Bangladeshi Open Door Society board member passionate about helping newcomers transcend cultural divides

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Saskatchewan is home to many newcomers, and more are always on the way. It's no secret that being in a new place can be scary and intimidating, especially when the weather is very cold, you don't speak the language well yetand the culture is unfamiliar to you.

That's where Madhurja Ghosh of Saskatoon comes in.

He is a Bangladeshi immigrant and a member of the board of directors at the Saskatoon Open Door Society. Much of what Ghosh does stems from his fondness and commitment to his alma mater, the University of Saskatchewan a place that helped him build confidence and blossom as a leader.

He said he is passionate aboutconnecting newcomers with new friends andfaith-based communitiesand helping them prepare to enter the Canadian job market.

Ghosh'slist of achievements include participating in theUSask Connects mentorship program for young students and co-hosting the program The Voice of Saskatoon and Civically Speakingfor Rogers TV.

Ghosh is also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. He was nominated by a colleague at SGI Claims, where he works as an auto claims adjuster, for creating an exceptional workplace culture and for excellence in his job.

WATCH | Meet CBC Saskatchewan Future 40 2024 winner Madhurja Ghosh:

Future 40 2024 winner Madhurja Ghosh

5 months ago

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Meet CBC Saskatchewan Future 40 2024 winner Madhurja Ghosh

Ghosh describes himself as a friend to those who need one. As someone who went through the immigration process himself in 2013,he is primed to help guide others through new experiences so they feel supported and comfortable.

One recentchallenge was the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a time Ghosh felt newcomers needed support more than ever. Hefocused on aiding elders by dropping off essential items, and providingsolace to those who were in distress.

"We had prayer sessions on Zoom from our own homes like everyevening or something like that for a while," Ghosh said.

"I know it didn't give any material help to them, but the psychological support that they got, they later said that that was very, very amazing and they really appreciated the whole effort."

Ghosh said COVID-19served as a big reminderthat the small things peopledo like getting together, having dinners and going to movies andparks are very important.

The sense of isolation and loneliness for newcomers was not limited to when there were pandemic restrictions, but COVID-19 enhanced those feelings.

He recounted an occasion when a friend had COVID-19 and he drove to her apartment building, where she saw him and waved as he drove past.

"She later said that I was the only person that she saw that week because she was just too scared. And sometimes you just need that. You just need to see another human being saying 'Hi' to you."

Always learning

Ghosh said he advocates for newcomers' economic empowerment and helps to fosterbonds that transcend cultural divides, including with Indigenous communities. In fact, Ghosh said educating newcomers on the Indigenous peoples of this land is important to him.

I feel as human beings, you need to be open to learn about anything new.-Madhurja Ghosh, Open Door Society, Saskatoon

That's partly because he comes from acolonized part of the world.Bangladesh previously East Pakistanwas a part of a subcontinent that the British colonized for nearly 200 years.

"So I always had that sort of context on my mind how a person who is colonized and is oppressed by a big entity feels and suffers," Ghosh said.

When he arrived in Canada, he began learning in earnest about various Indigenous cultures in Saskatchewan. He went to lecture series and learned about different foods. He watched documentaries and learned about the residential school system.

"We need to have an open mind to first know what their discomfort is, whatthey're feeling, what their ancestors felt and what they're going through," Ghoshsaid, adding that a big part of the work is "unlearning" what you may already think you know about other cultures, and makingyourself an agent of change.

"I feel as human beings, you need to be open to learn about anything new."

Ghosh is very fond of a particular proverb that he feels is relevant to anyone, including newcomers, who want to work to see society and institutions change for the better.

"The proverbsays the world won't be a better place until people drop their expectations of having mangoes. You must plant the mangotrees without having the expectationthat it will bear fruit for you. Your next generation might get the fruit,but you just need to start the work."