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Brief Account of the project activities:

Here is a compilation of the news releases on project activities executed so far. Notably, all of these news releases have already been published in various Bangladeshi Bengali and English newspapers and our own electronic news bulletin 'Indigenous voice' as well.

Awareness of the Indigenous on Their Franchise Stressed

Lalmonirhat, December 23: Stressing on raising awareness of the indigenous people on their franchise, speakers said, to stop selling and buying of their votes, the indigenous people have to be made aware and conscious of their rights of voting in a free and fair way.

It was stressed in the dialogue on Role of Journalists in Raising Indigenous People’s Voice in Lalmonirhat today. With the support of WACC, mass communication oriented development organization CCD Bangladesh organized this dialogue. Speakers in the dialogue also said, indigenous people living in the northern region are not much aware of their voting rights and its significance. That is why; many candidates either buy their votes for a nominal financial exchange or prevent them from voting by life-threat or violence.

Indigenous leaders furiously said, though many organizations are implementing different awareness programs on election process, but there is no involvement of indigenous people in this program. As a result, a huge number of indigenous people are becoming deprived of their proper, free and fair voting rights.

The problems and potential of the indigenous people living in Lalmonirhat in respect to their economy, education, culture, politics and environment and the role of journalists to uphold these issues were chalked out in the dialogue.

Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Biswas facilitated the dialogue. Regional Coordinator of CCD Aminul Hoque, Project Coordinator A H M Abdul Hai, Networking Officer Abu Hena Mostofa Kamal and Advocacy Officer Salah Uddin Ahmed Murad presented welcome address. Representatives of local and national newspapers and delegates from indigenous communities and NGOs working for the welfare of the indigenous people actively took part in the dialogue.

Constitutional Recognition of the Indigenous of Northern Region Demanded

Kurhigram, December 22: The constitutional recognition of the indigenous people living in the plain land of the northern region has been demanded for the socio-economic and human rights development of these unprivileged community.

It was demanded in the dialogue on Role of Journalists in Raising Indigenous People’s Voice in Kurhigram today. With the support of WACC, mass communication oriented development organization CCD Bangladesh organized this dialogue. Speakers in the dialogue also said, though the tribal people living in the hilly area have been constitutionally recognized as indigenous, the northern indigenous people have yet been the same. As a result they are becoming deprived of different Government facilities. Moreover, having no initiative for their development, the indigenous people living in the northern region are leading very poor and subhuman life here.

Speakers also said, United Nations (UN) has stressed on recognition of the indigenous constitutionally and also recognized the term Indigenous internationally. Therefore, indigenous leaders called upon the journalists to play active role to build up public opinion and encourage Government for their constitutional recognition.
The problems and potential of the indigenous people living in Kurhigram in respect to their economy, education, culture, politics and environment and the role of journalists to uphold these issues were chalked out in the dialogue.

Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Biswas facilitated the dialogue. District Coordinator of CCD Shofi Khan, Project Coordinator A H M Abdul Hai, Networking Officer Abu Hena Mostofa Kamal and Training Officer Swaran Sarkar presented welcome address. Representatives of local and national newspapers and delegates from indigenous communities and NGOs working for the welfare of the indigenous people actively took part in the dialogue.

Stopping Threat to the Indigenous During Election Demanded

Gaibandha, November 25: Speakers demanded the caretaker government to take necessary initiative for stopping threat and harassment to be imposed upon the indigenous people of the northern region during the national election in the country.
It was demanded in the dialogue on Role of Journalists in Raising Indigenous People’s Voice held at the Gaibandha Public Library Auditorium on Saturday. With the support of WACC, mass communication oriented development organization CCD Bangladesh organized this dialogue. Speakers also said, different political parties offer various attractive allurements and sometimes threat to bag votes of the indigenous people for their candidates during election. As a result they cannot cast their votes freely with their own choice in the election.
Indigenous leaders with much anguish said, in the coming national election a number of indigenous candidates will vie for Member of Parliament in the northern region. Therefore, they demanded special security to the caretaker government for the indigenous people, so that no one can threaten or allure them during the national election.
The problems and potential of the indigenous people living in Gaibandha in respect to their economy, education, culture, politics and environment and the role of journalists to uphold these issues were chalked out in the dialogue.
Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Biswas facilitated the dialogue. Director of CCD Bangladesh G M Mourtoza, District Coordinator in Gaibandha Gobindo Lal Das, Networking Officer Abu Hena, Training Officer Swaran Sarker, Advocacy Officer Salah Uddin Ahmed Murad and representatives of local and national newspapers and delegates from indigenous communities and NGOs working for the welfare of the indigenous people actively took part in the dialogue.

