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Linking Young Minds Together
     Volume 2 Issue 98 | December 21, 2008|


  
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Spotlight

The Untold history

Shatabdi Biswas

The white light of winter fell on the pale figure standing next to a corner of the shabby house. Those dark, brown eyes penetrated through my conscience as I looked at him, his eyes reflected nothing but trapped memories. I wondered how this man, now crooked with age once fought ebulliently with the 'pak hanadar bahini.'

Today I am writing this to tell you a story forgotten long ago but only remembered on some eventful days just as part of formality.

This person I mentioned above is Mr. Harun-ur-Rashid Khan, a valiant freedom fighter, who battled with the hyenas to save our motherland. As I sat beside him, I felt proud that one of my cherished desires had come true. I asked him "Chacha, could you tell me how you joined the liberation war?"

Teeming with joy, he began to say, " In February, 1971, I left my job. At that time I joined 'Awami Shechashebak Bahini'. I trained 100 members in Mahishbathan Gorosthan Eidgah Math. After Bangabandhu was arrested on 25th March, the next day, protests started in Rajshahi Police line. The leaders of the revolution were DIG Mamun Mahmud and SP Shah Abdul Majid. The Pakistan Army arrested Mamun Mahmud from his office and he was never seen again. I also expressed my full-fledged support and participated in the battle between the army and police force. Hundreds of police became martyrs in this incident.''He stopped, breathing hard and then continued again," In the meantime Awami League had begun to take preparations for the war. From 5th to 13th April till midnight a raging battle took place between mukti bahini and the pak army. Afterwards, I established camps for training the freedom fighters with advice from captain Sharma and Mr. Ghosh. I went to different operation camps and performed operations like blowing up the Faridpur Bridge and after the bloodshed of nine months, the land on which you set foot became independent. The taste of victory is really sweet because of all the sacrifices that shapes it up.

PHOTO: STAR

When I asked him whether he is satisfied with the present situation of our country, he replied, "You know that democracy, socialism, secularism and nationalism are the pillars of our independence, along with the five basic human rights- these have not yet been ensured. The political leaders have always neglected the basic structure of freedom. Moreover, 60% of freedom fighters cannot provide their children with nutritious food and often they are left uneducated and begging in the streets. We did not fight for this." I stood up as it was time for me to go home. He came with me to the door and said "Thanks! I do not see many young people now- a- days who want to know about my experience of fighting in the historical war for freedom.''A sudden pain was felt in my heart, which was so intense that it can never be expressed in mere words.

(Paramount School and College,Rajshahi)


Tale of a Freedom Fighter

Moinul Alam

Motalib was in his twenties on the turbulent days of 1971.In March of the same year, Motalib too began to prepare for the decisive war, which was imminent. He took a combat training in Araihazar. Later, he joined the sub sector, which was eventually led by Major Osman. Motalib actively took part in few of the operations. One of the operations he could remember was the attack on the local police station. He assisted other freedom fighters by spying and even supplying foods to them. In recognition of his contribution, he was awarded a certificate by the Bangladesh Mukijoddha Central Command Council: the national body that looks after the interest of the freedom fighters.

However, at present Motalib is leading a dreadful life. Around six months back he had met with a road accident. Motalib now lives with a critical injury from the accident. We all know how the prices of essentials are going up everyday. In this situation Motalib receives an allowance of only TK 3500 from the government per six months! Now, he cannot afford to meet the expense of his treatment. As a result, he applied to the authorities for financial assistance three months back but he did not get any reply yet! Motalib has four children-three daughters and a son. The two daughters work at a garment factory and the son pulls a rickshaw to earn some bread for the family.

After thirty-eight years of our independence Motalib feels sorry as the war criminals are yet to be punished. He is very disappointed to see how the freedom fighters are struggling to remain alive. However, the man riddled with complications wants to survive on his own. When he was given the chance to receive some financial assistance he rejected the offer then and there. The only thing Motalib is looking for is the realization of others as to how the freedom fighters fought in earning a flag for the country. It is really a matter to ponder whether as a nation we have been able to pay off the debts that we owe to the greatest sons of the soil.

(The writer is doing LLM with the University of Northumbria's distance learning scheme at the London College of Legal Studies)