Bashundhara Publications launches '71 Birgatha' - 10 freedom fighters honoured

Bashundhara Publications unveiled the first part of a voluminous book, a documentary account of the country’s liberation war, titled ‘71 Birgatha’ [Heroic Tales of 71] at a programme in the capital on Friday. Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman attended the event as chief guest and unveiled the book at Bashundhara Convention Centre-2 at Bashundhara Residential Area. Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir was present during the book-unveiling ceremony. He wrapped 10 freedom fighters in shawls and handed them crests for their heroics during the liberation war. BDS71, a research organisation, and Bashundhara Publications published the book based on interviews of the valiant warriors who got gallantry awards. Five more books, holding interviews of ten valiant freedom fighters in each part, will be published in phases by the publishing wing of the country’s largest business conglomerate. Addressing the programme, Anisuzzaman said the books would be considered as the great deeds of the liberation war against Pakistan. “The books on liberation war will help the next generation to know the real history of our great liberation war. Although the book has been aimed at the young generation, I think it’ll enrich people of all ages.” If such specialist publications—based on the freedom fighters’ interviews—continue, Anisuzzaman said, people would come to know lots of untold tales of the war. Maj Gen (retd) KM Shafiullah and Kaler Kantho editor Imdadul Haque Milon also spoke at the programme as special guests. Shafiullah said, “We had nothing but spirit when we started fighting against the Pakistani military. Brave Bangalee proved their guts in 1971. The Pak army feared slogans like ‘Joy Bangla’.” “1971 was the biggest episode for Bangladeshis. Everybody played their role in the liberation war from their respective positions, but the biggest spirit was the participation of the masses,” Milon said. Through these books, he observed, the new generation will explore the glorious liberation war from different aspects. Mohammad Abu Tayeb, adviser (press and media) of Bashundhara Group, Bangladesh Pratidin editor Nayeem Nizam, BDS71 adviser Shahriar Shahid and chief executive officer Hasina Akhter Nigar, among others, were present. The honourees were Maj (retd) Rafiqul Islam (Bir Uttam), Lt Col (retd) Mohammad Ziauddin Ahmed (Bir Uttam), Cdre (retd) Abdul Wahed Chowdhury (Bir Uttam), Group Capt (retd) Shamsul Alam (Bir Uttam), Lt Col (retd) Zafar Imam (Bir Bikram), Maj Gen (retd) Imam-uz-Zaman (Bir Bikram), Waresat Hossain Belal (Bir Bikrom), Maj (retd) Wakar Hasan (Bir Pratik), Lt Col (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury and Padma Rahman. The book is now available at the stall of Bashundhara Publications at Ekushey Book Fair.