40 Years of Freedom: A Reflection

December 20, 2011
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16th December 2011, Bangladeshis around the world, celebrated the 40th Victory Day. Four decades earlier, the state of East Pakistan was dissolved; resulting in the birth of a new nation, Bangladesh.

16th December 2011, Bangladeshis around the world, celebrated the 40th Victory Day. Four decades earlier, the state of East Pakistan was dissolved; resulting in the birth of a new nation, Bangladesh. Nine months of bloody civil war, marked by atrocities, genocide and vicious war-crimes left an already struggling nation in shambles, both socially and economically.
The return of millions of refugees, along with the lack of necessary foreign aid further deteriorated the already drastic situation. It was out of this seemingly hopeless situation, that UK expatriate Sir Fazle Hasan Abed formed the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee (BRAC).
BRAC and Bangladesh are joined at birth. The bond is inseparable and an emotional one. As Bangladesh modernized, developed infrastructure, received global recognition for innovative practices, so did BRAC. There is a lot of room to grow for both Bangladesh and BRAC, but there is certainly much to celebrate. Considering the circumstances and unfavourable odds, Bangladesh and BRAC remarkably grew.
BRAC conducted nation-wide programmes to honour this milestone. In the Dhaka metropolitan area, a “mobile photo exhibition” toured the city on rickshaws vans. The rare and breathtaking photographs, contained images of the War of Liberation, the atmosphere around the revolutionary movement, the devastation and suffering of war, as well as the growth and relief efforts in nearly every segment of Bangladeshi society. The photographs are eye opening. A country which just 40 years ago was emerging from ashes is now sending its citizens by the thousands to assist in other nation’s post-war relief.
Outside of Dhaka BRAC hosted cultural programmes in all Bangladeshi divisional cities. Cultural programmes, including popular theatre, traditional music, dance, and a screening of the documentary Mukhti Gaan (Freedom Songs) were the highlights of the event. Bengali culture, which just 41 years ago was heavily repressed by totalitarian regimes, was celebrated in full in pomp and circumstance. Participants from all segments of society flocked to the BRAC events which were held in Khulna, Sylhet, Barisal, Rangpur, Chittagong, and Rajshahi.
This was a tribute to the visionaries, freedom fighters, and every day people who made the vision of Bangladesh a reality, a humble offering to their immortal shrines.
We are indebted to their struggle and sacrifice, and vow to continue making their vision a reality by investing our time, effort, and minds into developing this nation socially, and economically.
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Dr. Ayaz Ansari
Dr. Ayaz Ansari
12 years ago

What an inspiring post. BRAC keep up the good work for Bangladesh!