Bangladesh Travelogue
Twelfth and Final Episode
By Shariq Ali
Valueversity
All the conference delegates stood outside in the spacious lawn, forming a circle with their hands joined together. People from different corners of the world—America, Afghanistan, the UK, Uganda, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Canada, Nigeria, Bhutan, and others—held hands, united in a single circle. A circle of humanity.
This circle symbolized confidence and hope born from a shared understanding of suffering. It was as though this chain of hands had transcended all economic, racial, national, and religious divisions. We were no longer just a circle but a family. Despite our different colors and features, we found joy and pride in simply being human, glowing with hope and faith.
It was the last day of our four-day burns retreat. We were scheduled to return to Dhaka in the evening. The morning session included closing lectures and participants’ reflections. This conference had proven immensely valuable for making new friends, learning from one another’s experiences, and fostering mutual cooperation.
The International Network for Training, Education, and Research in Burns (InterBurns) is an organization established in collaboration with Tom Potokar of the Welsh Burn Centre, Shariq Ali of Karachi Burn Centre, and Shobha Chamania of Indore Burn Centre in Madhya Pradesh. Its goal is to address global issues related to the treatment of burn patients. This was the second retreat by InterBurns, featuring delegates not only from Asian countries such as Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar but also from Nigeria and Ghana.
Delegates from high-income countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, and Switzerland, also participated in this four-day conference. The aim was not just to provide advanced medical knowledge but also to strengthen the spirit of global cooperation and humanitarian service.
The fundamental philosophy of InterBurns is that burn patients symbolize a universal human suffering, and any form of discrimination or inequality in their treatment is unacceptable. This retreat embodied that philosophy. Participants exchanged research, experiences, and ideas, emphasizing global collaboration.
During the closing session, most participants wore their national attire. After the tea break, we gathered outside in the expansive lawn, forming a circle by holding hands. A brief silence followed, one that felt more powerful than words.
Suddenly, a soft voice began to sing:
“Hum honge kaamyab, hum honge kaamyab…”
Gradually, this voice became a shared chorus. Within moments, the entire circle resonated with the song:
“Hum honge kaamyab ek din, man mein hai vishwas, poora hai vishwas, hum honge kaamyab ek din.”
These were not just words but the heartfelt aspirations and dreams of ordinary people from across the world. The languages were different, but the hope was shared. The song was first sung in Urdu and Hindi, then in English:
“We shall overcome, we shall overcome, one day…”
The voices grew louder, and the circle grew stronger. For a while, we held onto time, singing the song together. The geographical divisions of the world faded from our view, leaving only humanity clearly visible.
After the song, many photos were taken—group photos and individual snapshots with friends to preserve the precious moments. Certificates were distributed during the closing ceremony, and participants bid farewell with warm hugs.
We were now seated in a minibus on the road from Sylhet to Dhaka. Memories of the beautiful days spent in Bangladesh swirled in my mind: the lush green, endless rice fields, melodious rivers, boundless forests, scattered small and large lakes, and above all, the warm-hearted and hospitable people. There was so much to cherish!
By the time we reached the hotel late at night, it was time to sleep. The next day, our return flight awaited. The journey had ended, but its fragrance would linger for a long time.
…The End…