Kazi Liakat Hossain :
It was in the year 1969 when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released from so-called Agartala Conspiracy Case. It was like a miracle when I met this giant political leader, founder and architect of Independent Bangladesh. When I was a college student, I used to hear his voice through Radio and saw the picture in print media. But I did not see him face to face before.
In the same year perhaps in the month of March/April-1969, my first cousin married daughter of Mir Ashrafuddin Makhan. In that marriage ceremony Bangabandhu was invited with his family. Late Mir Ashrafuddin happens to be husband of Bangabandhu’s own niece (Bhagni). Mrs. Makhan is the sister of Late Eliash Chowdhury (MP) and Aunt of Noor-E-Alam Liton Chowdhury (Whip & MP) of Shibchar, Madaripur. It is interesting to note that her nickname was also Makhan. Bangabandhu came with his wife to attend the marriage ceremony of his grand-daughter Mukta (daughter of Bangabandhu’s niece). Late Mir Ashrafuddin and Bangabandhu used to study in Kolkata Islamia College and lived in the Muslim Baker Hostel. Mir Ashrafuddin Makhan hails from the village Mirapara, Rampal, Munshigonj. His two sons-in-law were D.C Comilla and D.C Pabna and they were promoted to the rank of Joint Secretaries, Govt. of Bangladesh, namely late Chowdhury Golam Mawla of Shibchar, Madaripur and Mahbubur Rahman of Chandpur. Another son-in-law was late Anwarul Huq Manik who was Sales Manager of Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical company. Ashrafuddin Makhan is blessed with 5 daughters. and 3 sons, namely Mira, Mukta, Lucky, Khuki and Baby, sons are Hasan, Dilip and Prodip. Other relatives of Mir Ashraf are late Barrister Kazi Ahmed Kamal (former Ambassador of Bangladesh to Germany) and Nayeem Gahar (a noted poet, lyricist and national Independence Awardee). Late Kazi Kamal was also Hostel mate of Bangabandhu at Baker Hostel, Kolkata. He was student of Presidency College. Bangabandhu, Mir Ashraf and Kazi Kamal were very close friends. They were called by their classmates Tri Ratna (three gems).
Let us come to our main discussion, how I met this legendary personality Bangabandhu.
Both the bride and bridegroom are my (writer’s) relatives; the bridegroom was younger brother of reputed poet and lyricist Nayeem Gahar.
All close relatives attended the function. I was loitering near the narrow lane (gali) at Arambagh the time was near about 1:30pm. I found an old white Toyota car stopping just near to me.
I was very excited having seen Bangabandhu (he was not given the title Bangabandhu till that time) getting down from the car and looked right and left. I immediately understood, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had come to attend the marriage ceremony of grand daughter i.e, the daughter of Mir Ashrafuddin Makhan.
I quickly approached to him and asked him whether he had come to attend the social function of Mir Ashrafuddin. He promptly replied, “Oh! Yes, where is the residence of Mir Ashrafuddin? Lead me up to his residence.”
Bangabandhu was wearing a traditional dress white Panjabi and white payjama (Trouser) and holding his long practised pipe in his left hand and wearing a pair of black spectacles. He was smiling and asking me the whereabouts of Mir Ashraf. I also boldly and promptly threw a question. “How could I dare to lead a personality like you? You are leading Bangalee nation.” He did not tell me anything, but patted on my back and he threw a sweet smile towards me. This wonderful smiling face still flashes in my mind’s eye. Whenever I remember him, I cannot control my tears. Anyway, I showed him the path and led him to Mir Ashrafs residence. Kazi Kamal and Nayeem Gahar were also present at that function. He (Bangabandhu) hugged with them and exchanged greetings.
The nation is going to observe Mourning today on 15 August. Bangabandhu’s contribution to the history of the nation is unparalleled. Bangabandhu led the nation to Independence through indomitable courage, unparalleled patriotism, unbelievable farsightedness and dynamic leadership, ignoring fears of death and threats of the gallows.
Rest of the killers of Bangabandhu should be brought back to Bangladesh and should be given capital punishment without delay.
Finally, I recall the words of famous English poet John Milton, “Death is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity.” May his soul rest in eternal peace!