Preserved Seat in Parliament for the Indigenous People Demanded

Naogaon, November 25: Preserved constituencies for the indigenous people in national parliament has been demanded for the socio-economic development and for establishing basic rights of them.
It was opined in the dialogue on Role of Journalists in Raising Indigenous People’s Voice held at the District Council Conference Room in Naogaon on Friday. With the support of WACC, mass communication oriented development organization CCD Bangladesh organized this dialogue. Speakers also said, though there is a universal declaration of ensuring equal rights and facilities in the constitution of Bangladesh for all the citizens of the country irrespective of caste, color and religion, the indigenous people are most deprived and unprivileged in the country. They are becoming prey to negligence and deprivation and their human rights are being violated frequently everywhere.
Indigenous leaders with much anguish said, different political parties are giving words to preserve human rights and facilities for the indigenous people during the national election. Many parties are coming to power, but they are doing nothing for the welfare of the indigenous community. To change this flattery and sorrowful situation, the indigenous leaders strongly demanded keep certain constituencies for them to raise their voice and rights of the indigenous community.
The problems and potential of the indigenous people living in Naogaon in respect to their economy, education, culture, politics and environment and the role of journalists to uphold these issues were chalked out in the dialogue.
Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Biswas facilitated the dialogue. Director of CCD Bangladesh G M Mourtoza, District Coordinator in Naogaon Sadequl Islam and Training Officer Swaran Sarker presented welcome address. Representatives of local and national newspapers and delegates from indigenous communities and NGOs working for the welfare of the indigenous people actively took part in the dialogue.

Franchise of the Indigenous in Northern Region Have to be Ensured

Bogra, 11 November: Calling upon maintaining franchise rights of the indigenous people in the northern region, speakers said, many of them will not be able to cast their votes in the coming national election as their names are yet to be enlisted in the voter list.

It was opined in the dialogue on Role of Journalists in Raising Indigenous People’s Voice held at CDL auditorium in Bogra on Saturday. With the support of WACC, mass communication oriented development organization CCD Bangladesh organized this dialogue. Speakers also said, different political parties and candidates threaten the indigenous people living in the northern region of the country and sometimes they offer covetous promise to flatter the voters during election. As a result they cannot cast their votes with their own choice freely.

The indigenous leaders said, as many indigenous people live sporadically in different areas, their names are yet to be enlisted in the present voter list. That is why many of them will be deprived of their voting rights in the coming national election, they added. Demanding their voting rights through including their names in the voter list, they said, only if a certain quota is preserved in the national parliament for the indigenous people of the plain land, their socio-economic condition could be improved.

The problems and potential of the indigenous people living in Bogra in respect to their economy, education, culture, politics and environment and the role of journalists to uphold these issues were chalked out in the dialogue.

Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Biswas facilitated the dialogue. Regional Coordinator of CCD Hasibur Rahman Bilu and Project Coordinator A H M Abdul Hai presented welcome address. Representatives of local and national newspapers and delegates from indigenous communities and NGOs working for the welfare of the indigenous people actively took part in the dialogue.

Increasing Indigenous Quota for University Admission Demanded

Joypurhat, October 07: With the view to making higher education easier for the indigenous people, increasing  indigenous quota in admission in public universities has been demanded.

This demand was raised in the dialogue on Role of Journalists in Raising Indigenous People’s Voice held at the Municipality Auditorium in Joypurhat today. With the support of WACC, mass communication oriented development organization CCD Bangladesh organized this dialogue. Speakers said, as a result of government and non-government initiatives and support, the literacy rate has increased though little among the indigenous communities in the northern region. That is why; many indigenous youths are now studying in some higher educational institutions in the country.

