I am an Asian woman who works and lives in Rhos-on-Sea. It was initially my work that brought me here, then I fell in love with the scenic beauty of Wales and its artistic, musical, friendly people.

I moved to North Wales to follow a postgraduate course in gerontology at Bangor, then I undertook a part-time MA under the auspices of Marie Curie Cancer Care Centre in Liverpool and Keele University. From there I went on to gain a doctorate in medical ethics, studying part-time whilst working as a house manager for Abbeyfield.

All this was achieved against the disadvantages of being a woman from a different ethnicity, unfamiliar with academic English usage and holding down a full-time job.

After getting my doctorate I decided to go into business. Now with the active support of Wales Development Agency, Conwy Business Enterprise and Ethnic Business Support Programme, I am launching my Swanlake Project. This aims to educate medical professionals and the general public about meditation for well-being, and to raise awareness of living well and dying consciously.

I have experienced no racial abuse in my neighbourhood or workplace. On the contrary, I found people to be welcoming and encouraging throughout my time in Wales.

The Bengali community
Bengalis is the name given to the inhabitants of what was undivided Bengal before the independence of India from British Rule. Since the partition of India in 1948, Bengalis are inhabitants of both Hindu dominated West Bengal in India and of the state of Bangladesh, where the majority of people are Muslim.

As a result of these two greatly diverse religions, the day-to-day living of the two groups differs greatly as well. On the other hand, important common factors such as language, literature and music have bound them closely. Another common factor is that all Bengalis are passionately in love with fish curry (macher jhol) and rice (bhat).

Quite a significant number of Bengalis, both Hindus and Muslims, live in North Wales. They are engaged in a range of different professions, such as medical practitioners and other health care professionals, teachers, accountants, engineers and restaurateurs. Many are very successful and well respected in the community.

Dr BK Bhowmick has received an OBE for his dedicated service at Glan Clwyd Hospital. Mr Abdul Khan was elected a Plaid Cymru councillor for both Conwy County Council and the Bay of Colwyn Town Council. He is also chairman of the Chamber of Commerce.

Bengalis have managed to integrate themselves into the indigenous Welsh population quite well locally. Here is a wonderful tale of integration. Dr Abani Pal has lived in Wales for four decades. He married Rona, a Welsh lady. Their marriage was a civil one, but the bride wore Bengali bridal dress in the reception which was blessed by a Hindu priests (purohit).

Rona cooks curry and rice for her husband, reads translations of Bengali Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore and also takes part in puja (worship). Abani in turn attends a local church with his wife, eats Welsh food. Both have learned each other's language to some extent so that they can greet their friends and families in their own language. They have a son, a daughter and a few grandchildren. Their son and daughter bear Bengali names.

Another Bengali doctor's wife told me an opposite story. Their UK born daughters have a love for fish curry and rice, but are not keen on Bengali culture. They are British in heart and soul.

A majority of Bengali families live a dual life over here. At work and with their wider circle of friends they try to adapt to the culture of the host country, and at home with family and close friends they follow the tradition of their origin.

Most of the first and second generation Bengali households favour arranged marriages for their children and also enjoy celebrating their own religious rituals and festivals. There are a few mosques in North Wales for the Muslim group to worship, but what is missing is a Hindu temple. Very few can afford the time to go to North West England to attend one, so they remain contented with worshipping their deities at home.
Dr Sibani Roy

Try Sibani's fish curry.