Hero comes home
Capt Sikder Ahmed was commandeering a very special flight yesterday. A whole nation was waiting for the aircraft, Piaggio P 180 Avanti-II, to land safe and sound.
Sikder, chief pilot of Youngone group Bangladesh, was excited to be in cockpit at a rare moment of history, as he was bringing Musa Ibrahim back home.
The captain would later share the experience saying, “It's really a great pleasure.”
The plane touched the runway around 4:15pm. Family members relatives, colleagues, members of North Alpine Club Bangladesh and journalists have already thronged Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka.
Musa, the first Bangladeshi ever to top the Mount Everest, comes home completing his 55 days' expedition.
Wearing a t-shirt in national flag colours, Musa came out through the VIP arrival.
Visitors shouted, “Musa.” Cameras started clicking.
“People of Bangladesh had a dream,” said Musa in his very first reaction at the airport, “that someday someone will hoist the national flag at the top of the world's highest mountain…. I fulfilled the dream.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent Musa a bouquet.
Zahid Ahsan Russell, chief of parliamentary standing committee on youth and sports ministry, Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes, and Channel i Managing Director Faridur Reza Sagar were present among others.
Bilkis Begum, the proud mother of the triumphant son, was sleepless all these days. She was in panic and praying for her son's safe return. “At last I am happy as my son is back to my lap.”
“Musa proved that youth of Bangladesh can do anything if they want,” said the Daily Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman who was waiting at the airport to receive Musa.
In an open-roof Jeep, the mountaineer, already showered with flowers, left the airport waiving victory.
Musa paid a visit to The Daily Star, where he works as a sub-editor. He also went to the offices of Prothom Alo and NACB.
At the Daily Star, Musa shared some of his experience from the expedition also adding the newspaper was one of the sources of inspiration for the voyage.
The editor of the daily, Mahfuz Anam congratulated him on his triumph.
Three Sherpas, who helped Musa conquer Everest, also arrived in the city in a regular flight. Musa invited Som Bahadur Sherpa, Kailash Tamang and Lakpa Nuru Sherpa to visit Bangladesh with him, as they reached the base camp.
“Musa has proved that we can win anything,” said columnist Syed Abul Maksud, who went to the airport.
“Musa has taken us to the highest height,” said Enam Al Haque.
Speaker of parliament, Abdul Hamid, praised Musa through a press release.
Wife Soraban Tahura, sister Ayesha and Brother-in-law Capt Rashidul Hasan, also the co-pilot of the flight, flew to Kathmandu in the morning to bring Musa back home.
Scaling the Everest on May 23, Musa descended to base camp on May 25 and reached Kathmandu on May 27.
MUSA MEETS PM HASINA
Musa Ibrahim, who has scaled Mount Everest as the first Bangladeshi, met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Gonobhaban last night.
Earlier in the evening, Musa returned home completing his 55 days' expedition.
Welcoming the golden boy the premier said Musa has proved that Bangalee can do everything.
“We feel proud of Musa, we greet him. His parents and wife Sharaban Tahura Rimi have inspired Musa all the way,” Hasina said and raised slogan of ''Joy Bangla'' holding up his hand.
Musa in his reaction said, “I'm really delighted. I want to share the joy with all.”
“Bangladeshi youths will surely bring more success in future, if they're given inspiration,” said Musa.
He thanked all as his victory has been considered as the victory of Bangladesh.
Senior leaders of the Awami League and grand alliance were present on the occasion.
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