Well, then we almost stand in the same group, I take my whiskey neat, lol
Try Gin and Lime Juice Cordial with
Angastura Bitters.
I wasn't asking for space for me per say, but space for my Bengali brothers and sisters. Besides the emotional feelings, I have had Bengali girlfriend, and very close Bengali friends. The closest among whom actually supports the Awami League. I do not see them nowadays, you know life moves on and you move along with it.
Bengali brothers and sisters?
You are using the wrong term again. I assume you are referring to our honored guests from the great nation of Bangladesh. Our honored guests have their space on a separate forum, right here ( BDF) which I would advise you to visit.
I have very close Bengali friends too, who are like brothers and sisters to me, except that they are all from West Bengal in India, and are secular Marxists. Glad to know you have a Bangladeshi girl friend., My spouse is from West Bengal too.
We have had a turbulent history, so animosity will take time to go away, but, once you scratch the surface, there is plenty of love and respect.
I was a bit disappointed. Considering how much Bangladeshis are proud of their language and culture I had assumed that my cursory familiarity with the Bengali language, and fondness for Bengali music, theater and movies would go down well with them. But I got the shock of my life.
And, maybe it could be the case you came across the ones who are negative, and I came across the ones who were willing to show me the positives, sometimes who we meet by virtue of chance can also effect how we feel about things.
All I can say is that my experience has been different. But maybe I was
too short sighted to see the difference between West Bengali and Bangladeshi culture.
I'm just saying, there is also positives, and from your experience I recognise there is also lot of negativity. But surely, we us a nation, can display a big heart.
Learning to speak a little Bengali, knowing and enjoying Bengali music, and culture... Well that's as big as my heart gets.. Now do suggest what else I must do...
Remember, recently when modi took action against Kashmiris, one of the largest demonstrations in the world was in Bangladesh, all I am asking is just don't close the door. They are a decent lot. I have my bad experiences also, but bro, they are good, and they honestly do care about us. Just taking this chance to share the positive side.
So I need to meet the ones who speak up ..,
Speak up for Kashmir; speak up when India bombed us; speak up when our women and children are shredded with shrapnel from shelling on the LOC ..,
Just as I respect the Bengali language and Bengali culture I would like some reciprocity towards my language and culture too. My West Bengali friends are very interested in my language Urdu and my culture. They don't give me sermons on the Ummah. They are secular Marxists.
how did Nationalism work out for Argentina, Japan, Germany, Drumph (somebody here said a hollow vessel makes the most noise...his real German name is Drum hehe) and his version of the US, and so many others.... ?
Nationalism worked very well for the winning side in the Civil War in Pakistan. The winners are still celebrating their nationalism right here on this forum, while advising "Ummah Brotherhood " for us.