Few moments in television history have captured the connection between humans and the natural world as powerfully as the famous scene of David Attenborough sitting quietly among a family of mountain gorillas in the forests of Rwanda.

The unforgettable sequence, filmed in 1978 for the landmark BBC series Life on Earth and broadcast in 1979, showed a young gorilla climbing over Attenborough, another tugging at his shoelaces, and an adult female gently turning his head to look directly into her eyes.

It was a brief moment of trust, curiosity, and extraordinary calm and it would become one of the defining images of wildlife broadcasting.Now, as Attenborough approaches his 100th birthday on May 8, new BBC and Netflix documentaries are revisiting that iconic encounter and the remarkable story of the gorilla family behind it.

The original plan had been far simpler. Attenborough and his crew had travelled to Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains hoping only to film a gorilla’s thumb a small but important detail for explaining how primates evolved the ability to grip tools.Instead, they found themselves in one of the most intimate wildlife moments ever captured on camera.

At the time, mountain gorillas were on the brink of extinction. Poaching, trophy hunting, and the illegal capture of animals for zoos had reduced their numbers in the Virunga region to fewer than 300. They were difficult to approach, and filming them in the wild was considered nearly impossible.

The crew’s only hope was gaining the trust of Dian Fossey, the American gorilla expert whose pioneering work at the Karisoke Research Center had made her the world’s leading authority on mountain gorillas.Fossey, who later became globally known for her conservation efforts, had dedicated her life to studying and protecting gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

Attenborough doubted she would allow a television crew anywhere near her carefully observed gorilla groups.But after writing to her, the team received an invitation.“We couldn’t have got anywhere near them without Dian,” Attenborough later said. “She introduced us to this group and taught us how to behave in their presence.”

Her instructions were simple but crucial: never stare directly at a gorilla, keep your head lowered, and communicate calmly using soft belching sounds a form of gorilla reassurance.That advice proved invaluable.When the crew finally entered the gorillas’ territory, they expected only a careful observation from a distance. Instead, the gorillas approached them.

A young gorilla named Poppy became fascinated with Attenborough’s shoes and tried to pull them off. Another infant, three-year-old Pablo, climbed onto him and lay across his body as if using him as furniture. Then an adult female placed her hand on Attenborough’s head, turned his face toward hers, and gently put a finger in his mouth before making a belching sound.

“So I did my best to respond,” he recalled.The crew watched nervously. Film stock was limited, and they had not planned to spend it on their presenter rolling on the forest floor with gorillas. Yet those spontaneous minutes became the emotional heart of the series.Only a short section of the interaction was captured, but it was enough.“It was one of the most privileged moments of my life,” Attenborough said. “I dream about it.”The day did not end peacefully.

As the team descended the mountain, gunshots rang out nearby. Rwandan soldiers stopped them at a roadblock, questioned them, and detained the crew overnight. Attenborough and his cameraman were later taken to an army compound in Kigali and held for hours before being released.

Though shaken, they were relieved that the precious film footage had not been confiscated.When Life on Earth aired in 1979, it became a global phenomenon. The BBC series transformed natural history television, reaching an estimated 500 million viewers worldwide and changing the way audiences saw wildlife.The gorilla sequence stood out because it did something unusual: it reversed the traditional relationship between humans and animals.

Rather than humans observing wild beasts from a safe distance, viewers watched gorillas showing curiosity, gentleness, and emotional intelligence toward a human visitor.As Attenborough said in the original narration, “We see the world in the same way as they do.”The scene challenged long-held stereotypes of gorillas as dangerous jungle creatures and instead revealed them as complex social beings — affectionate, playful, protective, and deeply familiar.

The impact extended beyond television. Inspired by the encounter, Attenborough worked with the conservation charity Fauna & Flora to help establish the Mountain Gorilla Project, aimed at protecting the species and supporting conservation efforts.In 1985, seven years after Attenborough’s visit, Dian Fossey was murdered in Rwanda, a tragedy that brought even greater international attention to the threats facing gorillas.

