This is a translation version of the original video documentary which was than transcribed and translated from Bengali to English. A book with the title of History of Bangladeshis in Greater Manchester has been published and it will be distributed to the libraries, schools and universities. The interview took place on 16 January 2008, so information about his personal family information may have been changed.
8.30 Alhaj Ayubur Raja Chowdhury
8.30.1 Life in Bangladesh: Alhaj Ayubur Raja Chowdhury was born in 1938, in the village of Asharkandi in the area of Jagannathpur, Sunamgonj. His father’s name is Alhaj Abdur Rob Chowdhury. His father was the local school teacher then he went to India in Jomshed pur and found another job in the “Tata Cable Company”. After that he worked for the “Sunshine Cable Company” in Chittagong, Bangladesh. After that he used to work as a Primary School Teacher in his local area. At that time, his father was S.S.C passed.
Most of the people used to walk by foot during that time, as there was no proper road for transport. Most of the people were poor at that time. In the past, people used to wear a piece’s of cloth to cover their body. The women used to wear simple cloths. The young people never used to look at girls. At that time, boys were very shy. In the past, when young men reached the age of 40 years old, then their parents used to talk about their marriage. At that time they did not have any choice compared to this time. They were very shy.
In the past, the village people were very innocent and simple. Things were very cheap that time. For 1 taka they used to buy quite a lot of things which is impossible for this time. Teachers used to get 10 taka per month. That was enough wages for teacher to maintain their family. They never used to buy fish and vegetables from the shops because most of the people used to grow their own vegetables in their village home. Also they used to catch fish from the rivers, ponds etc. At that time Paddy fields prices were 20-25 taka, it was very cheap.
The people who were rich at that time used to have the nicest houses and plenty of land. They were also known as “Jomidar (Big Landlord)”. The poor people used to work for them. There were some people, who did not like them but on his own opinion he did not see anything wrong with holding plenty of land.
He studied at “Asharkandi Jakir Mohammad Moddobongo Primary School”. After that he went to “Digol Bhag High School” in Nabigonj. He studied up to class eight. The school was too far from his village. Then he went to Bishwanath and he started his education from class nine at “Ram Shundor High School”. He did not like to study in that school, he went to “Rosomoy High School” in Sylhet instead. He used to stay in a rented house with other students. Then he went to “Mongolchondi Nishikanth High School” in Balagonj.
At that time, “Mongolchondi Nishikanth High School” was very good for education. He passed his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) from this school in 1960. He passed his SSC after few years because of changing schools. He used to stay in a rented house. After that he went to “Modan Mohon College” in Sylhet.
He has 4 brothers, amongst them he is second. He did not have any sisters. He enjoyed his education during childhood. During his college education he did not come to Britain. After that he came to Britain by Voucher. His father and his brother came to UK one month before prior to his arrival. His father and brother also used vouchers.
8.30.2 Journey to the UK & Immigration:
During his study he used to work in a Travel Agent. One of his relatives used to live in Britain and he arranged everything for him to come to Britain for Study. He was very happy to come to Britain. Then he went to Dhaka to get his Passport and Visa. He told his Teacher about coming to Britain. He gave his Passport to his Teacher to see. His Teacher told him that you don’t need to go to UK and he took his Passport. Also he said if you still want to go to UK then I will give you the Passport.
After that his friend wanted to know about his Passport. Then he said “the Passport is in my Teachers house”. His friend told him to check if the Visa expires date has gone, if so then he couldn’t go to UK. Then he checked his Passport and the Visa was expired. That time he did not come to the U.K.
On October 1963, he came to Britain. Including his ticket the total cost was 1,600 Rupees. He flew from Dhaka and arrived at London Heathrow. Although his father and his brother were living in Britain at that time he could not go to Airport. His relatives came to Heathrow airport to receive him. Then he came to St. Albans in London where his father used to live. It was too cold in Britain. He has seen that it snowed for nine months.
8.30.3 Life in the UK:
At that time there was not many Mosques in Britain compared to this time. They used to pray at home, there was not many Telephones or Televisions at home; they did not have radiators at home either. They used to have Coals to warm the house, they did not have duvet, they used to have blanket instead. They used to have 5-6 blankets at bed time because of the cold. For Halal food they used to get Chicken from the shop and slaughter it. Also they used to get fish, rice, and vegetables from the shop.
8.30.4 Employment:
After 3 months he came to Manchester. He did not find any job in St. Albans, and then he found a job in Manchester. Mr. Hussain from his village helped him to find a job in a Waiving Mill. Mr. Hussain used to work in that mill. Ladies used to work in the day shift. He did not want to work with the Ladies because he thinks as a Muslim he was not allowed to work with ladies. So he used to work in night shift. 8 hours shift. Not many people used to work in night shift. The Manager and other English people never worked in night shift. One person used to be in charge. They used to get 30 minutes break.
Bangladeshi, Pakistani and other country people used to work in that mill. “Futher Gillen and Harvey” was name of the mill. They used to do cotton and fabrics work. They used to get rice and curry from home for their lunch. They didn’t get food from the shops because they didn’t know which one was Halal or Haram.
There was Health and safety procedure in the mill. There wasn’t any dust in that mill. First he used to get £7.00 per week. Since he came to Britain he has been working in that mill. His highest wages were £150.00 per week. They used to provide their own food and accommodation. They used to get chicken from the shop or go to the farm and slaughter them by themselves for Halal food. That time there was not Bangladeshi fish or vegetables at the shop. There was fish at the shop from other countries that they used to have.
8.30.5 Housing:
He bought a free hold 3 bedrooms house for £200.00. He used to stay in that house and other people used to stay in that house. They used to pay rent 50 Pence per person. He used to wash their bed covers and also the landlord had to provide blankets for them. He used to share with them but they used to cook. Who ever used to cook and clean the house for him didn’t have to pay rent.
2.30.6 Social & Family:
In 1965 he became secretary of “Pakistan Welfare Association” and started to do community work. He was involved with other things and he used to help people.
He is married and in 1982 his wife came to Britain. He has got 3 sons and 2 daughters. His eldest son has studied B.S.C from Manchester University. He is working in the Rochdale Council. His second son is studying at college and his 2 daughters are studying at the University in the final year.
8.30.7 Independence of Bangladesh
Before the War Pakistani people used to like Bangladeshi people. When the War had begun between West and East Pakistan then they used to hate the Bangladeshi people. During the War in Bangladesh they used to do meetings and etc in Britain. He was involved with the meetings. He used to collect money from the Bangladeshi people and sent it to people in Bangladesh. In 1971 he went to Bangladesh to see the Victory.
8.30.8 Conclusion
He is very proud that his children are educated; also he said it may not be possible if they were in Bangladesh. He is retired at the moment and he is enjoying his time with his friends and family.