Gopal Odikari

After 52 years of independence, Bangladesh has completed 53 steps. I feel that the dream and spirit of freedom is disappearing as the days go by. Because the freedom fighters are still alive, I can hear the true story of the liberation war from their mouths.

But how does it feel to think how the country will be if there are no freedom fighters after a few decades? The question arises how much the young generation will know the history of the liberation war? How much patriotism will be awakened? Will they be nurtured in the style of patriotism? Or the history of freedom struggle will be erased in the dust? It is difficult to imagine a nation without history. We are well organized because of the history of the liberation war. We are united because we have a history of sacrifice.

There are three important national days in the national life of Bangladesh. Maybe many of us don't know these days. Many people especially the younger generation do not know. 21 February Martyrs Day, 26 March Independence Day and 16 December Victory Day. Every day has a potav'mi. There is significant motivation. No one wants to live without freedom. But the road to independence is not smooth.

Bangladesh's path to independence is tumultuous and painful. The final fight for freedom began in this March. It was in this month that the Bengali resistance started against the Pakistani invasion forces. In the turbulent 1971, Bengalis had a dream of independence throughout the month of March. For a long time, the exploited, oppressed, disenfranchised people of this country were fighting for freedom.

On March 1, 1971, Pakistan's dictatorial military ruler General Yahya Khan canceled the scheduled session of the National Assembly. The session was scheduled to begin on March 3. In the historic elections of 1970, the Awami League led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won an absolute majority in Pakistan. As soon as the cancellation of the session was announced as a nefarious and insidious conspiracy to not hand over power to Sheikh Mujib, the people of the then East Pakistan erupted in anger and rage. Deprived, abused, disenfranchised people erupted in protest. All the people from office and court spontaneously came down to Russia and strongly protested this conspiracy. Slogans were raised - Take up arms, brave Bengalis / Make Bangladesh independent.

On March 7, 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave a historic speech at Suhrawardy Udyan, the former race course grounds. At that time, he warned the Pakistani rulers and said, 'You cannot keep seven crore people under control. When we have learned to die, no one can hold us back. When I have given blood, I will give more. I will free the people of this country, God willing. This struggle is our liberation struggle, this struggle is the struggle for freedom. Joy Bangla.' Bangabandhu's speech spread from one end of the country to the other in no time. After his declaration, the brave Bengali left the house, and did not return home until the victory was won, the country was free. March 26 Independence Day.

March 26 Independence Day. History says that the declaration of independence was made at midnight on March 25, 1971. Since then, March 26 is Independence Day. And the history behind it is even longer. Year 1757 The day the sun of independent Bengal set. Sirajuddola, the last Nawab of independent Bengal, fought with the British on June 23, 1757 in the desert of Palashi.

The Nawab was defeated and killed due to the intrigues and disloyalty of some relatives. Since then the Indian subcontinent came under British rule. Company and British rule. Despite coming to the Indian subcontinent to do business, the British could not control the greed of seeing the land of Bengal purer than gold. To rule the country by doing it. This is how the British rule lasted until 1947. So it is said that the sun of independent Bengal had set for almost two hundred years. The sun had set in the sense that the Indian subcontinent had been absorbed by the British for nearly two hundred years.

In 1947, the Indian subcontinent was divided into two states, India and Pakistan. Before that, the British tried to extend the rule by various strategies including the partition of Bengal. But neither objective succeeded. At that time present day Bangladesh became East Pakistan. Today's Bangladesh is still exploited. The game was the same only the players changed. The first proof of which is the decision to make Urdu the national language, excluding Bengali. But it was not successful. By marching on the streets for the language, the Bengali nation was the first in the world to show that they can act. They can give life for language. On that day, the blood of the unknown martyrs including Rafiq, Salam, Barkat, Jabbar, Shafiur, and other martyrs had exposed the nationalism of the Bengali nation.

The history of that day gave impetus to the realization of their rights. It gave courage to all subsequent movements and struggles. In return, Bengali was recognized as the state language in the 1956 constitution. The six phase of 1966 which was the first phase of autonomy, the popular uprising of 1969 and various conspiracies in the elections of 1970. Knowing that the defeat was certain with 70 elections, those Pakistanis began to struggle in the name of giving power.

On March 25, 1971, they suddenly indulged in the massacre while discussing the night. Operation search light went on that night. Killed people of different classes and professions in different places of Dhaka.

A dark day in the history of mankind. The day is being celebrated as 'Genocide Day'. On this fiery March day of 1971, the life of Bengali was brutal, terrible and horrible dark night. The purpose of this operation, called 'Operation Searchlight', was to nip the Bengali's desire for freedom in the bud. In the evening, the invaders killed countless unarmed patriots and the best children of the country by carrying out brutality at Dhaka University's Jagannath Hall, Iqbal Hall, Rokeya Hall, teachers' residence, EPR headquarters in Pilkhana, Rajarbagh police line. But they did not succeed. Defeated on December 16 by the indomitable spirit of the Bengalis. The declaration of independence on March 26 gave impetus to Bengali independence. Dreamed of independence. If this announcement had not come that day, our day of victory might have been delayed. The nation was disoriented.

The declaration of March 26 showed the nation a path. Everyone moves forward with one goal in mind. March 26 sets us that goal. Which will be remembered forever in history. Countless lives have been sacrificed in the war of liberation, countless mothers and sisters have lost honor. Countless people of this country have to be injured and crippled. Our beloved motherland Bangladesh became independent in exchange of immense sacrifice of millions of people. I think the history of Bengali independence will inspire a country aspiring for independence. Not only the country but also a person will add the lamp of courage. Let the sun of freedom shine. May the light of freedom spread to all souls. Let Bengal wake up, chant "Jai Bangla".

A citizen's main responsibility and duty is to be loyal to the state. Always be vigilant to protect the independence and sovereignty of the country. We may often forget that patriotism is essential along with parental love. But if those brave Bengalis of ours thought about their family instead of thinking about the country, would we have got an independent country? Did we get the mother tongue Bengali language?

The spirit of freedom inspires patriotism. Everyone should know the history of freedom war. Only patriotism can inculcate the sense of sovereignty of the country. The history of the liberation war is essential in creating a sense of patriotism. In every dish of the liberation war, there is a refuge of freedom. A mother's son is a tearful stream of grief. A red-green flag of a father's war-winning son's struggling victory. Therefore, I feel with a strong heart that the young people are rich in the history of the liberation war.

The writer is a Journalist and columnist.