Her legacy, however, endured. Conservation programs, education, and carefully managed eco-tourism helped stabilize the gorilla population. Today, around 600 mountain gorillas live in the Virunga Mountains a fragile but significant conservation success.The story also continued within the gorilla family itself.

A new Netflix documentary, A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough, follows the descendants of Pablo, the playful infant gorilla who climbed onto Attenborough during filming.Researchers discovered that Pablo survived despite being abandoned by his mother as a baby a rare achievement.

He later became the dominant silverback leader of his group, a powerful position reserved for the strongest males. He died at the age of 33 while defending his family.His descendants still live in the Virungas today.Dr Tara Stoinski of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund said the reason the original footage still resonates is because people instantly recognized something familiar.“We can see so much of ourselves,” she said.

“Any three-year-old might want to come and sit on your lap and use you as furniture. Pablo was doing exactly the same thing.”That simple truth may explain why the moment has never faded.

In a forest clearing in Rwanda nearly half a century ago, the line between human and animal briefly disappeared. What remained was recognition one species looking into the eyes of another and finding something unmistakably shared.

This situation clearly showed that in the new Bangladesh, if you are Hindu, fighting for your rights is considered sedition.

Bangladesh in 2025 feels like a place weighed down by memories. While the events of 1971 linger in the air, the reality on the ground seems more like the partition era of 1947. The once hopeful vision of a Bangladesh where Hindus and Muslims could join hands to create a unified nation has been eroded by the passage of time and the impact of politics.

Today, speaking against India is no longer just a slogan on the streets. It casts a dark shadow over every Hindu teacher, lawyer, and activist who is brave enough to express their views.

The Reported Persecution

Get in touch with Chinmoy Krishna Das’s family. He was a monk who became an activist. His arrest for sedition in late 2024 deeply affected the Hindu community. Why was he arrested? He demanded constitutional protections for minorities. This action sparked not only protests but also violence. Temples were destroyed by fire, homes were robbed. This situation clearly showed that in the new Bangladesh, if you are Hindu, fighting for your rights is considered sedition.

Utsav Mondal was taken and beaten in a police station because of a Facebook post. He survived, but it sent a clear warning: staying quiet is safer. People speak quietly about Bhavesh Chandra Roy, another demised Hindu leader admired for his bravery. Teachers, lawyers, and everyday Hindu citizens find themselves part of a crossfire that battles with history and the future.

Human rights groups and the BBC have been reporting issues faced by Hindus in Bangladesh, particularly after political changes in the country. Hindus are often pressured to prove they are not in support of India as anti-India hatred among the extremists grow stronger. 

In Bangladesh, a troubling wave of violence and fear forced at least 49 minority teachers to resign. These teachers faced physical attacks and threats. Sajib Sarkar from the Bangladesh Chhatra Oikya Parishad shared that out of all the teachers who left their jobs, only 19 were able to return. Across the country, this situation has left classrooms and staff rooms empty and damaged.

Besides targeting homes and temples, attackers are also focusing on schools, where the future generation is being educated. In today’s Bangladesh, even a simple blackboard for education has become unsafe for minority groups.

From August 5 to 20, there were 2,010 incidents of communal violence, resulting in the death of nine people belonging to a minority community. Additionally, a report by TIB highlighted that religion-based politics is gaining more influence in Bangladesh.

The unreported Persecution

In this setting, Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, expressed concern: “The ongoing problems of persecution, killing, and mistreatment of religious minorities—Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Catholics, and others—are a big issue for the US government.” For Hindus in Bangladesh, fear is a longstanding issue, but recent silence about it is something new.

British Journalist Sahar Zand walks through the remains of a burned Hindu barn in northern Bangladesh, calling the scene “gut-wrenching.” A year’s worth of harvest has been destroyed, and the farmer is too scared to speak, his silence a sign of the community’s fear.

Zand’s BBC documentary reveals details that headlines often miss. She notes that “Attacks on the Hindu community happen daily, with 8 to 9 cases reported each week in Northern Bangladesh,” according to local activist Bonamali.

