The Story Behind the Amra Bangladesh Bands
by Quazi Zulquarnain Islam

On a blustery March day, two young Bangladeshis went out for tea with an Indian friend but returned instead with an idea that would change the course of their lives forever. Thousands of miles from Bangladesh, living in a different land, their patriotism and love for their country helped them fathom an idea that they were sure would change their country in a major way.

Four months and much trials and tribulations later, the two along with three other friends can now proudly proclaim themselves to be the proponents of the "Amra Bangladesh" bands- A noble cause to donate money to the flood and acid victims and the orphanages. By this time almost everyone knows what the Amra Bangladesh bands are and what they look like. But for the benefit of those who don't, it is a red and green band with the words Amra Bangladesh etched into it. And the credit for making all of this rest firmly on the youthful shoulders of Rafaan Seraj, Nicole Mendes, Shayaan Seraj, Navine Mendes and Salman Khan.

The idea was conceived in March but it took almost until early June to start selling the bands to the local market. It was on the 8th of June that Salman Khan managed to make the first sale- and they haven't looked back since. "We were very circumspect at first, not knowing how the public would receive them," says Nicole Mendes. However all her doubts disappeared almost in the first day when Salman managed to make nearly two hundred sales during lunch break at AISD school. At the moment Navine Mendes is in Canada where she has been highly successful in promoting the bands amongst the expatriates. To date almost 3000 have been sold.

"There was almost a time when we thought that the bands would never be made," recalls Rafaan. However, thankfully they managed to pull it off and with quite spectacular results. The quintet also recalls that they were lucky at least in terms of connections when launching the band. Athar Ali Khan and Ayub Bachu are only two amongst other illustrious names who helped provide a launching pad for the bands.

Giving to charity has almost become a publicity gimmick these days, but what makes the aforementioned five different is the way they are going about it and the effort that they are making to make sure that whatever they are donating reaches the intended people. They are not donating money but even going to the added 'trouble' of purchasing the things for the mentioned charities. For this they are using their judgment. "Some charities demand TT tables or basketball courts. At the moment these are out of our reach but we are making an effort to see that the basic necessities of food clothing shelter and medical supplies are taken care of first," relates Salman Khan and Shayaan Seraj.

The bands itself tell an alluring tale. The two colors of red and green represent the national colors of Bangladesh and the quote of "Amra Bangladesh" has a story of its own. " First and foremost it represents unity,' says Rafaan. Relates Nicole, "It tells us that all together, we are one- the people of Bangladesh. No matter what we do or who we are as members of this country we have a duty to help our nation. We should be there for each other all the time."

Malcom X once said "The future belongs to those who prepare for it today." The quintet above epitomizes the statement to almost perfect detail. They show that the power of youth once united can be a great thing. If there are more people like this we can rest assured that our country is in good hands.

(For more information on the Amra Bangladesh bands visit their website at www.project-bangladesh.com)