Bangladesh is a part of Sydney

In the era of globalization, the country is no longer confined to any specific territory. Rather, it has spread worldwide. It is said that the whole world is now a 'global village'. And from that early time, people have been traveling from one place to another in the world in search of life and livelihood. This is how their settlement was created outside the country. A country outside the country has been created.

Many Bangladeshis also live in Australia. Especially the number of Bangladeshis living in Sydney is quite large now. Along with that population, many facilities like Bangladesh have been created here. Lakemba in Sydney is said to be a piece of Dhaka. Rows of Bangladeshi shops at the railway parade of Lakemba station. Bangladeshis flock here on weekends to exchange food or hang out with friends.

Also many Bangladeshis live in Rockdale. There are also many Bangladeshi shops and restaurants next to Rockdale station. But now a large part of Bangladeshis live in the suburb of Minto, south west of Sydney. More precisely in Campbelltown area. Minto is one of several suburbs under Cabelltown City Council.

The thing is that everyone who comes from the country initially lives in the Lakemba or Rockdale area. Because these two areas are close to Sydney city. Again work is easily available in these two places. So people live in these areas during the transition period of migration. Then with time when stability comes in life, everyone buys a house and starts living there permanently.

In that direction, Minto is now the most preferred place for Bangladeshis. That's why Minto's house prices are higher than any other suburb in the same category. It has almost all the facilities that Bangladeshis need. Bangla books are available from absolutely Bangladeshi shops to local libraries. It seems that Minto is now like a little Bangladesh in the heart of Sydney.

First let's look at the Bangladeshi shops. There are several Bangladeshi shops on Minto Road and Redfern Road next to Minto Station. All products of Bangladesh are available in those shops. The only difference is frozen. Let's make a list. Everything from frozen vegetables to fish is available. Bangladesh Kachur Lati, Shapla Flower Data, Dherash, Lalshak and even frozen palm juice are available.

And among the fish, there are all kinds of fishes whose names may not even be known by many urban residents of Bangladesh. Hilsa, Rui, Mrigel, Katal, Chital, Kai, Taki, Ayur, Puti, Swarpunti, Darakina, Shin, Magur are not there. Pigeon, quail, hard chicken, duck are almost all available in frozen meat. Since beef, khasi and mutton are directly available here, they are no longer imported.

Besides, everything from Bangladeshi kulfi malai to dab pani, tokmar sherbet is available. There is also a selection of Bangladeshi chips and biscuits. And everything that Henselghar needs is there. All types of rice, dal, spices and even sheel-pata are available. Along with Shala broom, flower brooms are also available.

But the vessel which is most useful for Bangladeshis is also available here. I remember the first time we started working in the garden with a watering can. Later one day, I was shocked to find a container in a Bangladeshi shop. Also there is another Bangladeshi shop next to Minto shopping mall.

There are several Bangladeshi restaurants in Minto. There is also a cafe. There are also Bangladeshi-owned restaurants of other tastes. Bangladeshi restaurants offer mouth-watering Bangladeshi food. Almost all kinds of pithas of Bangladesh are also available in these restaurants.

Also there are different packages for different festivals. Lately breakfast buffet has become popular among everyone. Afternoon or evening light snacks or coffee are available in cafes. There are fuchka, chatapti, jhalmuri along with tea and coffee.

Almost every Bangladeshi has a vegetable garden in their home. Apart from this, all the fresh vegetables of Bangladesh are also cultivated on a commercial basis in Leppington. Ramins Farms in Leppington has been meeting the demand for Bangladeshi vegetables since 2016. Besides, many Australians, tribals, Indians, Nepalese and Fijians also come here hoping for fresh vegetables.

Ramin's Farms also supply their vegetables to Bangladeshi stores. There are different kinds of gourds, shrimps, chichinga, dhundal, beans, dherash, kachushak, kachu, kachur lati, cucumber, kheera, puishak, red shallot, baitha shak, cilantro, Uchche, tomato, pepper, different kinds of brinjal, sweet, pumpkin, Fresh and extra rice pumpkins, kalmi greens, sweet pumpkin flowers, data greens and even bangi or kakar are available. Everyone flocks here with their families on weekends. In addition to the demand for vegetables, you can also find a touch of greenery left in the country here.

