An expatriate's thoughts

"Sorry to hear about the unrest in Dhaka. I just had a look at the DS Internet edition and the law and order situation in the country really seems totally out of control. These are really worrying signs. How can people live in a country that offers its citizen no security? I know that you like to take an optimistic view about how our country is improving, but is it really making any progress? Bangladesh has been going through the same cycle of corruption and political instability for the last 33 years. For Bangladesh to progress as a nation a lot of work needs to be done at the grassroots level. But it is impossible for people to work or even think clearly with the shadow of violence and insecurity hanging over their heads. Progress at the grassroots level can't be achieved without physical security and an end to the widespread corruption . To tell you honestly, I can't foresee a non-corrupt stable government in Bangladesh in our lifetime. Which leads me into my next question : where do I fit in, in relation to national identity and pride ? It's a concept I often struggle to come to terms with. As I told you on the phone I was granted Australian citizenship last month. But deep down it takes generations before people are at ease with their new identity in their naturalised country. I don't really feel a need to relate to the Australian identity even though it is unhealthy not to when I have chosen to live in the country. The Mayor of Sydney, who presented the citizenship certificates said in her speech that we should not have to give up our country of origin in accepting Australian citizenship and still be proud of our origins.