Just a sincere thanks!

Dear friends,

As I pack and get ready to go on another venture to my homeland Nepal, I have mixed fillings in my mind: one way, I’ll miss my dear friends in Dhaka who’ve been awesome whereas on other I’m excited about the fact that I’ll make new friends in Kathmandu. However there are some things that I may not find anywhere else: the rows of rickshaw pullers, the nerve cracking traffic jams, the coaching classes, the misthi doi, the hilsha fishes, Chicken Biriyani (you know how much I gobble it in one sitting) and, above all, friendly Bangladeshis who welcomed us so warmly. I know I’ll get traffic jams and all other things in other places including my country too; however, the specialty this place holds is innumerable! It’s not just the place; it’s the people and the environment which helped a person like me to settle down with ease.

When I first arrived in Bangladesh on July 31, 2005, I had some unknown apprehension. In Nepal, most people have a different view of Bangladesh as being it a poor, disaster prone and moreover a troubled nation (this is due to ill projection of media of all developing countries). When my plane landed in Dhaka on July 31, the day I was born 11 years ago, we were worried whether our place will be like one of those slums that you see in pictures and news clips in the TV all the time. However, as I drove through the Uttara area, I was surprised – tall buildings, latest cars and excellent roads. ‘Is this Bangladesh?’ – This was my first thought and how wrong I was!

After settling down, I got into BIT and this is the place that changed my life forever. This is the place where I got to do all those things that most people only dream of. In the first few days, I had a bit of trouble with the language but as time gone by; I learned it and got acclimatized with the environment (which was extremely hot for a kid from high Himalaya!).Soon I made new friends and my first friend was Samin Yasar – the shy guy who loved talking about football and who analyzes a football game better than any other professional. He is a die hard Arsenal fan and so was I and that’s when we started wasting hours talking about football and Arsenal. All we talked about was football, football and football!

After my first year, which seemed quite long, remaining 3 years went so fast that I couldn’t realize that my stay in Dhaka has come to an end and I have to say farewell to all my dear friends!

I made more friends, not just from BIT, but from other schools like Green Herald, Aga Khan, Scholastica and Mastermind. Soon Bangladesh became fun and I started enjoying every bit of it. At first, I hated the coaching but soon it was fun! I actually longed to go to the classes and I enjoyed every bit of it. I made closer friends which includes Protim, Rieman, Magfur(who never really thought I was his friend!),Rian and many more. These people meant something to me and it’s not just me – also my parents! Yes, my parents know so much about these people and every time I bring them home (for momo, cricket and what not), I see a glimpse of happiness on faces of my parents.

I know, for most people who don’t know me, this note is really boring. So I want to say something that has a macro impact. I must thank a few groups or person from different walks of life in Dhaka for their contributions to my educational growth and extra-curricula activities:

The Debating Community of Dhaka – BDC – it’s a family where everyone is welcomed with open hands and a novice like me is embraced like a brother!People like Salman sir,Sohab bhai,Mabroor bhai,Tanvir bhai,Rishad bhai and Raihan bhai have been so helpful to me and have helped me in learning more about the art of debating.I’d also like to thank my partners Sudipta,Protim,Rieman,Saif and Mubarrat.Mubarrat ofcourse helped me a lot in the pre-worlds and got us into the Quarter finals even though no one really expected that from us.He’s an awesome debater and I wish him all the best for the Worlds!:D

International Schools in Dhaka – BIT, AKS, Scholastica, Mastermind, Greenherald, Sun Beams, NSD, Play Pen, AISD and ISD. These schools have done a great deal of work in educating Bangladeshis and taking them to a higher level from which students usually go to top universities abroad. I got opportunity to be associated with these wonderful schools in one way or another during my stay and learned a lot.

Ms. Lubna Chowdhary – I know she’ll never read this, but I’d really love to see her to. She has done something that very few people manage to do – turn ordinary teenagers like me into good human beings. Yes, she’s strict, she’s rude at times and she can get on your nerve at times. However, what she teaches is not taught in any other institution in the world. That is why I think she is a true educationist. And it’s not my opinion only; it’s the opinion of all most all BITians.

Teachers – Shazia miss,Ashraful sir, Ashraf sir, Salam Sir, Ashfaq sir, Akhtar Sir, Nauseen Miss, SKS,Forid Sir,Nigar miss,Mabuba miss,Mamuda miss,Shegufta miss,Feroza miss,Mizan sir,Anis Sir,Irshad sir and Shajeda miss. I know the list will go on like this if I start remembering all teachers. However these are some special teachers that I want to thank for everything that they’ve done in upbringing me last four years.

Seniors – Most seniors from BIT won’t recognize me, so I won’t start with the list. However I want to thank people like Reedwan bhai, Nabil, Faiza, Salman, Injamam bhai, Fahad, Anika and Marjuk.I have looked on to them for inspiration and will always respect them.

Juniors – Well, I guess most juniors know me. I won’t make a list here because almost all of them are close friends. However I would like to mention Sudipta and Saif who’ve been extremely helpful and helped me in many of my projects and achievements. I must also thank all other friends in grade 8 and 9.

Some other precious friends – here I want to thank some friends who aren’t my school mates, teachers or relatives. These are people that I came across during different events. This includes friends from Green Herald, 1 Degree Initiative, AKS (you know who that is!) and Scholastica.I can’t forget to thank other people like Faria and Saad who I’ve known for a short time,but who’ve done so much and helped me in every stage during my stay in Dhaka.

I’d also like to specially thank Sabhanaz Rashid Diya who is an inspiration for me in any field (except sports!).What she has done in her 21 year life is impossible for me to achieve in 50 years!

Finally, my stay in Dhaka was one of enjoyment, learning and gaining experience. I enjoyed every bit of it and its all because of you guys! I am going back with lots of memories that I will cherish forever wherever I go or live. I grew up into a teenager in Bangladesh and that is unforgettable. While welcoming you all for a visit to Nepal, I do not say good bye but say that I will see you soon!
(I’m not tagging anyone in this note because there are too many people to tag.)

THANK YOU VERY MUCH from the bottom of my heart!

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