golden jubilee of its independence
Recognition as freedom fighter: 50 years have gone, but painter Haider Ali's wait continues
Haider Ali, whose job is now to paint walls and doors, put his life on the line every day during the nine-month liberation war of Bangladesh as his country called.
Fast forward to November 2021, as the country is celebrating the golden jubilee of its independence. But things have not changed for Haider, the father of two daughters, for whom tomorrow means another fight for survival.
The man from Darshana, Damurhuda upazila is yet to be gazetted as a freedom fighter even after 50 years. That means he is not able to avail the benefits given to freedom fighters. He now has to struggle to put food on the table.
Read:Tourism Ministry and Hotel Intercontinental honour freedom fighters
Then twenty-year-old Haider from Darshana's Paranpur joined the Liberation War in 1971 in sector 8. The young gun went to India to complete his training as a freedom fighter. He joined the group of ten freedom fighters, led by late Chabdar Ali, in the Bishoykhali area of Kaliganj upazila, Jhenaidah.
Freedom fighters Tamsher Ali, Anisur Rahman, Akkas Ali, Sirajul Islam, Nowsher Ali were the other people from Haider's area who directly fought the war.
3 years ago