She highlights the despair by mentioning that “Most people are planning to leave. They’ve already packed their important belongings. Every Hindu in Bangladesh has this plan,” a voice shared with her. Zand shows that the violence against Hindus is ongoing, their silence is forced, and often the world is looking away.

At the sidelines event of United Nations, Journalist Sahar Zand stands strongly and speaks the truth that many avoid: “Minorities in Bangladesh are facing attacks. I witnessed it myself, and it’s very frightening. The world needs to pay attention.”

Zand, who has reported from conflict zones such as Afghanistan and Iran, describes Bangladesh as “extremely terrifying.” This is not due to what is in the news, but because of what is not being reported.

“The situation in the country is not being shown in the international media. It feels like the world is ignoring it,” she warns with a clear and strong voice. For Hindus in Bangladesh, Zand’s comments are a rare sign—showing that someone is watching, even as the silence becomes overwhelming.

How Interim Regime Controls Media?

American Researcher and former Pentagon official Michael Rubin attended congressional briefing stated: “Bangladeshi journalists and civil society are in danger. At the same time, Yunus is spending a lot of money to promote his image in international media,” he says. He highlights that the arrest of Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed is now a regular occurrence under the Interim government.

Rubin points out that more than a thousand journalists have lost their jobs for being “too secular,” making newsrooms dangerous for those who don’t align with the authorities’ views.

Political Expert Chris Blackburn, who has been observing the situation in Bangladesh for many years, warns about ongoing efforts by the interim authorities to intimidate and silence the press. His concerns are felt in every newsroom, where editors think twice before deciding to publish.

In Dhaka, journalists are learning to be extremely cautious which is leading to censorship of news about minorities and persecution. Therefore, reports like at-least 49 minority teachers persecution could possibly only be a trailer of the incident. 

 Interim’s lack of accountability Diplomacy

The Interim government in Dhaka often denies reports about attacks on Hindus. They claim these reports are just made-up stories from social media or have political motives. When India raises its concerns, Dhaka’s government accuses India of interfering in its affairs and puts the false blame on Sheikh Hasina’s supporters or outside troublemakers. Instead of dealing with the violence, like the killing of Bhabesh Chandra Roy—which India says shows ongoing persecution—the government’s spokesperson criticizes India.

They talk about communal issues in West Bengal regarding Waqf Bill which is a policy driven issue and nothing to do with targeted minority persecution. They prefer this diplomatic sorcery possibly to make false comparisons based on tactical disinformation. Instead, the Interim Government’s rhetoric fuels mob violence as radical supporters of the interim government declare war against India, Seven Sisters and Hindus getting inspired and radicalized from the theocratic Ghazwa E Hind (Battle against Hindus) sourced from broader Islamic literature (Hadith).

Dhaka surprisingly disregarded DNI Tulsi Gabbard’s statement as misleading, which shows how relentless Bangladeshi authorities are to sabotage facts on persecution. But why Dhaka hasn’t been able to refute Journalist Sahar Zand’s field-based report of unreported persecution of Hindus remains a riddle. 

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not reflect Milli Chronicle’s point-of-view.

I am going to unmask people and organizations behind propaganda BBC Documentary.

Before exposing them, let me remind you about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The British officer gave orders, but the people who had fired were Indians! BBC Documentary is exactly similar to it.

BBC documentary starts with Alishan Jafri. He is Journalist with the Propaganda website The Wire. He also writes for Article-14 and money laundering accused propaganda firm Newsclick.

The second character in this propaganda documentary is Hartosh Singh Bal. He is the Political Editor of the Propaganda news website The Caravan. Please go and check his timeline to understand his ideology.

The third character who appeared in the Propaganda Documentary of BBC is Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay. Interestingly, he also writes for Propaganda websites The Wire and The Caravan.

He works and gets a salary from the money laundering accused firm Newsclick.

The Forth character who appeared in Propaganda BBC Documentary is Arundhati Roy. I think almost every Indian knows about her.

But very few know that she was the first to give funds to propaganda fact-checking website Altnews and their communist owners.