It was in the year 1969 when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released from so-called Agartala Conspiracy Case. It was like a miracle when I met this giant political leader, founder and architect of Independent Bangladesh. When I was a college student, I used to hear his voice through Radio and saw the picture in print media. But I did not see him face to face before.
In the same year perhaps in the month of March/April-1969, my first cousin married daughter of Mir Ashrafuddin Makhan. In that marriage ceremony Bangabandhu was invited with his family. Late Mir Ashrafuddin happens to be husband of Bangabandhu’s own niece (Bhagni). Mrs. Makhan is the sister of Late Eliash Chowdhury (MP) and Aunt of Noor-E-Alam Liton Chowdhury (Whip & MP) of Shibchar, Madaripur. It is interesting to note that her nickname was also Makhan. Bangabandhu came with his wife to attend the marriage ceremony of his grand-daughter Mukta (daughter of Bangabandhu’s niece). Late Mir Ashrafuddin and Bangabandhu used to study in Kolkata Islamia College and lived in the Muslim Baker Hostel. Mir Ashrafuddin Makhan hails from the village Mirapara, Rampal, Munshigonj. His two sons-in-law were D.C Comilla and D.C Pabna and they were promoted to the rank of Joint Secretaries, Govt. of Bangladesh, namely late Chowdhury Golam Mawla of Shibchar, Madaripur and Mahbubur Rahman of Chandpur. Another son-in-law was late Anwarul Huq Manik who was Sales Manager of Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical company. Ashrafuddin Makhan is blessed with 5 daughters. and 3 sons, namely Mira, Mukta, Lucky, Khuki and Baby, sons are Hasan, Dilip and Prodip. Other relatives of Mir Ashraf are late Barrister Kazi Ahmed Kamal (former Ambassador of Bangladesh to Germany) and Nayeem Gahar (a noted poet, lyricist and national Independence Awardee). Late Kazi Kamal was also Hostel mate of Bangabandhu at Baker Hostel, Kolkata. He was student of Presidency College. Bangabandhu, Mir Ashraf and Kazi Kamal were very close friends. They were called by their classmates Tri Ratna (three gems).
Let us come to our main discussion, how I met this legendary personality Bangabandhu.
Both the bride and bridegroom are my (writer’s) relatives; the bridegroom was younger brother of reputed poet and lyricist Nayeem Gahar.
All close relatives attended the function. I was loitering near the narrow lane (gali) at Arambagh the time was near about 1:30pm. I found an old white Toyota car stopping just near to me.
I was very excited having seen Bangabandhu (he was not given the title Bangabandhu till that time) getting down from the car and looked right and left. I immediately understood, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had come to attend the marriage ceremony of grand daughter i.e, the daughter of Mir Ashrafuddin Makhan.
I quickly approached to him and asked him whether he had come to attend the social function of Mir Ashrafuddin. He promptly replied, “Oh! Yes, where is the residence of Mir Ashrafuddin? Lead me up to his residence.”
Bangabandhu was wearing a traditional dress white Panjabi and white payjama (Trouser) and holding his long practised pipe in his left hand and wearing a pair of black spectacles. He was smiling and asking me the whereabouts of Mir Ashraf. I also boldly and promptly threw a question. “How could I dare to lead a personality like you? You are leading Bangalee nation.” He did not tell me anything, but patted on my back and he threw a sweet smile towards me. This wonderful smiling face still flashes in my mind’s eye. Whenever I remember him, I cannot control my tears. Anyway, I showed him the path and led him to Mir Ashrafs residence. Kazi Kamal and Nayeem Gahar were also present at that function. He (Bangabandhu) hugged with them and exchanged greetings.
The nation is going to observe Mourning today on 15 August. Bangabandhu’s contribution to the history of the nation is unparalleled. Bangabandhu led the nation to Independence through indomitable courage, unparalleled patriotism, unbelievable farsightedness and dynamic leadership, ignoring fears of death and threats of the gallows.
Rest of the killers of Bangabandhu should be brought back to Bangladesh and should be given capital punishment without delay.
Finally, I recall the words of famous English poet John Milton, “Death is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity.” May his soul rest in eternal peace!
