Diaspora wishes to contribute to state reform: Speakers at London NRB conference

News desk
shottobani

Londonঃ The World Conference Series 2024, titled “Branding Bangladesh,” was held on 26 August at a local hotel in East London, under the initiative of the Centre for NRB.

The Honorable Speaker of London Tower Hamlet Council, Councillor Saif Uddin Khaled of Bangladeshi origin, was present as the chief guest at the conference.

Md. Mahmud Hossain recited from the Holy Quran at the beginning of the conference, which was chaired by NRB Centre Chairperson MS Shekil Chowdhury and conducted by Wadud Ansari.

The expatriates expressed their views on giving the new interim government formed as a result of the student movement enough time to complete its overall activities and expressed their interest in participating in the reform of the new state. They urged the new government to take appropriate measures to help the expatriates in the country provide security of property and life. Elderly expatriate leaders present called upon the new government to ease the complexity of obtaining power of attorney and facilitate obtaining NID cards.

Expatriates strongly demanded that the newly formed interim government take strict legal action against financial sector looters and money launderers abroad.

Airline anarchy, on-line ticketing complications, formation of special expatriate tribunals for expatriates for speedy adjudication, restriction or a ban of Bangladeshi politics abroad, appointment of talented team of neutral diplomats in missions, special selection scheme for remittance senders, rule of law in all administrations, banning of dishonest people in political leadership. The expatriates demanded the new government take the necessary steps.

Expatriate leaders of various professions were present at the event and spoke on various topics including community leader Barrister Ataur Rahman, former mayor Sherwan Chowdhury, former mayor Soyful Alam, former mayor Parvez Ahmed, former speaker Ayas Miah, former speaker Sabina Akhtar, former speaker Ahbab Hossain, former deputy mayor Shaheed Ali, freedom fighter Mahmud Hasan MBE, community leaders Muhibur Rahman and Anwar Ahmad, accountant Rafiq Haider, teacher Abdul Wadud Mukul, Dr. Zaki Rizwana Anwar, philanthropist Salim Ahmad, journalist Rahmat Ali, Barrister Qutb Uddin Shikder, Professor Nuruzzaman, Italian expatriate Nurul Amin, young professional Farhad Ahmed, journalist and researcher Dr Ansar Ahmad Ullah, businessman Helal Rahman, journalist Shafiqul Islam, engineer Afzal Hossain, journalist Kamrul I Russell, French expatriate Haji Habib, journalist Rezaul Karim Mridha, principal Fakhr Uddin Chowdhury and Kazi Khaled.

In the event, the Branding Award 2024 was awarded to Abul Hossain, a London resident, for his special contribution to the Branding Bangladesh program in 2023.