Commending the Bangladeshi Mariners

by F.R. Chowdhury

Subject: [BDMariners] Khurshid Alam – 10(E)

I have read with great pleasure and pride what Baten flashed in bdmariners. It is a fantastic achievement and I congratulate Khurshid. I feel proud because I belong to the same community. I am sure the achievements and success of Khurshid will keep inspiring for generations. During my recent visit to Houston I met at least one of our community members who after obtaining II/1 certificate went to university and obtained a doctorate on a completely non-related subject. He is now perhaps teaching in one of the American universities. When there is so much of gloom all around these exceptional news bring lot of brightness.

As a senior member of the community I would like to say a few words on this occasion. This is not aimed at any individual but to all wherever they may be. We must never forget our root. It is the poor Bangladesh that provided us with the initial upbringing. It is that poor but great Bangladesh that made us what we are today. We have a duty. We have to give what we can. There are many different ways of doing something for the country and its people. Everybody can do his own way.

As I sit to write this e-mail I can remember how Mintoo set up industries to provide employment to hundreds. There are a good number of masters and engineers who started their career on Mintoo’s ships. Same can be said about Capt. Jalil who provided employment to many young boys. Suhrawardy assisted many of our community people by initial jobs to settle in the USA. He set-up English medium school in his village home and donated books to Marine Academy. Sakhawat and Sarwar ventured into successful ship-building industry. Hannan may not know or realize but by virtue of his hard and sincere work he opened the door of AMSA for other Bangladeshis. Moin always played a vital role in getting Bangladesh elected to the IMO council. I remember how S M Abdullah first opened a website for Bangladeshi mariners. Now Baten is the man who is keeping our mariners together by common links. He is also playing an instrumental role in employing our young cadets on foreign shipping companies. Our professional community has opened and maintained very active chapters of NI and IMAREST. Many more are involved in many more ways.

We must not be discouraged by the reluctance of the government. We must keep working. Future is better and brighter. Best wishes.

Fazlur