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While everyone is worried about urban and rural development from the plain land, I was curious to know what’s going on up in the hill. It was not only out of wonder but I have always admired the serene beauty of hills ever since I witnessed Keokradong, Boga Lake and Nafakhum waterfalls in Bandarban, Bangladesh. An extreme proud land to incorporate at least 11 indigenous communities and incomparable to any living tradition and culture at present in the world since time immemorial.
No wonder why all the peace seeker chooses cave or hills in order to find their purpose of life. Even people like Steve Job and Mark zuckerberg applied the same methods to reconnect them with nature and rise above all. Needless to mention that nature holds spiritual power to heal the unrest mind only for the one who surrender upon it. I swear!
It was June 24, 2016. A journey that changed my way of viewing life.
Initially, my intention was to drop some books along with three of my friends to the Assram- A School yet home to the abandoned kids located in Thanchi Bazaar. I thought it was another series of usual donation program until I got there. Around 15-20 kids rushed towards us as soon as we got there.
Eyes full of wonder and hope, who we were!! Angel or Demon?
I was terrified if it was our appearance that made them feel uncomfortable but later I got to know what exactly happened. These kids does not have access to educational resources or activities other than helping their family in the jhum field. Unless someone has the courage to travel this long and bring them books, they remain ignorant. And if anybody does, the kids make sure to greet them properly. I could not see their face as it was dark all around. Later we found 90% of the area doesn’t have access to electricity. So they use solar powered rechargeable battery and only uses in case of emergency. That was the first time in my life I preferred to live without electricity as the stars followed by moon were shedding light on us. I felt the peace in my heart.
Where the heck am I!
This is the first thing that popped in my head when we went to their class room to distribute the books. The majestic view of hills surrounded by clouds and greenery through the window gave me goose bump. It reminded me of my school like prison days. No matter where you look, it’s only the wall that will push you in the center of the room to concentrate on the black board hung on the front wall. Grass is always greener on the other side. I know! I know!
It was June 24, 2016. A journey that changed my way of viewing life.
Initially, my intention was to drop some books along with three of my friends to the Assram- A School yet home to the abandoned kids located in Thanchi Bazaar. I thought it was another series of usual donation program until I got there. Around 15-20 kids rushed towards us as soon as we got there.
Eyes full of wonder and hope, who we were!! Angel or Demon?
I was terrified if it was our appearance that made them feel uncomfortable but later I got to know what exactly happened. These kids does not have access to educational resources or activities other than helping their family in the jhum field. Unless someone has the courage to travel this long and bring them books, they remain ignorant. And if anybody does, the kids make sure to greet them properly. I could not see their face as it was dark all around. Later we found 90% of the area doesn’t have access to electricity. So they use solar powered rechargeable battery and only uses in case of emergency. That was the first time in my life I preferred to live without electricity as the stars followed by moon were shedding light on us. I felt the peace in my heart.
Where the heck am I!
This is the first thing that popped in my head when we went to their class room to distribute the books. The majestic view of hills surrounded by clouds and greenery through the window gave me goose bump. It reminded me of my school like prison days. No matter where you look, it’s only the wall that will push you in the center of the room to concentrate on the black board hung on the front wall. Grass is always greener on the other side. I know! I know!
I repeat it was not my intension to teach the kids either. Because I thought the trouble for teaching kids would be way too much for me. Besides I could never take it as a passion to live with. It was the kids who empowered me with courage to say few words for them which turned out to be a 2 hours introductory session. I realized it’s not the age that matters but how we look at things that matters.
Unfortunately I could not interact much as they don’t understand Bengali language. Language is one of the key element that separate them from the rest of the world in terms of cultural followers after being recognized as Jumia. (Those who engaged in Jhum/ Shifting cultivation). They belong to Tibeto-Burma language family, has both written and oral form. Thank god, a friend of mine who belongs to that culture offered his aid as an interpreter. After passing a glorious week in Bandarban, I came back home with some precious memories, life lessons and one scary thought.
All of the kids fancy living in Dhaka City. Of course, we tend to yearn for something we never had, felt, seen or experienced. But the brutal truth was buried deep down. It all started during the Mughal reign in India in 16th century, followed by the victory of British raj by swaying over Bengal in 1760 and entered to a never ending war by the military force under the authority of government after the formation of Bangladesh in 1971. Even the peace accord signed in 1997 to resolve the conflict between Bangladesh government and indigenous people from Chittagong hill tracts was violated in many ways for the last 24 years.
Do they know? If they knew, would they still fancy the same?
Curious mind wants to know...
Writer:
Anika Tanjim
Global Team Member
Youth Environmental Opportunities- YEO
Unfortunately I could not interact much as they don’t understand Bengali language. Language is one of the key element that separate them from the rest of the world in terms of cultural followers after being recognized as Jumia. (Those who engaged in Jhum/ Shifting cultivation). They belong to Tibeto-Burma language family, has both written and oral form. Thank god, a friend of mine who belongs to that culture offered his aid as an interpreter. After passing a glorious week in Bandarban, I came back home with some precious memories, life lessons and one scary thought.
All of the kids fancy living in Dhaka City. Of course, we tend to yearn for something we never had, felt, seen or experienced. But the brutal truth was buried deep down. It all started during the Mughal reign in India in 16th century, followed by the victory of British raj by swaying over Bengal in 1760 and entered to a never ending war by the military force under the authority of government after the formation of Bangladesh in 1971. Even the peace accord signed in 1997 to resolve the conflict between Bangladesh government and indigenous people from Chittagong hill tracts was violated in many ways for the last 24 years.
Do they know? If they knew, would they still fancy the same?
Curious mind wants to know...
Writer:
Anika Tanjim
Global Team Member
Youth Environmental Opportunities- YEO
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