On August 6, 1945, a tragic chapter was written in world history. During World War II, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb as part of the Manhattan Project. The hypocenter of the bombing was Hiroshima, Japan. Commercial buildings, homes, and structures were destroyed instantly, 140,000 people died, and countless others were seriously injured. Biodiversity was devastated. Just three days later, another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, where 70,000 people perished, and thousands were injured, many of whom later died from the bomb's aftereffects.
Yet some survivors of the nuclear attacks are still alive, bearing the painful memories. These survivors are called the Hibakusha. They founded the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, commonly known as Nihon Hidankyo. This non-profit organiwation, established in 1956 with its headquarters in Tokyo, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024.
Since its founding, the Hibakusha have been at the forefront of a global movement to eliminate nuclear weapons. There have been longstanding calls for a nuclear-free world, and Sweden's Nobel Peace Prize Committee responded to these calls, stating, "The Hibakusha help us to describe the indescribable, to think the unthinkable, and to somehow grasp the incomprehensible pain and suffering caused by nuclear weapons."
Keiko Ogura, one of the Hibakusha, was only eight years old in 1945. I had the honour of meeting this living legend and nuclear weapon survivor at the Global Citizenship and Peace seminar in Hiroshima, Japan, in 2023, organised by the International Network of Universities. During her speech, Ms. Ogura posed critical questions to the audience: "Why do many countries still stockpile nuclear weapons? How will peace come to the world?" She made a heartfelt promise, stating, "I want to see a world free of nuclear weapons before I die."
Through personal testimonies like Ogura's, Nihon Hidankyo has made significant contributions to educating the public about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, embodying the motto: "No more Hibakusha."
Like every peace-loving nation in the world, we hope for a future free of nuclear weapons, where peace can prevail for all.
Mihir Halder, Instructor (General)
Primary Teachers Training Institute, Khulna
[email protected]
