Bangladesh is a part of Sydney

In this era of globalization, the country is no longer confined to any specific territory. Rather, it has spread worldwide. It is said that the entire 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 called Ekkhan Dhaka. Rows of Bangladeshi shops at the railway parade of Lakemba station. Bangladeshis flock here on weekends to change the taste of food or hang out with friends.

In addition, many Bangladeshis live in Rockdale. There are also many Bangladeshi shops and restaurants next to Rockdale station. But today, a large proportion of Bangladeshis live in the suburb of Minto, south-west of Sydney. More precisely in the Campbelltown area. Minto is one of several suburbs under Campbelltown 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 the passage of time when stability comes in life, then everyone buys a house and starts living there permanently.

In that direction, Minto is now the most preferred place for Bangladeshis. That's why house prices in Minto are higher than any other suburb in the same group. 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 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 Red Fern Road next to Minto Station. All the products of Bangladesh are available in those shops. The only difference is, the thing stays frozen. Let's make a list. Everything from frozen vegetables to fish and meat is available. Bangladeshi kachur lati, flower stalks of Shapla, red vegetables, and even frozen palm juice are available. And among the fish, there are all kinds of fish, the names of which may not even be known by many urban residents of Bangladesh. Hilsa, Rui, Mrigel, Katal, Chital, Kai, Taki, Ayur, Punti, Sarpunti, Darkina, Shing, Magur—what's not there! Frozen meats include pigeon, quail, hard chicken, duck—almost all of them. 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. Apart from this, there is a collection of Bangladeshi chips and biscuits. And everything Henschel needs is there. All types of rice, pulses, masalas and even silpata are available. Also available are lawn brooms, flower brooms. But what is most useful for Bangladeshis, that vessel is also available here. I remember the first time we started working in the garden with a watering can. Later one day I got a container in a Bangladeshi shop and survived. Apart from this, there is another Bangladeshi store next to Minto Shopping Mall.

There are several Bangladeshi restaurants in Minto. There is also a cafe. Apart from this, there are other restaurants of Bangladeshi ownership. Bangladeshi restaurants offer mouth-watering Bangladeshi food. Almost all types of pitha of Bangladesh are also available in these restaurants. Apart from this, there are different packages for different festivals. Lately breakfast buffet has become popular among everyone. Afternoon or evening light snacks or coffee are available at the cafes. There are tea-coffee available along with fuchka, chatapti, jhalmuri.

Almost every Bangladeshi has a vegetable garden at home. Apart from this, all the fresh vegetables of Bangladesh are also cultivated on a commercial basis in Leppington. Ramins Farm 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. Ramins Farm also supplies their surplus vegetables to Bangladeshi stores. There are different kinds of gourds, jinge, chichinga, dhundul, beans, dharan, kachushak, kachu, kachur lati, cucumber, kheera, puishak, red shallot, Baithar shak, cilantro, Uchcha, tomato, pepper, different kinds of brinjal, sweet pumpkin, rice pumpkin, Grafted greens, sweet pumpkin flowers, stalked greens and even bungies 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 language community language school in Minto. Since its establishment in 2001, it has been continuing its activities till date. There, on Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm, the second generation of expatriate Bangladeshis took lessons in Bengali language and culture. 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. Apart from this, the annual pitha festival has become a meeting place for Bengali traditions. And the annual banquet should bring back the tradition of sparrow hawking in Bangladesh. Campbelltown Bangla School is run under Education Department of Govt. Australia, a multicultural country, officially encourages and sponsors these activities.

Apart from this, Minto has the largest organization of Bangladeshi expatriate Muslims, 'Australian Muslim Welfare Center Inc'. The office of this company is at Eagle View Road, Minto. Besides Waqtiya Namaz, Jumma Namaz and Tarabi Namaz are taught there. Apart from this, if someone dies in the area, his funeral is also performed. 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 participate in the Eid congregation. Separate rooms are available for women. There are different kinds of food as shirni after prayer. Eid prayers here do not feel like we are in Australia. It seems that we are offering Eid prayers in an Eidgah in Bangladesh. After the prayer, when everyone, young and old, joins together, then an emotional and joyful atmosphere is created. Apart from this, they organize various events.

In that area, all the rituals and ceremonies of traditional religions are organized throughout the year. Autumn Durga Puja, the biggest festival of Bengali traditionalists, is organized in accordance with the calendar of Bangladesh. Apart from this, Saraswati Puja and Kali Puja are also organized. Saraswati Puja is celebrated here and children are given chalk. Several organizations celebrate these festivals. During Durga Puja, idols are seen moving from one pavilion to another just like Bangladesh. And there all Bangladeshi expatriates regardless of caste and religion participated in the local people. It has now become a habit to eat Puja Prasad together. Apart from this there are two temples in Minto. Various types of pujas are held there throughout the year.

Here Bengali language books are available in local libraries along with books in other languages. Anyone can borrow and read. The fact that Bengali language books are available in Australian libraries is undoubtedly a matter of great pride for Bengali speakers. Apart from this, International Mother Language Day is celebrated every year with due dignity at the initiative of Campbelltown City Council. On that day, along with the Australian flag, the red-green flag of Bangladesh flew in the air. Bangladeshis have already taken place among the councilors of Campbelltown City Council. There was only one Bangladeshi councilor for so long. Last year two Bangladeshis were elected on their own merit. I believe that this number will increase in the future.

According to 2021 data from 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 among the neighbors, many Bangladeshis are found. It has created a non-sectarian and mutually sympathetic environment in Bangladesh. Neighbors can be seen at various festivals. Sometimes even if something good is cooked, it is distributed among the neighbors. Vegetables from his garden go to his house. He comes to Karari's house again. Pictures of the nature of Bangladesh are gathering on the walls of Erica Lane next to the station. 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, teams play football in the playground. Many times the Damal boys of Bangladesh come down to play football in groups in the rain.

In addition, at the end of the day or on weekends, Bangladeshis gather in various restaurants or cafes and chat until late at night. Where the main issue is the condition of Bangladesh. All expatriates more or less think of Bangladesh. Because, everyone's roots are grown in Bangladesh. Apart from this, we watch Bengali movies in groups. A big market for Bangladeshi films now is the diaspora of different countries. The Bangladeshi residents of the region are not behind in that regard either. Many shows of Bangladeshi multiple films have been organized with large audiences. 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 ever-familiar tune is ringing in the corner of everyone's mind - 'Amar Sonar Bangla I love you'.

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