“Tell me about Bangladesh”

Evelina Rioukhina, UNECE

One day at the beginning of the school year my daughter came from school with her classmates and said “Tell me about Bangladesh”. I was surprised by the question. The children then showed me the following letter they had received from children in Bangladesh:

“On ne peut pas bien étudier, on dort mal, on mange peu. Les routes sont coupées, alors on ne peut pas beaucoup bouger. Let petits arbres meurent, on a peur des insects et des serpents. On doit habiter chez quelqu’un d’autre parce que notre maison est inondée, beaucoup de choses sont abimées dans la maison. Les animaux eux aussi souffrent, les puits d’eau sont inondés et on ne peut pas boire l’eau.”

Nobody could remain indifferent and we decided to participate in the Marche d’espoir, which this year will be devoted to children from India and Bangladesh. Of course, we all know a lot about India, its beauty, its history and also about the difficulties and problems of this huge country. However, not so much is known about Bangladesh. A very poor choice of literature can be found in the bookshops, the country is not included in tourist guides, and for many Europeans this is an unknown, or undiscovered, country. Situated between India and Myanmar, in one of the most beautiful natural areas of Asia, it is a depository of cultural heritage and has a rich history of 2000 years standing, even if this history is marked by striking contradictions, political turbulence and much tragedy.

Looking into the eyes of the children I understood that what they wanted was not a geographical or historical briefing. This, the children can find themselves. I therefore told them about my impressions of Bangladesh, impressions at a time when I was as themselves, in my teens. Early in the 1970s concern for the country was stimulated not by political leaders, but by a rock-composer, George Harrison, of the well-known “Beatles” group who wrote a beautiful and emotional song and organised a concert with participation of world rock stars to help the people of Bangladesh who had newly gained their independence. This concert was not only an emotional event but also the biggest deliberate and self-conscious humanitarian action by rock stars in the 1970s. The concert turned out to be a powerful appeal to help the victims of war and famine in this country, and the song “Bangla Desh” overnight became a hymn to world sorrow and international concern:

My friend came to me, with sadness in his eyes
He told me that he wanted help
Before his country dies
Although I couldn’t feel the pain,

I knew I had to try
Now I’m asking all of you
To help us save some lives
Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh
Where so many people are dying fast
Such a great disaster

I don’t understand
Now won’t you lend your hand and understand
Now please don’t turn away,
I want to hear you say
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh

We’ve got to relieve Bangla Desh
But it sure looks like a mess
I’ve never known such distress
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh
Relieve Bangla Desh

Why was it that the country faced a tragedy in 1971? It was once a powerful kingdom called Vanga, or Banga, described in ancient records such as those of Pliny and Periphlus (in the 1^stcentury AD), drawn in Ptolemy’s maps and well known and famous in the West from earliest times for its wealth, affluence, prosperity, craftsmanship and cultural advancement. It was also a flourishing port, crossed by commercial roads between south Asia and the Far East.

The year 1971 can be considered as witnessing the birth of a new (and at the same time ancient) country. What is now called Bangladesh is part of the historic region of Bengal. Buddhists ruled for centuries, but by the 10^th century Bengal was primarily Hindu . In 1576, Bengal became part of the Mogul Empire, and the majority of East Bengalis were converted to Islam. Bengal was ruled by the British from 1757 until Britain withdrew in 1947. Pakistan was then founded by combining the two predominantly Muslim regions of the Indian subcontinent. West Pakistan and East Pakistan (the former East Bengal) were united by religion (Islam), but their peoples were separated by culture and 1,000 miles of Indian territory. Tension between East and West Pakistan increased, led to civil war and in March 1971 resulted in the independence of East Pakistan under the name Bangladesh. International solidarity helped the people of Bangladesh to overcome the aftermath of the bloody and devastating war as well as the famine of 1973-74. It also helped the country to face the turbulence of the political events on the hazardous road to democracy.

The unstable political and economic situation apart, the country is faced with unusual ecological phenomena. Its geo- graphical situation, climate and low elevation makes it vulnerable to frequent floods. The country occupies the apex of the arch formed by the Bay of Bengal into which many of the world’s mightiest rivers, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers, drain. Bangladesh has the largest riverine delta in the world and as a result is subject to severe flooding from monsoon rains, cyclones, and tidal waves that bring major crop damage and large loss of life. The cyclones of 1970 and 1991 and the monsoon floods of 1998 were particularly devastating. One of the heaviest floods occurred in 2002, con- sequences of which remain to this day.

Today, 5 October 2003, thousands of children and teen-agers came out to participate in the March of Hope, dedicated to Bangladesh as well as India. Neither sudden cold nor rain could stop their determination to participate. The march is devoted to many important current issues: children who are socially excluded, working children, children affected by environmental disasters, by lack of clean water and subject to water- related diseases (which has particular importance for India and Bangladesh, and which this year, the International Year of Water, has given renewed emphasis). The march in favour of these two countries taken together was all the more important in showing that not only such large and well-known countries as India, but also smaller and less known countries as Bangladesh, are of concern, We cannot stay indifferent to the problems faced by children in other countries, big or small, known or less known.

The march started by launching many thousands of multicoloured balloons, which lit up Geneva’s grey skies that day. The palette of colours symbolically demonstrated the international spirit of Geneva, the city which may be said to reflect the world in miniature. Walking among the participants of the march I had the impression that I was in the midst of a new, multi-cultural future generation. I asked some of the participants: “Why do you participate in this march?” Noémi (12 years, Switzerland): “I am happy to march for the children of India and Bangladesh and I believe that this will help to implement the assistance project; I intend to make 25 km today for them”; Lina (11 years, Alger): “I participate in this march because I know that our help is needed for the children of India and Bangladesh”; Alicia (12 years, Russia): “I know that children in India live in difficult conditions, I also know that Bangladesh has a very difficult history, and many children suffer there from natural disasters and poverty. I want to help the children of these countries”; Yamilé (10 years, Mexico): “I know that children in India live in difficult conditions, and they have problems with drinking water; I have also heard about difficulties of children in Bangladesh. I want to help the children of these countries”; Amelia (11 years, France): “We live pretty good here, but there are countries where the children face so many difficulties, and I participate in this march to help the children who are in difficulties, This year I want to help children from India and Bangladesh”; Fabio (13 years, Italy): “I will do 25 km and all the money that I collect will be my contribution to help children from India and Bangladesh”; Virginia (11 years, USA): “I am happy to participate in this march and I will try to make as many kilometres as possible so that my modest contribution could be added to the project of assistance to children from India and Bangladesh”; Hiroko (13 years, Japan): “If we, children, all together could do something to help children who are in need, we should do that. Today I want to help children from India and Bangladesh”.

Can you hear that, Children of India? Can you hear that, Children of Bangladesh? Can you hear thousands of voices of solidarity, can you hear the thousands hearts that beat for you? Please know that here, in Geneva International, there are children from all over the world who are concerned with your destinies and who are not indifferent to your difficulties. Please know that the many thou- sands are thinking of you. Please know that!