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Both
of my parents were of Bengali origin and originally hailed from
the Khulna district. But after starting a family, which consisted
of myself and two older brothers, they settled in the capital Dhaka.
My
father worked as a businessman and my mother a doctor. As a young
girl, I studied at the Muniza Rahmen Girls High School where I completed
my O-Levels before progressing onto my A-levels.
I
eventually moved to England to join my husband as my children
missed their father. It was a difficult decision, but due to
the nature of my job, it became difficult to devote time to
my children as well as my career.
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| Sakina
Swarwar Choudhury |
It
was during this time that I realised my obvious passion for the
sciences. It was that passion that led me to complete my BSc degree
at Eden Girls College in Dhaka, reputed to be the best in the country,
and it was my thirst for knowledge that led me to study for a further
BEd degree at Dhaka University.
After
finishing that course, I chose a career as a teacher and began to
study for an MSc in Botany at Dhaka University before joining the
local college to teach botany as a lecturer.
At
this point television was a new medium and young people were being
recruited to join the television corporation. I was one of the lucky
ones to be chosen and based on the experience I had previously gained
working in radio, I was given a job as a programme producer.
On
the radio I had been the broadcaster for Voice of America. These
programmes were recorded in Dhaka and then sent to America to be
heard around the world. But in television, I became a successful
producer in what proved to be a competitive, challenging and exciting
environment in which to work.
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Sakina
Swarwar Choudhury as a young woman
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Shortly
after joining I remember travelling to Pakistan TV at Rawalpindi
for training. I came back to Dhaka and was promoted as senior programme
producer.
I strived
to create an educational programme aimed at children and this led
to a trip to Tokyo to collect the Japan Prize, which was given to
me for my contribution to educational programming. I was the first
woman to have received this award from Bangladesh Television.
A year
later, I collected another award for being the best producer of
children's educational programmes in the country. During my career
I also travelled to the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ in London to be trained in educational
television.
Understanding
Whilst
still working, I was married in Bangladesh in 1972 to my husband,
who is a doctor. Later that year he moved to England to train as
a surgeon. I then had a son in 1973 and in 1981 I had a daughter.
At
this point, still in Bangladesh, I continued working as a producer,
as well as looking after my children. I eventually moved to England
to join my husband as my children missed their father.
It
was a difficult decision, but due to the nature of my job, it became
difficult to devote time to my children as well as my career. However
I don't regret anything. I have seen both my son and daughter through
their education and both have followed the same career path as myself.
I
hope Our Untold Stories will be a means of remembrance for those
who identify with the stories within and a means of understanding
of their origins for those whom are part of our younger and
future generations.
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| Sakina
Swarwar Choudhury |
After
graduating, my son went on to become a broadcast journalist at the
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ and my daughter works within a post-production company in London.
Since
1990 I have been working as an ethnic minority achievement service
teacher at Widden Primary School. I have also formed the Bangladeshi
Women's Association, which has given me the chance to enjoy working
with the community.
I believe
that projects such as Our Untold Stories will further the understanding
and knowledge of the Bangladeshi culture within Gloucestershire.
I hope
Our Untold Stories will be a means of remembrance for those who
identify with the stories within and a means of understanding of
their origins for those whom are part of our younger and future
generations.
Most
importantly, it serves as a means of reference for anyone wishing
to understand a colourful and progressive culture.
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See 'The Bangladeshi Community'
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