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Chintito
K for
Kibria (1931-2005)
Chintito
 Call
it political apathy or professional difference, to some the
generation gap, or sheer ignorance only a handful of us were
aware of his academic luminosity and magnificent career, very
few of us knew that Shah AMS Kibria was from tranquil Habiganj,
some of us came to know of him as a finance minister. Destiny
was such that many of us had never met him in person. After
his brutal murder on 27 January most of us wish we had.
Therein
lies the enormity of a mortal whose heart bled for the common
man, the greatness of a patriot whose brilliant mind was ordained
to serve the downtrodden, the integrity of a Bangladeshi politician
whose children came to light only before his burial.
For much
of his working life, the 74-year old Kibria wept for the world.
Today the world weeps for him.
First
class first in both BA Honours Economics and MA from Dhaka
University, first in Pakistan civil service examinations (don't
forget he was a Bangalee), a director at Pakistan's foreign
ministry, Pakistan's envoy to USA, India, Egypt and Indonesia
(1957 and 1970), the nationalist left the Pakistan embassy
in Washington to join the War of Liberation for a free independent
Bangladesh.
Kibria
was Bangladesh's foreign secretary, an ambassador and permanent
representative to the United Nations, the executive secretary
of ESCAP (UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific).
As an
Awami Leaguer in the 1990s, he was political advisor to Sheikh
Hasina, Bangladesh's finance minister1996-2001 and incumbent
MP from Habiganj-3 elected in 2001 when many of his party
stalwarts lost.
When a
person of his stature is murdered in the manner that he was,
he rises above political identity, overcomes professional
boundaries, bridges the generation disparity and touches the
spirit of millions.
From the
head of the state to the last voter in the queue, from the
universal United Nations to his local constituency, they all
mourn his death.
They grieve
for K.
K for
knowledge: that he was blessed with, and that which he dedicated
to the service of the people of this land
K for
keystone: the minister, the politician, the freedom fighter,
the diplomat, the scholar that he was
K for
kinship: that he had with his family, friends, colleagues,
party men and constituents.
K for
kudos: the man himself
K for
keynote: the speech that he delivered that fateful evening
K for
the keyword: grenade, with which he and his departing peaceful
political meeting was attacked
K for
kerfuffle: the commotion that followed the heinous attack
K for
the kilometres: that his last breath had to contend with
K for
kneeling down: in prayer to Almighty Allah for his eternal
abode in heaven, for the peace of a nation down below
K for
kick in the teeth: for everything this nation stands for
K for
knot: in the enduring mystery of such violence
K for
kismet: even a man of his standing could not be guaranteed
natural death.
Mere mourning
is not enough. Garnering strength shall not be sufficient.
Sustained resolve is essential. A gifted son of the soil deserves
no less.
Copyright
(R) thedailystar.net 2005
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