I am one of 7 billions

Promiti Prova Chowdhury

Photo: Aslam

The population of the world has hit 7 billion on October 31, 2011. A remarkable phenomenon indeed. To embrace this unique moment in human history, United Nations Youth and Students Association of Bangladesh (UNYSAB) organised a campaign of awareness from October 27 to October 30 titled “Youth Marking-7 Billion Actions.” Supported by United Nations Information Center (UNIC)-Dhaka and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the series of events kicked off at Das Island, TSC, Dhaka University (DU). “Let's control population to build a prosperous world"- with this message a short drama was staged by some students at the beginning of the programme. It demonstrated how the illiterate people of society stay ignorant to take birth control measures and as a result bring hazards for themselves.

Nafis Imtiaz, President of UNYSAB hosted the event and addressed the present youth by highlighting their roles in controlling population. The present guest speakers were Arthur Erken, UNFPA Representative Bangladesh, Kazi Ali Reza, Officer-in-Charge, UNIC-Dhaka, Professor Nur Mohammad, DU, Professor Anwar Hossain, Head of DU Teacher's Council.

"If 7 billion people can be turned into potential and responsible global citizens, then the world population is not anything to be threatened by," said Professor Nur Mohammad. "If each among the 7 billion takes a noble initiative to do something good for his/her nation and the world, then it results in a compilation of 7 billion actions for the welfare of the greater humanity,” he said.

Addressing the street children present there who were roaming and trying to sell candies, Professor Anwar Hossain said, "This is the most blatant example of what happens if people are not concerned about family planning and population control." Mentioning the miles and miles of unused lands in New Mexico, Australia, North America, Africa, New Zealand, Russia, he asked if money can flow freely then why not human beings? He suggested scattering half of the population of Bangladesh to these unused areas of the world to lessen the burden of population.

Arthur Erken addressed issues like global warming, financial crisis, and political instability throughout the world. He convened to the youth to be aware of the issues and act like responsible global citizens. Regarding Anwar Hossain's question of migrating people from Bangladesh to other countries he said, “In today's political world it is not realistic because no country is going to accept 7 million Bangladeshis in their country. But if this population is capable of competing in a global market and getting a job there, only then it is possible.”

'Shunno' and 'Black' two popular musical bands encouraged the youth with their presence. Along with them the distinguished guests officially inaugurated the four-day long campaign by releasing balloons. Organised by Dhaka University Environment Society, a cleanup programme “Cleaning for humanity” started with all the guests sorting trashes inside the DAS Island. Then the task was carried by 1000 student volunteers present there. They were given t-shirts with “I am one of 7 billion” printed on them and divided into 12 groups. With a coordinator, each group started cleaning the areas of TSC, Arts Building and Mall Chattar.

UNFPA, UNYSAB, UNIC organised various activities such as, photographic carnivals, music at café, signature campaign, debate festival, quiz competition, creative writings etc. Dhaka University Environment Society, International Youth Council Bangladesh, Youth of Bangladesh, Activista Bangladesh, Kewkradong, Jahangirnagar University Debating Organisation and Nattor Joddha were the partners of the inaugural programme.

DID YOU KNOW?

Daniel Radcliffe

Actor Daniel Jacob Radcliffe was born in London, England, in 1989, less than ten years before the publication of author J. K. Rowling's first Harry Potter novel. Daniel Radcliffe, an only child, wanted to be an actor from an early age, but his parents would not allow him to audition for professional roles. He did perform in a school play at age six cast as a monkey and enjoyed the experience so much that he continued to ask his parents to let him try out for other shows. When casting began for a film adaptation of nineteenth-century English author Charles Dickens's 'Oliver Twist', Radcliffe renewed his pleadings with his parents. They initially refused to let him audition, concerned that he was too young. By the time they had changed their minds, it was too late and the film had been cast. While there may be a number of people in the world who do not recognize the name of Daniel Radcliffe, many millions do know the name of the character he plays: Harry Potter, boy wizard and hero of the best-selling book and blockbuster films. Radcliffe had minimal experience as an actor. He had scored small roles in a television movie and one feature film when he was chosen, at the age of eleven, to portray on film one of the most popular characters in the history of literature!

Information Source: Internet