Pass the Peace: July 2011

Friday, July 29, 2011

Norway - You're Always On My Mind

Showing love and solidarity from New Delhi, India to Norway.

Outside of the Royal Norwegian Embassy

Thanks to the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi I was able to attend a Ceremony of Remembrance for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Norway.

After having read about and seen the photo's of different Remembrance Ceremonies around the whole country of Norway, wishing I could be there, it was very nice to be able to light a candle and lay down a red rose by the Norwegian flag.

Being far away from home when horrible things happen is hard. It's sometimes hard to explain what you feel, especially in a situation like this. Because the attacks in Norway attacked the Norwegian culture, the very ideas and values of the Norwegian people.

One thing is certain, we will keep those values strong because the values of solidarity, peace, tolerance, openness and democracy are deep within our hearts.

"If one man could show that much hate, then just think how much love we can show together".
- A Norwegian Youth Labour Party member

Love and Solidarity
Showing love and solidarity is exactly what the Norwegian people are doing. Around the world.
All the Norwegians present at the Remembrance Ceremony sang "Til Ungdommen" in Norwegian.
Here's the English translation of "To the Youth". Please read it all.

TO THE YOUTH
by Nordahl Grieg

Faced by your enemies
On every hand
Battle is menacing,
Now make your stand

Fearful your question,
Defenceless, open
What shall I fight with?
What is my weapon?

Here is your battle plan,
Here is your shield
Faith in this life of ours,
The common weal

For all our children’s sake,
Save it, defend it,
Pay any price you must,
They shall not end it

Neat stacks of cannon shells,
Row upon row
Death to the life you love,
All that you know

War is contempt for life,
Peace is creation
Death’s march is halted
By determination

We all deserve the world,
Harvest and seed
Hunger and poverty
Are born of greed

Don’t turn your face away
From needs of others
Reach out a helping hand
To all your brothers

Here is our solemn vow,
From land to land
We will protect our world
From tyrants’ hand

Defend the beautiful,
Gentle and innocent
Like any mother would
Care for her infant.

English translation
By Rod Sinclair (2004)

First Encounter with India

It's colorful, it's crowded, and it's interesting. It's India.
I have now moved to New Delhi, India for one year. As I have dreamt of traveling to India for several years, it's very exciting to finally be here. I'm looking forward to seeing and learning more of what India has to offer and how the culture really is.

The buildings here so far of what I have seen remind me of Greek and Turkey with perhaps a eating spoon of Costa Rica in it. Except for the temples.

The Traffic
So far I've discovered that the metro system is awesome! It really easy to navigate and there is a section on the metro only for women. This is a step towards preventing sexual harassment towards women. Before entering the metro there is a security point, just as there are in airports.
When it comes to the traffic above the ground it's not as crazy as in Bangladesh, at least not what I've experienced so far. But there are more cows in the traffic, and they are holy so the traffic slows down behind them. The rickshaws, both auto and bicycle are also present here. The bicycle rickshaws are not as colorfully decorated here as in Bangladesh. In addition, the bicycle rickshaws does not wear longies, a skirt of a type that men wear, here either.

Colorful Observations
I like riding the metro and seeing all the beautiful colors and decorated clothing people wear. Some people in traditional saris, others in tunics and wide pants, while others are wearing western clothing or even business suits. But whatever people wear, there's always colors.

On Monday I move into my first flat and I'm really excited about it!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Let's Stand Together in Solidarity

I'm getting ready to say my 'see you again' Bangladesh, as I'm traveling to India tomorrow. My plan was to share my reflections of my experience of Bangladesh, a country where I've learned and seen so much, but instead my thoughts go to Norway. The worst catostraphy beyond what I could've ever imagine, has happened in Norway, my home country. A bomb blast in the capital city, Oslo, and then a gun attack killing over 90 people on a Labour Party Youth Camp on Utøya. I'm shocked.

One reflection I will share though is, wherever you travel or go in the world, people are good. Perhaps we have different cultures, religions, political ideologies, but on the bottom we are all human beings. With the same worth and a smile means the same in every country. A laugh means the same nomatter where you are in the world. We are the same, we have brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, mothers, fathers. We all have someone we care about, and that cares about us. So, nomatter where we are from or where we are; let us respect and appreciate one another. Learn from one another. There are few things more wonderful than learning and expanding one's world views with the help of others. Learn from other individuals, within your own country, and outside of it. An expanded world view, is also a mind of tolerance of other ways of living.

