Assam kids become poster boys for communal amity in Bangladesh

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<strong>Innocence appeals across region and religion and a standing example of this came up recently when the picture of two little ones — Lijesh Poddar and Edwin Sutradhar from Assam — was used in posters and placards during a protest by Awami League in Bangladesh in Dhaka.</strong></p>
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The image of Lijesh and Edwin, from Bijni of lower Assam, was shown by Bangladesh television channels several times while covering League’s protest and it was spotted by Litton Poddar, Lijesh’s father. He watched the footage several times to double-check the identity of the two kids.</p>
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Talking about this Litton told the media: “This picture of my son and his friend Edwin was a frame of the creative capture by Tapas Pal, a photographer from Bongaigaon. Tapas thought of doing something different so he dressed my son as a Hindu boy and another as a Muslim as friends-in-arms. One of my friends informed me that the picture was in the posters of the Awami League protest in Dhaka. I am extremely elated that my son and his friend are now the poster boys for peace and communal brotherhood in Bangladesh.”</p>
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While nine-year-old Lijesh studies in Class III, Edwin is one year older and is a student of Class IV, and they are primary school buddies. Though now they are studying in different schools they meet at the dance school.</p>
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The picture has been used on several other occasions, informed Litton, who is a Government school teacher, including by a Member of Parliament from Rajasthan. This time of course, the two friends decided to transcend the border. “Lijesh says that he feels like a celebrity seeing his picture across diverse platforms,” commented Litton.</p>
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Following a clash between two communities in Bangladesh, the ruling party had organised a public rally against communal violence. The marchers asserted that they will never allow Bangladesh to become a victim of communal hatred and made a case for peace and harmony. The rally which went up to Swahid Minar had several posters reading “Stop this communal evil, Bangladesh” and many had the picture of the two young friends symbolising communal amity.</p>