The day before yesterday,seven terrorists took hold of a cafe in Dhaka, and took the people hostage. I am currently in Dhaka, and was witnessing the whole thing on live TV as missions to rescue the hostages were carried out. The hostage crisis took place in Gulshan, a diplomatic and a wealthy area of Dhaka.The hostages were mostly non-Bangladeshis. What really shook me yesterday is the fact that my dad works in that area, and he could have been in the café as well. Gulshan is 6 miles away from my home, and having something like that going on so close was emotionally draining. However, I do feel that as someone who was so close to this whole thing, I should say something. Opening up the morning news paper was heart achingly painful. The police forces carried out a commando mission to rescue the hostages, but 20 hostages were already killed. 2 police officials also lost their lives. The wife of one of the police officials is expecting a child. This unfortunate child will never see its father. As previously stated, most of the hostages were non-Bangladeshis. Most of them were Italians, but also included Indians, Japanese and Bangladeshis. The Bangladeshis who were killed, were young and in college in America. They had just returned to the country to celebrate Eid with their families. Just like me. Similarly bothering is the fact that this took place not only during Ramadan, a month of self reflection, peace and solidarity, but also on Jumatul Bidah--the last Friday of Ramadan-- which is considered especially sacred. I believe the timing is intentional, it is almost as if ISIS is trying to say that nobody is safe, even in the most sacred day of the month of peace. However, this also indicates that ISIS has nothing to do with Islam. I have always been proud of the fact that unlike some of its Muslim neighbors, Bangladesh is not crippled with radicalism. But as ISIS and other terrorist groups try to expand their realm, this maybe changing. While Bangladesh is a country that many will go without having it on their bucket list or ever knowing that it is not India, I proudly call this third world country my home. It is a country that has humbled me, a country that has taught me to speak up about issues that are important. It is a country that has made me give a damn.While Facebook profile pictures will never have the green and red filter of the Bangladeshi flag to show solidarity, what we can do is that remember that the pain, the fear, and the tears are as real as Paris. Please keep Bangladesh in your thoughts and prayers. And as we approach the end of this holy month, I think we all know what we want for Eid--the end of terrorism.
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Few Words About Dhaka
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Sarees and Climate Change, Environmental Justice, Consciousness vs Activism
I have only worn a saree twice in my life. Saree is a traditional cloth worn by South Asian women, and it marks the significant transition from girl to woman in many ways. It's not just a piece of clothing for South Asians, it is the embodiment of our rich and vibrant culture. That said, it is wicked hard to wear a saree. It is literally 6 meters of cloth that you are supposed to wrap around your body while managing to look modest and feminine. So you can now guess why I have only worn a saree twice in 17 years.
The first time I wore a saree, I was five years old. Unfortunately, camera phones were not a huge thing back in 2004, so I have no pictures of my awkward five year old self wearing a saree; I only have fading memories of that day. It was mid-April, and I had to wear a saree for our school's Bengali New Year program. 14th April marks the beginning of a Bengali year, and it is also the first day of Summer for Bangladesh(Yeah, I know, it is weird). According to Bengali calendar, each day begins with sunrise, and it is a long tradition in Bangladesh to gather in Romna, a park in the capital city, to welcome the new year as the sun rises. I remember going into Romna around six in the morning, holding my father's hand and trying not to trip on my saree. I remember having a shawl matched to my saree, as the early hours in April could get chilly. I spotted my school among the crowd and went over to them, almost tripping on my way. And as the run rose on 14th April 2004, we sang in century old tune, looking forward to new, sacred beginnings.
Flash forward to 2014. I had gotten away with not wearing sarees on New Years for the past 9 years, but this year, I was mc'ing. I had to wear a saree. No exceptions. So I sucked it up. My school held its New Years celebration at campus because Ramna was too crowded. I arrived at school around 6, after spending an hour putting safety pins on my saree so it does not come off in the stage. I had to be on the stage at all times, and as I struggled to remember the next performer, the next witty cultural joke, sweat dripped down my back and my neck, despite having a fan pointed right at the stage and having a canopy on top. As the event went on, I started to despise my once favorite holiday just because how hot it was. I could not bear to smile sweetly and speak in impeccable Bengali (no English on New Year) when I felt like I had just taken a bath in sweat. I just wanted to leave and enjoy the coolness of my air conditioned home. As soon as the event ended, I went straight home, even though my friends stayed back. They begged me to stay back, but I left anyway. "It is too hot", I said to them.
It was my last year celebrating the Bengali New Year. I moved to the United States in August 2014.
Bangladesh is the 4th country that is most affected by climate change. It is also one of the countries that has contributed least to world's carbon emission(178th among 214 countries). Climate change is something that is actively felt in Bangladesh from year to year; it is not something that is far off the future, like it is for most first world countries--countries that have contributed and continue to contribute the most to the world's carbon emission. In the early 2000s, average temperature in the capital city during April was in the high 70s. Fast forward to 2016. The highest temperature has been consistently 100 F or above for the last couple of weeks. Unbelievable high temperatures is only of the many woes. Bangladesh also ranks the top in flooding and second top in the list of nations in danger of more frequent and intense storms. While I enjoy the rather cool Spring here in New England, my friends back in Bangladesh are trying not to die from a heat stroke. Go figure.
