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From Insight Desk

Father Timm: A True Bangladeshi

During the liberation war of Bangladesh, there were many foreigners who resided in the country and played significant roles in driving the country towards liberation. Most of these roles were non-violent and were played behind the scenes, perhaps they were even diplomatic. Amongst them, the name of Father Richard William Timm resounds in Bangladesh's history strongly. Father Timm wrote extensively about what he saw during the Liberation War in 1971, mostly in the form of letters, and his vivid descriptions helped build awareness on what was really going on in the country at the time.
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Rafi Hossain

Father Timm at Barishal in 1973

During the liberation war of Bangladesh, there were many foreigners who resided in the country and played significant roles in driving the country towards liberation. Most of these roles were non-violent and were played behind the scenes, perhaps they were even diplomatic. Amongst them, the name of Father Richard William Timm resounds in Bangladesh's history strongly. Father Timm wrote extensively about what he saw during the Liberation War in 1971, mostly in the form of letters, and his vivid descriptions helped build awareness on what was really going on in the country at the time.

Father Timm took an early interest in nature, which led him into biological research. In his final high school year he clarified his religious ambitions. He considered the Jesuits, and indeed won a four-year scholarship to a Jesuit university, but was drawn to the "obvious holiness and intellectual depth" of Father William Robinson, a Holy Cross priest who gave the Lenten series in his parish. In September of 1940 Father Timm entered Moreau to take the path to the priesthood, a path from which he never wavered.

In preparation for ordination, he then embarked upon four years of theological studies at Holy Cross College in Washington, D.C. After his ordination in 1949, the Holy Cross assigned him the responsibility of establishing a department of science at St. Gregory's, its newly opened college in Dhaka, East Pakistan. In order to do so he had first to acquire a Masters Degree. Enrolling at Catholic University of America, he plunged into the study of biology with such fervor that in two years he had completed not only the requirements for his masters, but the course work for a Ph.D!

Father Timm first came to Bangladesh as a Scientific Researcher in 1952, and played an instrumental role in establishing Notre Dame College in Dhaka. Alongside being its founder, he served as a Professor of Biology, Principal and Head of the Science Department. He then felt the country for research and education and came back in 1971. During the liberation war, he served as the Director of Cyclone Rehabilitation Project on Monpura Island for six months and after the war became the Planing Officer of Caritas Bangladesh. He went on to become the National Director of Caritas.

Beside his Caritas works, he had made significant contributions to Justice and Peace Commission work. He did a survey on 1000 garment women workers in 51 export-oriented garment factories, to see whether the women workers were getting their just rights in their salary, having permitted to do Trade Union in order to negotiate with the management, their working hours, maternity leaves, etc. Notre Dame and Holy Cross students were his field workers and the report was published at a press conference. Father Timm also visited in mid-50's to Chittagong Hill Tracts and wrote three scientific papers where he showed how the tribals are being deprived of their land rights which also is the violation of their rights as citizens. He stressed on the Rangamati Lake and he said, “Everyone who goes to see the beauty of Rangamati, should also see the tears of the hundred thousand tribals under the water.” His book "Adivasis in Bangladesh" in 1991, was published by the Minority Rights Group in London.

As an educationalist he was both feared and respected. Father Timm has experienced the extent to which Bangladeshis are deprived of their human and social rights. It was such experiences that made him switch from academics to social work. He felt the need to work to protect those in the country who cannot stand up or speak for themselves, many of whom are not even aware of their rights. Till his last breath, he intends to keep working to establish human rights in the country.

The 87-year old Father Timm has been living in Bangladesh for the last 58 years. When asked why he never chose to live elsewhere, why he never left Bangladesh, he answered with a sense of conviction, “Because of the people of Bangladesh. I have visited many places and had the privilege of working with people of diverse origins and backgrounds, but none of them could take as big a place in my heart as Bangladeshi people did. I really love them. They are really precious. I have never found a society of people who are more loving, tolerant and caring of one another, who are simple and friendly.”

After the war, Father Timm participated and led various rehabilitation works, and he has visited Bangladesh's remotest sites. “I have been to almost every location in Bangladesh; and I am sure I have seen more of the country than most countrymen. I have seen Bangladesh's every nook and cranny. In doing so, I have fallen in love with the country itself. The only place I haven't been to is Chor Kukri Mukri.” Referring to the name (Kukri Mukri means crumpled/crinkled), Father Timm says, “Perhaps it was the name that subconsciously made me ignore it, but it is also true that the name still fascinates me. I hope I get a chance to go there someday.”

Holding the Magsaysay gold medal with the image of President Ramon Magsaysay

Father Timm regrets the fact that Islam, the religion, and Muslims have not been perceived accurately. “I have met many Muslims in this country who are as educated as they are progressive and tolerant, but, unfortunately these are not the people who have been used to portray Muslims in the world today. I think world leaders should talk to a few of these progressive Muslims before labeling the entire creed as one of extremism.”

In his time here, he has witnessed each and every major political, social and natural event that has shaped the country into what it is today. From the Language Movement in 1952, to the social uproar leading to the Liberation War, Bangladesh's various political regimes, he has seen it all. He has been here to closely observe the people who have played major roles in such events. In the entire conversation, what stuck out prominently was how strongly this American loved Bangladesh and its people, and how hard he has worked in his life to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis. It is inspiring for even us, Bangladeshis, to see how strongly a man can love a country, its people and its culture.

Do we, Bangladeshis, think twice about how much we love our country? Are we really concerned about how we affect the lives of other countrymen? Father Timm has faced countless accusations about being partisan and about being nothing more than someone who implements the mandate of his organization, but, nearing the end of his life, Father Timm chooses to forget such unfortunate allegations. His find comfort and closure in his work, in knowing that he has dedicated his entire life to improving the circumstance of people around him, especially the ones who needed him the most. The love of ordinary Bangladeshis is most precious to him. Wherever he goes, his heart yearns to return to Bangladesh; and he hope to stay here till the end.

Father Timm with his Parents

It was surprising to hear that Father Timm has not yet been made a Bangladeshi citizen. He is a man who has not only played a role in the country's liberation, but a man who has worked relentlessly in standing up for the most vulnerable groups in society… and he continues to do so today. It is hoped that the authorities who can give him the identity of a Bangladeshi is concerned about this. After all, bestowing the honour of citizenship on this great man by making him a Bangladeshi national should be considered an honour to Bangladesh itself.

Copyright (R) thedailystar.net 2009