As a Bangladeshi-American, my knowledge on the history of Bangladesh, her cultures, her religions, her people and her customs are vast and thorough. However, there is always more to learn. The ‘Eyes on Bangladesh’ Exhibit did exactly that: it furthered my knowledge on my own background.

For one, I had not known of the progress that photography has made in Bangladesh in the past few decades. From my experience and from my family, I have come to the understanding that photography really wasn’t seen as a big deal to most Bengali people. It’s an activity for the wealthy class to pursue if there is nothing else to do. But recently, photography has taken a new meaning. To many Bengali people of today, photography also means opportunity. Bangladesh has so many emotional images that one can capture on a constant basis, and the fact that more and more people want to capture these moments really show the new wave of realism and modernity that is hitting the shores of this cultural hotspot.

Furthermore, I was interested in what Professor De had to say about studying the mental health of Bengali citizens. Many Southern Asian people are victims of minor mental disorders such as depression. These disorders are effectively treatable with something as simple as counseling. Yet the depravation of mental health professionals in these regions of the world account for a giant wave of sadness. Treating these problems can uplift a nation, and it’s something I personally will be looking into.

Finally, the Exhibit has instilled much fear within me. According to the guide, Bangladesh will be under water within the next five decades. International efforts must begin NOW if significant disaster is to be avoided when that fateful day comes. I worry that my family will be in danger (and I have a lot of family all around Bangladesh), and so I must begin helping them and my homeland now. In this way and many other ways, this Exhibit has truly been eye-opening.