"Amar Shonar Bangla, Ami Tomai Bhalobashi" this country is mine and I am proud of it. Millions of mothers bought us this victory at the price of their motherhood. With undaunted courage and a smiling face, sisters bid farewell to their brothers and fathers, just for the sake of our mother tongue, Bangla. Traumatizing heard and unheard tales of terror, loss and sacrifice echoes when we scream "Bangladesh" with heads held high in pride.
Bangladesh is free today, liberated by the loyal love of the freedom fighters. When the red sun shines brightly amidst the green serene rectangle, a cynic mother, waiting for her long-lost son, finds her child's reflection in that ravishing redness, smiling and saying, "Here I am Ma! Always beside you, residing in this flag, the symbol for our freedom."
The year 1971 pens down our history. Since the 1952 Language movement, Bangladeshi's had not rested or blinked before being subjected to gunshots. On the "Darkest night" of March 25, 1971, a nightmare transformed into reality, as the Pakistani military, veiling under the blanket of darkness massacred millions.
Yahya Khan, serving as the then president of Pakistan, ordered his soldiers to sweep through the houses of Bengal inhabitants, who were sleeping peacefully in serenity. Who knew that these eyes would not witness the sunlight next morning, but will only be lying in a dripping red sea of blood.
The streets attired themselves in a crimson robe, as the ruthless armed hunters spared no sign or life or living. Frozen. Still. Murdered.Civilians, teachers, students, scholars were all lying dead. Dead bodies all around, the attackers came in, killed and left, leaving decay everywhere eyes could reach. Even Jagganath Hall, Rokeya Hall, Iqbal Hall and many other student's messes, which would generally be filled with chirping youths, now stood silent.
Forcing the fear of death, they wanted these heads to bow, pleading for mercy, but they were mistaken. They wanted to take control of all the large and powerful states making up East Pakistan, and thus this genocide was carried out to cut off any rebelling voice. Around two hundred students and ten teachers from the University of Dhaka were slaughtered, even Rokeya Hall was not spared by these gunning assassins.
Archer Blood's book "The Cruel Birth of Bangladesh: Memoirs of an American Diplomat" records that a fire was started at the Rokeya Hall in order to drag the students out of their bed. Based on a conversation between the Pakistan military control room and army unit 88 reveals that over three hundred women were either burned or shot to death that night. Dhaka, within one night, becomes the city of the dead.
The Pakistan government admits of their action but takes no responsibility for its consequences. Flaming among fires and drenching wet in its own blood, the city resilient city of Dhaka now becomes a best, howling loudly, and ready to fight for its freedom.
In order to stop these raging youths, the Pakistani military handcuffs Major Ziaur Rahman, but before that, this leader already announces freedom! Thus, with sticks and stones, young raging souls fight back, driving away the Pakistani soldiers.
They even put a stop on all printing press, to prevent the news of the attack from spreading like a wildfire across the universe. March 26 is celebrated as our "Shadhinota Dibosh", the day our liberation war was declared.
After endlessly fighting the Pak Bahini for nine long months, we were finally freed. Thus, a new nation was born on the bosom of the Earth, which we now know by the name, "Bangladesh".
M. Borhan Uddin Ratan
Blogger
Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP (Official)