The indigenous community leaders complained, though the number of capable students from the indigenous communities for higher education is increasing, indigenous quota had not been extended. Consequently, many potential and brilliant but unprivileged indigenous students could not afford to higher education. They strongly demanded to the Government and concerned authority to take immediate steps to increase indigenous quota in accordance with the increasing literacy rate among the indigenous people in the country.

The problems and potential of the indigenous people living in Joypurhat in respect to their economy, education, culture, politics and environment and the role of journalists to uphold these issues were chalked out in the dialogue.

Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Biswas facilitated the dialogue. Director of CCD Bangladesh G M Mourtoza, District Coordinator in Joypurhat Shahjahan Siraj Mithu and Program Coordinator A H M Abdul Hai presented welcome address. Representatives of local and national newspapers and delegates from indigenous communities and NGOs working for the welfare of the indigenous people actively took part in the dialogue.

Indigenous People in Northern Region Going Backward Due to Lack of Leadership

Syedpur (Nilphamari), October 06: The socio-economic and cultural status of the indigenous people living in the northern region is deteriorating due to the lack of honest and responsible leadership among themselves. Instead of their development, welfare and empowerment, the trend of using them for the political purposes is increasing in this region of the country.

It was opined in the dialogue on Role of Journalists in Raising Indigenous People’s Voice held at the auditorium of Syedpur Lions School in Nilphamari today. With the support of WACC, mass communication oriented development organization CCD Bangladesh organized this dialogue. Speakers also said, in the name of development and welfare of the indigenous people, some indigenous leaders have established different association and organizations, but these organizations are engaged only in observing some special days and their propaganda. Their success in ensuring development and welfare of the indigenous communities is very little. Moreover, there arises much question regarding the transparency and effectiveness of the activities of the development organizations established for the welfare of the indigenous communities by the non-indigenous leaders in the country, they added.

Speakers also added, instead of ensuring welfare and empowerment of the indigenous communities, the trend of using them for political purposes is increasing in this region. Moreover, raising political conflicts among themselves is making their situation more deteriorating. They opined that irresponsibility and selfish mentality of the indigenous leaders are mainly liable for this miserable condition of the indigenous communities of this area.

The problems and potential of the indigenous people living in Nilphamari in respect to their economy, education, culture, politics and environment and the role of journalists to uphold these issues were chalked out in the dialogue.

Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Biswas facilitated the dialogue. Director of CCD Bangladesh G M Mourtoza, Regional Coordinator Shah Alam Shahi, Program Coordinator A H M Abdul Hai and District Coordinator Aminul Hoque presented welcome address. Representatives of local and national newspapers and delegates from indigenous communities and NGOs working for the welfare of the indigenous people actively took part in the dialogue.

Quota System in Service is Not Maintained for the  Indigenous People of the Northern Region

Thakurgaon, October 05: Quota system in public service is not properly maintained for the indigenous people of the northern region in the country. As a result there arise despair and agitation among them. There also arise question of realization of the quota system in respect to public service recruitment.  

It was opined in the dialogue on Role of Journalists in Raising Indigenous People’s Voice held at the training centre of Manab Kolyan Parishad in Thakurgaon today. With the support of WACC, mass communication oriented development organization CCD Bangladesh organized this dialogue. Speakers also said, as a consequence of the initiatives taken by the Government and non-government organizations, the literacy rate is increasing among the indigenous people in this region. Therefore there arises much expectation of getting government jobs among them, but it turns futile in the long run.

Indigenous leaders complained, though there is a provision of maintaining quota system for the indigenous people in respect to public recruitment, it is being violated regarding the indigenous people of the plain land of the northern region. In spite of having qualified candidates from indigenous community for the posts, they are not recruited in aboriginal cultural academy and many other Government institutions. If such a situation and practice prevails, there is no utility of keeping any quota system for the indigenous, they added.

The problems and potential of the indigenous people living in Thakurgaon in respect to their economy, education, culture, politics and environment and the role of journalists to uphold these issues were chalked out in the dialogue.

Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Biswas facilitated the dialogue. Director of CCD Bangladesh G M Mourtoza, Regional Coordinator Shah Alam Shahi and District Coordinator in Thakurgaon Shamsujjoha presented welcome address. Representatives of local and national newspapers and delegates from indigenous communities and NGOs working for the welfare of the indigenous people actively took part in the dialogue.

