Wheelchair-bound, Breshna Musazai, an Afghanistan-based activist and a student, wants to devote her life to empower women of her country. The law graduate, called as the ‘Malala of Afghanistan,’ was shot at and injured by the Taliban in one of her legs in 2016. Her other leg was already stricken by polio. On her visit to the city, she interacted with Orissa POST. Excerpts from the interview:
OP: India and Afghanistan had strong bilateral ties. How do you perceive the country from your perspective?
We have really good friendship and bonding and I really appreciate that. I am very thankful to the Indian government. My friends who have visited India always talk good things about India and its people. The country had been supporting Afghanistan.
OP: What was the most striking thing you observed about Odisha during your visit here?
When I landed in Odisha, I was overwhelmed by the response I got and the crowd that was present there to welcome me. I was not expecting such a welcome. I was thrilled. I saw girls riding bikes on the streets of Bhubaneswar that we are not accustomed to seeing in Afghanistan. Very few women drive cars in Afghanistan. People here are friendly and of welcoming nature. It is my first time here but I don’t feel like it is the first time.
OP: You have done your graduation and planning to do masters now. How do you want to use your education?
I want to advocate human rights and humanity not only in Afghanistan but in the whole world. Through my education I want to become the voice of those whose voices are not heard. I think my education will help me in undertaking my plans. I want to go back to my country after my masters. I want to support those girls who do not have access to education. Women and girls in India are lucky as they enjoy more privileges compared to many countries. I want to serve the underprivileged.
OP: Odisha has imposed ban on plastic in many cities. How you see the move?
It will help the environment. Recently, I saw some videos how the discharging of plastic garbage into water bodies kill the animals and plants and interfere with the overall ecology. It is also not good for humans. People usually do not care about environment while using plastic which harms the animals and plants. Such a ban would surely help the planet. I support the campaign.
OP: Do you think Indian films connect India-Afghanistan. How popular are they in Afghanistan?
People in Afghanistan love Indian movies. Through Indian movies, they have learnt how to speak Hindi. I have watched a number of Hindi films and often listen to Hindi film songs. I easily recognize Indian cine stars like Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan and others. It has become a link between India and Afghanistan. Not only in Afghanistan but all over the world Bollywood is quite popular.
Manish Kumar, OP