Here is where the phrase "environmental justice" comes along. Environmental justice acknowledges the intersections between climate issues and other social justice issues, particularly race, and also class. It acknowledges the unfairness of the system. For example, as previously mentioned, countries most affected by climate change-- Kirbati, Bangladesh, sub- Saharan Africa, South east Asia-- have done the least to cause it. They will be paying for it sooner than us. Another example could be how poor neighborhoods often have the worst living conditions, and how it is often ignored by the authorities. People of low income and people of color and more likely to experience environmental contamination, toxicity etc.
The only way out of this is a mindset shift. Climate change cannot be seen as an isolated issue. We cannot distinguish between their problem and our problem. It is not "their" problem. It is our problem. We all share a planet. We all have to pay for it, sooner or later. We cannot mark a place as a "sacrifice zone", just because it is not a first world country. This will be perpetuating a system that already privileges some and harms others. We have to realize that while we are not affected by climate change right now in the comfort of first world countries, somewhere in that nameless island nation that nobody cares about, the street a little girl lives in just went under water. And the blame is on me; the blame is on you; the blame is on all of us. Until we personally feel guilty for climate change, true change to the situation will not come.
Hopefully, I have made you feel a little guilty. That was the point.
So, what can I do? This is a question that is fairly common. Climate change is such a big and scary issue, that individual efforts can seem pointless.
But they are not.
You and I can do things that will impact the bigger picture. These impacts will be small, but it is better than doing nothing at all. As one of my best friends and fellow environmental activist said, "Apathy is a death wish." This is where I want to talk about Environmental Consciousness vs Activism. Most of us are familiar with the threats that climate change present, and are very concerned, but what do we do about it? Nothing. Of course, being conscious of climate change is important, and that is the first step towards change, but we cannot stop there. We have to take active efforts, and those active efforts start at our homes. They do not have to be big changes. You don't have to stop driving all together. But try to take the public transportation, walk or bike if you can. Yes, it will take more time. But it will also give your kids more time with the beautiful planet we call Earth. A little sacrifice today will come back with interest tomorrow.
So, what else can we do?
Here is a list of things I can think of off the top of my head.
1.Turn down the heater during peak hours by a degree or two. Do the same for air conditioners during summer.
2.Hang your laundry outside instead of using a dryer if the weather is nice. If your neighbors judge you, judge them back for not doing the same.
3. Walk, bike, take the public transportation. PLEASE avoid driving if you can. Automobiles are one of the main causes of carbon emission.
4.Time your showers. Take slightly colder showers. Get them fancy shower heads.
5. Get energy saving light bulbs.
6.RECYCLE!
7. Switch to electric heaters.
8. Use energy efficient electronics.
9. Divest from fossil fuels.
10. Get a reusable water bottle. Don't buy water from Poland Springs and other companies.
11. Don't use styrofoam or any thing that is not biodegradable.
12. Join your local 350 group. They are an awesome environmental organization that is working towards building a global climate movement. Check Them Out Here
13. GO SOLAR! They are much cheaper nowadays compared to previous years.
14. Show up to events. Even if you think you do not know enough about climate change, show up. That is how you learn, and that is how you change.
15.Hold yourself accountable. Know that long shower and long drive did just make it worse.
16. And lastly, care. Care about the environment. Care about the Earth. Care about those kids who will not get to play in the streets in front of their house. Empathize. Learn to give a shit.
I believe that we can change what now seems inevitable, but only if we show an active effort. We have to remember that there is no planet B. If we all do our parts, maybe the streets I grew up in will not go under water. Maybe that little Bangladeshi girl who is wearing saree for the first time will welcome the sun of the new year, instead of despising the beginning of summer.
The first time I wore a saree, I was five years old. Unfortunately, camera phones were not a huge thing back in 2004, so I have no pictures of my awkward five year old self wearing a saree; I only have fading memories of that day. It was mid-April, and I had to wear a saree for our school's Bengali New Year program. 14th April marks the beginning of a Bengali year, and it is also the first day of Summer for Bangladesh(Yeah, I know, it is weird). According to Bengali calendar, each day begins with sunrise, and it is a long tradition in Bangladesh to gather in Romna, a park in the capital city, to welcome the new year as the sun rises. I remember going into Romna around six in the morning, holding my father's hand and trying not to trip on my saree. I remember having a shawl matched to my saree, as the early hours in April could get chilly. I spotted my school among the crowd and went over to them, almost tripping on my way. And as the run rose on 14th April 2004, we sang in century old tune, looking forward to new, sacred beginnings.
