World Refugee Day observed in India

UNHCR India marked World Refugee Day 2014 with an exhibition of refugee photos by world renowned photographer Raghu Rai in India International Center, New Delhi.

India has been hospitable to refugees since tenth century and this is evident by the number of refugees who seek refuge in India. India hosts refugees from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Tibet, China and Somali.

Raghu Rai's photographs depict refugees' daily struggle to restore their lives, their families and dignity from our society which offered them protection and prospects. "They long to belong" that is the theme of the story.

"Basically this exhibition has been done to capture the kind of life they lived in another land and it's their emotions and sensitivities towards the environment, and what they feel. How they live their daily lives is portrayed here. The fact remains those who come all this way for seeking refugee; somehow they want to go back to their homeland. Everyone belongs to somewhere, and everyone wants go back to their country that is the story," said Rai.

For centuries India has been a country where refugees have turned up from different communities, religious and sects and India has always welcomed them.

Government for a very long time had looked after refugees those who have come from Tibet, Sri Lanka and build up very solid system of supporting them and making sure they are safe.

"We have received a card from UNHCR and have been staying in India legally. Our life was not secure and safe in Afghanistan so we seek Refugee in India". Said Afghan Refugee (Muhammad Dahu Sharifi)

Muhammad Dahu Sarif is working as a Translator and happy in India.

The United Nations High Commissioner Refugee (UNHCR) is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect and assist refugees and to help identify lasting solutions for them.

"UNHCR in the first place after the registration of refugees, they have been interviewed and a status has been determined and once they recognized the refugees which not everyone will be, they are then supported in terms of finding livelihood in terms of being able to generate income and defend for himself," Said, Dominik Bartsch UNHCR India - Chief of Mission.

UNHCR helps the refugees in learning Hindi right at the beginning so that they quickly become fluent and they can express themselves.

Event like this reflects the insight of refugee's life. They have sorrow and pain they have joy and happiness. They have daily struggle some time their life is hard but they also have happy moments.

UNHCR India collaborates with the government in supporting refugees who come to India to seek safety for persecution. UNCHR provides documentation, facilities access to health, education and livelihood support.

Every Year, on 20th June, the United Nations along with government and civil society celebrate World refugee Day.

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