Early Marriage Rising among the Indigenous in Northern Region 

Panchagarh, October 04: Early marriage is rising alarmingly among the indigenous communities living in the northern region of the country. In spite of conducting awareness campaign, it is difficult to protest early marriage among them here.

It was opined in the dialogue on Role of Journalists in Raising Indigenous People’s Voice held at the District Council Auditorium in Panchagarh today. With the support of WACC, mass communication oriented development organization CCD Bangladesh organized this dialogue. Speakers also said, the adolescent girls in the indigenous communities are often becoming prey to the sexual harassment by the local musclemen this area. Even if it is complained with the police station, they are getting nothing but much more threat and torture instead of legal support., they added.

The indigenous leaders said, mainly due to the lack of security, they are compelled to marry their daughters at the age of 13 to 16. They also said, though some development organizations are conducting awareness campaign in this area, it leaves no positive impact on the situation. Without preventing sexual harassment of the young indigenous ladies, it is impossible to prevent early marriage, they firmly stressed.

The problems and potential of the indigenous people living in Panchagarh in respect to their economy, education, culture, politics and environment and the role of journalists to uphold these issues were chalked out in the dialogue.

Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Biswas facilitated the dialogue. Director of CCD Bangladesh G M Mourtoza, Regional Coordinator in Panchagarh Shah Alam Shahi and District Coordinator Sajjadur Rahman Sajjad presented welcome address. Representatives of local and national newspapers and delegates from indigenous communities and NGOs working for the welfare of the indigenous people actively took part in the dialogue.

95% Indigenous People Deprived of Education in Northern Region:

Pabna, September 27: 95% of the indigenous people living in the northern region are deprived of education and lack of education is the main cause of their poverty and backwardness.

It was opined in the dialogue on Role of Journalists in Raising Indigenous People’s Voice held at the District Council Auditorium in Pabna today. With the support of WACC, mass communication oriented development organization CCD Bangladesh organized this dialogue. Speakers also said, there prevails a negative attitude to the children of the indigenous people in the educational institutions and they are discouraged at education there. Actually, due to poverty and social negligence towards them, 95% of the indigenous children are dropout from education. Consequently, literacy rate is not increasing among them. Though some development organizations have taken initiative to educate them in their own language, it is yet to be satisfactory in this region. Speakers, therefore, stressed on educating them for socio-economic development of the backward saontal and other aboriginal communities.

The problems and potential of the indigenous people living in Pabna in respect to their economy, education, culture, politics and environment and the role of journalists to uphold these issues were chalked out in the dialogue.

Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Biswas facilitated the dialogue. Director of CCD Bangladesh G M Mourtoza, Regional Coordinator in Pabna Faruk Hossain Chowdhury and Program Coordinator A H M Abdul Hai presented welcome address. Representatives of local and national newspapers and delegates from indigenous communities and NGOs working for the welfare of the indigenous people actively took part in the dialogue.

Indigenous People Living Subhuman Life in Natore: Dialogue on Community Journalism

Natore, September 23: Calling upon the journalists to sketch true picture of sufferings and poverty of the indigenous people, speakers said, not having taken any effective initiative for the development of the aboriginals, they are living subhuman life in the area of Natore.

It was opined in the dialogue on Role of Journalists in Raising Indigenous People’s Voice held at the training room of Lustre in Natore today. With the support of WACC, mass communication oriented development organization CCD Bangladesh organized this dialogue. Speakers also said, there has been adopted no Government or non-government initiatives for the welfare and poverty alleviation of the indigenous people in Natore. Consequently, their poverty has been taking severe turn there. Moreover, they are deprived of education and proper medical service, they added. Therefore the journalists have been urged to conduct media advocacy to promote initiatives for the welfare of the backward saontal and other aboriginal communities.

The problems and potential of the indigenous people living in Natore in respect to economy, education, culture, politics and environment and the role of journalists to uphold these issues were chalked out in the dialogue.

Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Biswas facilitated the dialogue. Director of CCD Bangladesh G M Mourtoza and Executive Director of Lustre Laila Arjumand Banu presented welcome address. Representatives of local and national newspapers and delegates from indigenous communities and NGOs working for the welfare of the indigenous people actively took part in the dialogue.