There is a 20-year-old Bengali community language school in Minto. Since its establishment in 2001, it has been continuing its activities till date. There, the second generation of expatriate Bangladeshis take lessons in Bengali language and culture on weekend Sundays from 10 am to 1 pm. Bangla School celebrates almost all the national days of Bangladesh every year with due solemnity.

Amar Ekushe or International Mother Language Day, Bangladesh Independence Day, Bangladesh Victory Day are all celebrated there. Also the annual pitha festival becomes a meeting place of Bengali heritage. And the annual banquet brings back the tradition of sparrow-watching in Bangladesh. Cambatown Bangla School is run under Education Department of Govt. Australia, a multicultural country, officially encourages and sponsors these activities.

Minto also houses the largest organization of expatriate Bangladeshi Muslims, the Australian Muslim Welfare Center Inc. The company has its office at Eagle View Road, Minto. Besides Waqtiya Namaz, Jumma Namaz and Tarabi Namaz are taught there. Also, if someone dies in the area, funeral prayers are offered.

Two Eid congregations are also held here. Sometimes two or more congregations are held if space is not available in one congregation. Men and women of all ages participated in the Eid congregation. Separate rooms are available for women. At the end of the prayer, there are different kinds of food as Sinni. Eid prayers here do not feel like we are in Australia. It seems that we are performing Eid prayers in an Eidgah in Bangladesh.

After the prayer, when everyone, young and old, gathers together, an emotional and joyful atmosphere is created. They also organize various events. All rituals of Hindus are also organized in the area throughout the year. Shardia Durga Puja, the biggest festival of Sanatan religions, is organized in accordance with the calendar of Bangladesh.

Swarsati Puja and Kali Puja are also organized. There is also a way to celebrate Swarsati Puja and give handwritten notes to children. Several organizations celebrate these festivals. During Sharadiya Durga Puja, idols are seen moving from one mandap to another mandap just like in Bangladesh. And all Bangladeshi expatriates, regardless of caste and religion, participated there.

It has now become a habit to eat Puja Prasad together. There are also two temples in Minto. Various types of worship are held there throughout the year. Bengali language books are available here in local libraries along with books in other languages. Anyone can borrow and read. The availability of Bengali language books in Australian libraries is undoubtedly a matter of great pride for Bengali speakers.

International Mother Language Day is also celebrated every year with due dignity at the initiative of Campbelltown City Council. On that day, alongside the Australian flag, the red and green flag of Bangladesh flew in the air. Meanwhile, the councilors of Campbelltown City Council have been replaced by Bangladeshis. So far there was only one Bangladeshi councillor. Last year two Bangladeshis were elected on their own merit. I believe this number will increase in the future.

According to the 2021 data of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, people of Bangladeshi origin live in Minto after Australians. Therefore, if you go out for a walk in the afternoon or go to the park, you can easily find Bangladeshis around. And there are many Bangladeshis among the neighbors. This has created a non-sectarian and mutually sympathetic environment in Bangladesh.

Neighbors can be seen at dawa on various festivals. Sometimes even if something good is cooked, it is distributed among the neighbors. Its vegetables go to his house. Once again he comes to his home curry house. On the wall of Erica Lane next to the station, the picture of the nature of Bangladesh is getting meeting. And the other side is adorned with the image of Australian nature. And the entire sidewalk is painted like Bangladesh. At the end of the day, the team plays football in the playground. Many times the Damal boys of Bangladesh come down to play football in the rain.

Also, at the end of the day or on the weekend, Bangladeshis gather in various restaurants or cafes and chat until late at night. Where the main issue is the socio-economic and political situation of Bangladesh. All expatriates thought more or less about them. Because everyone's roots are in Bangladesh. Also watch Bengali movies in groups. Expatriates from different countries are now a big market for Bangladeshi movies.

The Bangladeshi residents of the region also retreated in that direction. Many shows of Bangladeshi multiple films have been organized with an excess of audience. In fact, just like a child's bond with a mother, Bangladeshis also have a bond with their country. This bond is never broken no matter where they are in the world. I can say with certainty that the ever-familiar tune rings in the corner of everyone's mind - 'Amar Sonar Bangla I love you'.

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