World should learn from Bangladesh

Unicef Goodwill Ambassador and Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra yesterday said the world should learn from Bangladesh how to stand beside the distressed humanity.

She appreciated Bangladesh, particularly Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for taking the burden of giving shelter to more than one million displaced Rohingyas, who fled persecution in Rakhine State of Myanmar.

The Bollywood star spoke of the appreciation as she called on the prime minister at the Gono Bhaban in the afternoon, UNB reports.

PM's Additional Press Secretary Nazrul Islam said Priyanka shared some of her experiences of visiting the Rohingya camps in Ukhia, especially the sufferings of children, with Hasina.  

Hasina's sister Sheikh Rehana and other family members were present.

Mentioning the hazardous situation of the children in the camps, Priyanka, on behalf of the Unicef, called upon the international community to extend all-out support to the Rohingyas.

She told the PM that she was concerned about the possibility of a “generation loss” of a particular ethnicity as a large number of children have no access to education and are passing days roaming around.

"The children might go astray and even become extremists if they're deprived of the opportunity of having education," she said.

Hasina said her government has given shelter to the Rohingyas solely on humanitarian grounds as the people of Bangladesh had experienced the same situation in 1971.

The PM recalled her refugee life abroad after the killing of her parents in 1975, saying, "Those incidents taught us to stand beside humanity during anyone's bad time."

Hasina said her government has been making efforts to give the Rohingyas all the support, but it is not possible for the government alone to mitigate their sufferings.

Unicef and other international agencies should come forward with more support, she said.

'WORLD'S RESPONSIBILITY'

Speaking at a press conference later in the day, Priyanka told the world, "Open your hearts with compassion. Please be sympathetic and treat these [Rohingya] children as your own.”

She asked what will happen to the world when there is a huge generation of children that become vulnerable to violence as there is rising trend of violence happening all around the world.

“Do we need anymore [violence]?... the only thing I can see is a generation of children who don't have education, healthcare and who will be vulnerable to violence,” Priyanka told a packed room at Le Meridien Dhaka hotel.

“The refugee children are the world's responsibility. Because they don't have anywhere to go, they don't have anyone to call their own.”

She asked the audience what would happen if their children would face something that the Rohingya children are facing today.

“This is possible. Countries are being bombed, people are being killed. If that happens to your children, would you want someone to help them? That's the same question.

“A child is a child. It doesn't matter where they come from…where they are going, what their religion is, what country they come from. It is the responsibility of the globe.

She expressed worries over what might happen to the Rohingya children if there is heavy rain and cyclones. The Indian actor, however, said it was also wonderful to see the spirit and shining eyes and hope of the children.

She told story of a 12-year boy, Mansur Ali. Six months ago, the boy drew football field being bombed, arms, and mortar shells dropping off roving helicopters. But now he draws pictures of Bangladesh, sunshine, greenery, thatched roofs and teachers.

This happened in six months during which teachers in the learning centres of Unicef taught them maths, English, Burmese.

“[this is] because humanity has been shown to them. And that's what is important for refugee children around the world. I would really appeal the world to have little bit of compassion for the people who don't have anything.”

She also said it was extremely inspiring to see the way the government of Bangladesh and the people have opened up their hearts towards the refugees. “It was incredible to see.”

Journalists asked if she has any message to Myanmar where the Rohingya have long been denied citizenship and other basic rights, Priyanka said, “I am too small to speak about the political situation. Or, may be, not aware. I am not someone who believes in blame game. I think that creates more hatred and animosity.”

Another question to her was if she can influence Indian government to put pressure on Myanmar over the crisis. In reply, she said in a light mood that if she was a prime minister, she would surely do that.

Priyanka arrived in Bangladesh on Monday on a four-day visit to draw the world's attention to the displaced Rohingya children being sheltered in Bangladesh.