The Hindu : New Delhi News : Remembering a place called `home'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 22, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Remembering a place called `home'

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JUNE 21. It was a day to remember "home" as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees continued their celebrations for World Refugee Day in the Capital today. Following the theme of "A Place Called Home", the cultural events saw plenty of participation while a demonstration was also organised outside the UNHCR office here criticising its "brutal attitude" towards refugees.

Complaining against the "inhuman activities" of UNHCR, members of the Afghan Refugees Council in India, participated in a demonstration at the UNHCR office and submitted a memorandum to Deputy Chief of Mission, Carol Batchelor. "The situation in Afghanistan is not good. If the UNHCR is not going to provide for us as it is supposed to, then they should re-settle us in another country," said a refugee who has been in India for more than 20 years now.

"Our official met with them today and will also be meeting them next week. They reiterated their demand for re-settlement in other countries. But now the situation in Afghanistan is different. In the changed circumstances not everyone has a case strong enough to be put up for re-settlement," said Chief of Mission, UNHCR, Lennart Kotsalainen. The UNHCR had also organised a round-table with refugees, academicians and UNHCR officials this past Friday as a run-up to the World Refugee Day on June 20.

"This year's theme revolves around finding a home for refugees so that they don't remain refugees. The round table discussion also focused on trying to find a permanent solution to that," added Mr. Kotsalainen.

A host of cultural events and medical camps were also organised all over the Capital by implementing agencies of UNHCR today. "The medical camp in Laxmi Nagar was specially for Afghan Refugees. About 83 patients visited the three-hour long camp. And we also distributed free medication," said centre manager, Clifford Bhoora adding that refugee groups also performed a number of ethnic dances and songs, most of them patriotic.

At Malviya Nagar, health check-ups were organised for different genders and age by the Voluntary Health Association of Delhi. Free eye check-up camp was also organised by Venu Eye Centre at the medical camp. This was followed by lunch - specially cooked by refugees themselves - and a number of cultural events like songs, plays and readings by Burmese, Sudanese and Iranian refugees.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi