Bangabandhu
Japanese 'Manga' comic book on Bangabandhu unveiled
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bangladesh-Japan friendship, a comic book on the struggling life of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been unveiled.
The cover of the book titled “Father of the Nation Bangabandhu” was unveiled at a hotel in the capital on Wednesday.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen was present as the chief guest while Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori was present as the special guest.
Professor Fakhrul Alam, director of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Research Institute for Peace and Liberty, University of Dhaka presented the keynote paper.
The book has been jointly written by M E Chowdhury Shamim, founder and president of Scholars Bangladesh Society, and Yemoto Kietta, chief executive of Shine Partners Corporation Japan. The book has been published by NRB Scholars Publishers Limited.
The book depicts the long struggle of Bangabandhu for the independence of Bangladesh, and his colourful life in this Japanese Manga form. At the same time, the book described the birth of Bangladesh and the contribution of the Father of the Nation to the independence of Bangladesh.
By reading this book, readers will get to know the story of Bangladesh and the contribution of the Father of the Nation in the emergence of Bangladesh, said the foreign minister.
Prof Fakhrul Alam in his keynote speech said the book has been published in three languages - Bangla, English and Japanese.
The publication of a book on Bangabandhu in Japan's popular Manga form will further strengthen the friendly relations between Bangladesh and Japan, he said.
"Japan is our long-tested friend and has been helping us in our development since the birth of Bangladesh. So the book has been published in Manga to express gratitude to Japan,” said Golam Mohammad Alamgir, chairman of Max Group and president of BUET Graduates' Club.
"It is very meaningful and instructive that children will get to know the story of Bangladesh's independence through Manga about the long struggle of Bangabandhu. The publication of the book in English, Bengali and even Japanese has given Japanese children the opportunity to know. This initiative will deepen the Japanese perception of Bangladesh's independence,” said Ambassador Iwama Kiminori.
“On February 10, 1972, Japanese recognition of independent sovereign Bangladesh is the occasion of this publication. From 14 to 18 October 1973, Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited Japan, accompanied by his 16-year-old daughter Sheikh Rehana and youngest son Sheikh Russel, who turned 10 on his arrival in Japan,” the ambassador said.
He said that during Bangabandhu's visit, the Japanese people strongly supported the necessity of Bangladesh’s independence.
“Recalling their experiences in 1945, they expressed deep sympathy for war-torn Bangladesh,” he said.
“Bangabandhu opened the door of cooperation and friendship between the two countries. We have come forward to implement many projects, including the Jamuna Bridge, with his ambitious goal. This publication has set a new milestone in the field of Japan-Bangladesh relations and cooperation,” added Kiminori.
M E Chowdhury Shamim, founder and president of Scholars Bangladesh Society, said that the book is the first part of a five-part book written and painted in Japanese Manga pose.
“An animated movie will be made this year with the first part of this book. Fifty years (1972-2022) of Bangladesh-Japan friendship has been published in this book, which combines the thoughts of Bangabandhu by two writers of the two countries,” he said.
Fugitive killers of Bangabandhu will be brought back soon: Home Minister
Fugitive killers of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be brought back to the country soon, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said today.
“We are trying to bring back Bangabandhu’s killers who remain fugitive,” he said while talking to reporters after paying tribute to the martyrs at Rajarbagh Police Lines Shaheed Memorial.
“We are observing March 25 as Genocide Day and we are trying to have it globally recognised as ‘Mass Killing Day’,” said the minister.
Also read: Pahela Baishakh celebrations must end by 6pm: Home Minister
Senior Secretary Aminul Islam and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun were present there.
A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Police presented a state salute on the occasion, while the bugles played the last post.
How was Bangabandhu’s birthday celebrated on March 17, 1975?
How was Bangabandhu’s birthday celebrated on March 17, 1975, before he was brutally assassinated 5 months later?
A video posted on Prime Minister’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy’s verified Facebook profile shows how the country celebrated the Father of the Nation’s birthday that year.
Along with the video, Sajeeb Wazed posted a caption that reads: “March 17, 1975 was a memorable one as all ways led to Dhanmondi 32 where thousands of people gathered since the dawn to wish their leader on his birthday.
Read More: Bangabandhu’s birth anniversary and National Children’s Day celebrated in Canberra
“My grandfather Bangabandhu appeared before them, exchanging greetings and shaking hands. His day was tightly knitted with programs from appearing in an award-handing ceremony to receiving greetings from overseas diplomats. In addition, school students also greeted their leader inside the national parliament premises.
“Who knew that this man who kindled the spirit of freedom in the hearts of millions would be gunned down by the assassins the same year? The successive military rulers sealed the chapter in such a way that even the footages, recorded and stored by Bangladesh Film Archive, were not allowed to see the light.
“However, owing to the tireless works of those who preserved it, these footages are now made public.”
Read More: The Fearless Call commemorates fearless Bangabandhu
“On his birthday, I would like to pay my tribute to the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” Sajeeb Wazed wrote.
Birth Anniversary: President, PM pay homage to Bangabandhu
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj on the occasion of his 103rd birth anniversary and the National Children’s Day-2023.
The president and the prime minister paid their homage by placing wreaths at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara at 10:42am.
President Hamid first laid a wreath at the Bangabandhu’s mausoleum, followed by the prime minister.
After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation.
A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a guard of honour on the occasion.
Flanked by senior leaders of her party, Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League President, placed another wreath at the mazar of Bangabandhu on behalf of the party.
Later, First Lady Rashida Khanam along with her son Rejwan Ahammad Taufiq, MP, as well as the premier along with her family members paid tribute to Bangabandhu by placing floral wreaths separately.
Read more: PM pays homage to Bangabandhu on his birthday
Hamid and Hasina offered Fateha and joined a munajat seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu as well as other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.
Cabinet members, PM's advisers, parliament members and senior AL leaders were present.
The President also signed the visitor’s book kept on the mausoleum premises.
On his arrival on the mausoleum premises, President Hamid was received by PM Hasina.
On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu, the architect of independent Bangladesh and the greatest Bangali of all times, was born at Tungipara in Gopalganj.
Tony Blair pays homage to Bangabandhu
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a floral wreath his portrait at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka.
The Executive Chairman of Tony Blair Institute for Global Change Blair was received at the museum by Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury, MP.
Also Read: PM Hasina holds meeting with former British PM Sir Tony Blair
Blair had also a tour of the museum and signed the visitors’ book on Saturday.
'The seed Bangabandhu sowed with the historic six-point demand in 1966 came to fruition with 1970 election'
The seed Bangabandhu sowed with the historic six-point demand in 1966 came to fruition with the 1970 general election, Prime Minister’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy wrote yesterday in a post on his verified Facebook profile.
“Awami League gained a landslide majority bagging 167 seats out of 313 in the national cabinet of Pakistan. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the leader of united Pakistan,” he wrote.
“But Pakistani military junta and defeated politicians did not hand over the power to the Bengali majority, rather they started making excuses from the very beginning of 1971. Even the autocratic General Yahya canceled the national cabinet assembly, supposed to be held on March 3. This made the Bengali people furious immediately after the announcement on March 1,” the post reads.
“Bangabandhu called upon the nation for a peaceful non-cooperation movement against the Pakistani force. But the military junta shot hundreds of people dead on the streets during the movement. Then Bangabandhu took to hard lines.”
Read more: ‘Tarique called Khaleda Zia 45 times the night before BDR mutiny,’ video posted by Sajeeb Wazed says
In line with Bangabandhu’s instruction, people enforced a general strike on March 2 and 3, the post says, adding that Bangabandhu held a mass rally in Paltan on March 3 where the manifesto of independence was read out.
“The manifesto stipulated matters regarding the national flag, national anthem, geographical boundary of Bangladesh, basic principles of the state and overall outline of the state,” Sajeeb Wazed wrote.
The strike and protests continued till March 6 and many freedom seekers died from the bullets of the Pakistani forces in major cities, the post reads.
Bangabandhu delivered his final directives on independence in the historic March 7 speech at a rally in Suhrawardy Udyan. He asked people to shut down all offices, courts, educational institutions for an indefinite period, which made Pakistan’s rule ineffective. “Volunteer groups from Awami League marched throughout the cities to avoid any chaos,” the post goes on.
Seeing the situation going out of control, Pakistani autocratic ruler Yahya Khan announced his Dhaka visit on March 9. And the remarks of Bangabandhu, in an interview, was: “... We are not willing to compromise.”
On March 13, Sangram Committee was formed in every locality of the country, leading to uncertainty of the Pakistani administration.
Bangabandhu, in a statement on March 14, said: “We will continue our revolt until we achieve freedom. The spirit of freeing Bangladesh cannot be put off.”
Yahya Khan arrived in Dhaka on March 15. Talks, with the intention of buying time to reinforce their military forces and arms, started on the following day on March 16. When things were visible, Bangabandhu asked people to observe ‘Revolt Day’ on Pakistan’s national day on March 23. He also hoisted the flag of Bangladesh on that day at his Dhanmondi residence. The mass boycotting of Pakistani products also started across the country, Sajeeb Wazed wrote.
Soon after news broke that Yahya Khan left Dhaka on March 25, Bangabandhu started receiving messages from party leaders and activists from all over the country. Pakistani forces began their brutality, mass killings and genocide over the peaceful Bengali people on that dark night. Bangabandhu declared the country’s independence in the wee hours of March 26, the post reads.
PM unveils Duranta Biplob’s book on Bangabandhu
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday unveiled the cover of a book titled "Bangabandhu Bhalobashar Opor Nam" written by Duranta Biplob who recently died in an accident.
PM’s Assistant Press Secretary MM Emrul Kayas said that Biplob’s mother Rokeya Akter Khatun, his brother Durjoy Biplob and sister Shashwati Biplob were present on the occasion at PM’s official residence Ganabhaban.
Biplob, ex-general secretary of Jahangirnagar University unit of Chhatra League and a former member of the Agriculture and Cooperative Sub-Committee of the Central Awami League, drowned on Buriganga River when his boat was hit by a motor launch on November 7.
Read More: PM pays tribute to Bangabandhu at Tungipara
The 51-year-old entrepreneur was travelling by a boat from Keraniganj to Mohammadpur to meet his mother.
Bangabandhu Foundation pays tribute to Father of the Nation marking its 21st anniversary
The Bangabandhu Foundation has paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking its 21st anniversary.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, also president of the Bangabandhu Foundation, paid homage by placing a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Leaders and members of the foundation were also present at that time.
The foreign minister later celebrated the anniversary of the Bangabandhu Foundation by cutting a cake with the leaders and members.
Read more: Bangabandhu Foundation pays homage to ‘Father of Nation’ at Tungipara
Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC observes Bangabandhu’s Homecoming Day
The historic Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was observed at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC in a befitting manner.
Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of the nation, returned to independent Bangladesh via London and New Delhi on January 10 in 1972 -- after 290 days of confinement in a Pakistan jail.
Read more: Bangabandhu’s Homecoming Day observed in New Delhi
The embassy arranged a program to observe the historic day and paid homage to the great architect of Bangladesh's independence.
The day’s program started with placing of a floral wreath at the bust of Bangabandhu by the embassy officials led by Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy, Ferdousi Shahriar.
The messages of President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were read out by the Defence Attaché Brigadier General Md Shahedul Islam and Minister (Political-II) Md Rashedujjaman.
The Triumphant Return of the Greatest Bengali
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman returned to the conquered country 25 days after independence of Bangladesh - on January 10, 1972. There is no such homecoming in the history. Homecoming is not just a come back to 'sweet home,' a return to the country, the soil of the country, and the people after a lifelong struggle to finally return to the firm hope of building a dream-Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal). Waiting for 28 days (9 months 12 days) to return home as a winner, while in the prison in Pakistan it was either death, or freedom. No, not death; Sheikh Mujib made the independence of his men and motherland after about 23 years of struggle, and a total of 13 years of imprisonment. He faced execution twice (1969 and 1971) but survived to implement the country's independence.
When the Bengalis was united for independence at the call of Bangabandhu, the Pakistani military launched a brutal attack on the night of March 25, 1971 on the independence-loving Bengalis and arrested Bangabandhu from his Dhanmondi residence on March 26 at 1.20 pm, shortly after he declared the independence of Bangladesh. He could have escaped if he wanted to. But Bangabandhu was not such a man. In an interview with British journalist David Fraser, he made it clear: 'I thought it is better I die and at least save my people who love me so much. I am their leader, I will embrace death if necessary, but why should I escape? 'However, after the victory of Bangladesh, on international pressure Bangabandhu was released from prison on the morning of January 8, 1972. After his release, he returned to the country on January 10, 1972, via London and Delhi. When the plane carrying Bangabandhu touched the runway of Tejgaon Airport that afternoon, countless crowds greeted their undisputed leader with cheers and sky-scraping 'Joy Bangla' slogans. Bangabandhu went to Suhrawardy Udyan (then Racecourse Maidan) straight from the airport, where he one day urged millions of Bengalis to jump into the freedom struggle. There, he congratulated the country's people in an emotional voice for snatching victory in the bloody liberation war and called upon all to dedicate themselves to rebuilding the war-torn country.
Read More: Bangabandhu’s Homecoming Day today
As soon as he returned to the country on January 10, 1972, getting him back alive millions of Bengalis welcomed him at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan, where once he called for independence ten months back. He firmly called upon people, "If my people are killed again, then my request to you is: 'build fortress in every home'. In his words, the desire to liberate the motherland has fascinated the whole nation, provoked, 'Remember, since we have given blood, we will give more, by we will surely liberate liberate the people of this country, inshallah.' He emphasized, 'The struggle this time is the struggle for our liberation. The struggle this time is the struggle for our independence.' After returning to the country, the father of the nation started tidying up the country. In the beginning, he gave his focus in formulating the state policies- the principles on which the new country Bangladesh would be governed. Mujibbad gave a remarkable imprint of the life, culture, and heritage of the land and people of the country in politics, gifted with his political experience, wisdom, foresight, and the uniqueness of independent Bengal.
He was not unaware of the plight of ordinary people in the war-torn country. He expressed his determination to alleviate their suffering as follows: "From today my request, from today my command, from today my order, as a brother-not as a leader, nor as to the president or as the prime minister, I am your brother, you are my brothers. This independence of mine will be futile-if the people of my Bengal are not fully fed on rice, this independence of mine will not be fulfilled-if the mothers and sisters of Bengal do not get clothes, this independence of mine will not be fulfilled-if the mothers and sisters of this country do not get clothes for the protection of their modesty, this independence of mine will not be fulfilled-if the people of this country, the youth of mine, do not find employment or do not get jobs."
Read More: Anne de Henning’s rare photos of Bangladesh’s birth, Bangabandhu to have Dhaka exhibit Dec 15-24
The drafting of the constitution reflected the idea of local, and not the imitation of other developed countries. The views of the people were reflected in the constitution; 98 recommendations were adopted on the basis of public opinion. Bangabandhu always emphasized the will and needs of the people first. In just nine months, Bangabandhu presented the nation with one of the world's best constitutions, which was adopted by the National Assembly on November 4, 1972, and came into effect from December 16 (Victory Day). Speaking on the constitution in the parliament, the country's architect said: "This constitution is written in the blood of the martyrs. This constitution will survive as a tangible symbol of the hopes and aspirations of the entire people."
It is unknown whether anyone else in history got a chance to speak about the passion and love that Bangabandhu expressed at the people's reception at all levels. Emotional Bangabandhu said at that auspicious time; my Bangladesh has become independent today. "My Bangladesh has been independent today, my life's desire has been fulfilled today, the people of my Bengal have been liberated today. My Bengal will remain free. Today I won't be able to make a speech. The way the sons of Bengal, the mothers of Bengal, the peasants of Bengal, the laborers of Bengal, the intellectuals of Bengal did struggle, I was imprisoned, was ready and waiting to go to the gallows. But I knew that they could not suppress my Bangalees. The people of my Bengal would be liberated."
Read More: ‘Intense, fragile, powerful’: Forbes effusively lauds Paris exhibit on Bangladesh’s birth, Bangabandhu
Sitting in a dark cell of a prison (multiple prisons - Karachi, Faisalabad) and dreaming of freedom, he was not sure he would return to his beloved motherland alive. "I did not know I would return to you", fascinated by the motherland, Bangabandhu uttered. "I have come. I did not know I was sentenced to death by hanging. A grave was dug for me beside my cell. I prepared myself, I said I'm a Bangalee, I'm a man, I'm a Muslim-who dies once not twice. I said, if death comes to me, I'll die laughing."
Although Bangabandhu was imprisoned in Pakistan from March 26, 1971 to January 8, 1972 (9 months and 12 days), obviously he was alive in Bangladesh's consciousness and liberation struggle, and inspired them for nine months. He was the President of the Mujibnagar Government and the first President of the country. In his physical absence or absence, the four national leaders conducted the Mujibnagar government i.e., the war of liberation, by embracing his ideals, thoughts, and consciousness.
Although he was in prison in Pakistan, he was not unaware of the atrocities that the Pakistanis had inflicted on the Bengalis in the nine-month war. Mentioning that 3 million people have been killed in the war, Bangabandhu aggrieved, "In the Second World War and also in the First World War, such a number of people, such a number of common citizens did not die, were not martyred, which happened in my 7-crore people's Bangladesh." While in prison in Pakistan, he was never disturbed or intimidated by the thought of execution. His compassion for the country was expressed in his speech: "I told just one thing, I have no objection if you kill me. Please return my dead body to my Bangalees, this is my only request to you."
He was a prison, but he believed that no one could keep the Bengalis in suppress. Bangladesh would be independent. And so he prepared in his mind about what to build an independent country. That is why he did not have to hurry or take time to concentrate on the task of building a Sonar Bangla, including the drafting of the constitution in the earliest possible time.
The ruthless Pakistani military could not kill this great humane-the leader of the seven-crore Bangali. But he had to give his life in the hands of his 'loved' ones, in the plan of the very own traitors, while the chief mastermind Mushtaq sent the cooked the sand duck to Bangabandhu's home just two days ago (13 August). Who knew that this 'lovely' feast was also an exercise in plotting to assassinate Bangabandhu! By killing Bangabandhu, the murderous circle silenced his dream of Sonar Bangla. The Bangladeshi forms of politics that he has formulated in this country taken from the soil and people's lives was also blocked. When the people of Bangladesh, under the leadership of Bangabandhu, were determined to transform the country into Sonar Bangla in a democratic state system with a secular mindset of the 1970s, they stopped that progress by killing him and went back to the 'religion'-centric social divisions like the 1940s.
Read More: What Was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Childhood Like?
But the killers did not know that Bangabandhu could be killed and could not be kept suppressed (dabay rakha). He was, is, and will, always be. That is why the people overthrew the then military government in the late 1990s, overcoming all obstacles and bearing his secular mentality. He has always been equally popular, no matter whether his party is in power or not. For example, in a 2004 BBC poll, Bangabandhu was elected the greatest Bengali of all time (then the BNP-led government in power (2001-2006)). In 2005, the High Court quashed the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution and ruled to restore the 1972 constitution, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2010. Meanwhile, since 2010, people have rallied in various places, including the capital, to restore the 1972 constitution. In this favorable environment, the government led by his daughter restored the main provisions of the 1972 constitution in 2011. In addition to any emergency of the Awami League, Bangabandhu is still more relevant and influential in any crisis of the nation. As long as Bangladesh, so long Bangabandhu. In fact, Bangladesh and Bangabandhu are synonymous.
On the question of Bangabandhu's relevance, Bengali economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen recently stated that 'Bangabandhu and his ideals are still relevant'. He further emphasized that Bangabandhu's philosophy and ideology should be imitated in the conflicting contemporary world, especially in South and South-East Asia. Bangabandhu's need for secularism and religious freedom in resolving ethnic and religious conflicts not only in Asia but also in the Western world is undeniable and socialist democracy is essential to build an exploitation-free society. The country lost its genuine architect and friend- Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib a quarter century ago. But he was, is, will be in the arteries of Bengalis: "As long as Padma, Meghna, Gouri, Jamuna flows on, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, your accomplishment will also live on."
Read More: Ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Can Inspire the Young Generation
Dr. Ala Uddin, Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Chittagong. Email: [email protected]