Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said that much of Dhaka has turned into the graffiti capital of the world and invited foreign friends to visit Dhaka soon through the third Voice of Global South Summit 2024 on Saturday.

‘Much of Dhaka has turned into the graffiti capital of the world. Young students and children aged as young as 12-13 have been painting the walls of this 400-year-old city with images of a new democratic environment-friendly Bangladesh,’ he said.

Joining virtually from Dhaka at the inaugural Leaders’ Session, the Nobel Laureate said there is no central planning or guidance for that. ‘No budget support from anybody.’

He said it was just an outpouring of their emotions and commitment to the goals of the revolution.

Prof Yunus said the young students and children approach the shopkeepers to buy paints and brushes for them.

‘They make up their own subject and own messages. The messages they are painting will thrill anybody. Anybody can read in them what the youth are dreaming of. It is our job to make their dreams come true,’ he said.

In 1952, Prof Yunus said, the Bangladeshi students sacrificed their lives for their mother tongue and it inspired struggles for the right to speak in their mother language all over the world.

‘Some seven decades later our students-led Second Revolution is inspiring youth throughout the global south to raise their voice for democracy, human rights, dignity, equality and shared prosperity,’ he said.

‘I am honoured to be the oldest “young person” to take part in this revolution and help them make their dreams come true. They need support from all of you. Wish them all the success,’ said the chief adviser.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi invited Prof Yunus to attend the summit.

This was Prof Yunus’s first multilateral engagement after taking oath as head of the interim government.

The inaugural session was held at the head of state/government level and hosted by prime minister Narendra Modi.

Earlier, Bangladesh asked all its missions abroad to expedite visa approvals for journalists who want to visit Bangladesh.

During his telephone conversation with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said Indian journalists are welcome to Bangladesh and report from the ground here.

‘It is better they see the situation themselves and do reports accordingly rather than being dictated by any secondary-and sometimes very exaggerated-reports,’ said chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam on Saturday.

Alam said he personally called the Bangladesh mission officials in New Delhi and Hong Kong to fast-track all visa applications from journalists.

‘We want to build an open society where freedom of press is non-negotiable,’ Alam said.

So, anyone who wants to report on Bangladesh and the performance of the interim government is most welcome, said the press secretary.