Muhammad Quamrul Islam :
The Uttara branch of Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine (BAAIGM) at Dhaka-1230 very enthusiastically observed the Day on October 1, 2019 according to its programme by the members. In early morning of the Day at 8.30 am members assembled before shopping mall Zam Zam Tower at the crossing of Sector-11, Uttara and exchanged pleasantries. They were all retired government officials and professionals, recalled the bygone days, present stress and strain of life. How they were then and how are they now? Most of us met each other after coming to reside at Uttara in new set of living with high rise apartment buildings different from the past. We performed Namaj (prayers) at Mosques in Sector-10 as usual and exchanged words for good deeds and mutual welfare, which is now our new home address.
It recalled Dhanmondi initiative in 1960 by Dr. AKM Abdul Wahed, who established the Association for the Aged after retirement from Government medical service out of his gained experience, pioneered in this field. Everyone wore the colorful cap and T-shirt inscribed with the day in hilarious mood to start the rally. The colorful rally started, attracted the attention of all from the starting point on both sides of the road towards office of the branch at Sector-10. There are offices of banks and companies, shops of various types, restaurants, schools and colleges upcoming another private university, clinics and hospitals and residents in apartments of high rise buildings on both sides of the road rally passed through. Pedestrians hailed the rally; some inquisitively asked about the Day and felt happy receiving the reply. As Dhaka city is most densely populated in the world where 1 lakh 15 thousand live per square mile ridden with traffic congestion and pollution side by side improved urban infrastructures, the morning breeze and rally gave us new breath of life and exuberances which on lookers of different age groups have noticed gladly.
A serene atmosphere prevailed all through, crossed the bridge from Sector-11 to Sector-10 and reached our office where the rally ended at House # 11, Road # 1/A with all mirth and happiness. We exchanged views face to face with the members over light refreshments in the said premises voluntarily provided and furnished at ground floor by Rafiqual Islam, retired secretary to the government, in a true spirit. Our talks were exchanges of gems of experience which are worth passing to new generations thru this column and refreshing memory of the aged. Since we came to Uttara to reside since 2010, a mini remembrance of our Paltan Stadium Group of 1960s reemerged centering our great friend Md. Abdul Mannan, Advisor, Public Relation in National Diabetic Centre.
I came to know from the wife of late Shakhawat Hossain retired secretary to the government that few days before his death he expressed his desire to visit S M Hall Dhaka University he resided in his student life and accordingly it was arranged by his family. He went to S M Hall for the day; visited the rooms he resided, walked thru corridors and other places, talked with students, saw current state of discipline and campus violence and returned to his Uttara residence with satisfaction of his desire. Look what intimate feelings Shakhawat had as an old student of S M Hall Dhaka University in end 1950s and early 1960s, which he carried in his service life and after retirement till the last moments of his life. Those were decades of academic excellences and democratic pursuits that were lost after independence1971 regrettably. He tried his best to revive those traditions in his spheres for making the country livable along with economic growth and stuck to his principles despite adverse circumstances following teachers- students’ partisan politics under the plea of University Ordinance 1973 and regulations providing fronts of parties that need to be omitted.
She told me Shakhawat wanted to die at his residence in the midst of his family, without spending time in costly ICU of a clinic. He died on her hand peacefully, survived by his mother and children well placed in life. His mother is 102 years old who is looked after by his wife. It is a striking point for our society and bright example true to the spirit of Islam, which new generation should learn and emulate.
Another Member social activist Monira told me she worked in Government Urban Development and Town Planning. It instantly took me to 1962 when I commenced my career as Economist under the government, worked for national project Survey, Investigation and Planning for Rural Housing in the enlightened company of Political Scientist Chartered Town Planner AKM Salehuddin Ahmed in charge of the project. Its research findings and reports led to the establishment of Urban Development Directorate, which I found later on when I saw these in the show and seminar of Urban Development. I exchanged views which she reciprocated, said she would carry it forward andstep together. I convey my cordial thanks to her. She was happy to know my wife Prof Laila Akhter was of Geography and Environment Dept, Dhaka University 1967 batch.
In the evening session of the day on October 1 at about 3pm we assembled at the school campus premises at Road-12 at Uttara Sector-10 despite inclement weather, enjoyed the way school children received the older persons showering flowers, listened to the discussants particularly experience in caring the aged. In between we performed Namaj and returned. Our fellows Postal Abul Quasem, Haji Abdul Ali and journalist Siddikullah actively moved to make the program successful while talked with me. The Chief Guest was our local MP Advocate Shahara Khatoon, Presidium Member of Awami League and former Minister, was an older person delivered the speech recalled venerable Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah and stated her present feeling to serve the people. While listening to her it flashed in my mind my batch mate Advocate Shahabuddin Ahmed, President Dhaka District Bar, introduced me to her politically as I joined the Bar in 1987 under him leaving service, to which she gestured positively. But the company of Muzaffar NAP lawyers was the hindrance for which my friend’s expectation did not materialize.
In a nutshell, the day was befittingly observed which may serve as a model for observance and reporting in future countrywide punctuating to local conditions and Central Executive Committee may take a look. Let older persons’ journey to Age Equality become a reality till we observe the day next year with a new theme. Many of our friends have passed away and we pray for salvation of their souls. We seek forgiveness and pray Allah take us as destined in His infinite mercy.
(Muhammad Quamrul Islam is economist, advocate and columnist;mail: mqislambd @hotmail.com)
