I wish everybody wthin the Bangladesh borders would be happy to call himself a Bengali. Do you really think that a Chakma will from his heart accept this? I don't think so. They have their own language, culture, and tradition quite distinct from ours. Then why should I be so chauvinistic? I am a citizen of Bangladesh and so he is. Both of us are Bangladeshi if we are not allergic to this desgination. But I am a Bengali and he is a Chakma. I don't see any conflict.
Ekushe February is a national event. It has a broader significance. It has been recognized and is every year celebrated by UNESCO. Chakmas should not have any problem in celebrating this along with the Bengalis. The spirit of Ekushey is to respect the mother language of every aspiring national entity however small it may be.
Similar argument applies to Gorkhas living in West bengal.
From: Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2011 9:44 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Re: The sprit of Bangalee nationalism?
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2011 9:44 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Re: The sprit of Bangalee nationalism?
I do not know if there is a perfect English translation for the Bengali word "Jati." As a Jati - we are Bangalee, irrespective of our religious affiliations, castes, and creeds. Bangalee-Jati is our secular cultural identity. The Bangalee-Jatiotabad consists of certain secular characteristics, such as, we celebrate Pahela-Boishakh, Bashata-Baran, Ekushe-February (February 21st), etc. etc. with cultural, and ritualistic activities. There are other festivities and practices, which used to be celebrated widely, irrespective of religious affiliations, but now mainly scattered fashion. They are Poush-Sangcranti, celebrated with varieties of Cakes (Pithas), Chaitra-Sangcranti, celebrated with cultural activities and fairs, Maghi-Purnima, etc. etc. Bangalee-Jatiotabad, being above and beyond our religious characteristics, is the glue that can unite the majority under a true secular platform. Closest English word for 'Jatiotabad' is Nationalism; I know it does not completely express the full meaning of the term Jatiotabad, as we mean. That's where the confusion comes from. Bangalee-Jatiotabad or Bengali-Nationalism is not a state entity. But, state has to allow free exercise of those secular rights and characteristics, and state has to nourish it to flourish. Non-Bangalees have their own secular Jatiotabad, and they should be allowed to exercise them freely also. If I have misconception, please let me know. I appreciate all your comments. Thanks. Jiten Roy --- On Sat, 9/24/11, subimal chakrabarty <subimal@yahoo.com> wrote:
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