I am in Bangladesh now, a land of 160 million people. Formerly, it was part of a united India and then, part of the country break away and form Pakistan and from there, it further dis-integrate into East and West Pakistan. Later, East Pakistan changed its name to Bangladesh.
The country have evolved and is becoming more developed as more and more investors came to invest in the textile industry. The country depends heavily on their garment industry and have been successful sub-contractors for many brand names in the US and Europe. My association with the country dates back more than 20 years ago as my employer exports substantially to this country.
The Government of this country have been changing hands between two iron ladies, Madam Haslina and Madam Kaleda. Their feud has been personal and dates back decades with each claiming personal and family attacks on each other. It is amazing to see how the country moves on with such an check and balance mechanism. Each parties takes turn to purge and discredit each other when each party takes over the government. The army have been impartial and strong in this country to keep the stability. Bangladesh is one of the most corrupted countries in the world. Even with this political problem in the background, the country is growing very fast. The main reason is due to its large population to provide the necessary labor support and its education system is based on the British system and most of the people can speak very good English. United India was once a colony of the Great British Empire and this is one of the good things that the Empire have left behind for the country.
A huge portion of the population of the people earned just enough to survive on a hand to mouth situation. About 20 years ago, the people is so poor that there is a huge pool of beggars everywhere and they will swamp around you when you come out of the airport. Now, you can hardly see beggars around but corruption is rampant.
When we came out of the airport this afternoon, one of the porter rushed to help us to unload our stuff into a trolley and keep telling us that there is no problem. Sir, no problem, he say again to assure us. But, my colleague and myself, smile and say " yes, you have no problem but we have a problem". What we mean is that we will need to give him a tip for this service. It is their habit to dictate the amount of tips they want. My colleague have a wonderful encounter on the same occasion. We were allowed to stay in the waiting area at the airport by an officer due to a national strike going on outside. After the security outside of the airport gets better and on our way out of the airport lounge, my colleague wants to give him a small tip to show our appreciation but he points to a bigger currency note in my colleague's hand. This incident shows the hunger of the people for money, survival and a better life.
During our flight, there was no passenger at the business class area and it is incredible to see those passengers in the economy class going to occupy the business class seats. Such act is not allowed in an international airline. This is Bangladesh whereby rules and regulations are persistently tested and challenged by the local people as if the whole country is like a big family.
Having related all these negative incidents, Bangladesh is definitely growing by leap and bounce as investors keep searching for low cost producing countries to maximize their profits or for survival. The emergence of a strong pool of middle class intellectuals augur well for the country.
Like my local friends said with pride to me :" You will cry twice when you are in Bangladesh. Once is when you come to their country and see the poor people who struggles for their daily survival and the other time is when you leave Bangladesh because you love it too much". Initially, I disagree with this remark and my interpretation was : " yes, I will cry in seeing the poverty in the country and I will cry again when I leave the country because I am so happy to get out and back to civilization". However, this perception is changing as I could see that involving in the change in the country in whatever small or big way is meaningful and self fulfilling,
My humble wish for the best to this country.
Namaste.
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