A Fifth character in the Propaganda BBC documentary is Jaffrelot Christophe.

Interestingly, his propaganda works are promoted by the same entities like The Wire and The Caravan.

In fact, this propaganda writer Jaffrelot Christophe has tagged Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) which is working to put sanctions on India to watch and share this propaganda BBC Documentary.

Jack Straw, another important character behind this documentary came on Propaganda Website The Wire for an exclusive interview just after the release of the Propaganda BBC documentary. What a coincidence that he chose The Wire for an interview.

After the release of the Propaganda BBC documentary, Propaganda journalists of The Wire and The Caravan and other Independent And Public-Spirited Media Foundation (IPSMF) funded have done their job as per planning (?)

But do you know who funds these Propaganda websites like The Wire, The Caravan, Alt News, Article 14, etc..? It’s IPSMF.

But who are the donors of IPSMF? IPSMF was started by securing a fund of 100 crores.

Rohini Nilekani, wife of Nandan Nilekani promised 30 Crores. Nilekani, wife of Nandan Nilekani’s role models are George Soros and his Open Society Foundation along with Bill Gates and the Ford Foundation.

You must remember that Nandan Nilekani has contested the election on a Congress ticket in 2014 after joining Congress.

This is the time if Nandan Nilekani and other donors of IPSMF realize that they have done funding unconsciously and it was their mistake, they should dismantle IPSMF immediately and they should apologize to Indians.

If they don’t do this. We Indians will consider this as a conspiracy against India.

In which Deep state wants to divide India and they are helping them just like how a few Indian at Jallianwala Bagh fired and killed innocent Indians just because a Britisher ordered them.

Vijay Patel is an Investigative Reporter and the founder of OnlyFactIndia. The article is compiled based on his Twitter thread. He tweets under @VijayGajera.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not reflect Milli Chronicle’s point-of-view.

Some girls said that Shitte clerics had provided them with contraceptive injections to ensure they did not become pregnant.  

Iraqi girls as young as nine-years-old are sold into “Mutah” or temporary marriages by Shitte Clerics. The clerics were filmed offering “pleasure marriages” in which men who are prohibited to have sex outside marriage, can pay a dowry for a “one hour” marriage, BBC documentary revealed.

One cleric claimed it would be “no problem at all” to marry girls as young as nine under Twelver Shitte doctrine.

The BBC investigation found that the practice is banned in Iraq but 8/10 Shitte clerics who were approached to carry it out, and one of them even offered to procure the young girls.

The religious rite “Mutah” dates back to centuries, partly intended to allow men to have a legitimate relationship while away from their wives. 

However, some Iraqi men and Shitte clerics are now abusing it to give a veneer of legitimacy to child prostitution. 

One cleric in Karbala, an important religious site in Iraq, told the undercover BBC journalist that girls as young as nine could be subject to the procedure. 

When the reporter voiced concern that he was exploiting the girl, the cleric told him—”No way”. 

The investigation showed another cleric, who was also filmed secretly. He was asked about Mutah with a 13-year-old virgin, the cleric responded “just be careful she doesn’t lose her virginity”—indicating to have oral sex with her.

Asked what happens if the girl gets hurt, the cleric said, “That’s between you and her.”
 
The cleric offered to take a photo of a girl and send it to the undercover client, and then he said, “then when you come back, she’s yours.”

The cleric also ensured that the girl wants money and you paid her—reassuring that no child abuse is taking place. 

Some girls said that Shitte clerics had provided them with contraceptive injections to ensure they did not become pregnant.  

One girl said that she hardly remembers how many times she had been married into Mutah and she is now baking on the dowry income.

Many such girls fear that after losing their virginity in Mutah, it would be difficult for them to find a permanent husband.

The Mutah practice is prohibited in Sunni Islam, and it was banned during Saddam Hussein’s time, but after the US-Invasion of Iraq which gradually helped Iran take control of the religious schools, the practice has become rampant. 

Article compiled from inputs from DailyMail and BBC.