বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বাদশ খণ্ড)/১৪৪
| শিরোনাম | সূত্র | তারিখ |
|---|---|---|
| ‘ইয়োথ ফর বাংলাদেশ’- এর একটি আবেদন | প্রচারপত্র | ১০জুন, ১৯৭১ |
YOUTH FOR BANGLADESH: AN APPEAL
A tragedy too deep for tears, titanic in proportions stalks West Bengal. The rest of India may have read or heard about it, but the people at large in the subcontinent have yet to show a burning concern or involve themselves personally and individually with the unprecedented crisis that deepens each day like a gathering storm before it overwhelms this state and engulfs the country.
The ghastly upheaval in East Bengal which we emphatically declared not to treat as Pakistanis internal affairs and yet treated it as such has now become very much our own affair! In course of the past 6 weeks, FIFTY LAKHS of refugees from Pakistani terror exceeding 10% of crowded West Bengal’s population-have poured into West Benga. They are still coming in at the rate of 60,000 a day and there is no abatement in sight. Experts Estimate the total figure to go up to the region of ONE CRORE.
The long term esffects of this eolossal influx will doubtless be left acutely through the rest of this Century.
But the harrowing distress of this vast multitude who left everything and have trekked without proper food for weeks and the serious problems arising there from have to be tackled NOW and constitute supreme challenge to the nation as a whole and specifically to the Youth of India.
Of the 50,00,000 nearly 20 lakhs are living under trees or in open unprotected grounds, Rains arrived early this year. The fate of these 2 million, exposed to heavy showers and cold nights can be imagined. Especially the condition of little children, some of whom have lost one or both parents by pakisani bullets or in epidemics, beggars description.
Conditions in the camps due to shortages of food, medicines, space and personnel is frightening. Where death is a frequent and daily visitor.
As if this was not enough. Cholera has broken out in an epidemic from and is spreading fast. The 50-mile route from Krishnamagar to Shikkarpur on the border is dotted with the dead and the dying. The stench of rotting fresh fouls the air. Harrowing scenes of babies sucking at dead mother’s breasts, lone widow till fanning the cold forehead of dead husband, of dogs tearing up the bodies of these two weak to resist, line the roads-in our border districts. The heart-ending sight of little bewildered children suddenly orphaned by cholera guarding their parent’s bodies on lonely roadsides are not uncommon.
Cholera, according to conservative estimates, has killed over 3000 refugees. But this is only beginning! The epidemic is spreading fast. Emergency has just been declared in clacutta, which had been free of cholera for years! And as the rainy season advances typhoid and late on small pox will join the train of mass killers.
So far the refugee problem has been tackled by the State Government with active assistance of the Union Government. But the problem is now too vast even for our Goverment to tackle. Foreign help has been sought and has begum to arrive.
But there is tremendous scope and opportunity for us personally and collectively to do something. This appeal is an invitation to the Youth of every state of our Republic to come forward and make their commitment.
There is urgent need for:
1. Voluntary personal Service in refugee camps.
2. Organizational Work in one’s own area.
3. Contributions.
Service
1. Immediately needed are hundreds of Doctors (Must be at least final year students but interness and qualified doctors preferred), trained Nurses, Compounders or pharmacists.
2. There is also need for dedicated general volunteers, both male and female, perferably with some exprence or training for care of the refugees and especially of the children, in camps and elsewhere.
Minimum period of service to be contributed will be 3 months. Food and lodging will be available free at the place of posting.
Organisational:
For purposes of maximum mobilization of young people, we will encourge formation of organized groups in state. District, Thana & even at Block levels. Through these bodies we propose to build up public opinion;
1. Against the carnage committed by Pakistan by holding photographic exhibitions of the atrocities of the refugees, and public meetings etc.
2. In Favour of recognition of Bangladesh and collect signatures in support of a petition (for which we have already collected in Calcutta nearly 300,000 signatures) to be submitted to the prime Minister and also to the Secretary General of the U.N.O. and
3. To Collect the following articles which are urgently here;
a. Food: Baby Foods, Tinned Foods, Rich, Dal, Salt, Sugar, Tea etc.
b. Tarpaulins or Waterproof Covers for making tents.
c. Clothing’s (New or Old); Dhotis, Lungis, Saris, Vests and children and baby wear.
d. Bed Sheets (chaddars), blankets ete.
e. Umbrellas, Waterproofs or anything for protection against rain.
f. Canvas shoes and chappals (all sizes).
g. Medicines; all types of Vitamins, Tonics Medicines for Flu, Fever, Gastro-Enteritis, and Children’s Diseases Vaccines, Antiseptics, Phenyl, Bleaching powder, Detergents and Soaps, Surgical Dressings.
h. Money
Contributions
Those who wish to make direct contributions in any from also be welcome to do so.
Already such international voluntary organizations like OXFAM and WAR AGAINST WANT are here and working. Young British doctors are rendering admirable service. But I say this with deep regret that as yet no volunteers of any Youth Organizations from India are to be seen. The Youth in India needs a great cause to make their commitment. Here is a noble cause, a magnificent challenge; I am making this appeal in full confidence that Indian Youth will rise to the occasion and not only make stay of the Five Million guests from Bangladesh a pleasant one, but will see, is necessary, with equal courage and determination that they return without hindrance and live in safety.
Any offers of assistance and enquiries may please be addressed to:
CHAIRMAN
Calcutta-1
Dated June 10, 1971