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"The last time I went to Bangladesh was in 1996 and the country had changed…so I was unsure about the changes I would be greeted with this time (Dec 2001). I love my motherland…I call this my motherland not because I was born there but because my ancestral background is part of my identity, which I am not willing to shed.

Bangladesh and the people are a proud nation, willing to fight for what is right; hell, we fought for a language and then for freedom of ruling one self."
Kazi Ruksana Begum

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My mothers' family have always been an inspiration to me. It all began back when…I was seven years old. I met my grandparents for the first time and they opened up a whole New World for me. I always thought of England as my home, never having thought about another country. I recall that day in the kitchen, mum tying up the back of my dress. Having just woken up not understanding what all the fuss was about noise, sounds and unfamiliar voices surrounded me.

There was a strong and exotic smell that overpowered the house. The smell was so distinctive I remember, as I slowly recall the line of suitcases that were filed up my corridor. Who were these foreigners that had invaded my home? A tall broad man introduced himself as my grandfather bearing me with gifts. I remember a dress that I was given andthinking jeez, I will have to grow into thatone.

I learnt of a country, which I had not yet experienced, a country known as my "homeland". I recall many conversations, which I had with my grandfather. I remember when I used to drink Coca-Cola (I think I used to drink it for breakfast, lunch and tea) my grandad with his old wisecracks would say"you need to taste real food, visit your homeland". That piece of advice was the first of many given to me by my grandfather. Its funny how some things can change but the people you love don't.
Family suitcases by Tahmina Sharmin

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"I speak English and Bengali fluently I speak a little Arabic and French and can read and write all in all four. I think of myself as a British Muslim more than a Bangladeshi because I have lived and have been brought up in England. I think of Bangladesh as my home country because my roots are from there, but feel more at home in England. Bangladesh is a big part of my lifestyle because it is my culture so most of who I am is based on Bangladeshi traditions; I also speak Bengali at home.

However England is more part of me than Bangladesh. Although sometimes I feel torn between the two and the different lifestyles contradict each other I have learnt to balance my life so I can have a bit of both. I do however realize that being able to speak so many different languages is a skill and I am determined to use it to the best of my advantage, without getting different languages confused."
Syeda Dilruba Jahan

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"Before I even knew Bangladesh existed, I felt that I belonged in Britain. Britain was my home for two reasons, firstly because I was born and brought up here and secondly because it is all I know and my friends and families are here. It was not until I left Britain and began to get to know Bangladesh that I realised there was a part of me that I never knew existed. When I left Bangladesh to return back to Britain I was trying to hold back tears of sadness.

I did not understand why because I never cried before when I left England. Now I know it was because of the people who I got to know and the family that I might never get to see again. People have an identity crisis because they don't know where they belong, but I now feel quite intact, as I still believed that I belonged in Britain. However, I can identify myself as partly being from Bangladesh. I feel very lucky that I have a second home to go to.

I will always remember Bangladesh as a beautiful hot country and one-day like my parents I will be proud to take my children there."
Ayasha Gan

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"I was very excited to come to the UK; it has a very good impression from Bangladeshi point of view. I was interested on getting on the plane, I have never seen one before and was looking forward to fly like a bird. Before I came, I thought it would be absolutely brilliant. Nice tall buildings and a different culture and community, I got on the plane and was very excited. There was very nice food on the plane."
Yousuf

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"I am a Moroccan and live in a Bangladeshi community. Living in Tower Hamlets is about respecting the community and getting along with everyone no matter what race they are. At first, living in Tower Hamlets was a real challenge for me because I didn't really know anyone and I didn't know much about the Bangladeshi community. Now I have overcome that because most of my friends are Bengali and I get along with a lot of Bengali people.

I have even learnt how to speak a little Bengali, which is very useful. Living in a Bangladeshi community has been really enjoyable. Tower Hamlets has formed into a place with many races, cultures and religions. It has also developed different styles. For example the fashion and the types of food are different. There are so many things you can do like you can go to the cinema and can also watch Bollywood films and you can go to a British music stores and get Bengali and Indian music."
Boshra

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"England is a very developed country. London is very polluted because of cars and factories. It is hard to find a clean area to relax in. It is usually very busy, especially in Whitechapel, the area where I live in. There are plenty of shopping areas and superstores; they sell good products, whereas in Bangladesh there are different types of goods but the quality is not as good as in London. At the end of the day Bangladesh is the best place for a holiday.

In Bangladesh you can relax, and have the ability to use your own language; you would also be able to do anything you would like to do without embarrassment for example, you can dress however you want it, as long as it is within your own religion dress code. In London, because of the culture we are not allowed to do certain things and dress in certain ways."
Eliza

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I didn't like it here because it was so different and it was my first time abroad. I was scared because people at home said people would treat us differently, but it has been alright because so many people are being friendly and nice to me. The houses are different, the rooms look much smaller in Bangladesh. The surrounding areas are nicer in Bangladesh because when you go out you see bright coloured flowers everywhere. London is similar to Dhaka - roads, cars, buildings but different to the villages.
Lothifa Begum (first time in UK, arrived September 2001; through a translator)

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"I have arrived from Bangladesh in March 2001 with my family.When I landed in London the first thing that got me was the extremely cold weather. The traffic was a hundred times better then Bangladesh. In Bangladesh it is quite chaotic where cars, rickshaws and people all on the same road, going at once. The buildings were better, it was quite a clean environment where everyone looked well off. The shopping centre was different, so was the schools.

What I disliked about coming was leaving my relatives and as well as my parents behind. My father is old and won't be able to cope with the weather. There are also some racist people around calling me names and stuff, but most of the people are friendly. Overall it has been a great move and a great experience for me."
Yousuf

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