Spotlight

The Golden Memories

Fariz Chowdhury

The extract below is about my father, who is a freedom fighter for Bangladesh. He is now the Director of Bangladesh Betar. I have heard about his experience of the Liberation War. This extract would take you back in time as it took me. It has a heartrending touch to it. It's the story of a journey, which is timeless!

My father just finished his HSC examinations and was preparing for his higher studies. That is when processions for an independent Bangladesh started in 1971. All on a sudden on 25th March, the Pakistanis started to kill the masterminds and intellectuals of Bangladesh.

My father left Bangladesh with his family and moved towards a district of India named Prannathpur. Initially he bought an axe to cut trees, peel them and cut them into pieces, through which he earned some money so that he and his family could survive as the whole family depended on him. At the same time he thought about how to free the country. In the mean time he had found many camps of freedom fighters and he was eager to join as a fighter but some of his freedom fighter friends advised him that he should contribute in some other way. They knew that my father had an aptitude for music. So they told him to compose an encouraging song for them which would help them double their inspiration. In accordance to their advice he managed to borrow some money to buy an old model harmonium. He completed composing lots of encouraging songs within just a few days by working day and night sitting by the riverbank. After that he collected some Indian local amateur artistes and started rehearsals to perform in different places. Then he organized functions on a push sell ticket system. With the help of local people he started collecting a descent amount of money, which he donated regularly to various freedom fighters camps. He also helped the injured freedom fighters with first aids. He continued this till the country was freed from the tyrants. After independence, he returned with all the freedom fighters to his motherland.

My father told me, ''37 years have passed by since we achieved our freedom. Now what I feel is the young generation should take the challenge to develop the country. We brought freedom so it is now your duty to maintain it”.

I am truly inspired by my father's unique heroic act. Today I am really proud to be a Bangladeshi and also to be a son of a freedom fighter. I am tremendously happy on this jubilant occasion of 16th December. I support his words. I truly commit to my country that I would always protect its dignity and maintain the honour of our flag.