Feature

Yugank Goyal

I could hear echoes of doubt, anxiety, awe and excitement when the plane landed on the runway of Dhaka airport. I came out and smelled the air, and realized the smell was similar to that of my country, of gods, demons, empires and civilizations in resurrection and decay. It smelled of heartbreak, of the struggle to live on, and the crucial failures and loves that produce courage. I was delighted to land in Bangladesh.

Himel and Raza had come to pick me up at the Airport. They are law students from University of Dhaka and at the same time volunteers for the Human Rights Summer School, for which I was in Bangladesh. They were so kind and warm that I indeed felt at home. It was 16th December, the Victory Day for Bangladesh. Through our two-hour journey to Proshika, Manikganj, I saw Bangladeshis and how our common roots are reflected in their daily activities. Be it fights in the bus, or the small space given to me by the fellow passengers to sit on, I felt togetherness. We reached the Human Rights Summer School, where I met Sonia, Mujahid, Sojol, Sihab and Mr. Alamgir - program manager of the summer school. I was given my kit and a big room, with four other people- Sayem (University of Dhaka), Liton (Kushtia University) and Chandan (Chittagong University).

That evening, I was introduced to Prof. Mizan, the coordinator of summer school and eminent professor of University of Dhaka, Law Department. His magnetic persona, style and warm greeting impressed me and gave me a lot of confidence. I also met Christabel, who went on to win all three awards of the Summer School later. I used to call her Chris! I met my Indian colleagues Deva, Susrut, Angelie, Anubha and Khushie. They had come earlier, but Veena was still to arrive. Now I think I should say something about this summer school before I go further. Human Rights Summer School is a 14 days long residential training program organized by an organization named ELCOP. Law students from all the public universities of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal gather together every December for training on Human Rights under this program, and the trainers are obviously the best legal scholars, lawyers and teachers from different countries of the world. The interesting thing is I am not a law student. I am from an engineering background. But due to my deep passion towards law and immense desire to visit Bangladesh I was there at the mercy of Dr. Mizanur Rahman.

That evening Prof. Mizan planned a documentary screening of the Bangladesh freedom struggle. It was heartfelt, and after the documentary ended I realized that my eyes would be this way all nights for the next ten days. I was also amazed at the experience of 1971 - the war of liberation. I really feel proud to be surrounded by people who have made such heroic sacrifices for their own country!

The next day was Peace and Human Security Day. Deliberations on migration, refugees and UNHCR swayed me. I was touched deeply by the Human Trafficking issue. We had Human Rights Implementation Mechanism Day and I gauged matters dealing with the same, undertaking an appreciative effort on group exercise. The next few days, the house discussed vigorously on issues dealing with role of press, media and non-state actors in combating human rights violation; rights of indigenous people and plight of religious minorities, poverty nexus of human rights and alternate dispute resolution. Some speakers, who especially impressed me, apart from our very dear Prof. Mizan, were Dr. Salimullah Khan, Prof. Shah Alam, Dr. M.A. Hasan, and Mr. Shahidul Haque. The open discussions after each address made the subtle nuances involved in these crucial issues surface out and students observed wide perspectives and processed the issues.

The group exercises made us contribute our own understanding of the nitty-gritty and assert our own findings with substantiated rationale. One of the best aspects of the Summer School was the Community Visit. This was aimed at giving first hand experience to young minds about the ground realities and conduct surveys by visiting the nearby villages. Especially to Indian students who were not fully conversant with the local dialect, this was a fantastic experience. While we actually examined the issue on the field, it was a fun-filled learning experience.

We also had a test on the content of the course. I had a chance to participate in the moot court competition too. It was an awesome experience to stand before the judges of Bangladesh and plead. I thank the Indian genius Amit Shankar Singh, who conducted a class before the moot court.

I must say that watching documentaries, discussing in open forum, giving presentations and drafting constitution broadened the horizons and plane of thinking of our brains.

We also had the chance for sightseeing, at the Savar National Mausoleum and Jahanginagar University. We all paid tribute to the martyrs of the liberation war. I wondered how deeply Bangladeshis feel for their root! How passionate they become when the question of 1971 arises. Who says Bangladesh is the most corrupt country in this world? Who dares say it is the country of fundamentalists, violence, insecurity, and poverty? It would be sheer injustice to term this country as such! It is a land of love, and if anyone wants to learn how to admire his own past, Bangladesh is the best place in this earth to do so.

Every evening we used to have a cultural program. The all rounder of that program was none other than Dr.mizan. In one program he sang 5 songs in 5 languages (Spanish, French, Arabic, Hindi), and ended ranting at all the participants “no one can defeat Dr.Mizan”, and really sir, no one could on that day! My heart was shattered with Amit Shankar Singh's shaeri. I cannot resist myself from quoting the heart rendering lines-' 'Mere Kabar me diye jale, aur teri lagi diwali hay' (candles burn on my grave, while light glows in your house). Teachers from Pakistan showed us their dance and song, but they forgot to sing the most famous song of them all “ DAMA dam masta kalandar”… but Mizan sir was there to fill in the gaps. His voice was rocking all of Manikganj I must admit! Sohidul Haque sir and Masum sir's gamvira was too lovely a sign of the rich culture of Bangladesh.

But the person who comes to mind was Ketan Makhijha. He was the best performer of the previous summer school. He was the man who upon returning from Bangladesh sketched the lucrative picture of Bangladesh that made me want to come here. My idea of Bangladesh drastically changed. I discovered a beautiful country where despite extreme sorrow and pain, people have the capability to win life in the simplest of ways. The people of Bangladesh are her pride and strength. With deep respect for them I would love to make a honest forecast of my own for Bangladesh - a country with such inner strength cannot fail. She must triumph!

How can I forget our dear Naomi, a noble and caring friend, with her black specs? I will also remember Palash and Arif, the other guys in the gang and Christabel. I had the best time of my life with these people and wish the course continued for longer. On 25th December, we packed our bags for leaving. Our hearts were heavy and the sorrow of parting held us for long. We remembered the time when we went to the Victory Tower on a small outing. We remembered how the physical frontiers between Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis were blurred for a while. We remembered how in a short span of ten days we had forged such beautiful friendships. We remembered how we have another dimension to trot on now. We remembered the last ten days, and the indefatigable spirit that kept us active; notwithstanding the sleepless wonderful nights we would never forget. With fond memories in the bottommost recesses of our hearts, we left.

The best part was left. I had one of the most beautiful Christmas celebrations at Christabel's place with Uncle, Verlin, Nigel, Becky, Naomi, Kanak, Sayem and Taslima. The day was further enhanced by Christabel's birthday, which was on the same day. For the next couple of days, I roamed Dhaka and visited Dhaka University as well. I liked Bangladeshis and sincerely appreciated their warmth and nearness. I don't want to stop the tale of my journey to a land of dreams, but I have to. I feel Bangladeshis are the best ones to share their glory with me, only they can feel how deep they are in my heart and what flawless emotions they can create in an Indian mind!

Afterglow still remains…! Thanks Summer School! Thanks
Christabel! Thanks Bangladesh!