
Special Correspondent: Dulal Miah
When
expatriates come together, the heartbeat of Bangladesh can be felt even in the
heart of Europe — where love for the motherland, patriotism, and dreams of
development merge into a unique emotion. Just such an evening was created in
Paris on 13 May.
When Alhaj
Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan, founder and chairman of Bhuiyan Global Foundation and a
member of Brahmanbaria District BNP, arrived in Paris on a short business trip,
the Brahmanbaria Community in France organized a grand reception program to
welcome him at an upscale restaurant in Paris. The gathering of expatriates
turned into an emotional celebration — filled with discussions about the
country, its people, and the future.
The program
was presided over by Rakibur Rahman Uzzal, a distinguished son of Brahmanbaria
and a prominent businessman. It was conducted by former student leader and
France Jubo Dal Vice President Kazi Abdur Reza Tuhin and businessman Kamrul
Islam.
Special
guests included former General Secretary of France BNP EM Taher, former Vice
President Mahbub Alam Ranga, former Joint General Secretary Junaid Ahmed,
former International Affairs Secretary of Jubo Dal Central Executive Committee
SM Milton Sarkar, senior France BNP leaders Kabir Ahmed, Arman Sohel, Jahangir
Alam Milan, Nazir Uddin Yashori, businessmen Mohammad Habib, Md. Kamrul Hasan,
and many others. France Jubo Dal Vice President Mirza Khaled, Jubo Dal leader
Saidur Rahman Nizam, Tanjirul Abas, former student leader Ashikur Rahman, and
numerous other leaders and activists from Brahmanbaria were also present.
Addressing
the expatriates, Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan said that expatriates do not only send
remittances — they are one of the main driving forces behind Bangladesh’s
economy, development, and democratic progress. He reiterated his commitment to
work together with expatriates for the development of Brahmanbaria.
However, his
speech was not limited to emotion alone — it contained specific demands and
proposals. He said that by utilizing the knowledge, skills, and networks of
experienced expatriates working abroad, the government can create much larger
employment opportunities. He demanded that every Bangladesh High Commission
abroad should function as a One Stop Service center to provide quick services
such as passport renewal and birth registration. He also called for expanding
government arrangements for bringing back the bodies of Bangladeshis who die
abroad.
His
strongest demand was the resumption of direct Paris–Dhaka flights. He said that
if this flight is restarted, expatriates will benefit, government revenue will
increase, and there will be better opportunities for the quick transportation
of perishable goods. At the same time, he warned that to put the country’s
fragile economy on a strong foundation, expatriate investment is now urgently
needed.
He further
stated that if the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare works in coordination with
experienced expatriates, it is possible to create employment for at least two
crore people in the next five years — which would increase remittance flows and
transform the population from a burden into a strength.
The special
guests, in their speeches, highly appreciated Alhaj Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan’s
humanitarian activities, visionary leadership, and sincere attitude toward
expatriates. They said that the unity and organizational strength of the
expatriate community is essential for the overall development of the country.
At the end
of the program, guests were honored with crests and souvenirs. The event,
filled with cordiality, unity, and joy, left a lasting impression on the minds
of the expatriates in Paris.