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Opinion

A tribute to Shaheed Nizamuddin


Bangladeshpost
Published : 03 Sep 2021 08:48 PM | Updated : 04 Sep 2021 12:30 AM

Nafeesa Jalal

They say, “heroes never die” and I have seen that to be the truth in my family. September 04, 2021 marks 50 years since my 22-year-old uncle (father's elder brother) was killed by the Pakistani armed forces in the 1971 War of Independence. He was a Sub-Sector Commander in that war and died in direct combat. 

The day he decided to leave the comforts of his everyday life and begin fighting for our nation, he became a hero for my family. The day he was killed, he became a hero to our entire nation. 

While I never had the good fortune of meeting him, as he left many years before my parents got married, I have always heard the most wonderful stories from those who knew him. I can rightfully conclude that he was an extremely intelligent, talented, ambitious and loved man who had accomplished a tremendous amount in his very short life. The Bangladeshi government has honored him with prestigious titles, and a highway and main road are named after him, as are memorials and educational institutions. While all this recognition is important, what is more important is for us to keep his memories alive, and to continue to build a Bangladesh that he would have been proud of.  

However, my uncle was not alone; he was one of many selfless heroes and heroines to die for this country.

Because they made the ultimate sacrifice, I was born in an indepen­dent Bangladesh. While I physically left the country within months of my birth, my Bangladeshi identity has always travelled with me and been my pride and joy. I am often reminded of Pratul Mukhopadhyay's iconic song, ‘Ami Banglay Gaan Gai.’ 

Indeed, when I sing to myself, when I talk to myself in my thoughts, it is in Bangla. When I dream, it is in Bangla. When I go into the world and make significant contributions, it is as a Bangladeshi.

I encourage us all to keep striving for a Bangladesh that is worth the sacrifices of the people who died for it. I encourage us all to do incredible things with our lives, so that people can say a Bangladeshi person did it. We are a small country, but our footprint must be enormous because that is what the sacrifices of our people were.  

Finally, I thank everyone who has picked up this book, which showcases one of my family’s heroes.We are grateful to you for taking the time to read it. Indeed, it is through our stories that those who have left us will continue to live on forever.


Professor Nafeesa Jalal is Niece Khaza Nizamuddin Bhuiyan and Professor, School of Health Sciences at Seneca.