Strange it may appear, but a well-known politician in Narail district has embarked on a plantation drive to commemorate the 1971 Liberation War. BM Bartak Ullah, the chairman of Khashial Union Parishad of Kalia upazila, intends to plant 1971 saplings in the upazila -- at least  71 in each ward -- with financial assistance from his friends. The politician kicked off the drive on Friday -- planting saplings along Borodia-Kalia Road leading to Khashial union. Students of many educational institutions of the union also took part in the programme. “The aim is to commemorate the Liberation War,” said BM Barkat. "Saplings will be distributed to all houses, and all roads of the union will be brought under the plantation programme," he said.