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Smiles of victory wipe out 9-month pain

A Japanese journalist recalls his journey into liberated Bangladesh

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
It was a rough ride from Kolkata to Khulna Racecourse Maidan on December 17, 1971, recalls Japanese journalist Naoaki Usui, as the Pakistani occupation forces had destroyed most of the bridges. But the triumphant smile of people subsided all his pain.
Usui was narrating yesterday his 17-hour trip touching Jessore
and Khulna to Khulna Racecourse Maidan on December 17 to cover the surrender of the Pakistani army to the Mitra Bhahini -- allied forces of Muktibahini and the Indian army.
"The highway was crammed with jubilant people. Younger ones were waving hands and screaming 'Joy Bangla' at the top of their voice at different places of Jessore and Khulna," Usui says.
The young journalist, now 60, came to Kolkata to cover the Eastern Command of the Indian Army and took 333 photographs of overjoyed children, youths and people while driving around in the two districts. He stayed in Kolkata for four weeks.
"When I went to a village to watch the joys of liberation, people were dancing and singing wielding firearms. I went to a local stall to have some food when local people and Muktishenas (freedom fighters) encircled us. Some youths placed a garland in my neck, which was the happiest moment of my life," Usui fondly recalls.
"'Joy Bangla' (Long live Bangla), 'Amar Sonar Bangla' (My Golden Bangla) and 'Amar Neta Sheikh Mujib' (My leader is Sheikh Mujib) were the three slogans the liberated Bangalees mostly chanted just a day after the victory."
"It was the first and most important foreign assignment of my life,'' Usui says. "I have seen the joys of the people of this country a day after the surrender of the occupation forces in 1971".
He was working with Ryudo, a monthly Japanese magazine on political and social issues, and National Radio Network of Japan. He is now a freelancer-cum-editorial advisor of Science-News, a magazine.
About the present-day Bangladesh, Usui says, "I am really impressed that Bangladesh has come a long way over the last 32 years."
The Japanese journalist is exhibiting the photographs themed, "Amar Dekha Bijoy" (The victory I have witnessed), at the Liberation War Museum gallery at Segun Bagicha in Dhaka. The exhibition starting on December 10 will remain open to public until December 17.
Thirty photographs capturing the overwhelming joys of the victorious Muktibahani and commoners including boys, girls and
youths have been put on display.
Among the 30 photographs are the ones of a hand-sewn flag flying atop a shop at a village bazaar of Jessore, Mitra Bhahini boarding a moving tank, Bangalee teenagers celebrating the victory in a colourful procession and locals congratulating the triumphant allied forces.
Besides, photos of refugees lining up for meals at a camp in India, a mentally deranged old woman at the Salt Lake refugee camp, a local leader announcing the news of the surrender of Pakistani army and victory on a megaphone at the Race Course Maidan in Khulna and defeated Pakistani soldiers being taken to elsewhere on a car.
Usui will share his memories of independence with different professionals today at the Liberation War Museum premises before leaving for Japan on December 18.