Sir Frank Peters and Bangladesh

by Dr. Nadia Rahman
June 22, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1531/sir-frank-peters-and-bangladesh

I admired Sir Frank Peters from the moment my two teenage sons rushed home from school one day, saying his name with respect, and excitedly telling me that corporal punishment had been abolished in their school. As I type now I still see the lovely glowing smile on their faces, it's a picture in my mind I will always keep and treasure.

This week, quite by accident, when I visited a photo studio in Gulshan, I learned a story about Sir Frank that intrigued, fascinated, and filled me with even more admiration and respect for him.

The man who created the unique Bangabondhu tribute poster that symbolises the Proclamation of Bangladesh and who successfully campaigned to have corporal punishment in schools abolished, is affectionately known among the beggar community as "Bondhu Hashi"(friend with the smiling face).

'They all know him and love him,' shop owner Amin told me, as he handed me a photo of Sir Frank with some of his fan club members.

'If the children need a toothbrush, tee-shirt, pencil, pen, or anything like that, he makes a note and delivers it on his next visit or leaves it here in the shop for them to collect. He's never gone back on his word to them and he always fulfils his promises. Many of the children ate real chocolate for the first time in their lives when Sir Frank brought some from the Cadbury Factory in England especially for them. He is very thoughtful, considerate, and sees all people, poor or rich, as equal in the eyes of Allah.'

Amin said none of the beggars ever had a photograph of themselves or their children, but Sir Frank changed that. He takes photographs of beggars in groups and tells them to return to the shop the following day to pick them up! As soon as the beggars see him arrive, they run and wait outside the shop.

'Sometimes he doesn't have sufficient change and he tells the beggars 'next time' and they go away happy, because they know he means it. He's most probably the only person in Bangladesh that the beggars, in a sense, give credit!" he laughed.

I asked Amin's friend Altaf how Sir Frank won the pet name Bondhu Hashe and I learned that when Sir Frank first came here 16-years ago many of the beggars would approach him rubbing their stomachs as if they had not eaten in days and others would put on fake tear-filled voices and contort their faces as if they were on the brink of death, but he would not encourage their Academy award performances.

He would say 'jup!' in a stern voice, and then add 'hashi...hashi' repeatedly with a smile of his own. Those who smiled back he would award with taka and those who didn't he would give nothing and continue on walking. Soon the word spread among the begging community about the white man who demanded and was given a smile in return for his taka.

He has a rare relationship with beggars and although he's reputed to be kind and gives taka to most, he does have limits to his generosity. He refuses to give taka to beggar women with babies in their arms on hot sunny days. He told Amin that no baby should be out all day unprotected in the hot scorching sun, inviting fever, dehydration, and other discomforts and illnesses and he would not encourage mothers by giving them his support.

We love our children more than anything on earth and beggar women are no different in that regard, it's only natural. Having a photograph of the child you love is one of the most wonderful, prized possessions you could own, beggar woman or not.

I'm overjoyed that human kindness still exists and overwhelmed that Sir Frank Peters has had the consideration and compassion to give such a thoughtful gift to a mother. Through this simple gesture alone, the pleasure he has brought these downtrodden families would be enormous. Bondhu Hashe is indeed a true friend of Bangladesh. May Almighty Allah always bless him.

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