The new & exciting network for dynamic, talented and enterprising British Bengalis. BritBangla aims to raise the profile of BritBengalis and celebrate the achievements made by British Bengalis.

Patron: The Baroness Uddin

BritBangla’s continual aim is to raise the BritBengali profile, highlight up and coming and inspirational BritBengalis. Profiles of some the well known successful British Bengali achievement stories are now on the website at success stories. It includes the successful business entrepreneurs Shelim Hussain (Eurofoods), Iqbah Wahhab (Cinnamon Club), Tommy Miah (celebrity chef), and Enam Ali (publisher of Spice Business magazine).

There are lots happening for the BritBangla members who are in the arts and films including those who have recently set up successful businesses.

News on our members:
Filmmaker Dishad Husain's film Holly bolly is on the BBC website so click on it to watch it! (www.bbc.co.uk)
The talented artist/filmmaker Sanchita Islam has just published her third book “Hidden" previous book titles "Old Meets Young" and "From Briarwood to Barisal to Brick Lane". Sanchita is a artist who has screened/exhibited in London, Paris, New York, Franfurt, Kuala Lumpur and Bangladesh. (www.pigmentexplosion.com)
Ataur Rahman, publisher & editor, has just launched a new magazine “Urban Life” (www.ul-mag.com).
Yousuf Miah, Councillor and Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Burnley Conservatives, won a Community award for Northamptonshire.
Film 'Eastside' directed by Charlie Sen is been submitted to the Satyajit Ray's film festival. "Eastside" stars BritBangla members Yasmin Ara and performance by Zafreen.
Photographer Enamul Hoque is currently exhibiting his work at the Portfolio exhibition at the AOP Gallery, London from 8 February-3 March 2005. (www.the-aop.org)
Waris Islam’s five minute film 'Family Portrait' was screened at Cineworld cinemas across the country. Waris is a filmmaker/scriptwriter and has worked for the BBC radio drama “Silver Street”. He recently completed a feature screenplay with the First Film Foundation with the film ‘Short’. (www.senef.net/senef)
Monshur Alam had a film premier at the Genesis cinema and his film 'Manirilo' has won Guy Ritchi film awards. (www.alambrothers.co.uk)
Zafreen Rahman currently performing in the play ‘Precious Bazaar’ which is now called ‘PESHA’ ! You can see the play in 16-19 June 2005 at Waterman's Arts Centre, Brentford.
Young entrepreneur Nurul Islam has just launched his business "Halal Direct” a new concept in delivering halal groceries direct to households door. (www.halaldirect.co.uk)
Naz Choudhury won 2 awards for his business ‘Real Burger World’, one for 'Marketing or Advertising Strategy' and one for 'Winner of Winners' – which is quite an achievement as more than 400 businesses from the Wandsworth borough were entered. For BB members 25% discount to RBW Click here.

Asian Women Awards 2005:
Nominations are being sought for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2005, which highlights the achievement of women of different influences, cultures and perspectives, but who share common roots, a long tradition of self-reliance and sense of social responsibility. In addition to the role of headline sponsor, Lloyds TSB will be sponsoring the Lloyds TSB AWA Award – a special prize presented by the chairman to one outstanding woman of achievement. Nomination forms, which need to be submitted by the closing date of Friday 4th March 2005, are available at www.awaawards.com or by calling 020 828 0999.

Orphanage in Bangladesh receives donation:
BritBangla co-founder Taryn visited Bangladesh recently in January 2005 and arranged for an all girls orphanage in Raynagor, Sylhet District, Bangladesh to receive the funds raised from Preem charity lunch. Focusing mainly on education the £2000 was well spent on two teachers for Maths and English for 2 years, 50 mattresses for the children and a computer - that small amount has gone a long way.

BritBangla trip to Bangladesh & Malaysia November 2005:
For the first time members have a chance to go on a tour to Bangladesh that includes a break in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpar. A fun way as a group to enjoy the beautiful and historic sights. Bangladesh has so much to offer including the great shopping! If you always wanted to visit Bangladesh or not had the chance to go then check out this holdiay package! For full details click here.

Virtual Networking - BritBangla Forum:
Have you joined the Forum yet? If not, why not? REGISTER online at www.britbangla.net/forum
Networking is a crucial part for BritBangla professionals and young business people but if you don't have the time to get out and about to attend BB events then "Virtual Networking" is the next best thing!
The BritBangla Forum is here create a virtual interactive community, use the BB forum to share ideas, ask advice, look for jobs and meet new professional contacts. If you have a job vacancy then share them with other members by placing it on the Forum.

Bangladesh Emergency Flood Appeal:
BritBangla took part in the Bangladesh Emergency Flood Appeal (BEFA) Working Group meeting chaired by The Baroness Uddin. A total of £60K was raised. The Baroness Uddin visited Bangladesh in December 2004 to oversea the donations have been used to set up shelters in various locations in Bangladesh. Click to read the final Summary Report for this fundraising appeal.

BritBangla Members get involved!!
BritBangla is setting up a Members Committee so looking for interested members who have time to dedicate and have lots of enthusiasm or alternatively want to get involved in any aspect of BritBangla's work (social, community, charity events, on-line magazine etc) and gain some new skills and new contacts/colleagues? If so then get in touch!

BB Update
>>Year 2004 was an active and fruitful year for BritBangla. It offered its members opportunity to attend Career Networking forum, supported and fundraised for good charity causes, and organised social events.
>>BritBangla Winter Ball was a great success! Look out for media coverage in ASIANA magazine.
>>Last year BritBangla and its members supported and fundraised for various charities that include International Sightsavers and Bangladesh Emergency Flood Appeal.
>>It's now a year since BritBangla started sponsoring 6-year- old Arifa from Jaganathpur village, Bangladesh. Arifa has drawn a Bangladeshi flag for the members. Donation from members are welcome for her continual support for the next 10 years. For communication letters and updates on her village programme click here.

Forthcoming Events:
Check BritBangla Events page for upcoming networking events.

If you wish to contact the BB Team Taryn/Shirin/Rumiya/Syed then mail at britbangla@britbangla.net

Previous BritBangla Updates:
BB UPDATE 3>> Click to read
BB UPDATE 2>> Click to read