Reliving memories of liberation war and victory

Amidst the hullaballoo of filing of nomination papers ---including approval or disapproval of those--- for January 7 national election, this year's Victory Day celebration is quite muted. Lighting decoration of government and landmark buildings in the capital and elsewhere is likely to be there as usual but the official enthusiasm is surely missing. What will, however, be most conspicuous by its absence is the spectacular parade on the National Parade Ground hosted by the Bangladesh Armed Forces, which also involves the Police, Border Guard Bangladesh and Ansars. It is an indirect demonstration of the country's military capability as well.
While the ordinary mortals who get thrilled by any spectacular display including air show are sure to miss all this, there are reasons to be disappointed by the apathy shown to the event by the political circles on both sides of the divide. With politics becoming ever more fractious, acidic and combating in nature, the event has largely been given the cold shoulder, it seems, by the political parties.
Yet the hoisting of the national flag, placing of floral wreaths at the national mausoleum and other hallowed spots bearing the memory of heroism and sacrifice and thus paying homage to the martyrs will take place. People will be milling around in their droves. Not all of them, however, will feel the thrill and sensation of the time back in 1971 and recollect the treasured memory of their elders who fought the liberation war.
In fact, the celebration of the Victory Day, the Independence Day and other events of national importance has become more ritualistic than substantive of late. Colourful and spectacular celebrations can miss out on the core value or the most intrinsic aspect of the commemorative occasion. A close look will reveal that the majority of people consider the day of national holiday an opportunity for outing or outdoor excursion. People come with their families in a holiday mood as if they are visiting anything of the order of a fair.
The ritualistic celebration has failed to relive the sanctity, spirit, energy, dedication and the courage of conviction that went into the liberation war and the final triumph. Here is an occasion to fall back upon the proud achievement and draw inspiration from it so that the nation does not lose its way in the wilderness. But an overriding impulse of personality projection by people who matter, bolstered by selfishness and exhibitionism, has undermined the abstract treasures that are stored in human psyche. Had the nation learnt how to pay homage to the valiant deeds and sacrifices made by a generation, members of which have either taken leave of this world or are waiting to call it a day, their descendants today would have greedily learnt from them the values of life.
Even in simple terms, on the occasion of celebration of the landmark event, the remaining freedom fighters could be invited to grace public meetings to share their memories of the battles they fought in 1971. Listening to the details of the encounters from the horses' mouths has its special significance. Their description of the battles can transpose today's youths to the time gone by to recreate or recapture in their mind's eye the scenes in a way impossible otherwise.
By doing this, today's young generation can pay tribute to the valour of their elders and at the same time feel proud to uphold the spirit now on the wane. Long and hollow speeches by speakers interested only to announce their importance in society can be replaced by authentic description of war front events. Apart from the stories related by freedom fighters, photo (if any) exhibitions, painting shows on the liberation war and question-answer sessions, where children will know from the aged freedom fighters what they like to, can be held. Newspaper cuttings of various operations by freedom fighters and the surrender of the still photos of Pakistani military generals at then Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) can be exhibited at the functions arranged all across the country.
The bottom line is to relive the momentous events in all their grandeurs. Today's young generation must know from such close-quarter interactions what really happened in the heady days of 1971. They need to rediscover the energy, ideals, values and principles that went into the making of this nation. This is how they can avoid the trapping of borrowed and alien culture.