Sheikh Russel lovingly recalled by teacher, well-wishers

"His mind comprised a soulful blend of merit and thoughtfulness," said Sheikh Russel's teacher Gitali Dasgupta, recalling her memories with the youngest son of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"Once I taught something to Russel, he learned it for life," she said at a webinar organised by the web team of Awami League yesterday.

Russel was born on this day 56 years ago at Bangabandhu's Dhanmondi-32 residence. His life was cut short at the same residence on August 15, 1975.

Gitali recalled that she had decided not to tutor Russel with her own exams approaching. "Hearing this, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib said, '30 minutes?' I said, 'Not even 30 minutes'. Then she said, '20 minutes?' I could not say 'yes'. Finally, she demanded only 15 minutes and I obliged thinking that a mother was asking only for 15 minutes. So, I changed my mind," she recalled.

"Then looking at aunty (Bangamata), I said, 'Do buses ply this route? How could I travel otherwise?' I momentarily forgot whom I was talking to. Then Bangamata said, 'So you are going to teach? Then I will arrange transport for you'."

Reflecting on Sheikh Russel, Novelist Selina Hossain said, "I consider him as the child symbolising the dream of freedom. Since his childhood, he had patriotism inherited from his family."

Actor and Sampriti Bangladesh Convener Pijush Bandyopadhyay said, "When the child Russel wanted to go to his mother, the killers brought him to his mother and killed him. It is not an instant decision. It was all well-planned. They knew it very well that the blood of Bangabandhu and Bangamata ran through his body and so he "shouldn't be spared".

Women Affairs Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League central committee Meher Afroz Chumki, MP, said, "We don't know what Russel would have become growing up. But we know that his family lived only in service of people. Therefore, we can understand how much the children of this family could contribute had they remained alive."

Prof Nasreen Ahmad, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of Dhaka University, said, "The day Sheikh Russel was born, I had the same feeling like Sheikh Rehana that my baby brother was born. When I think of Russel, August 15 flashes through my mind."

"That was a diabolical moment. We were close enough, heard the rattling sound of firing. Just imagine what went through the mind of that kid. How could they pierce his heart with bullets? How could they be so void of any feeling? Didn't their hands tremble? Didn't their heart shudder? The only prayer I have on this day, 'Wherever he is, let him be in peace'."