Why do we have two different and distinct identities --'Bengalee' and 'Bangladeshi'?

Why don't we have a common and single identity and nationality for our fourteen crore people?

By virtue of the names of their respective countries the people of Australia are known as Australians, the people of the USA as Americans, the people of China as Chinese, the people of Malaysia as Malaysians, the people of Russia as Russians, the people of Iran as Iranians, the people of Nepal as Nepalese and so on and so forth.

But what is wrong with us? Why is there exception and discrepancy in our case? why do we call ourselves Bengalees on one hand and Bangladeshi on the other hand?

It may be mentioned here that if a citizen of Bangladesh dies in Saudi Arabia while performing hajj, killed in road accident in America or Europe or arrested in Cyprus or Korea while entering there illegally he is rightfully identified as Bangladeshi and not as a Bengalee.

Further, when we watch or listen to a cricket match commentary in television or radio held in Zimbabwe, Australia, India, Pakistan or England our players are addressed and honoured as Bangladeshis and not Bengalees.

The people of India call themselves Indians. The nationality of a Bengali speaking inhabitant of West Bengal, a province of India is Indian and not Bengalee. The people of Pakistan call themselves Pakistanis. The nationality of a Punjabi speaking inhabitant of West Punjab, a province of Pakistan, is not Punjabi but Pakistani.

We would request our leaders and all concerned to arrive at a consensus without any hesitation, fear, favour or ill-will against anybody on a common identity and single nationality for the people of Bangladesh in the greater interest of our national integration, worldwide respect and recognition, love, affection and amity among our people and peace, progress and prosperity of our country.