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.

8.36     Phul Bhanu Ali

8.36.1  Life in Bangladesh: Phul Bhanu Ali was born in Lokkipasha, Rakhalgonj Bangladesh. She got married to her sister husbands cousin, her brother-in-law arranged everything for her marriage.At the moment her village is in Bramman in Bangladesh.

 

8.36.2  Journey to the UK & Immigration: She came to Britain over 41 years ago; she came to Britain with her son to her husband. At first she did not like Britain, when she came to Britain she left 1 of her sons & 1 one of her daughters in Bangladesh.

Her husband & his brothers son came to Heathrow airport to collect her, then they went to Rochdale were her husband lived.

8.36.3  Employment: When she first came to Rochdale, her husband used to work in a factory. First he used to work in Dunlop Factory and then he started to work in another factory. Her husband was in the British Army fighting in Bangladesh. He worked there for 3 years in Bangladesh, during that time people used to fight a lot, for the safety policy; they used to hide themselves to protect them self from the opposite group. She did not have any child when her husband was in Army. After that he used to work in Bongshal Company in Fenchugonj, Sylhet.

The Company moved to Chittagong then her husband moved there as well. During the work in Chittagong, people who used to work in the Army; they would have the chance to go to Britain, he came to Britain at that time. When Mrs. Ali came to Britain; there were not many Bangladeshi people in Rochdale compared to this time. At that time she didn’t know any English but at the moment she understands a little bit English and she also said that time educated people used to help a lot.

When she first came to Britain her husband was working in a Dunlop factory. After that he used to work in another factory then he was a pensioner. Her husband manages to do Hajj but she didn’t because that time her daughter was studying.

8.36.4  Housing:

It was rented house, after 5-6 months she told her husband that she does not like it and she wants to go back to Bangladesh. They soon rented a different house.

During that time there were not many things compare to this time, there was no pan or Shupari, it is very common to our Bangladeshi people. At the moment everything is available. That time they used to get fish & vegetable from Manchester. At that time people used to get slaughtered chickens from the shop.

First she did not like Britain but at the moment she likes Britain because she’s been living there for over 41 years. She also said that she doesn’t want to go to Bangladesh, she wants to spend rest of her life in Britain because every where is blessed by Allah’s. She also said that time there was an illness called Cholera, a lot of people died from the illness, a lot of her relatives died from that illness.

8.36.5  Social & Family:

She had also wanted her son to get married to a Bangladeshi girl & she was really proud of him. Then she came back to Britain because of her youngest daughter was ill. At the moment her younger daughter is married, she happy with her husband & family; also she did study in Britain. Mrs. Ali has 4 grandsons & 1 granddaughter. Her son who came to Britain with her has 5 sons.

At the moment they are all married & living with their family. She loves her country very much. Her son’s daughter in Bangladesh and her son who is in Britain with his son, he got married with his cousins sister and now they have 1 daughter.

She allows her son to study in Britain now that he is established and has his own business. Her son-in-law is also involved with a business. Her children are educated and happy with their family and she is happy also. She also said that time there was not many Bangladeshi families in Britain. At the moment people are increasing everywhere.

At the moment she stays at home because of her stroke she’s been at home for 9 years and she cannot go outside even if she wants to. Even she doesn’t go to her daughter’s house but her daughter comes to see her.

When she needs to go to the doctor her son Mr. Faruk Ali takes her with a car. If he is busy then his wife takes her to the doctor with a taxi. At the moment she spends a lot of her time at home. Before the stroke she used to go to her daughters house mainly when her daughter was pregnant, also she used to go to relatives houses or she used to go to town for shopping.

During that time her daughter was born, and then her husband bought a house. That time the war had started in Bangladesh between Bangladesh & Pakistan, after the victory in Bangladesh she went to Bangladesh with her 2 year old daughter. Then her eldest son got married in Bangladesh, when she first came she had a Pakistani passport but when she went to Bangladesh back from Britain for the first time she had Bangladeshi passport.

After her son’s wedding; her husband came to Britain & she stayed with her younger daughter. After 1 year she came back to Britain because her younger daughter was ill, after 3 & half years she went back to Bangladesh with her son who was in Britain. Her son’s got married in Bangladesh and she gave thank to Allah.

8.36.6  Conclusion:

Rest of her life she wants to spend in Britain. Before she wanted to go to Bangladesh but now she does not want to go there because she thinks all the close family members in the UK. She also said from her father side no one’s alive. Her son and daughter wants her to go to Bangladesh but she don’t want to because of her health issue.

If she wants to go then someone have to look after her every time and in Bangladesh there are not good facilities for her. She really wanted to do Hajj but at the moment she cannot go because of her health issue. She want her life to be end in Britain because every places in the world is Allah’s. She is a religious person and she wants everybody to have a good and a happy life.