Bangabandhu
Bangabandhu, Gandhi share striking similarities in political philosophy: Doraiswami
Upholding the glory of the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and India, the High Commissioner of India in Dhaka Vikram Doraiswami stated on Saturday that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Mahatma Gandhi,recognised as the fathers of their respective nations, shared similar political philosophy and ideology during their individual journeys.
The Indian High Commissioner made the remarks at the inauguration ceremony of Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Saturday.
“This unique, interactive digital exhibition commemorates not just Bangladesh’s 50 years of Liberation, but this also commemorates the striking similarities between the two great leaders. This exhibition showcases their struggles in their individual journeys and their history-making political philosophies that led the creation of two nations - India and Bangladesh,” the Indian envoy said in his speech as the guest of honor.
He added, “This is a very special moment for us to open the exhibition for the public after the lockdown restrictions of the ongoing pandemic, and we look forward to our friends from Bangladesh and India to visit the exhibition and explore the two iconic leaders’ lives and journey through the power of interactive multimedia.”
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni joined the exhibition as its chief guest, while State Minister for Culture K.M Khalid alongside HE Doraiswami joined the digital exhibition as its guests of honor.
Md Abul Monsur, Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs chaired the inauguration ceremony while Liaqat Ali Lucky, director general, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, delivered the welcome speech to the audience.
Thanking India for arranging the exhibition, Dr Dipu Moni said, “Bangladesh and India have always shared strong mutual friendship and bilateral relationship, rooted from the greatness of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and India’s Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. This interactive exhibition is just another example of this wonderful relationship, showcasing the eventful journey of two iconic leaders.”
Read: Doraiswami recalls Bangabandhu’s close association with eminent Indian personalities
Bangabandhu-Bapu digital exhibition begins at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
The Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition was opened for public viewing at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Saturday.
The exhibition celebrates in a uniquely thematic way, the life and legacy of the Fathers of each of the two Nations, Mahatma Gandhi and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, State Minister for Culture K.M Khalid and High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami joined opened the digital exhibition.
PM plants tree at UN gardens, dedicates those to Bangabandhu
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday planted a honey locust tree and unveiled a bench at UN gardens and dedicated these to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of his birth centenary.
She planted the deciduous tree at the North Lawn of the United Nations Headquarters in the morning (local tome).
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the United Nations had recognized Bangladesh on September 17 after its independence. Immediately after getting the recognition, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman came to the UN and made his speech here on September 25 and which was delivered in Bengal.
READ: Durga Puja: PM donates Tk 3 crore
“So, today a bench was dedicated to his name and a tree was planted in a very nice place here in the same month of September. The tree can survive for more than 100 years, which will continue spreading the message of peace,” she said, adding the bench and tree stand together to epitomize the values of peace.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and Bangladesh Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima were, among others, present.
Locust trees are a type of fast-growing flowering plant, belonging to the family of plants known as Fabaceae. Almost all Locust trees can survive for more than a hundred years and their wood is deemed harder than the strongest deciduous trees.
The Prime Minister arrived here on Sunday to attend the 76th session of the United Nation General Assembly.
READ: PM arrives in New York to attend UNGA
She will attend the opening session of the UNGA general debate on Tuesday (September 21) and will address the general debate on September 24.
Besides, Sheikh Hasina will join a number of sideline events in the UNHQ and will have talks with some leaders from September 20 to 24 during her stay in New York.
‘I look up to Bengali people for justice’, said Rehana in 1983 interview
Sheikh Rehana, daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had demanded justice from the people of Bangladesh for the assassination of almost every one of her family -- her father, mother and brothers.
"I demand justice from the people of Bangla," Rehana said in a rare interview published in Chitra Bangla in 1983.
Bangladesh Awami League shared the interview on its verified Facebook page on Monday marking her birthday in which she expressed all her grief that she had harbored since the assassination of her family members.
READ: Sheikh Rehana shares tales of her father's childhood
The interview has time-traveled to the page of the ruling Awami League on her 67th birthday at a time when the political landscape is entirely different from that in 1983 as her sister, Sheikh Hasina, later reclaimed her space in the country and became the Prime Minister.
