Bangladesh missions abroad observe Nat'l Mourning Day
Speakers at a discussion here, on the occasion of the National Mourning day, yesterday recalled the supreme sacrifice made by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the cause of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh mission here organised the programme at the Multipurpose Hall at the chancery building where distinguished personalities drawn from various strata of life spoke on the life and works of Bangabandhu, with High Commissioner Tariq Ahmad Karim in the chair.
A large number of students and members of Bangladeshi community in the Indian capital were present.
Maj Gen (retd) Jacob, 1971-war veteran, former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Prof Muchkund Dubey, Shashi Bhusan, a former Member of Parliament, Dr Nitish Sengupta, a former MP, Arjun Sengupta, a retired officer, who served in the Indian High Commission in Dhaka in the early seventies and Ved Marwah, who had accompanied Bangabandhu, following his release from Pakistan's captivity, from London to Dhaka, spoke on the occasion.
General Jacob described Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib as a "great leader of a great nation." He said that Bangabandhu had directed his people to fight against the occupation army if required.
"As the Pakistani forces unleashed attacks on unarmed people of East Pakistan on March 25, the people remembered the directives of their great leader and waged a war against them," he added.
He said with the death of Sheikh Mujib, "we lost a great leader and a great friend."
Dubey said that Mujib was a great world leader, who had tremendous love for his people. He quoted Bangabandhu as saying, "I love my people and they also love me."
Recalling a public meeting that was addressed by Bangabandhu in the early seventies, the former diplomat-turned teacher said, I had never seen such a huge public meeting in my life."
Ved Marwah recalled his journey with Bangabandhu from Heathrow Airport to Dhaka via New Delhi and said when Sheikh Mujib came to know I knew some Bangla, he asked me to seat next to him and spoke about his vision on newborn Bangladesh he was yet to see.
Ved said that the charismatic leader had a very sharp memory and during a visit to London after becoming the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, he (Mujib) invited me and my wife for a tea at the Claridge Hotel, where we spent 45 minutes with him.
Arjun Sengupta, who served in the Indian High Commission shortly after the Independence of Bangladesh, recalled that whenever Bangabandhu saw him used to "call me by my name." "I was surprised how can he remember my name."
Sengupta, also worked at the office of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for four years, said that Sheikh Mujib had tremendous love for his people and he laid down his life for the country. He regretted that all "our great leaders were brought down by the barrels of guns."
Bangladesh High Commissioner Tariq Ahmad Karim in his speech paid rich tributes to the memory of Bangabandhu and said, "Without his appearance there would have been no Bangladesh." He said that what Mahatma Gandhi was for India, Nelson Mandela for the South African people, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib was for Bangladesh. He said the brutal killing of Bangabandhu was a "shameful black spot in our history."
Karim said that subsequent political killings or attempt of killing could be averted if the killers of Bangabandhu were tried and punished. Rather they were given lucrative
postings abroad, he added.
A government handout adds: Bangladesh High Commission in Pakistan observed the National Mourning Day on its premises yesterday.
On the occasion, discussion and milad mahfil were held. A documentary titled 'Chiranjib Bangabandhu' was also screened.
Bangladesh High Commissioner Yasmin Morshed, high commission officials and expatriate Bangladeshis attended the programmes.
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