I recall with the opportunity I got to serve the exile Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh at Mujibnagar as a War Correspondent under the Ministry of Information, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh for the Liberation Radio (Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra) of Bangladesh during the war of liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. It obviously afforded me an unique opportunity to participate in the historic process of the birth of a new nation. As I present this book “Bangladesh Wins Freedom”, I recollect the memories of the heroic boys and girls, who more than three decades ago sacrificed their lives fearlessly before my eyes in the war fronts to wrest freedom for their motherland.
The Freedom Fighters' victory over the occupation Pakistani forces and their local collaborators
sacrificing three million patriotic lives was indeed a rare feat in the annals of freedom struggle of any country. Indeed they always abhorred war and had never lost their faith in peace and humanity inspite of the war imposed upon them.
As I pay my tribute to the heroes of our freedom, the nation still struggles hard to
fulfill their mission for building a Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal) after the dream of poet Rabindranath Tagore and Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Should this book touch the hearts of the freedom-loving people of the world and inspire them for achieving universal peace and justice, the message of the poet Rabindranath Tagore "E Jiban Purna Kara" (may the lives of mankind be fulfilled with purity and sanctity), shall indeed be reflected in the lives of mankind. While the mission of freedom goes on, I shall feel amply rewarded if the peace-loving people of the world find in this book some strength in their quest for universal peace and compassion.
I am indebted to Professor Muhammad Abu Zaafar, Professor Md. Ahsanul Haq and Professor Muhammad Mohiuddin of Dhaka University, Mr. Golam Mainuddin, Director, Bangla Academy, Mr. Zakaria Shirajee, Syed Badrul Haque and Mr. A.U.M. Fakhruddin for their valuable assistance and encouragement. My gratitude is also due to M/s. Bikash, Togor, Probir, Nitai, Mohammad Salim and Zakir Hossain for computer-composing the book.
I express my deep gratitude to Professor Syed Anwar Hussain, Director General, Bangla Academy for publishing the book. And finally, I express my sincere gratitude and thanks to Joyce, Munaj, Abhi, Shamanta, Anika, and Tuntuni for their love and support.
| Date : 23-02-2000 |
Musa Sadik |