Include Bangabandhu’s 7th March speech in curricula: HC
The High Court on Wednesday ordered the authorities concerned to include the 7th March speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the curricula of educational institutions.
It also ordered the formation of an Education Expert Committee to determine whether it would be included in SSC, HSC or the higher level of education.
Read: Bangabandhu's 7th March speech to ever-inspire people of Bangladesh: Envoy
Justice FRM Najmul Ahasan and Justice Shahed Nuruddin passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Bashir Ahmed in 2017.
Attorney General AM Amid Uddin and Deputy Attorney General ABM Abdullah stood for the state.
Read: Bangabandhu’s historic March 7 speech translated to Irish, Scottish, Welsh languages
Lawyer Bashir Ahmed filed a writ petition in 2017 seeking necessary directives to declare the 7th March as National Historic Day and build a sculpture at the stage from where the speech was delivered.
On February 25 2020, the HC ordered the government to declare March 7 as "National Historic Day" and issue a gazette notification in this regard.
Dhaka, Delhi for quick completion of ‘Bangabandhu’ movie
Bangladesh and India have agreed to fast track the completion of “Bangabandhu”, a biopic on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as it is expected to be released globally in March 2022.
Indian Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur held a meeting with a delegation of Bangladesh led by Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud in New Delhi on Tuesday and discussed the issue.
They discussed matters of mutual interests to further the strong ties between the two countries in areas of broadcasting and entertainment, strengthen people-to-people contact and explore the potential of soft-power interface between the two countries.
Also read: Info Minister for strengthening Dhaka-Delhi people-to-people ties
Info Minister for strengthening Dhaka-Delhi people-to-people ties
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday laid emphasis on strengthening people-to-people contact between Bangladesh and India.
While inaugurating the Bangabandhu Media Centre at the Press Club of India (PCI) in New Delhi, he said the Centre will facilitate efforts to boost ties among people of the two countries, especially journalists.
Minister Hasan said the relationship between Bangladesh and India reached a new height under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her counterpart Narendra Modi.
He, however, said they still have to work to strengthen people-to-people relations, and the Centre will definitely strengthen the ties between the two countries.
The Information Minister depicted the short life sketch of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh in his speech.
Bangabandhu guided Bangladesh to the path of Liberation and the country would not have been born if Bangabandhu were not born, he mentioned.
He also expressed his special thanks and gratitude for the contribution of India to our independence.
The Minister mentioned the role of journalists and media is very important for enhancing the bilateral relationship of India and Bangladesh.
A documentary on the life of Bangabandhu was screened at the inauguration programme.
Read: Inauguration of Bangabandhu Media Centre at Press Club of India Monday
Earlier, he inaugurated the “Bangabandhu Media Centre” at the Press Club of India (PCI).
Inauguration of Bangabandhu Media Centre at Press Club of India Monday
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud will open the “Bangabandhu Media Centre” at the Press Club of India (PCI) on Monday, demonstrating a growing friendship between the two countries on all fronts.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran, Jatiya Press Club (JPC) President Farida Yasmin and former PCI President Gautam Lahiri will speak at the inaugural ceremony to be chaired by PCI President Umakant Lakhera.
The Information Minister reached New Delhi on Sunday to attend the ceremony and have a number of meetings there, a senior official at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting told UNB.
The Media Centre, set up with support from Bangladesh Mission in New Delhi, is an effort to pay tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Always stay ready to defend country: Hasina to Armed Forces
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said Bangladesh Armed Forces must have necessary preparedness to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty keeping pace with technological development of the modern world.
“We need to have all kinds of preparedness, equipment and training to protect our country from the attack of outside enemies,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while addressing the Selection Board Meeting of Bangladesh Navy and Air Force at Dhaka Cantonment.
Read: Bangladesh-New Zealand T20 series: PM greets Tigers for going 2-0 up
She joined the meeting at the headquarters of the Navy and Air Force through a videoconference from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh never wants war with any country, rather it wants peace as no country can achieve desired development without peace as war only brings destruction.
“We don’t want to go down the path of destruction. But if anyone attacks us, we have to make all kinds of preparations to protect our country,” she said.
