Like every year, this year 2017 on March 14, Waterkeepers Bangladesh, Voice of the Old Brahmaputra River,  Nirapod Development Foundation (NDF), Blue Planet Initiative (BPI), and a local NGO Rangdhonur Rang arranged a day- long program titled ‘ River is My Mother’  to celebrate the ‘‘International Day of Action for Rivers’. To observe the 20th Anniversary Day of Action for rivers, everyone gathered just opposite side of the ‘Sarinda Noughat’ near the bank of the Brahmaputra river at 12.30 pm. Around 50 boatmen were present during the event and briefed about the history and significance of the International Day of Action for Rivers as well as ongoing pollution, encroachment and filling.  Leaflets and t-shirts were distributed among the boatmen and participants.

In the discussion, important issues such as protecting the rivers from encroachment, pollution, grabbing were discussed. On top of these, various demands from both the locals and boatmen were showcased. Moreover, the long boat chain reminded the local people that they should pay more attention in order to secure the rivers, and create awareness and campaign for the betterment of the environment. Echoing the slogan ‘My river, My life’, Ibnul Syed Rana, Voice of the Old Brahmaputra River and chairman of NDF urged everyone to come forward to speak, and to reduce the pollution of rivers. ‘‘It is a day to take to the streets, demonstrate and demand improvements in the policies and practices of decision makers. It is a day to educate one another about the threats facing our rivers, and learn about better water and energy solutions’’, Ibnul Syed added.

 He also thanked them for their presence and wished their active participation in near future. Among others, Tapan Mahmud, Agriculturalist, Singer Tapan, Shariar, Shafan and Aftab Habib , member NDF, Mohaiminul  Jannat Rumel , Suman Pandit, Shakir Ahmed Rony, Saddam Hussein, Nazmul Hossain Rony, Jebunnesa Hossain Shriti, Shahida Sony, shuchona Anny, Merina , Belayat Hossain ect. To mark the day, just the next day on 15^th March, Tuesday a discussion meeting titled ‘River and Life’, held at capital Dhaka’s SEL Centre Auditorium organized by Abashan News23.com. Besides, YSSE, SAYRID, NDF, YCB, Voice of the Old Brahmaputra River, Waterkeepers Bangladesh, SEL Charitable Foundation were the other partner organizations as part of the event.

Above all, it is a day to unite – by acting together; they demonstrate that these issues are not merely local, but global in scope.

The news of the event was published in some of the national dailies. Please find important links below:

• http://abashannews24.com/post_details.php?id=4916
• http://abashannews24.com/post_details.php?id=4932
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNb4TnAqlgc&feature=share