The Human Rights Watch Group has been working with Dhaka, a global human rights group, in an effort to convince Bangladesh to take in more Myanmar Refugees. Dhaka is urging Bangladesh to keep its borders open to the refugees of Myanmar, who are seeking refuge from the violence going on in western Myanmar. Additionally, according to the Associated Press, “New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a statement that Bangladesh should also allow independent humanitarian agencies free and unfettered access to the border areas.”

Both groups got involved after word got out that Bangladesh turned away approximately 1,000 Muslims that came over in three boats. By doing this, “Bangladesh is putting lives at grave risk,” said Bill Frelick, Refugee Programme director at Human Rights Watch. Frelick also added, “Bangladesh has an obligation under international law to keep its border open to people fleeing threats to their lives and provide them protection.”

The violence is Myanmar has escalated between minority Muslims (known as Rohingyas) and Buddhists. As the tension grows between the two religious groups, hundreds of homes have been burned in Myanmar.

While Frelick believes it is Bangladesh’s duty to help these refugees, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni of Myanmar disagrees. At a news conference in the country’s capital, Dhaka, he stated, “it was not in Bangladesh’s interest to accept any refugees because the impoverished country’s resources already are strained.”

Buddhists are outraged about the Rohingyas living in Myanmar, claiming that the Royingyas are illegal immigrants and should be denied citizenship. Meanwhile, according to the Associated Press, “Bangladesh says Rohingya have been living in Myanmar for centuries and should be recognized there as citizens.”

Not knowing where to go or turn, Rohingyas are turning to Aung San Suu Kyi, a Burmese opposition politician and General Secretary of the National League for Democracy in Burma, to help end their persecution.

According to the Sunday Times Newspaper in Sri Lanka, “Bangladesh, which shares a 200-km (125-mile) border with Myanmar, is home to an estimated 300,000 Rohingya refugees, about a tenth of whom live in squalid conditions in UN-assisted camps.”

Mohammad Islam, leader of Rohingya refugees living in Nayapara camp in the Bangladesh border town of Teknaf, stated, “in her [Suu Kyi] first visit outside Myanmar in 24 years, Suu Kyi last month met thousands of Myanmar refugees now living in a Thai border camp. She promised to try as much as she could to help them return home, vowing not to forget them.” Islam added, “we heard the relations between the government and Suu Kyi have mended and there are now reforms sweeping the country. But for Rohingya, these changes mean nothing.”

Still Suu Kyi is hopeful and has no plans of giving up on the refugees.

“I would like to do my best for the interests of the people,” she said.

Image Courtesy of  Zzvet / Shutterstock.com

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A strong contingent of 600 monks and nuns led by His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa (spiritual head of the Drukpa Lineage) are on a Pad Yatra (walking pilgrimage) from Mumbai to Sanchi via Ajanta Ellora spreading the message of peace, harmony, goodwill and respect for the environment.

The Pad Yatra was formally flagged off from Mumbai, India’s corporate capital on 10th December. This Pad Yatra will pass through Ajanta Ellora (a UNESCO world heritage site) between 24th to 29th December, and ends in Bhopal on 6th January 2012. The walk will finally conclude formally in Delhi on 8th January with a public discourse by His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa wherein he will again reinforce his message of respect for nature and the environment.

His Holiness is the recipient of United Nation’s Millennium Development Goal (MDG) award for his efforts towards the environment. Earlier, in 2010, his Holiness had led a drive to safeguard the Himalayas by ensuring plantation of a million trees in the Ladakh region, a feat that was recognised by the Guinness World Records.

The total distance covered by these crusaders is over 1500 kilometres out of which around 750 kilometres would be on foot. Thousands of people, including 450 monks and nuns, followers and supporters are taking part in the Pad Yatra, along with various national and international celebrities and Drukpa followers.

During the Pad Yatra, the crusaders stay in either local schools, dharmashalas, or in the open, embraced by nature. They carry their own food items, cook at the halts, and also carry all other necessary items for daily usage and for sleeping. They continue to pick up eco-waste along the way, and so far, over 1 ton of eco-waste has been collected which is at various legs handed over to the local authorities for proper disposal.

This is the 5th Pad Yatra that His Holiness is undertaking. Since 2006, His Holiness has taken students on foot-journeys through Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Ladakh, Manali, Sikkim and Darjeeling; each time, the Yatris picked up more than one ton of non-biodegradable waste and educated people in the remote areas about the importance of keeping the environment clean and green for future generations.

The Pad Yatra, aiming to bridge spirituality and materialism through promoting a life in harmony with nature, will cover other notable destinations such as the Kanheri Caves, Elephanta Caves, Kondana Caves, Karjat, Rajmarchi, Karla Bhaja, and Aurangabad.

This uncommon Pad Yatra is a brainchild of His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa. Visiting power-places of great blessings, promoting awareness on environmental issues as well as encouraging spiritual development within oneself through familiarizing with the breath of nature are the things that His Holiness always does, on foot.

Talking about this quest and spiritual adventure, His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa said, “This Pad Yatra symbolises the journey from self to selflessness. On the personal side, this is an effort to come closer to nature and enjoy its bounty by way of an encounter of the close kind. On another front, this is an effort to raise awareness about the environment, and ensuring that there is widespread education on the various facets that focus on environment and sustainability subjects.”

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