Hasina said the government is building the armed forces in such a way so that it can protect the country’s independence and sovereignty.
Shaheed Brigadier General Jamil Uddin Ahmed: invisible, yet forever an inspiration
The rueful month of August is remembered as one of the darkest days in history for the brutal assassination of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members on August 15, 1975. On that day, the then Director-General of DGFI (Directorate General of Forces Intelligence), Shaheed Brigadier General Jamil Uddin Ahmed, ‘Bir Uttam’, was the only one to sacrifice his life to save Bangabandhu.
Marking the 46th death anniversary of the assassinated martyrs and National Mourning Day 2021, the country’s premier news agency United News of Bangladesh (UNB) recently organized a first-ever video interview featuring seven grandchildren of the brave-heart remembered as ‘Colonel Jamil’: Masud Jamil Khan, Rumessa Mailloux, Jamil Khan, Nahar Khan, Armaan Jamil Hossain, Shaan Jamil Hossain and Zahra Jamil Rahman, together for the first time from home and abroad.
The special interview, hosted by noted visual artist Sourav Chowdhury, commemorated the valiant patriot who his grandchildren never met in person due to his heroic sacrifice and untimely departure. The grandchildren also fondly remembered their late grandmother Anjuman Ara Jamil, former Member of Parliament and an iconic entrepreneur in the country.
Also read: Brig. General Jamil: A profile in duty and courage
Sourav Chowdhury: Being the eldest grandchild, how do you view your grandfather and honour his legacy?
Masud Jamil Khan: Unfortunately, I couldn’t meet my grandfather in person - however, I always receive mass admiration from everywhere as the grandson of Colonel Jamil and my grandmother Anjuman Ara Jamil, a former Member of Parliament representing Kushtia, Meherpur and Chuadanga. She established the Jamil Foundation, empowering local women - which we are proudly continuing as their legacy. As the Deputy Managing Director of the Cosmos Group and also a father of three beautiful daughters, I always feel that the patriotism, sacrifice and dedication of our grandparents have always inspired us to gloriously move with confidence, pride and dignity.
Sourav Chowdhury: Cosmos Foundation has been focused on working towards preserving Bangladesh’s history and culture, namely the works and legacy of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu. Could you tell us about this?
Masud Jamil Khan:Through our Cosmos Foundation and its artistic wing Gallery Cosmos, we have been organizing several cultural activities to fulfill our commitment to the society - including special exhibitions, art camps, workshops and more, at home and abroad. We have published special books on the Father of the Nation, namely "Bangabandhu: Epitome of a Nation" and "Brave Heart". Written by Enayetullah Khan, these books are incomparable as these have featured exclusive memoirs of Bangabandhu and also our patriotic grandfather, and I hope we will see further publications in the future."
Sourav Chowdhury: Jamil Khan, you are currently joining us from San Diego California in the US. You are named after your heroic grandfather and you have a lot of similarities too, I hear. Could you tell us about your grandfather?
Jamil Khan:We grew up hearing the stories about our brave-heart Nana (grandfather) from my mom, my Nanu (grandmother) and my aunts. Recently, I learned that my Nana Bhai liked photography, and I like photography too - my photography exhibition was held in Dhaka back in December 2004. Nana bhai liked to travel, I like to travel as well. To preserve his legacy, I have plans to feature his heroism through writing and archiving publications, photographs and more.
Sourav Chowdhury:Rumessa Mailloux, thank you for joining us from Toronto, Canada. Please tell us about your thoughts and feelings on your grandfather.
Also read: Cosmos Foundation and Liberation War Museum sign MoU
Rumessa Mailloux: I was born nine years after my Nana’s passing, so we couldn’t meet in person. However, I was blessed to hear the stories regarding how charming, handsome, sincere, charismatic and humble of a person he was. He is the pride of our family and our nation, as he was the only one who sacrificed his life for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - the greatest leader and founding father of Bangladesh.
His legacy is being continued through his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Three years ago, my son did a project on Nana Bhai and I am so proud he shared his story with his Canadian mates, who were amazed to know about our family history. A true hero lives forever and remains immortal because of the heroic acts, and I hope my Nana and Nanu have reunited peacefully in heaven.