I'm in Asia, but my heart and mind is in Norway.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Behind the Scenes of Your Sportswear

Every day we put on our clothes without really thinking about where they come from or how they are made. I visited a factory, Grameen Knitwear Ltd. The photos show pieces of the process of making sports wear, as 80% of what is produced in this factory is sportswear.

The first thing you might think of when reading articles about factories in developing countries may be about the working conditions of the workers. I want to specify that this article is not about the bad conditions of the workers, it's rather to give you an image of how a clothing factory works, through my eyes. I am by no means and expert, and I'm only sharing with you my observations.

"The working conditions at the factory is better than other factories", according to the officer we met with at the factory.

The Conditions

The workers work 8 hour shifts. On the ground floor, where the fabric is created and colored, only men work because the shifts are split into 3 shifts in 24 hours, which requires a rotating night shifts.

Women are not allowed to work at night, due to government regulations. Though a woman can work at night if she has a written letter saying she can and is willing to do so.
Most women work in the Garment Section, and the shift is 8:30 am to 1700. Out of the about 2600 workers, 900 are women.

Benefits of the workers
The workers have free transportation to and from work, day care for children and insurance. They also receive allowance of $33 in addition to their monthly pay. The conditions at this specific factory seemed to good during my observation. The rooms were light, and easy access to exits, and the working schedule, benefits and pay of the workers fair. The people we talked with cared about having good working conditions and environment and emphasized this.

Where and How is YOUR Clothing made?
Even though this factory is NOT an example of a sweatshop or violations of workers rights, there are factories where your clothes or other products are produced under bad working conditions.

Workers rights should NOT be violated. Workers rights are human rights please remember that.

If you are interested to learn more about about workers rights and how your products are produced, then check out these sites: No Sweat(shops), Fair Trade, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Labour Organization- Promoting jobs, protecting people.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Animals in Streets of Dhaka

Animals Add Flavor and Unique Colors to Dhaka Experience

Cows on the sidewalk of busy street in Dhaka.

Animals in the streets of Dhaka.

Everyday when I walk or travel anywhere I see animals either walking, standing or eating on or close to the streets. The first time I saw a goat in the city I was surprised, as I have never seen life-stock in the middle of a big city before. The goat was just wandering around in the city, as if it was its natural habitat. Over the past four weeks I have become more used to seeing goats and cows in the city.

Goats in Streets of Dhaka

A cow close to where I live in Dhaka City.

Small Farm; animals eating in Dhaka

Close to where I'm staying, there is a small farm, with goats and cows eating grass. I wonder if it's people that come from rural areas to the city that bring their animals with them, or if it is a common thing to have life-stock in the city? Whichever it is, I do enjoy seeing animals running around, because even if I find it to be peculiar that animals are in the middle of a city, does not mean it's wrong; it's just different from what I'm used to. I think that's very important to keep in mind when traveling and living abroad.

No matter how different things are, it's not wrong, it simply is just different. And it just makes the experience so much more interesting and colorful!

Goats close to where I live.

Cow close to where I live.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Health in Focus

Health is a major issue, and several of the Millennium Development Goals focus directly on health.

Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing: An Introduction

Empowering Bangladeshi Women - One Nurse at a Time

Photo with permission, taken by author

There is a shortage of doctors and nurses in Bangladesh. As of right now, there is 3 doctors for every nurse, but there should be 1 doctor for every 3 nurses.

"Nursing the Future Together"

The Grameen Caledonian Nursing College was established in March 2010, and is the first Grameen nursing institution. It's a collaboration between Grameen Trust and Glasgow Caledonian University UK.

It is a social business to change lives, that educates unmarried daughters of Grameen Bank borrowers to become well equipped nurses and midwifes of international quality. The school follows government nurse curriculum, and the program also includes English and Computer classes. The students get interest free Higher Education Loans. The rural girls also have guaranteed employment after completing the nursing degree.

As part of the internship we got a tour of the school and met some of the girls studying there. The nurse students shared their excitement about their studies and their hopes for what benefits their education can provide to others.

Nurses and Their Importance

Health is certainly an essential and very important issue, and I was moved by the enthusiasm by the nursing students. Ending the shortcome of nurses is essential for the health and well being of people. Therefore nursing and midwifery education really is the way to promote and improve the health and well being of the Bangladeshi people.

Grameen Kalyan: Welfare and Health Care

"Support and implement sustainable programs aimed at bringing better livelihood to people especially in rural areas and to minimize inequality and disparity." Vision of Grameen Kalyan

Grameen Kalyan has since it was established in 1996 provided welfare and health care programs. Primary health care centers are one of the services that Grameen Kalyan offers in rural areas. The health care centers provides primary services out in the field. Preventative measures are the focus of these health facilities. People learn about sanitation and the use of soap and washing of hands before eating to avoid water borne diseases such as diarea. Preventative measures are also taken in terms of maternal health by identifying risk pregnancy through portable devices.