Flash forward to 2014. I had gotten away with not wearing sarees on New Years for the past 9 years, but this year, I was mc'ing. I had to wear a saree. No exceptions. So I sucked it up. My school held its New Years celebration at campus because Ramna was too crowded. I arrived at school around 6, after spending an hour putting safety pins on my saree so it does not come off in the stage. I had to be on the stage at all times, and as I struggled to remember the next performer, the next witty cultural joke, sweat dripped down my back and my neck, despite having a fan pointed right at the stage and having a canopy on top. As the event went on, I started to despise my once favorite holiday just because how hot it was. I could not bear to smile sweetly and speak in impeccable Bengali (no English on New Year) when I felt like I had just taken a bath in sweat. I just wanted to leave and enjoy the coolness of my air conditioned home. As soon as the event ended, I went straight home, even though my friends stayed back. They begged me to stay back, but I left anyway. "It is too hot", I said to them.
It was my last year celebrating the Bengali New Year. I moved to the United States in August 2014.
Bangladesh is the 4th country that is most affected by climate change. It is also one of the countries that has contributed least to world's carbon emission(178th among 214 countries). Climate change is something that is actively felt in Bangladesh from year to year; it is not something that is far off the future, like it is for most first world countries--countries that have contributed and continue to contribute the most to the world's carbon emission. In the early 2000s, average temperature in the capital city during April was in the high 70s. Fast forward to 2016. The highest temperature has been consistently 100 F or above for the last couple of weeks. Unbelievable high temperatures is only of the many woes. Bangladesh also ranks the top in flooding and second top in the list of nations in danger of more frequent and intense storms. While I enjoy the rather cool Spring here in New England, my friends back in Bangladesh are trying not to die from a heat stroke. Go figure.
Here is where the phrase "environmental justice" comes along. Environmental justice acknowledges the intersections between climate issues and other social justice issues, particularly race, and also class. It acknowledges the unfairness of the system. For example, as previously mentioned, countries most affected by climate change-- Kirbati, Bangladesh, sub- Saharan Africa, South east Asia-- have done the least to cause it. They will be paying for it sooner than us. Another example could be how poor neighborhoods often have the worst living conditions, and how it is often ignored by the authorities. People of low income and people of color and more likely to experience environmental contamination, toxicity etc.
The only way out of this is a mindset shift. Climate change cannot be seen as an isolated issue. We cannot distinguish between their problem and our problem. It is not "their" problem. It is our problem. We all share a planet. We all have to pay for it, sooner or later. We cannot mark a place as a "sacrifice zone", just because it is not a first world country. This will be perpetuating a system that already privileges some and harms others. We have to realize that while we are not affected by climate change right now in the comfort of first world countries, somewhere in that nameless island nation that nobody cares about, the street a little girl lives in just went under water. And the blame is on me; the blame is on you; the blame is on all of us. Until we personally feel guilty for climate change, true change to the situation will not come.
Hopefully, I have made you feel a little guilty. That was the point.
So, what can I do? This is a question that is fairly common. Climate change is such a big and scary issue, that individual efforts can seem pointless.
But they are not.
You and I can do things that will impact the bigger picture. These impacts will be small, but it is better than doing nothing at all. As one of my best friends and fellow environmental activist said, "Apathy is a death wish." This is where I want to talk about Environmental Consciousness vs Activism. Most of us are familiar with the threats that climate change present, and are very concerned, but what do we do about it? Nothing. Of course, being conscious of climate change is important, and that is the first step towards change, but we cannot stop there. We have to take active efforts, and those active efforts start at our homes. They do not have to be big changes. You don't have to stop driving all together. But try to take the public transportation, walk or bike if you can. Yes, it will take more time. But it will also give your kids more time with the beautiful planet we call Earth. A little sacrifice today will come back with interest tomorrow.
So, what else can we do?
Here is a list of things I can think of off the top of my head.
1.Turn down the heater during peak hours by a degree or two. Do the same for air conditioners during summer.
2.Hang your laundry outside instead of using a dryer if the weather is nice. If your neighbors judge you, judge them back for not doing the same.
3. Walk, bike, take the public transportation. PLEASE avoid driving if you can. Automobiles are one of the main causes of carbon emission.
4.Time your showers. Take slightly colder showers. Get them fancy shower heads.
5. Get energy saving light bulbs.
6.RECYCLE!
7. Switch to electric heaters.
8. Use energy efficient electronics.
9. Divest from fossil fuels.
10. Get a reusable water bottle. Don't buy water from Poland Springs and other companies.
11. Don't use styrofoam or any thing that is not biodegradable.
12. Join your local 350 group. They are an awesome environmental organization that is working towards building a global climate movement. Check Them Out Here
13. GO SOLAR! They are much cheaper nowadays compared to previous years.
14. Show up to events. Even if you think you do not know enough about climate change, show up. That is how you learn, and that is how you change.
15.Hold yourself accountable. Know that long shower and long drive did just make it worse.
16. And lastly, care. Care about the environment. Care about the Earth. Care about those kids who will not get to play in the streets in front of their house. Empathize. Learn to give a shit.
I believe that we can change what now seems inevitable, but only if we show an active effort. We have to remember that there is no planet B. If we all do our parts, maybe the streets I grew up in will not go under water. Maybe that little Bangladeshi girl who is wearing saree for the first time will welcome the sun of the new year, instead of despising the beginning of summer.
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