Incident of Making The Indigenous Landless Rising: Dialogue on Community Journalism in Dinajpur 

Dinajpur, August 25: Calling upon the journalists to play active role to build up public opinion against the occupying the land and properties of the indigenous people of Dinajpur, speakers said, the incident of making the aboriginal people of Dinajpur landless is alarmingly increasing under the shelter of a group of musclemen in Dinajpur.

It was opined in the dialogue on Role of Journalists in Raising Indigenous People’s Voice held at A T Bari Auditorium of FPAB in Dinajpur today. With the support of WACC, mass communication oriented development organization CCD Bangladesh organized this dialogue. Speakers also said, mainly due to the lack of education and awareness some powerful group are buying the vast land of the indigenous people for a meager of price or occupying by force. They even cannot hesitate to grab the graveyard of the indigenous people. As a result they are gradually becoming landless and suffering from acute poverty in the long run.

The problems and potential of the indigenous people living in Dianjpur in respect to economy, education, culture, politics and environment and the role of journalists to uphold these issues were chalked out in the dialogue.

Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Biswas facilitated the dialogue. Executive Director of CDA Shah-E-Mobin spoke on the meeting. Director of CCD Bangladesh G M Mourtoza and Regional Coordinator Shah Alam Shahi presented welcome address. Representatives of local and national newspapers and delegates from NGOs working in Dinajpur for the welfare of the indigenous people actively took part in the dialogue.

Hereditary Culture of The Indigenous People Disappearing: Dialogue on Community Journalism in Chapai Nawabgonj

Chapai Nawabgonj, August 23: Calling upon the journalists to play active role in reviving the hereditary culture of the indigenous people, speakers said, the glorious culture and folk knowledge of the aboriginal people of Chapai Nawabgonj are disappearing, which is immensely needed to preserve.

It was opined in the dialogue on Role of Journalists in Raising Indigenous People’s Voice held at CCDB Training Room in Chapai Nawabgonj today. With the support of WACC, mass communication oriented development organization CCD Bangladesh organized this dialogue. Speakers also said, mainly due to acute poverty, the aboriginal people of this region cannot keep continue their inherited glorious cultural performance and heritage; they also failed to preserve folk knowledge and life style.   Hopefully with the attempt of some development organizations, the education system in their own mother tongue has been introduced in the country, speakers added and stressed to strengthen this initiative.

The problems and potential of the indigenous people living in Chapai Nawabgonj in respect to economy, education, culture, politics and environment and the role of journalists to uphold these issues were chalked out in the dialogue.

Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Biswas facilitated the dialogue. Director of CCD Bangladesh G M Mourtoza and Program Coordinator A H M Abdul Hai presented welcome address. Representatives of local and national newspapers and delegates from NGOs working for the welfare of the indigenous people actively took part in the dialogue.

Deprivation of The Indigenous of Plain Land Increasing: Dialogue on Community Journalism in Rajshahi

Rajshahi, August 19: Calling upon the journalists to play active role in painting real picture of human deprivation and potential of the indigenous people of Rajshahi region, speakers said, though a number of initiatives have been taken for the development of the aboriginal people of the hilly area, the development issue of the indigenous people of the plain land is still getting no significance.

It was opined in the dialogue on Role of Journalists in Raising Indigenous People’s Voice held at UPHCP Training Room of Rajshahi City Corporation today. With the support of WACC, mass communication oriented development organization CCD Bangladesh organized this dialogue. Speakers also said, mainly due to lack of education and awareness the aboriginal people of Rajshahi region are remaining backward. As a result of acute poverty, they are becoming compelled to embrace begging and ferrying their labor from door to door. Speakers also stressed on introducing and practicing community journalism to establish the issue of development of the indigenous people of the plain land as a national one.

The problems and potential of the indigenous people in respect to economy, education, culture, politics and environment and the role of journalists to uphold these issues were chalked out in the dialogue.

Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Dulal Chandra Biswas facilitated the dialogue. Director of CCD Bangladesh G M Mourtoza presented welcome address. Representatives of local and national newspapers and delegates from NGOs working for the welfare of the indigenous people actively took part in the dialogue.

Notably, CCD Bangladesh has been implementing an elaborate program to introduce and create enabling environment for community journalism for the betterment of the indigenous people and more 15 dialogues will be arranged in other districts in Rajshahi division under this program.

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