Micro Health Policy

Insurance can be bought by both Grameen borrowers, and non-borrowers. The cost for Grameen Bank borrowers is 200tk, for 6 family members for one year, and the cost for non-borrowers is 300tk. This provides regular health check ups, and cheaper prescriptions. Because of regular medical check ups, problems are screened, and serious illnesses may be avoided. Arrangement for doctors in case needed and surgery is also provided. The insurance covers up to 2000 taka for a surgery costs. In addition, having the insurance might in some cases mean that the surgery will be cheaper.

Grameen Kalyan provide services that works towards at least two specific goals of the Millennium Development Goals, namely Child Health and Maternal Health.

North and South Korean experiences

... In Bangladesh
Who would have thought that North Korean food is so different from South Korean food? Well, it is, and I had the unique opportunity to try both, in the same week!

South Korean Restaurant

First South Korean Food Experience
The South Korean Restaurant, Sura Restaurant, was beautifully decorated, and the servers were mostly men in white shirts with patterns of bowties. My two friends from Korean ordered the food, so I was very excited to try it. The servers brought out a frying pan, and placed it in the middle of our table for us to fry it ourselves. The food was spicy, and the rice sticky, just as it should be. We had South Korean vodka, which is very strong! And we finished the meal with some type of dessert tea, naaam... The smell reminded me of Norwegian rice porridge.

Me attempting at Karaoke
taken by Shaxuan Lizzie Shan

A First Glimpse of North Korea
Pyongyang Restaurant, the North Korean Restaurant was full of surprises. When we first arrived we sat in a room with a TV playing music videos of what I'm assuming to be traditional North Korean songs. Because a party was coming, we were moved to one of the private dining rooms at the restaurant. The private room had a round table, with a glass table on top that could be turned around to easily access all the food on the table. There was a wash room, with everything including a bathtub. Inside the room that was nicely decorated with North Korean art, there was also a Karaoke machine. All the food was very good, but not as spicy as the South Korean food. I tried what North Korean food is most well known for; their cold noodles. The flavor was very good, but it was weird to eat good noodles, mind you with chopsticks.

North Korean Waitress Singing Karaoke
After the food, we wanted to sing Karaoke, and the waitress, dressed in a simple blue dress with a white collar sang for us! Her singing voice was beautiful! We tried to take pictures, but it is not allowed as the restaurant is operated by the North Korean Government and the waitresses are all actually from North Korea! As we were not permitted to take photos, I'm not posting any of my pictures of this.
We finished the night by singing Karaoke Asian style! (well, I attempted at least)
Throughout the Karaoke songs, beautiful images of North Korea came across the screen.

After this unique opportunity and first encounter of eating both South and North Korean food, in Bangladesh, one thing is certain; I want to travel to both countries in the near future.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Free as a Bird after strikes in Bangladesh

Photo by author. Not connected with strike

Finally! The strikes are over, for this time around at least. After schools and offices have been closed for several days, we could go back to work today.

Results of the strikes?
Walking in the streets today, I saw a burned out bus. The smashed bus looked very randomly placed by a sidewalk off of one of the main streets.

Overview of the Strikes
I will give you an insight into the strikes on July 6-7, and then again July 10 and 11. (I'm by no means an expert.) We were recommended not to leave the hotel as violence sometimes occur during the strikes. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party called the first strike. According to CNN, they called the strike due to the government's failure to regulate the capital market of Bangladesh and failure to curb commodity prices, such as increase of food prices and gas prices. BBC reported that 10 vehicles were torched overnight July 6th. A number of people were injured and arrested.

The police used tear gas in the 30 hour strike on July 10 and 11. This second strike was organized to protest the removal of a religious pledge from the Bangladesh constitution.

Personal Experience of Strike
I did not see or hear any of the strikes, and it was very peaceful in the streets where I live. I heard that most of the disruption happens right outside of Dhaka instead of inside the city. The police has a lot more control inside the city, than outside of it as I understood. From friends, I heard that many people used the day shopping and dining at restaurants, just like any other weekend day off from work. As we foreigners were under the impression that we should not leave the hotel, we had a few very boring days.

One thing is for sure, I did not enjoy being inside for so long, not being able to go outside. Until now, I think perhaps I had underestimated the importance of being able to move around freely.
Today, I felt free as a bird. It was a lovely feeling to no longer be trapped in a hotel.