People often label the youth who leave Bangladesh as selfish. We hear speeches about patriotism and how we owe our talents to our motherland. While the sentiment is beautiful, the reality on the ground paints a much harsher picture. Going abroad is rarely about abandoning our roots. It is about seeking a fair chance at life.
Let us be honest about what a fresh graduate faces today. You spend years studying hard, only to enter a job market that feels incredibly restrictive. Salaries are often too low to keep up with the rising cost of living in Dhaka. Office cultures can be rigid, and merit does not always guarantee a promotion. We are told to be patient, but patience does not pay the rent or take care of aging parents.
When a young person chooses to migrate, they are usually looking for systems that respect their time and effort. They want basic things like reliable healthcare, safe public transport, and a work environment that values skill over connections. Seeking a better standard of living is a fundamental human instinct. It does not make someone less Bangladeshi.
Furthermore, those who leave do not just disappear. They send back remittances that fuel our local economy. They bring back global perspectives, advanced skills, and international networks. Many eventually return to start businesses or fund local projects. Migration is not a one way street. It is a global exchange.
We all love our country. But patriotism should not mean accepting a lifetime of unnecessary struggle. Until we can offer our youth the infrastructure and opportunities they deserve, we cannot blame them for seeking those things elsewhere. We should focus on fixing the leaks in our system rather than shaming those who simply want a fair shot at success.
By Foysal Kabbo
