1) I have responded with latest update on OFA situation, with an observation that I had seen “arrogance” on both sides “JMAAA” and “ABMA”. I had also commented that “ (if) our current crisis is only with the”Name”,so I believe it is more easy to solve, provided we all show the due sense of respect to others and due sense of proportion”.
CONCLUSION:
Sir, in conclusion, Firstly: I would suggest, pls consider importance of letting every one vent out their opinions, (whether you like/agree or not) over which we can discuss, debate (and it is not an attempt to rebut), evaluate and finally agree. If we can not agree, majority member’s opinions must be taken as the Alumni member’s wish and opinion. Democracy has several disadvantages, however we could not find a better system than democracy yet.
Secondly: We all know that “When Rome was on fire, Nero was just playing his flute”. Likewise when the Marine Academy (call it JMA or BMA) is on the verge of extinction, JMAAA and ABMA are fighting for their Alumni names only!!!??? Yes, we are all Neroes now. A similar situation happened between Bangladesh and India over the ownership of a river islet called “South Taalpatti”, both countries were in dispute, and eventually in a natural process the island disappeared, to stop the dispute over the ownership for ever. I appeal to everybody that let Marine Academy not have the same fate as South Taalpatti, to cater for the whims of all concerned, but with the loss of itself.
Kind Regards
Muztaba Reza(E)/14
Dear Muztaba:
Your dramatic depiction was not necessary to demonstrate your abilities. I am still unconvinced, your laudatory language has much relevance to my comments. Let’s keep competing in the good work in our two different paths. While we are at it, we may reveal another path in the near future. You and I should cordially make a closure to this conversation. At my age, I do not want to be a winner in social work. May Allah give you all the agility to accomplish your goals.
Suhrawardi (6th)
LET BOTH ALUMNIES CO-OPERATE, IF NOT MERGE OR UNITE.
Dear Suhrawardy Sir,
Thank you, I just wanted to explain certain issues (like (i)what sentiments are behind forming ABMA, (ii)why unfortunately, despite having similar goals, there remains some gap in the paths of JMAAA and ABMA (iii) why the name JMAAA is not relevant in current reality etc.)
I agree with you that I have failed ( together with all my fellows of ABMA) to make you convinced of our (ABMA fellows) sentiments, causes and concerns. With due respect I must also dare to say that our respected senior JMAAA members also could not convince their junior brothers of ABMA regarding their causes. It is a pity but sour fact.
However it is good that we are communicating, and we are communicating to establish our causes (not ourselves).
Now I see no serious gap between JMAAA and ABMA, except naming of the Alumni. All members of both named Alumnies have common goals, common dreams and common concerns.
My personal view (not the view of ABMA, as I am not in their EC member) is that, when 100% of ex cadets (i.e. all the members/supporters of both JMAAA and ABMA) have the same goals, dreams and concerns (but does NOT feel comfortable to work under same umbrella), why not we all let it be and amicably “agree to disagree” on certain aspects of our path, keeping the same destination?
Merger of two Alumnies are expected, but not essential, if same can not be achieved at least in very near future and so long as each Alumni has cordial working relation and each one co-operates with the other, with joint /good “spirit and intent”.
Thank you again.
Kind Regards
Muztaba Reza(14th)