August, Bangabandhu and some thoughts

August 15 is observed and marked as a Black Day in the history of Bangladesh. Thirty-five years back, [in 1975] on this day, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brutally assassinated along with other members of his family. The current Prime Minister in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana escaped such brutality, as both were abroad during this night.

Pro liberation forces as well any citizen of Bangladesh, will always hold Bangabandhu at the highest esteem for his leadership, which ultimately liberated Bangladesh from the grips of Pakistani occupation forces, thus finally bringing a huge dignity for the Bangla speaking population in the world to feel proud of an independent Bangladesh, which is the first ever 'home' of Bengalis. In this world, Bangla speaking population is above 250 million. But, for such huge population, there was no any home land before December 16, 1971. For this reason, Bangabandhu remains as a hero to Bengalis as well to the world.

Each time, when Awami League forms the government, state-owned media turns terribly active in broadcasting various programs on Bangabandhu, most of which are boring talk-shows participated by branded Awami League activists and intellectuals. I am almost certain that major segment of such programs are even not watched or listened by the supporters and workers of Awami League itself. This is not only in the case of Bangabandhu, if for example, Bangladesh Nationalist Party is in power, the state owned media turns into virtually mouthpiece of that party and continues to ignore Bangabandhu. Now, it will ignore late President Ziaur Rahman, who also was a freedom fighter during the war of independence. Since the independence of Bangladesh, any political or dictatorial government in power wants to make sure that the state-owned media turns into a mere propaganda machine instead of a solid source of unbiased information. Poisoning the media with total bias is an old-styled habit of the rulers in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, no one was able to show any difference, except Justice President Shahabuddin Ahmed, who led the caretaker government in Bangladesh in 1991 and 2001 respectively for holding general election in the country. According to constitutional provision, general election in Bangladesh is held under Caretaker government.

This year again, Bangladesh observes August 15. But, I would like to mention here a few important things that Bangladesh Awami League misses to implement, which, according to my personal opinion, is extremely important for letting the world know more about the life of this unparallel hero.

Amongst South Asian leaders, biographies of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Benazir Bhutto are very much available in every large book stores in the world. Such biographies are written by knows Western biographers and published by prestigious publication houses. No doubt, such biographies are helping the newer generation in the West in knowing these prominent leaders of Asia. On the other hand, there is no biography of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, after almost 4 decades of the independence. During this time, Awami League itself was in power for three terms. But, no one ever cared to take any initiatives in getting a biography of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman published in English, being written by any of the well-known biographers in the world.

Of course, there are hundreds of books in Bangla and English, mostly written by sycophants of Awami League, which for obvious reason, never is taken as real source of knowledge and information on Bangabandhu. People in the world want to know about Bangabandhu, but for obvious reason, they are totally unwilling to read flatteries and sycophancies on anyone.

I really fail to understand as to why the ruling party did not take any effective measure in hiring a well known biographer with global fame to write the biography of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Most of us are already aware of Hollywood movies like Gandhi. If we have interest in reading news of the entertainment world, at least 700 million viewers in the world have already watched this movie either in cinema halls or in Home TV. Certainly, Gandhi movie gave information on the life of this legendary leader of South Asia to the international population, especially the younger generation. Now, can anyone name any such movie on Bangabandhu? Even in Bangladesh? No! But, if I ask why not! Why the current government in Bangladesh will not initiate an immediate plan to get a Bangla movie made on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Moreover, a detailed biography of Bangabandhu will definitely draw the attention of famous movie makers in Hollywood in initiating a movie on this extraordinary Hero of Bengalis.

We have Bangladesh mission in Washington DC as well in other Western capitals. Did they ever initiate to draw the attention of famous biographers as well as movie directors in making them interested in written biography on Bangabandhu or getting a Hollywood movie done on him? Why not Bangladesh Awami League [if not the government] can bear the expenses of hiring a biographer for writing the biography of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman? I really want to see this biography as well hear the news about movie on Bangabandhu, when we shall observe August 15 next year.

Finally, a request to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to consider launching an international Peace Prize [similar as Gandhi Prize or Nobel Prize] in the memory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The government should make a panel of judges for this award with internationally acclaimed figures. Prize money should not be less than US$ 1 million, because lower prize money will fail to get appropriate attention of the world media. Every year, the committee of Bangabandhu International Peace Prize will select one name from hundreds as the recipient of this prestigious prize. I would like to see the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, making formal announcement of this prize on August 15 this year. And of course, the announcement should be properly conveyed to various international news outlets in the world. While declaring Bangabandhu International Peace Prize, Prime Minister's press office or Information Ministry should release a short biography and a short documentary of Bangabandhu, which will help the international news outlets in adding it while publishing or broadcasting the news about it.

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August, Bangabandhu and some thoughts

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